Punishment Followed by Reward

 

Other than for heavy traffic, it is rare that we have ever been held up for any length of time while travelling our province's highways.

 

However, on this day it happened not once, but twice in the space of a few hours. The first time was for about 45 minutes, just west of Princeton where they are doubling the highway lanes.  

 

Then again on Jones Hill as one comes out of the mountains from Hope to Chilliwack. We waited for two hours while the mess of three jackknifed  semis was being cleaned up. We were three Kilometers away from the scene and nobody really knew what had happened until a young lady jogged to the scene and back, reporting to curious motorists on the way back to her ride.

 

Once we got on our way again and approached the flat prairie of the eastern Fraser Valley, we saw this sunset shaping up and turned off at Annis Road. It was a beauty!

 

Had we not been inconvenienced for two hours, we would have missed this spectacular scene. View in LARGE. It is spectacular!

Promotion

Click on this link and then click on "Ivy Wall" to see some advertising we are getting.

Pumpkinville

 

Every Autumn we travel to Keromeos where we have a favourite fruit orchard from which we buy apples and pears or whatever else is in season. Many years ago when we first discovered 'Gumpert's' Orchard across the road from the Grist Mill attraction on Upper Bench road, it was operated by the parents of the young family who own and operate it now. We have become familiar with each other over the years and ask about the kids and the fruit season and other small talk. They give us a really good price on cases of apples and we help each other out. We were passing through on our way home a few weeks ago and discovered a sign at the apple barn that said they would return in a few hours. We had an appointment with friends who live in Hedley so we could not stay. That left us with a dilemma as we did not know where else to get apples without paying huge prices at the roadside fruit stands. We did stop at a few and discovered much to out delight that someone had an imaginative moment with the pumpkins this year and put up a unique display.  

 

We did find a fruit stand that gave us a price somewhat comparable to farm prices and we were soon on our way. It is always very colourful in Keromeos this time of year and the efforts of the stands  attract many visitors. Some are there for fruit and some just for a 'last time of the year' drive through some very beautiful country. It is my favourite time of year on the #3 highway.

Osoyoos Skies

 

The last few times we have been in Oroville/Osoyoos it has been impressed upon me how dramatic the skies can be in the desert.

 

The foreground scene remains the same, but the skies are ever changing as the weather systems come and go.

 

These are two interpretations of the scene at the lookout as one enters Osoyoos on Highway 3 coming from the west.

 

The moon coming up over the lake is always dramatic.

 

And sunrises can be beautiful even when the sky is overcast. This is the last time we will be there this year.

Molson

 

The town of Molson was founded by the Canadian who also founded Molson Brewery. It was situated at a hub of railways, but lasted only two years. Today, there are a few old buildings, a school turned into a museum, and some old artifacts.

 

It is situated in the hills east of Oroville Washington.

 

Old knobs

 

Drilling on the horizon.

 

 

 

In the driver's seat.

 

Not quite laptops.

 

A milk separator, something I cranked a million times in my youth while staying on my grandmother's farm when I was but a lad.

 

The Molson bank.

 

Wood cook stove with pots and pans.

 

The town pump, again, something I am very familiar with from my youth.

 

A ride on mower, usually one horse power.

 

Steam powered tractor.

 

An interesting stove pipe which helps to better dissipate the heat as it goes up the chimney.

 

There are plenty of old wooden wagon wheels in this town.

 

The first Samsung washing machine?

 

The base of this old windmill has been refurbished.

 

Elna, Phaff, Singer? No, Windsor.

 

And an old stove to keep you warm in the winter. The guest book shows more than 5000 visitors per year, from all over the world. We were the only ones this day and the museum was closed.