Welcome to the first day of Fall
---or maybe winter
Mile 437 10:20 AM
Okay, so we got a late start, but we made up for it by having
a pretty dull day. We continue to rise through the foothills,
and today we actually got to the first of the three mountain ranges
that happen before the Canadian Rockies. If they call these
mountain ranges the "little mountains" (le petit bighilles),
we feel like real wimps for gaping open-jawed at the foothills.
Laura works on the trip report
About the only interesting thing in the first 40 miles (27.3 Newtons) was ginseng farms. Apparently, the climate is just dandy for growing oriental roots with healthful benefits. Although they do have to cover them with large black tarps (they get too much sun, here?).
Laura drives
It's a small world....
Mile 552; 1:20 PM
We stop at the world-famous (hey, according to the guest book,
they've heard of it in Germany!), Beardale Castle Miniature World.
This is basically the work of one guy who really likes
playing with model trains, and has managed to convince his wife
not only to give him seven buildings to put his toys in, but also
to run the museum while he builds more stuff.
A tiny Canadian mining town
It's a small, strange world
When puppets go bad
A quick trip to the Alps
Wait a minute--it's only Fall!
Rogers Pass
Mile 623; 3:30 PM
Whew! "Yukon" Laura has just piloted us through a first-class
blizzard, with the snow going sideways, and everything looking
whiter than a noon lunch crowd in Donald, BC. Summer is not even
cold in its grave (having only just expired) and we're driving
through a friggin' blizzard! Sheesh!
Fortunately, Yukon Laura made us pack our warm jackets and mukluks, and we had plenty of extra chow for the dogs.
Robert decided that since this was the first snow of the season (at least for us), it had to be magical. Laura thinks he's listened to "Frosty The Snowman" at heart-stopping volume a few too many times. Robert's magical ritual involved running around in the snow, getting soaked, catching snowflakes on his tongue, and kissing, most of which Laura watched from the car (except for the kissing part).
A Golden halt
Golden, BC
Mile 673; 5:45 PM
Boy, when they say, "Next Town 79 km" boy, they're not
kidding! There's nothing, nothing, nothing (and a lot of
it) in between towns here. Snow. Trees. Rain. Mountains. Rivers.
More trees. More rain.
We were so excited to see a 7-11, we stopped for the night. Not at the 7-11 (they were booked), but at some hotel trying to capture that British flavour. Since our idea of British flavor is Irish Coffee, this works fine for us.
Once in our room, Robert discovered that the frozen treat he had bought back at the stop in the snow (don't ask), stored in his jacket pocket, and forgotten during the kissing part was now mostly thawed. Laura thought about putting the jacket, with Robert in it, back outside to wait for it to freeze again, but Robert managed instead to drink most of the ice cream bar while standing over the bathroom sink.
This place has so much class, the TV in the bar was playing CBC (the Canadian version of PBS) when we walked in. We were learning about the exciting fur tanning industry. Fun and Educational! All of our goals are being met right here in a bar. Hmm...
Our kind of breakfast
More on Canadian signs
"It is unlawful to feed wildlife."
What a polite way to say "DON'T FEED THE ANIMALS DICKHEAD!!!" It also encourages everyone who reads the sign to get involved. ("Excuse me, sir, but you seem to be engaged in some unlawful activities, there, eh?" "Oh gosh, so I am! Sorry about that, eh?" "No problem, eh? Have a beer!" "Have a beer yourself!")
Canadian language lesson
In today's lesson, you will learn how to conduct a simple conversation in Canadian. Although Canadian sounds similar to English, there are some differences, that can lead to embarrassment if you are not careful.
Practice saying these phrases out loud. It may help if you have a beer in your hand while you practice. The translation for each phrase is shown in parentheses following the Canadian phrase.
Good day, eh? (Hello)
Good day, yourself, eh? (Hello!)
Have a beer, eh? (How are you doing?)
Have a beer yourself, eh? (Fine, and you?)
These are good beers, eh? (The weather looks good.)
Yup! These are fine beers (Yes, although it might rain, later)
How's your truck doin'? (How are your wife and children?)
Not as good as these beers, eh? (They are in good health and spirits.)
These are sure good beers! (Well, I better be going)
The best, eh? (It has been nice talking to you!)
Have a beer, eh? (Goodbye)
Have a beer, yourself! (Goodbye)
