10th May 2025


Today is an early start as it’s a huge day of driving.
Slept a little better, probably through exhaustion and the fact the window was firmly shut and we couldn’t really hear the outside world.
The hotel sent us off with little goody bags full of breakfast goodness to have along the way.

We drove through Banff National Park one final time before following Kicking Horse River in Yoho National Park. Lots of stories of the construction of the original railways through the region.







First stop in the town of Golden, where Alex introduced us to the iconic Canadian brand of Tim Horton fast food bit of a sad story their about the origins of Tim Horton but we did get to grab a coffee and sample the little donut balls on offer.



Tim Hortons at the truck stop.

Now refreshed we continue on through Glacier National Park, absolutely stunning and otherwise known as Avalanche alley.
Along the road are a series of ‘Huts’ but essentially these are tunnels along the road to give protection as the avalanche rolls over the top.
It was equally fascinating and spectacular.
There are also Howitzers along the road that are used to set off the avalanche in a controlled manner.
I seem to remember the New Zealanders doing something similar near Milford Sound.










We have another break in the town of Revelstoke, also National park and apparently a fabulous place for winter sports.















Not far out of Revelstoke we travel through Eagle Pass. This area was chosen as Canadian Pacific railways route as it passes through the drainage basins of the Columbian and Fraser Rivers. This is the last stretch of the railway to be completed.
In 1885, a chap called Sir Donald Smith drove the “last spike” here.
There is a nice little area and monument that to commemorate the event.
We were treated with a shot of maple whisky to acknowledge the event.





We travel around Lake Mara in Sicamous, which seemed like forever. Such an enormous lake and said to be the houseboat capital of Canada.







Lunch today is in Salmon Arm at De Mills farm Market. Just a local farm serving the community that our guide likes to support when he is out this way.





We are getting closer to our destination thankfully.
Alex, our guide has managed to entertain us most of the way but also knows when to just let us be quiet and have a nap. 
Final stop before arriving in Abottsford was to a Walmart so the people can buy any supplies that they might require whilst on the big ship.

We finally made it and really considering it was an 800 km day it passed quickly.
Right next door to our hotel tonight is Denny’s diner and that will do for dinner.
Really nice hotel and room, looking forward to the best sleep ever…..

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