Revelling in Revelstoke

Day 8 SNM tour

So call me psychic, we hit just a bit of water today for the majority of the cycle.  Actually wasn't that bad as the mileage was short and the temperature was pleasant, so all in all, quite a reasonable, albeit wet day, on the road today.

En route we stopped at the historic "Last Spike" monument.  Monique and I recently took my mother on the Rocky Mountaineer for her 80th birthday celebration and got quite a history lesson about the epic building of the railway - it's an amazing story full of triumphs and great tragedies.  Our train trip with her from Calgary to Vancouver was spectacular, we were treated like kings and queens on the train (probably because we paid royally for it!) and the staff were exceedingly knowledgeable guides. A great time was had by all.

On today's journey, we passed Crazy Creek, Miniature Land (I get enough short jokes) and the Enchanted Forest without stopping (?why - might have been the pelting rain driving me on), but we did stop briefly at 3 Valley Gap. We've passed this theme park / hotel / ghost town / tourist spot countless times and this is only the second time we've ever stopped - the first time they were closed for the season.  We met a fellow cyclist Paul who is cycling all over Alberta and BC solo for the next month.

What amazed me is that he only had 3 small pouches, water bottles and the clothes on his back (no back pack), nothing - that's it!! I was shivering thinking about him going through Jasper; he is a very seasoned cyclist and he will be fine. 

Sloshed into Revelstoke and had plenty of time to enjoy the town centre, art galleries and quaint stores.  Bought a small painting at the Public Gallery (fascinating exhibit by a multitude of artists all of which had to produce a piece with the theme "things your mother warned you about").  If you don't know, I LOVE ART, art of all kinds and descriptions - anything original and interesting.  I love to spend time in galleries if I have a chance and savour the artistic spirit of others.  If all goes well, I hope to pick up a little piece of original art from every province we pass through on this tour - it won't be hard, just hope the budget holds and the RV is big enough.

Our Day Sponsor is Brian Hunter who would cringe knowing that I'm posting this - he's been generous and we appreciate it!

Random quotes of the day - first two taken from a piece of art at the exhibit and last from Tom

As you cannot repeal "Murphy's Law", you had best learn to laugh at the absurdities and annoyances you encounter in life...


Be yourself and treasure the uniqueness of others in your life

He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty
Lao Tzu
(working hard at this....)

Little known obscure fact gleaned from the Trans Canada highway

99% of bungee cords strewn on the highway or in the ditch only have a single metal hook - the other end is mysteriously missing..........

  Riding the moose by the welcome sign in Revelstoke - hey, someone had to do it!!