Summer Becomes Fall ~ Kamloops, BC

There is no place like home.  Our summer is drawing to an end with shorter cooler days but not without the same beautiful surroundings we are so fortunate to be able to enjoy no matter the season.  Perhaps my opinion is slightly biased but I don’t think I am alone.  

Mt. Paul and the Dome Hills

Mt. Paul and Mt. Peter (behind Mt. Paul) sit at this meeting of the waters on the Kamloops Indian Reserve.  The Dome Hills and Strawberry Hills sit north (left) of them.  Unfortunately, the KIB no longer give permits to hike the trails of these mountains but The Kamloops Trails blog has lots of information on all the hiking trails in our area. Not speaking from personal experience, a hiker I am not, but I’ve seen photos of how grand it looks from some of the hikes.   Click here to learn more about the trails.  

Mt. Paul and Mt. Peter from Schubert Dr.

Another view of Mt. Paul and Peter is from the North Shore across the North Thompson.  The river is high but calm at this time from the spring runoff of snow in the mountains up north of Kamloops.  We’ve passed the potential flood time without a problem and the level will get much lower as summer progresses. 

MacPark marmot

Summertime brings out the busy yellow-bellied marmot families down in MacArthur Park.  The babies come out of their hiding places at about one month old and are now running around finding their own lunch.  Hibernation takes place over the winter months, so Spring visits to the Park do not offer too many marmots to see until their doors open for the babies. 

Marmot curiosity 

I love these little fellas and enjoy getting up close and personal, although sure not this close.  Great to have the lens that allows me to take these close-ups.  Marmots are timid but curious and will come if they think you might have some food.  I’ve never fed them, it’s not a good idea and there are signs that say that, too.  

The Power of Hope

The City of Kamloops partnered up with the Kamloops Food Bank to create a fundraiser called “Locking in Hope” that we can see and enjoy. “The Power of Hope” is seen at Riverside Park where the North and South Thompson Rivers meet.  We can purchase a Hope lock, decorate it and hang it on this public art.  Learn more here.  All proceeds will go to the Kamloops Food Bank.

"Rivers" on Lorne Street 

This view is from the pedestrian bridge that crosses over the railway tracks on 3^rd Avenue.  The sculpture is called ‘Rivers’ and was installed here in 2014.  This sculpture by Haida artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas for Kamloops “recreates the moment before the North and South Thompson join and become the single Thompson River”,  Although my viewpoint is quite high, I cannot see the top of this sculpture that points to the sky.  To see and read more of this, click here.

Deer visitors

A drive through a quiet Westsyde neighborhood and what do we see?  This deer Mom and two babies.  One of the young ones quietly snuck away when we stopped to take some photos but these two thought nothing of us.  They posed for a moment then went on with their business of keeping the grass short.

Hoodoo valley

A drive along Shuswap Road on the north side of the South Thompson River, gives some great views of the hoodoos there.  Kamloops is located in the valleys created by the rivers and in a semi-arid area so hoodoos are quite common here in several locations.  Although our hills may not qualify to be called mountains, no matter what they are called, we are surrounded by great views.

View of North Shore

The name Kamloops is derived from Tk’emlups, which means the meeting of the waters.  The North Thompson meets the South Thompson here, creating Kamloops Lake a short distance west then continues on as the Thompson River from the end of Kamloops Lake in Savona until it meets the Fraser River in Lytton.

Autumn morning

The colors will soon change and the leaves will fall but in that short space of time we will be surrounded by some colorful scenes.  This photo was taken last Fall as we drove up Summit Extension and with the morning fog of a sunny day just lifting, it was such a pretty sight.

There really is no place like home!

Canada Day ~ 150th Celebration ~ Kamloops, BC

July 1 is the day the Canadians celebrate Canada’s birthday.  This year brings an even bigger reason to celebrate as it has been 150 years since the Constitution Act was enacted.  When formed in 1867, it was called the British North American Act then was renamed in 1982, the year the Canada Act was passed.

The large crowds at Riverside Park

Kamloops has drawn a huge crowd for our annual celebration at Riverside Park to celebrate the 150^th birthday.  There were vendors with art that shows the talents of many local artist, too many to mention but a very impressive gathering of excellent art in many forms. 

Wyatt Purcha, actor & director

Wyatt of the Project (X) Theatre is joining others from that group to mingle with the crowd and let everyone know about their X FEST 2017 productions to be held at Prince Charles Park from
July 10 - 29, 2017.  We enjoyed the Wizard of Oz last year and look forward to seeing The Jungle Book and Rapunzel this year.  For tickets and info click here.

