Radium-Crowsnest Pass
Sept. 3rd-7th 2019
What have we done?
We sold "Willow" our 1990 Ford Okanagan Van
Ruth and I bought Willow in Sept. 2012, Hard to believe 7 years ago. It was a very difficult decision to make. I had to put pieces together to recognize that this selling was the answer. Life changes, faster than you realize, and in looking back we did not even use Willow in 2018. Ruth and I both had the opportunities to travel to the Maritimes, a bigger grander venture a little heavier on the budget side. Understandable Willow sat waiting patiently for us....
We had to look at the changes in our life which of course included getting older! What is it we wanted to do in the future. We both have brand new little cars (Meg and Pearl) that are realistically more reliable that Willow. She is also getting older.....
The focus is to be able to still travel around on our photography trips and perhaps have a wider perimeter to be able to journey. Willow was slow, heavy on gas so had more of a limited distance. Back in 2012 we had created a wish list of places to go, sights to see. We realized the time and expense and maybe even risk of breakdowns further from home.
All these factors weighed on our minds.....so we finally came to the decision it was time. We made wonderful memories that we won't forget. I have created blogs for every year, for the main focus of having them there when I'm 100 and will be able to recollect all those memories through the photos and stories within.
There were some positive signs we had made the right decision, She made us a tidy profit in the sale. Imagine after 7 yrs. we actually sold her for more that we paid for her! She did us well. Made us realize the original purchase was a good one.
So what's next?
Definitely we are going to miss camping! We had seen a new idea in a few campsites in our travels, what they are calling "Comfort Camping" Hopefully they become even more of an attraction in more locations in the future.
Because it was later in season already we decided to try the "OTentiks" in Redstreak Campground, Radium BC.
Three nights, Parks Canada + 251.00
Three nights, Parks Canada + 251.00
 |
| Our Home away from Home |
As with everywhere, you have to pick the right location, and this was my morning view.
Grabbed my warm jacket, camera, coffee found a sunbeam and watched the sunrise and sunsets. A well deserved rest after exploring the area throughout the day.
I need a spot on each trip we take that is my quiet, reflective spot with a view (usually in the mountains) to recap my day, my photos etc. This was one....In my opinion we need to explore this option in the future...We can be selective with the motels but the ambiance here is much more worthy....
Sept. 2, 2019
Along our roads traveled, there are always roadside attractions that normally you don't take the time to stop knowing how far you need to go.....We tried over the years to ensure that we got off the highway and took the time to enjoy the area....A great example of that was Premier Lake in the Kootenays. If we hadn't pulled off the highway for a picnic lunch we would have never known that gem was there....Quite the memory...One of those spots along Highway # 93 towards Radium in the East Kootenays was one to see The Paint Pots is just off the highway just past Marble Canyon (closed this year for repairs.
 |
| The signage so needs updating. They are broken, on ground, faded. |
Years ago, I was camping a lot with Dennis and Jeanne, Tim and Laura in the old green van (yes it always seemed old! 1975 Dodge. ) and we stopped at the Paint Pots and walked through....Memory has either faded or they have changed it somewhat but just like the Great Divide walk on the original Trans Canada highway, this has fallen into disrepair...That disappoints me...there are many many tourists getting a poor impression of our heritage sites. Still lots of people though....!
The signage is broken, faded, and most times on the ground in the mud...Hard to read the history..
Board walks were not in great shape, built to keep your boots out of the muck. The ocre pots seem to be all clay with iorn in them. Our boots were covered in this stuff and did not get it off even after wading in river at end of walk.
It is the mountains non the less still beautiful......worth our walk...
Location: 84 km east of Radium B.C. on Hwy 93 South.
This unusual orange ochre bed is important to many Aboriginal peoples who gathered the ochre for centuries for use in ceremony and trade. In the early 1900’s ochre was mined and shipped to Calgary, where it was used as a pigment in paint. Remnants of twentieth century mining are still visible along the trail.
Was able to get a little info off the Kootenay park website.....
After tracking the bank of the Vermilion River for a short distance, the short jog right through forest leads abruptly to the meadow hosting colorful wetland Ochre beds.
