The Blewett Walk, Nelson, BC, 20kms, 11C, mixed skies

This is the third walk I have enjoyed on this trip, the first Myra Canyon, the second Mission Creek greenway in Kelowna (very nice, but not documented) and this morning a walk located just outside Nelson, BC. Annemarie was raised in the hamlet of Blewett on the side of a mountain after her parents emigrated from the Netherlands some years after WWII. They eventually settled in the Kootenay River Valley, a beautiful, if somewhat remote location in the SE corner of BC. It has always been a favorite place to visit family, first when I was dating Annemarie and later when we were raising our kids. Essentially empty nesters now, we have again returned to visit and find the same warm welcome always accorded us on previous visits. We like it here so much that we once considered buying a property here, but didn't because it's 10-11 hours by car from Victoria. We now wish we had because lake front properties have sky rocketed in price since those earlier days and are now commonly in the $800k - 1.2M range. Ouch!! I think in future years we will return to rent for a month in the fall because it's better value, still decent weather and many of the tourists have left...plus NO maintenance! 

While here we have been treated to some amazing sailing...how nice it is to sail on a boat without the maintenance! A photo or two from that experience...

Today I was unusually slow to rise...my back has been misbehaving a bit since I built the fence last week...and I was convinced by Annemarie that a walk would be a good thing and that she would meet me after the first 9kms at the dam and water diversion system on the upper Kootenay River...Kootenay Power. So after a very nice breakfast...our hosts make sure that they all are great...I took Annemarie's sticks and headed off down the road. I took the poles because I had been warned about a couple of less than friendly dogs, and learned on the Plata that poles were helpful in this regard. Turned out they were, but the dogs here don't hold a candle to the Spanish dogs for size, ferocity and perseverance:-) Quickly dealt with and I walked on.

It was a bit cool as I headed off, but a brisk pace soon warmed me and the views across the valley also helped to cheer me up. The sun also made some appearances which was great.

Annemarie's family homestead...

As you can see the scenery is great and quickly reminded me of the first day on the Frances as we walked to Valcarlos...I mean, just look at the scenes...add Spanish cows, a bit more pasture land and dogs and you're there!

I even found some flowers which made my day...

Annemarie passed me in the car as I neared the end and then we walked out through the water retention channels build to support down streamflow for the many hydro dams. The unusual thing was that the main one was completely empty...something I had never seen in 38 years and Annemarie also claimed she had never seen. Very cool.

It was pretty strange. I finished my walking day with a hill climb with Gil (the one on the bike) and the dogs...have to make sure the lungs are still functioning!

Now back with a beer and ready for another meal, but felt this was worthy of a blog post. We have plans for some walking tomorrow in an area I have never before visited and we are keenly looking forward to that. If there is enought to blog about I'll post again.

Myra. Canyon, near Kelowna BC, 18kms, 11C, drizzle

Today we had the opportunity to walk the. Myra Canyon, something we have wanted to do for many years, although we originally planned to ride it. It's part of the trail system which includes the Trans Canada Trail and the Kettle Valley Trail...in this area due to distances, typically cycled, but also walked in parts. 

In 2003, a number of the trestles were destroyed in a major fire which also claimed many homes in the Kelowna area...quite a disaster which took days to bring under control. There was a feeling of great loss following the destruction of the trestles, but generous contributions from the Province and others allowed reconstruction to proceed. A couple of years ago the work was finally completed and the traIl reopened. 

The trail follows a rail bed dating back to the early 1900's and there are 18 trestles over it's 12 km length. We decided to walk 9kms out and 9 kms back, due to the weather and as Annemarie hasn't been walking distance of late...so in reality we actually crossed 36 trestles:-) Walking there and back gave us some unique views and stayed fresh the whole way because of course the return walk looks completely different than the outbound leg.

There are also two rather long, dark tunnels to go through...quite amazing!

The rain came along when we were half way through our journey, but no fear, we had wet gear with us and of course I had my Camino hat on too...so all worked out well. 

I must say that the trestles were very high and because they were situated on the side of a canyon the height was accentuated. Unlike our walk over the high bridge leading into Portomorin on the Camino Frances, I had my head in the right place today and found that the heights didn't bother me at all. A great relief as the views were stunning! I found myself hanging over the side taking photos of the trestles and the valley colors...

If you look to the right and below the trestle, the burned, fire destroyed wood from the 2003 fire are clearly visible.

As we walked back, the clouds descended and enveloped us...it was a beautiful moment and brought back Camino memories for both of us from O'Cebreiro...clouds all around us as we decended from the high pass, and then suddenly the clouds parted and the day was stunning. Today the skies didn't open for us, but it nonetheless it was stunning at 1,300 meters elevation.

A great start to our vacation...more walking ahead:-)