Moss

We rescued some dried-up hemispheres of moss from a sidewalk recently. They were scattered around the base of a building, apparently after being scraped off the roof by someone whose job was scraping roofs, not sweeping sidewalks.

We had low expectations for their survival, but a little water and southern exposure has been good for them

Almost too good, perhaps, since they are merging together and now appear to be threatening to break out of their dish.

Our first attempt at moss growing was less successful. We brought a moss-covered rock home from a camping trip and tried to re-create its moist, north-facing mountain climate on our moist, north-facing balcony.

The rock seems pretty happy, at least.

BC Camping #5: Water

The unusually deep snow-pack over the winter raised water levels all over the province.

This "island" in Marble Canyon Provincial Park is usually a small stand of trees in a riverside meadow.

Highway 99 follows the Fraser River along Fountain Valley, east of Lillooet.

Our site at Ashnola Campground is right beside Ewart Creek.

Ewart Creek is a cold but refreshing dip on a hot afternoon.

Coming down the big switchbacks of Highway 3, high over Osoyoos Lake. Haynes Point Provincial Park is just visible on the left. The narrow green promontory is a great camping spot, but is booked well in advance.

North-east across Kootenay Lake from Kaslo.

The community-maintained Halfway hot springs near Nakusp.

These river-side hot pools were where we had a breakfast of roast chicken and chardonnay.There are usually a couple more pools but the river had risen right over them. We had to siphon cold river water in to mix with the piping hot, odourless springs water. The two were at such temperature extremes that the hot water floated on top of the cold, making two distinct layers. We had to constantly stir it all up in order to stay comfortable.

The very challenging path down to the river-side hot springs. Aya was determined and wouldn't let anything get in between her and a hot soak.

The ferry across Upper Arrow Lake, from Shelter Bay to Galena. Running hourly, the crew is reluctant to abandon travelers to a long wait for the next trip. Our ferry actually returned to the dock after leaving to pick up late-comers. Twice. I am not kidding.

BC Camping #4: Mountains

It is easy to be overwhelmed by the mountains in British Columbia. They scrape the bottoms of clouds, shine orange in the sun, and loom over like shaded giants. A few days scooting around their feet will show their many different personalities. They are dry and bare, black and jagged, snow-capped, lush green, softly rounded, imposing, beckoning.

Looking up from our campsite at Ashnola.

Along Highway 3 in the Kettle Valley.

Crow's Nest Pass, Highway 3.

The ridge above Hedley, home to one of Canada's most lucrative gold mines.

At the Mining Museum in Hedley there was a telescope pointed up at the old mining buildings. Aya managed this amazing shot through the eyepiece.

View from our campsite, Marble Canyon Provincial Park.

Behind Church & State winery, Black Sage Bench in the south Okanagan Valley.

Looking across Slocan Lake at Valhalla Provincial Park.

The Trans-Canada Highway reveals treasures like this with alarming frequency.

BC Camping #2: Fauna

Two nice encounters with wildlife on Highway 12 outside of Lilooet:

This little black bear scampered up the steep embankment, pausing only to wave his tongue at us. No sign of a mother around, and he looked a little young to be on his own. Perhaps not.

These two mountain goats tolerated each other while they grazed, but would clash whenever a vehicle passed, perhaps reacting to the noise. They stood stock still after each clash, which is understandable considering how hard they hit.

This little orange terror wandered into our campsite, very confident and full of play. She helped set up the tent.

She inspected our washing line.

She investigated the car.

She took a peek in the tent...

... and chased the finger-monster inside.

She helped cook breakfast in the morning.

Eventually she settled down for a wash and a squeeze or two.

BC Camping #1: Flora

This nine-day, 2150 km loop took us through both new and familiar areas.
Lilooet turned out to be a much drier place than we had expected, full of beautiful little Provincial Parks with very easy camping.

We should really know more about the various mushrooms and fungi we meet. I bet some of them would be delicious.

Patches of bright orangey-red lichen, very striking on the dark rocks beside Green Lake.

Anyone who has popped a wild strawberry in their mouth knows the concentrated punch of flavour they pack. These were no exception.

Here is our route, with campsites and other points of interest marked.

View Camping BC, July 2011 in a larger map

Dig-Dig #11: Oregon Camping

A fruitless search for hot springs around Union was frustrating, but Catherine Creek State Park had a cold river for a refreshing wash.

View Dig! Dig! August 2010 in a larger map


The town of Union has a singular collection of beautiful houses, and the Union Hotel looks like it would be worth a return visit.

Dinner was an excellent pile of large, soft steaks and a thick, spicy "DeerSlayer" Syrah from Idaho's Snake River Valley.

Okanagan Trip August

Some photos from our wine-tasting trip to the Okanagan Valley in August, 2009.The red bridge over the Similkameen River, near our favourite riverside campsite. Just outside Keremeos, BC.

Inside Orofino Winery's strawbale storage room. Orofino, we'll have it known, makes the best Riesling this side of Alsace. And that is not even getting to their excellent collection of crisply acidic whites and beautifully structured reds.

Freshly picked nectarines, passable prosciutto and Road 13's Honest John Rosé. A delicious appetizer before grilled pork chops. This was dinner at BC Parks' tiny Inkaneep campsite where we were lucky to grab the last site.

A tour of Foxtrot's winery with Kicki Allender. The Okanagan's best Pinot Noir aging gently in French oak.

Steaks rubbed with chilli, spices and ground coffee with a full-bodied Cabernet-Merlot from Sandhill. Dinner beside the river at our favourite campsite in the Similkameen valley.

Picking apricots into a hat.

The collection from this trip. Lots of familiar faces and many new treasures.