Fernie, June 22, 2012

While driving between Calgary, Alberta, and Sandpoint, Idaho, we generally spend a night or two in Fernie, British Columbia, to break up the drive a bit.

On this occasion, we checked things out from the hotel room, and soon realized that there was a little walking trail by a little lake nearby. So off we went. It was a really pleasant stroll (the clouds threatened to dump, but we were close to the hotel). Afterwards, Stephen hauled out his bike, and went for a 13 km ride along the bike path going around Fernie.

A couple of photos of some ponds around Maiden Lake.

We’re not sure about this structure – it looks like a bird apartment – it’s quite tall.

Fernie, June 29, 2012

Another travelling day, as we headed back to Canada, but only as far as Fernie, where we’ll spend a couple more nights. As we found out a week ago, Fernie has some nice walking trails. I’d like to say that it brings back memories of my life, oh, 60 years ago or so, but that would be really stretching it!

Anyway, we checked in, and went for a walk. This was along part of their river pathway system. We looped around a pond that was between a couple of big berms with paths on the top. Despite the clouds in the sky, it was definitely tshirt weather. I *think* that this was kind of near where we lived 60 years ago, but I’m not sure.

This Google Earth shot shows our path in turquoise-ish.

First, a shot of the mountain known as the Three Sisters (needless to say, there are a few mountains named that, including one by Canmore).

The pond (Maiden Lake).

Some fauna swimming in the pond.

Some flora and fauna.

Some flora. A buttercup. It’s off center because the wind was blowing.

A shrub with red or purple flowers and berries.

A blue flower.

Some day, I might actually learn the names of all those flowers.

But for now, that’s the news and photos from Fernie today.

June 20, 2013 – the trip to Fernie

New year, new trip

As I was lying in bed this morning, listening to the radio and mustering up enough enthusiasm to get up, the DJ announced that roads were closed around Canmore: #1, #1A, #40, and the Bow Valley Parkway. This was a bit disconcerting, not that we were planning on taking that route, but because my sister was going to be taking it to come to Calgary in a few days. It was unclear what the problem was.

After I got up, I checked the key websites: DriveBC.ca and 511.alberta.ca.
Yep, a real mess around Canmore. No problems heading south and west to Fernie, though, except for 3 construction areas east of Sparwood.

So right after lunch, we headed off to Fernie. By this time, we knew that there were flooding issues in Canmore. And some flooding in Blairmore, although #3 was still showing as open.

Around Crowsnest, things got really interesting all of a sudden.

We were driving in a section with a pretty lake on the right, and some really steep cliffs on the left.

Normally, one might see a waterfall coming down those cliffs.

But not today.

The water was not coming down the cliffs – it was shooting away from the cliffs, more like how water comes out of my shower each morning, but with much greater force and volume – and dirt.

It really is hard to explain – I apologize for being so stunned by the spectacle that I didn’t think to get my camera out of my pocket.

Anyway, there was enough water to flood the highway. The road was still passable, and there was some highways equipment trying to open up a channel for the water to keep it off the road. Perhaps the lowest part of the road was under 6″ of water. So everyone drove slowly and close to the highest part of the road (our lane).

A quick check of 511.alberta.ca now showed this section as having a problem.

On we drove.

And at a certain point, came to a complete stop, and the tail end of a long line of vehicles. Hmmm. Was this the first of the Sparwood construction sections, or another weather issue?

Now, I did a quick check of DriveBC.ca, and a quick location check on Google Maps, and determined that this was likely the case. We spent quite a bit of time in that lineup. We knew that up ahead, the flag people were alternating vehicles on a single lane. It did seem strange that there were very few east-bound vehicles, compared to the huge lineup of west-bound vehicles.

We finally got to the bad section: a bit of the road had washed out.

We carried on, and eventually made it to Fernie. There was a lot of rain. Any creeks or rivers beside the highway were running fast and muddy.

June 20, 2013 – in Fernie – Maiden Lake

After supper, we decided to go for a stroll in the nearby paths. We were familiar with the area, having checked out these paths a year ago (see above).

The first thing that we saw was Maiden Lake. The water in the lake was incredibly high. Paths disappeared into the water. Park benches were covered up half way or more. Lamp posts along the trails had seriously wet feet – I sure hope the power is off.

Here are a few shots of the lake.

Then we followed the path along Elk River. It was pretty impressive.

I took a few videos. These range from 6-30 seconds in length. It was so cool seeing the speed of logs with roots floating down the river.

June 21, 2013 – still in Fernie – another type of shower

When we got to our hotel, we were surprised to see that there was a Boil Water order – it actually applied to all of Fernie, thanks to the increased turbidity in the water. Seeing how brown the river was, it was no surprise. The folks at the front desk gave up a couple of bottles of bottled water so that we could brush our teeth. (Unfortunately, by the time I was ready to brush my teeth, I had completely forgotten about that. Oops!)

In the morning, I got up and had my usual morning shower. This was an interesting experience, as showers go.

I first confirmed that the water temperature was appropriate coming out of the tap. Then I switched it to shower mode, at which point the shower spewed forth water at the expected volume. All was well. So I climbed in.

Just about the time I got the shampoo into my hair, the water volume plummeted – note: the VOLUME plummeted, in addition to the water plummeting. I had to stand directly under the shower head to get any water. But at the same time, the water got really cold. So I cranked the temperature up. Which turned the water supremely hot. So I cranked the temperature back down, aiming for halfway between the two extremes. And it got cold again. I turned it up a smidge, and got really hot water again. Finally I found a place kind of on the cold side of lukewarm, and finished my shower. Under really wimpy water. Very frustrating, because I really like my usual morning shower. One would think that a major hotel would be able to supply enough water in the mornings.

June 21, 2013 – crossing the border to Idaho

When we got to the border crossing, I was driving. I just handed the Customs lady our Nexus cards, to prove that we were trusted travellers. In addition to the usual questions about where we were going and why, and whether we were carrying any booze, cigarettes, fruits or vegetables, she asked one question that I have never been asked before: “How do you know each other?”. I responded that we were married! She let us through. Very interesting.

Fernie, July 1, 2013

It is truly amazing how things can change in a mere 11 days. As noted above, when we got here a week and a half ago, the Elk River was going over its banks (not as impressive as the Bow and Elbow Rivers doing that, but still quite interesting!)

Anyway, we decided to check out Maiden Lake. This Google Earth view shows our 1.6 km walk around the lake and beside the river.

I am going to show you some comparison shots. First, the before and after of the path that leads around the little lake:

Another before and after.

I don’t have a before picture of this, but the dock was way out in the middle of the lake – we couldn’t see that finger of land connecting with the dock.

This park bench was in water almost to the bottom of the seat.

This park bench was in water above the seat.

Then we followed the path along Elk River. Compare these two photos, taken today, with the two videos following. All were taken at about the same spot.

All in all, quite a change.

Flora

I do love daisies.