June 22nd --Kettle Valley Railway - Othello Tunnels

New day in Abbotsford area

A day to ride in Abbotford area - Brad and I met Cam for a ride to Othello Ttunnels and hike through the train tunnels that were carved into the mountains. 

Fertile farm land surrounded by mountains



Really beautiful mountains

Rushing streams from the snow melt

This river runs through the gorge that created quite an
obstacle for the railway.

 



Drill bit stuck in the rock from a long time ago.



Notice the focal point of a blast from the dynamite used
to get through the rock.
 



Lots of places to enjoy the outdoors 

Moss covered trees

Ravines and places difficult to get to.

We specifically were looking for eagles and we did see on from a distance as it soared above the river near the nesting area often used.  I was a little disappointed after we returned to town.  I mentioned it to Amy and Dan and they said lets go to the park.  In the city of Abbotsford about six blocks from where they lived we saw this.... 


Supper was with Brads friends and saw some other interesting things in the area on the way.

Some sights seem to take you back to a different time.

June 21st - first day of summer

Abbotsford is an area Brad and his family lived for a number of years.  He has some good friends there and we were able to connect with them and do some riding together. 

Cam - a good friend of Brad and Tammy

Bevan -



Dan, Bevan and Brad...



The GANG



Apparently they know where Sasquatch lives
 but they just havent told us.




I guess he might get a little angry if
you drop in unexpected.















We rode to Harrison Hot Springs and Lake.  A beautiful place - the lake is over 1000 feet deep in spots and the water is very cold despite the hot spring that empties into a part of the lake.

Harrison lake and hot springs

THe first day of summer was a beautiful day to ride in British Columbia and we were accused of bringing the warm weather with us.  I hope this trend continues.

The GANG rides on..... 

The valley was beautiful with mountains in view for most of the ride. 

Lots of tunnels to go through - Brad are you looking for
tire marks on the roof?

We "Stormed the Gates of Hell" -
this is an area in the Fraser River called Hells' Gate

 

Spectacular views - we even saw an eagle
from a distance.,

Friends of Brad
Myself, Bevan, Brad, Dan, and Bruce

You know you have a good friend when their friends remind you of your own close friends.  It was great to get to meet these guys that I have heard stories about - to put faces with the names.  Canadians are OK even when they play GRILL the American!  

June 20th - Arrived in Abbotsford

Today is a day to rest and recuperate – laundry, call home and also visit with Amy and Dan (my niece and her husband who are with MCC in Abbotsford).  It is great to see them and we enjoy dinner together.  It is also a time to catch up on the blog… I hope you enjoy the previous posts since I have time to write a little more than captions.

Amy and Dan - work with Mennonite Central Committee
They serve in the community and church for a two year assignment
Pray for them as their term ends and they look for jobs.

Amy works at a community center two days a week.  

Abbotsford is in a beautiful valley with at least one
perpetually snow covered mountain in view
when the weather allows visibility. 

Brad did meet me to do a quick ride around the valley and see some places of interest.  We might have done 20 miles today – but it was a nice break.

A day for ferrys . June 19th (Fathers Day)

Bacon, delicious pancakes with REAL MAPLE SYRUP, and warm blueberry compote YUM!!! (Thanks Heather and Bruce)  We enjoyed the visit and the Coos Bay serenade- care of Bruce and Brad (copyright the MUPPETS).  

Petrol in Canada --- per litre

The sky continues to brood over us as we head north on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island never dropping moisture on us but threatening all the while.  Extraordinary flowers are found along the way (at least ones I have never seen before) and capture my attention.  I believe the seasonal temps etc. are what we experience in April in Virginia as the rhododendron are blooming and other trees are blooming as well.

We catch of first ferry to Saltspring Island for some exploration there.  The island is about 20miles long and in a few hours we have driven a lot of it.  Views of surrounding islands and straits were really neat.

 Back on the boat to Vancouver Island and we continue north toward Naniamo where we load onto a large ferry (with 3 levels for vehicles) that takes us to Vancouver called The Queen of Oak Bay.  The 2 hour sailing time goes quickly as we sort through pictures and try to capture memories to share with all of you.

Brad is soooo excited to be in BC again EH?

Off the ferry we go in a flurry with all the other motorcycles blasting up the highway in excess of 140….. (- that is kilometers per hour and it is really not that fast (about 70mph)) this freeway takes us to the Lions Gate Bridge and over the bridge into Stanley Park.  The bridge is a large suspension bridge from North Vancouver over to downtown and the park is the threshold to the hustle and bustle of downtown..



  In the park we see geese (real Canadian Geese not the impostors we see in the US that claim to be Canadian geese – how do we know?  They could live in Brooklyn for all we know and they are probably not Canadian at all).



The other Sears tower 

Stanley Park

Downtown Vancouver is rather quiet since it is later Sunday night.  Not much going on as we pass the (other) SEARS tower, and a very interesting building they built from the top down.  In about an hour we are entering Abbostford and we find where Amy, my niece, lives and I call it a day.  It is good to see family so far from home.  After experiencing all this the highlight of my day was opening a Father’s Day card from my son Josiah.  Reminds me how much I love my son and my wife and I do miss them even while taking this epic trip.