Beach of Riverside Park returns after flood

This scene is a great change from only a few weeks ago when the river water was so high it reached the sidewalk edge.  The level is now much safer and allows for swimming and boating on our Thompson River.

Playtimes at Riverside Park

There is no shortage of entertainment nor young ones to enjoy the waterpark, playground equipment and bouncy castles in the shade of the large old trees in Riverside Park.  The lineup for face painting was a long one.

Multicultural Folkfest

The Kamloops Multicultural Society hosted a Folkfest at the park with cultural displays and international food booths.  A great opportunity to try something new. 

Bandshell speeches

There was a great flag display in front of the bandshell and large tents that offered shade for those who wished to have a chair to sit in for the entertainment and speakers who were there to offer greetings on this special birthday for Canada.

Colorful spectators

There was no shortage of the color red nor of the maple leaf which signifies our flag.  The red and white was amazing to see and added to the celebration feel to the day. The park was so full of people wearing special clothing that there could have been a fashion show of patriotic clothing!

Pledging allegiance to Canada

The RCMP were represented at this ceremony and this gentleman in red serge led us in the English version of pledging allegiance to Canada.  All who were there, stood with their right hand raised and repeated after him.  We remained standing and he was followed by another RCMP who did the same in French.  Thankfully, she did tell us we did not have to repeat after her.  I heard several sighs of relief.

Birthday Cake

Happy Birthday on this special 150^th year of Canada becoming a nation.  A large cake was waiting to be cut and shared among those who were participating in this celebration.

Many acts of entertainment were held at the park including Pokotillo Ukrainian Dancers and the Desert Sounds Harmony Chorus following the introductory speeches.  Lots to enjoy and much to see.   The day ended with a fabulous fireworks display.  

Kamloops, BC to Hope, BC in Autumn

Beautiful British Columbia!  There are so many amazing sights for us to see without going far from home.  Here are some photos taken during recent trips down from home in Kamloops to Hope, BC which is a three hour drive.

Kamloops early morning

An early morning departure from Kamloops sees the sun warming up Mt. Paul and Mt. Peter as it shines down the South Thompson River.  Sun Rivers development enjoys the early morning sun while downtown homes patiently awaits.

Nicola Lake

 An autumn day following the old Highway 5A along Nicola Lake offers some colorful trees to brighten up the shoreline.  Most of the indigenous deciduous trees of the area offer the yellow leaves throughout the Nicola Valley during the Autumn months.

Spences Bridge, BC

As we cross the bridge over the Thompson River at Spences Bridge we see these interesting mountain formations.  The original 82 year old Spences Bridge was dismantled last year after being deemed a safety hazard.

Hoodoos in the Thompson Canyon

We follow the Thompson River and see a lot of work being done on the railway across the river from the highway.  We also saw some work being done on this side of the river on the railway, this must be the time of year to clean up any fallen rocks and debri before winter weather causes havoc.

Thompson River rapids

The river is low at this time of year but the rapids seen at this rocky corner offer lots of excitement for the white water rafting that takes place through many rapids like these during the summer months.  This is just one example of a reported 25 rapids between Spences Bridge and Lytton, BC, no proof necessary for me, I will just take their word on that!

Lilloet Mountain Range

The Lillooet Range is part of the Pacific Range of BC’s Coastal Mountains and offer some great sights with snow covered peaks and a beautiful blue sky as a backdrop today.  We’ve travelled this road during winter months, as well, and will say that these road conditions and views are much nicer on this day.

Yale, BC

After passing through the last tunnel of the Fraser Canyon we approach Yale, BC.  Yale was once the head of navigation on the Fraser River as it was considered unnavigable past this point.  In the 1860’s, Yale was a booming town due to the gold rush and the sternwheelers made regular visits to Yale.

Othello Tunnels, Hope, BC

The Othello Tunnels are a nice walk off the parking lot through pretty mossy trees while the river rushes by.  It is part of the Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park near Hope, BC and closes when the summer season ends so no Autumn visits.  The Coquihalla River rushes through the rocky crevices and the tunnels were built for the decommissioned railways of long ago, both great sights to see.  

Bridal Falls, BC

A return trip on Hwy 1 brings us past Bridal Falls where we see the changing of the leaves.  We drive to Hope then onto the Coquihalla Highway 5 for a different scenic trip home.  I will share that trip another time.

To see what most of this road looks like during a winter trip, click here and you will see quite a difference. Just remember that whenever or wherever you travel, be safe!

