Snowcapped Mountains ~ Skyview

Christmas spent at home with the family is the best place to be.  Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to do that and to those who cannot, we know you’ll be missed.  Family and friends are what makes this occasion so special, but soon we depart.  

Sunset in Kamloops, BC

The sun is setting on this January winter day and we see the glow on the mountains in the far distance.  We are not sure exactly which peaks we are seeing but the highest peak in the Cariboo Mountains in that area rises to 2946 m (9665’) and is unofficially called Mount Lyons.

Deicing the airplane

An early morning flight from Kamloops required some deicing due to a light overnight snowfall then this deicing was done in Calgary on the larger plane we were on to head south.  The color used here is green and the procedure was quite interesting to watch.  There are different colors used for different circumstances.

Snowcapped mountains

The route followed by this flight was directly south from Calgary, AB.  We were above the clouds for a distance but once we got past the heavy cloud we had so many opportunities to see the mountain tops.

Rocky Mountains

We follow the Rocky Mountains for many miles and are able to enjoy the many snow covered mountains from a viewpoint that many people could not.  We travel at 37,000 feet yet these mountain tops do not look too far away.  The distance is deceiving.

Mountains of western states

The Rocky Mountains extend from Alberta down into Idaho but looking at a map of that state we also see the Blue Mountains, Bitterroot Ranges with Salmon River Mountains as well as the Monitor Range. So not to leave any out, I would expect we may have seen mountains from each of these locations.

Snow covered ranges

The flight was a two and one half hour flight and we had these mountains to see out the window for almost two hours.  The small and not-so-clear windows definitely limit the views but still offer plenty to see and enjoy.

Desert of southern California

We followed the southern Nevada border to fly into Southern California. The last half hour we had sightings of the desert with some scattering of clouds.  The changes in topography were interesting, mountain tops with a different look.

The Coachella Valley

The snow covered mountains are beautiful to see but this was the sight we were looking forward to.  Blue sky with warm days of sunshine and no snow to shovel!  The Coachella Valley often has some signs of smog that arrives with the airflow from the big cities in the coastal areas but continues on.  Once we get on the ground, it won’t be noticed.  All we shall be seeing is the warmer side of winter.

Wherever you may be, enjoy your winter and the wonders of nature that surround us all.

Duffey Lake and the Cayoosh Creek Canyon

Our drive was on a day that clouds had moved in after the sun had been shining earlier but as we left Seton Lake to drive to Duffey Lake, we saw this magnificent view of the first snowfall of the season up on the mountain tops ahead.

                                                The first snowcaps of the season

One needs to drive with care due to some rough spots on this stretch of road, especially if youre driving the RV but with the proposed road improvements coming, this route will be even better for the RV travellers as well as everyone else. It won’t change the camping facilities but will make the drive much easier. The views are so beautiful that you’ll want it to be a slow drive to get the full benefits.

First glimpse of Duffey Lake

Duffey Lake in the Cayoosh Creek Valley sits beside Hwy. 99 and is about 50 km (30 mi) from Lillooet, BC. This route was used historically for First Nations to travel into other parts of the province. Our visit this day followed the first overnite snowfall of the season on the mountain tops. Although we had no snow at our level, we had very low cloud coverage at times so that prevented us from seeing most of the mountain views, but what views we did have were great.

                                      Snowcaps a vision at the end of Duffey Lake

The sun was shining on the snow-capped mountains at the far end of the lake and made it look like a special effect on this already beautiful scene.
Duffey Lake Provincial Park is centered around Duffey Lake. It covers 2007 Hectares, (4,960 A.) and offers many opportunities to hike, climb, rockhound and just enjoy the pristine views. Duffey Lake Campground, alongside Hwy 99 has facilities limited to picnic tables, but offers the opportunity to canoe, kayak or fish for the rainbow trout stocked in the lake.

                                           Coyoosh Creek leading us back to Lillooet

As we made our way back to Lillooet at the end of the day, the view of Cayoosh Creek in the valley below us shows the beautiful fall colors. With the high mountains surrounding every turn, it was too late in the day to get the benefit of the sunshine down there but the view was reminding us of the shorter fall days and the season changes coming.

Kaslo, B.C., Canada

While RV'ing home from our recent visit to the Kootenay's, we were so fortunate to have this beautiful sunny day to enjoy and to also see the first snowfall of the year off in the distance. The clouds were hanging just below the mountain tops and it was an awesome sight.

Snowcap view from Vimy Park

Kaslo, B.C., population 1029, is 70 km (42 mi) north of Nelson on Hwy 31, and a beautiful RV drive along the Kootenay Lake shoreline. Kaslo is the oldest incorporated community in the Kootenays, built in the silver boom of the 1800's. Nestled in the incredible Kootenay Rockies, Kaslo, B.C. was voted one of Canada's prettiest towns, and once you're there, it is so easy to understand why. They've restored the heritage village and offer quite a shopping assortment, ranging from restaurants to galleries with works of local artists and artisans, and many other shops, as well.

Vimy Park at lakes edge has Kaslo Municipal campground with an incredible view of the mountains.The campground is open from May 1 to Sept. 30th yearly with an easy walk downtown.

Sailing on an autumn day

Kootenay Lake is the largest natural lake in the Kootenay Rockies region and the third largest in B.C. The lake offers many ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Sailboating is a favorite for many but pleasure boats of all kinds are seen enjoying the lake as well. Fishing is a great sport in this area with fish up to 12 kg (26 lbs) caught, with the north end of the lake being good for the Kokanee trout. Kaslo Bay Park, with a boat launch just west of this photo, offers great summer fun for day visitors at the lake and a view of the majestic mountains in the background.

SS Moyie

The SS Moyie is the worlds oldest sternwheeler. Since it's retirement in the 1950's, it has become a Provincial Heritage Landmark and a National Historic Site of Canada. This beautiful sternwheeler museum is a testament to the group of volunteers who worked on her restoration for 40 years and she sits proudly at the shores of Kootenay Lake in downtown Kaslo, B.C.

                                                    Fall colors frame a downtown church

The colors of fall always add such beauty to a sunny autumn day and Kaslo is a town of many colors. If only I had a way of getting aerial pictures of town to show, but I am happy with just being able to enjoy the colors. This quaint town is home to many heritage style buildings and shows a community pride. There are many activities and events planned throughout the year, bringing many visitors to enjoy the splendor of Kaslo, B.C.