The trail is enhanced by interpretive signs along the first flat section of trail augmented by boardwalks to keep the feet dry. Avoiding contact with the colorful clay soil is important. The colorful clay is a dye which becomes difficult to remove from footwear and clothing.
The aboriginal people who inhabited the region traveled here to collect the vibrantly colorful soil for use as ceremonial body paint. The unique area was justifiably considered sacred ground worthy of respect.
Sept 3, 2019
My morning coffee is always and enjoyable sit, on the deck in a sunbeam, recapping yesterday's walks and planning our days adventures....And of course morning sights to distract a body...
 |
| Here comes the boss |
 |
Columbia River Valley Radium BC.Sept 3, 2019 afternoon |
Ruth and I decided a hike to Dog Lake was in order....Didn't know if we wanted to go the full distance, would wing it to see the terrain..
 |
| Beautiful colour of the water in the Kootenays. |
Ruth and I decided a hike to Dog Lake was in order....Didn't know if we wanted to go the full distance, would wing it to see the terrain..
Originally, the path looked very good, yes an increase in terrain but gradual the whole way. For me that became a challenge, Ruth on the other hand did fine.
Comments from Barry's Blog.
This short, easy hike to Dog Lake from the McLeod Meadows Campground travels a round trip distance of about 6 kilometers, with minor elevation gain/loss and will consume less than a half day at average pace.
Trail quality is excellent and the rich forest aroma sets up the remainder of the day.
It was a good trail, We stopped at the bench about 3/4 of the way so did not see the lake! I am disapointed in myself....the last section was downhill and I was worried about the uphill climb home when already tired....Reading Barry's blog and seeing the photos I wish I had tested myself. I should have gone in the morning when cooler....Heat always saps me....
 |
| Trip down was downright pleasurable..... |
Sept 3, 2019 around 3 pm
A parking lot, a river , a picnic table, lawn chairs, picnic lunch and sunshine and shade....We don't ask for much!
 |
| A look right and |
 |
| A look left. |
Is this not just beautiful?
Evening on my deck with a sunset....The colors were much more intense but with the contrast with the dark trees and brighter sky, this is the best I could get....My memory is still there..... Another good day.....Our last evg in the Otentik's....
Sept. 4th, 2019
Road Trip to Kimberley with plans to stop along the way...including trying the rocky gravel road to Lussier Hot Springs just south of Whiteswan Lake.
I can never have enough photos of clouds and mountains. Never....
I can never have enough photos of clouds and mountains. Never..
And I have never been disappointed in the clouds in the East Kootenays.
Another picnic lunch stop, how superior to stopping at a greasy spoon along the highway.
Years ago again with Dennis and Jeanne Whiteswan lake was a favorite place to nest.
Lussier Hot Springs
Cultural Heritage: Whiteswan Lake was an important seasonal hunting camp of the K’tunaxa (Kootenai) native people and their use of the area dates back at least 5,000 years. During the 1800’s and early 1900’s trappers, prospectors and guides worked in the area and soothed their work worn bodies in the hot mineral waters of Lussier Hot Springs.
Here is a blog photo, taken with No people showing the different pools....
Road into Whiteswan Provincial Park is a rough gravel logging road....There are pull-offs to get over for the logging trucks regularly travelling this road...Watch for them! ahead of time....
Memories remind me of pouring rain storms , water running down these mountains . made for a harrowing trip......
Destination that day was Kimberley BC......believe it or not I do not have a photo of the motel we stayed in.....A very pleasent find....just west of Kimberley on the highway....The room was furnished beautifully with antiques, clean nice hosts......
North Star Hotel, 2 nights 221.48
Shopping at open air farmers market, cute shops on main street...
Supper (pizza) Petal and Tap. Open windows, beautiful day.....
If memory serves me right we had a quick walk around the Frank Slide tourist walk on the north side of the highway...
Wikipedia article....
Supper at Limber Pine Smokehouse.....Coleman....
Years ago again with Dennis and Jeanne Whiteswan lake was a favorite place to nest.
