On our way out from Golden, Viera and Justin lost track of Kristi and Garrett, and finally reunited in Warfield just a few km before Rossland.
We had an alternate experience, staying in various churches, a roadside diner yard in Wasa, couchsurfing in Creston, the Yasodhara Ashram on Kootenay Lake and then a friendly woman in Nelson.
The first night away from Golden, Viera and I were looking for an indoor place, so in Brisco we stopped to ask at a general store about space. We were invited to stay in the old wooden United Church across the street. We ate raisin bread that Kristi baked and items that were donated by the church from the general store. It was a warm place for the night.
The next day, riding through the beautiful Columbia Valley with misty mountains to our left and right we made our way to Fairmont Hot Springs for the night. On the road we left chalk messages on the pavement for Kristi and Garrett. My relatives in Golden talked about a free hot spring just down the hill from the newer resort in town. Viera and I went to search for it after climbing a long hill upwards from the town. Asking along the way, we were getting comments that the old springs have been fenced off for liability issues. At the top we were without luck trying to find the springs, instead we were lucky with good radio reception to call Garrett. They were in Invermere about 10 km behind us and because it was getting dark they looked for a place to stay there. We also managed to call Lucas using Google's phone call option! He was happy to hear from us and informed us about the potluck planned for our arrival in Rossland!
The next evening we had difficulty finding groceries in Wasa (after another day of beautiful riding) so we ended up stopping to have food at a small diner that was closing soon for the night. We ended up being offered space in the backyard. While hanging out inside to enjoy the warmth before sleeping in the tent out side we were also offered to share a pizza with them, then as a dessert we helped finish some end of the season ice cream.
After a cold night we packed up and set sails for Cranbrook, hopefully going to meet up with Kristi and Garrett, as we had discussed. We attempted to organize a couchsurf, but with little luck we decided to phone some churches as a backup. With some contacts on the Lutheran Church answering machine we were able to connect with a clergy man, and the best way to meet him was to join the evening's bible study. The bible study wsa interesting and was also an opportunity to meet a women who offered us warm showers, beds and meals. We met her husband and were given left over Thanksgiving dinner and toast. We left them with the last Batik painting from HELP International and gave them the ukulele. They had been looking for a Uke for a while since traveling to Hawaii, so it seemed like a good opportunity to lighten the load.
From Cranbrook we rode to Creston. Around Yahk we found a house to ask for water refills. We met a friendly women who offered to drive us in her truck over the next major hill, due to the time we had left of daylight. We loaded our hefty bikes into her truck and then made our way over the large hill. About 3/4 of the way to Creston, we found a place to continue the ride when I realised all my water bottles were missing. After some discussion, our driver decided it was best to drive back to get the bottles. We also went to eat spagetti and play with Thai, her grandson. We then drove back, and because it was getting too dark, she drove us all the way to Creston, where we had yet to figure out our accomodation. With luck we contacted a couchsurfer, Kristen, who drove to meet us downtown and we walked back together to her house. We made diner and talked about Katimavik and Canada trivia. In the morning on the way out we enjoyed concord grapes growing on a vine outsied her back door. My first time eating sweet grapes off the vine, organic too!!
The next day Viera and I set off for Kootenay Lake for a 2 day stay at the Yasodhara Ashram. After a beautiful ride along the waters edge we found a ride to take us to the Ashram for the evening. Our ride shared stories of hitchhiking and local issues. At the Yoga Ashram we gardened and learned about the sustainable projects happening on the property. www.postcarbonmeal.com and www.lightwaves.cc
After allowing some time for Kristi and Garrett to meet up, we headed to Nelson to see if we could the find them. The ferry across lake was beautiful and the ride along the road was also enjoyable, lined with artisans and creative looking properties. In Nelson, a woman and her guest saw me stopped for a few moments to wait up for Viera. She invited us over to make some calls to warmshowers hosts. With little luck, besides finding the host for Kristi and Garrett (who could only take 2 guest), we were offered to stay at her place in the studio. We enjoyed a warm meal and hospitality.
Finally after Nelson, we were now close to Rossland and made our way to Warfield so we could meet with eveyone and stay at Lucas's brother and family. It was sure good to see Lucas's face again and ready ourselves for the next adventure!
After a cold night we packed up and set sails for Cranbrook, hopefully going to meet up with Kristi and Garrett, as we had discussed. We attempted to organize a couchsurf, but with little luck we decided to phone some churches as a backup. With some contacts on the Lutheran Church answering machine we were able to connect with a clergy man, and the best way to meet him was to join the evening's bible study. The bible study wsa interesting and was also an opportunity to meet a women who offered us warm showers, beds and meals. We met her husband and were given left over Thanksgiving dinner and toast. We left them with the last Batik painting from HELP International and gave them the ukulele. They had been looking for a Uke for a while since traveling to Hawaii, so it seemed like a good opportunity to lighten the load.
From Cranbrook we rode to Creston. Around Yahk we found a house to ask for water refills. We met a friendly women who offered to drive us in her truck over the next major hill, due to the time we had left of daylight. We loaded our hefty bikes into her truck and then made our way over the large hill. About 3/4 of the way to Creston, we found a place to continue the ride when I realised all my water bottles were missing. After some discussion, our driver decided it was best to drive back to get the bottles. We also went to eat spagetti and play with Thai, her grandson. We then drove back, and because it was getting too dark, she drove us all the way to Creston, where we had yet to figure out our accomodation. With luck we contacted a couchsurfer, Kristen, who drove to meet us downtown and we walked back together to her house. We made diner and talked about Katimavik and Canada trivia. In the morning on the way out we enjoyed concord grapes growing on a vine outsied her back door. My first time eating sweet grapes off the vine, organic too!!
The next day Viera and I set off for Kootenay Lake for a 2 day stay at the Yasodhara Ashram. After a beautiful ride along the waters edge we found a ride to take us to the Ashram for the evening. Our ride shared stories of hitchhiking and local issues. At the Yoga Ashram we gardened and learned about the sustainable projects happening on the property. www.postcarbonmeal.com and www.lightwaves.cc
After allowing some time for Kristi and Garrett to meet up, we headed to Nelson to see if we could the find them. The ferry across lake was beautiful and the ride along the road was also enjoyable, lined with artisans and creative looking properties. In Nelson, a woman and her guest saw me stopped for a few moments to wait up for Viera. She invited us over to make some calls to warmshowers hosts. With little luck, besides finding the host for Kristi and Garrett (who could only take 2 guest), we were offered to stay at her place in the studio. We enjoyed a warm meal and hospitality.
Finally after Nelson, we were now close to Rossland and made our way to Warfield so we could meet with eveyone and stay at Lucas's brother and family. It was sure good to see Lucas's face again and ready ourselves for the next adventure!
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