Great Trail wk2 d4

We left Nelson on our way to Castlegar today. Surprisingly, for a city that gets a fair amount of snow in the winter, Nelson is full of steep hills. Not surprisingly, I picked the motel at the top of the steepest hill. Unfortunately, I continue to do this in almost every place we’ve stayed. They have been nice places to stay so a climb up the hill has been less painful. And if nothing else we were at least up the hill when we left Nelson.

What was really surprising is that I actually took some directions from a bike store owner. Typically I just do the Man-Thing and stare at the map like I know where I’m going.

After our good experience with the visitors information in Kimberley, I took a chance. It was a good thing I did because the store owner made it clear that the Great Trail route out of Nelson was essentially a hard mountain bike route and best to be avoided with 80 lb bikes. This may have saved my marriage and so not only was it worth going his recommended route it was actually much more pleasant and off the highway. In fact as we followed a dirt road out of Nelson we came across what is rarely seen in the US, despite it being our national bird. This one swooped so close that we thought he was coming for us.

Additionally, the route our new best friend suggested led to his friends restaurant in Crescent City. We were there in time for lunch and it was wonderful.

Yes, it is a bit of a hippie place or maybe it’s Millennials? You had to say things like cool and dude while you ordered. Regardless, the food was great and I enjoyed a Reuben Benedict breakfast for lunch. That was after a piece of key lime pie – no kids with us = no rules. Some of you probably think we’re still biking in British Columbia but in fact we found an old VW van and decided it would be more fun.

Castlegar was just over a small mountain pass and so a relatively pleasant ride. However, the temperatures were about 90° so it was a bit of a hot ride. Like every city in BC, it seems, Castlegar has a beautiful river and lake with high tree filled mountains surrounding it. We found our motel at the far end of town at the top of a hill and settled in for the evening.

Photos