Lussier Hot Springs
Cultural Heritage: Whiteswan Lake was an important seasonal hunting camp of the K’tunaxa (Kootenai) native people and their use of the area dates back at least 5,000 years. During the 1800’s and early 1900’s trappers, prospectors and guides worked in the area and soothed their work worn bodies in the hot mineral waters of Lussier Hot Springs.
Here is a blog photo, taken with No people showing the different pools....
Road into Whiteswan Provincial Park is a rough gravel logging road....There are pull-offs to get over for the logging trucks regularly travelling this road...Watch for them! ahead of time....
Memories remind me of pouring rain storms , water running down these mountains . made for a harrowing trip......
 |
| Entrance to Lussier Hot Springs..... |
Destination that day was Kimberley BC......believe it or not I do not have a photo of the motel we stayed in.....A very pleasent find....just west of Kimberley on the highway....The room was furnished beautifully with antiques, clean nice hosts......
North Star Hotel, 2 nights 221.48
Sept. 5th, 2019
Day trip to Fort Steele BC.
Community Gardens, Kimberley after lunch at Mark Creek Market...
Shopping at open air farmers market, cute shops on main street...
Supper (pizza) Petal and Tap. Open windows, beautiful day.....
Sept 6th, 2019
Onwards to Coleman Ab. in the Crowsnest Pass....
Best Canadian Motor Inn......Standard truckers room but clean and reasonable 1 night 107.91.
If memory serves me right we had a quick walk around the Frank Slide tourist walk on the north side of the highway...
Wikipedia article....
The Frank Slide was a rockslide that buried part of the mining town of Frank, North-West Territories,[nb 1] Canada, at 4:10 a.m. on April 29, 1903. Around 110 million tonnes (120×106 short tons) of limestone rock slid down Turtle Mountain.[1] Witnesses reported that the rock had reached up the opposing hills within 100 seconds, obliterating the eastern edge of Frank, the Canadian Pacific Railway line and the coal mine. It was one of the largest landslides in Canadian history and remains the deadliest, as between 70 and 90 of the town's residents were killed, most of whom remain buried in the rubble. Multiple factors led to the slide: Turtle Mountain's formation left it in a constant state of instability. Coal mining operations may have weakened the mountain's internal structure, as did a wet winter and cold snap on the night of the disaster.
The railway was repaired within three weeks and the mine was quickly reopened. The section of town closest to the mountain was relocated in 1911 amid fears that another slide was possible. The town's population nearly doubled its pre-slide population by 1906, but dwindled after the mine closed permanently in 1917. The community is now part of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in the Province of Alberta and has a population around 200. The site of the disaster, which remains nearly unchanged since the slide, is now a popular tourist destination. It has been designated a Provincial Historic Site of Alberta and is home to an interpretive centre that receives over 100,000 visitors annually.
 |
| Turtle Mountain, Frank Slide AB. |
Supper at Limber Pine Smokehouse.....Coleman....
Sept. 7th, 2019
Homeward bound today but first lets explore (what we do best) on the south side of highway 3.
We found a road on the south side of the highway that led to the original town of Frank or what is left of it.....Right along the Crowsnest River and at the base of Turtle Mountain....
 |
| Frank now appears to be an industrial area. |
It had rained the previous evg. so the clouds were hanging over the valley early but promise of a bright blue day...
 |
| Crowsnest River runs along the base of the mountain. |
A beautiful memorial to those that were lost. plus two survivors that lived a long life. The tragedy stayed with them forever and they chose to be buried with their loved ones on the site.....
 |
| Original entrance to the mine..... |
We then decided to continue on the road to Hillcrest. The slide seemed to go on forever....
 |
| Hard to believe! |
 |
| Show me the way to go home.....Crowsnest Pass .     
Each one of my visits to Frank Slide, left me feeling uneasy. They say there could be another slide one day, easy to see.Walking along the river on a boulder strewn road is quite intimidating....
So it's time to wander home...along more relaxing comforting views. I always reminise about how many years I have been travelling these roads and how familiar they are.....Really I don't think I would want to move. Alberta feels like home
  
Another good trip with Ruth and I ends with a Storm Cloud.......Perfect..
 |