Remembrance Day 2014, Kamloops, BC

November 11^th is called Remembrance Day in Canada and has been recognized since WW1.  It was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth.  Originally called Armistice Day, as it was to commemorate the armistice agreement that ended WW1, it was celebrated on the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month.   It is observed around the world on this day but most countries still call it Armistice Day.   The Americans celebrate Veteran’s Day on November 11^th.

Kamloops Cenotaph

We stopped by the Kamloops Cenotaph and poppies decorated the monument and some wreaths were left.  Cenotaph is a Greek word for “empty tomb” and laying of wreaths is a traditional means of signalling high honours in Greece, so the Remembrance Day follows with that tradition.

Large crowd gathers at Riverside Park

As in most cities across the country, people gathered, at Riverside Park in Kamloops, BC, to honour the veterans who fought in the wars of yesterday as well as those who still do today.   2014 proved to be a special occasion by the numbers of people who came to watch the ceremony today.

RCMP lead the way, Veterans follow the flags

The parade made its’ way into the center of the crowd by way of a temporary corridor set up and everyone in the crowd applauded as they passed by.  The RCMP in their red serge march by to much applause and they are followed by more uniforms, the Rube Band, the Pipe Band, and last but not least were several veterans to end the march.

Remembrance Day in Riverside Park

Uniforms joining those who had passed by our spot could be seen in the crowded field to honour fallen soldiers including the Rocky Mountain Rangers and Cadets.  Our national anthem was sung then the Last Post was played on the bugle, a familiar yet rather sombre sound.  This was followed with a two minute silence.

Fly over at 11:04am

 The Fly Past was done by two from the 419 Squadron out of Cold Lake, Alberta then followed by “Reveille”, also played on the bugle.  Prayers and blessings were given then followed by placement of wreaths by various representatives of the government plus many others.  Everyone is welcome to add their own wreath at this time.

Remembrance Day in Kamloops, BC

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

Sombre moments during Remembrance Day

We are the dead.  Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Kamloops Pipe Band

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch, be yours to hold it high.

IF ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

In Flanders Fields is a poem written by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae with a powerful message.

There is more Remembrance Day from past years, click here to see one and here if you'd like to learn more about the 419 Squadron.

LEST WE FORGET

Tomato Festival ~ Farmers Market ~ Kamloops, BC

Saturday morning means Farmers Market for many in Kamloops and this Saturday was no exception.  The weather was perfect with sunshine and great temperatures to visit the market and all that is going on, including the Tomato Festival.

Farmers Market in Kamloops, BC

Kamloops is known for its cattle industry, among others but did you know it was once known for the tomato industry?  For over 50 years, locally grown tomatoes and the canning industry were very important in Kamloops. 

Crowds gather for the tomato festival in Kamloops

Many gathered to visit the second annual Tomato Festival held at the Farmer’s Market.  This is a fundraiser for the TRU Friends of the Garden and focusing on the fact that tomatoes play a major role in our agricultural history, it sounds like a perfect fit.



Judges Maria Valana and Shirley Wells

The judges Maria Valana, Shirley Wells and Ernest Philips had the challenge of determining the winners of the 60 varieties of tomatoes, some of which I had never seen before. Who knew there were so many varieties of tomatoes?

Sampling the varieties of tomatoes

A donation given allowed visitors to taste the varieties on display and there was a steady stream of them ready to taste those delicious looking tomatoes.  For an added donation, visitors were able to sample tomato recipes from restaurants in the area, as well. There were several experts on hand to answer questions about gardening or preserving the tomatoes, a perfect opportunity to learn as they are the ones with the answers.

 

60 varieties of tomatoes offered for sampling

The areas we now know as Brocklehurst and North Kamloops were once mainly orchards and for added income the orchardists would grow vegetables between the rows of trees.  During the early 1900’s the best way to preserve these foods was canning so by 1915 a cannery opened in North Kamloops and by 1917 it was canning 20,000 tins of Kamloops tomatoes per year.



Entants in the Tomato Festival in Kamloops

Until the mid ‘50s, food processing was the third largest industry in BC after forestry and mining and Kamloops had two of the 15 tomato canneries of BC.  The industry had several changes in Kamloops over those years and the last cannery, owned by the Skelly family closed in 1959 after 44 years of operation.

Honey and Flowers for sale at the Farmers Market

Several other vendors participate weekly in the Farmer’s Market and the crowds are able to take advantage of locally grown produce, flowers and other special foods.  This sunny day made it even better to enjoy all that is offered at the market.  More information on the Farmers Market is given in a post from the past.

Vendors at Farmers Market in Kamloops

There are several vendors with their talents on display and for sale from art to jewelry to Sandi’s Biscotti and more.  It is great to know that there are so many talented people that makes it possible to buy locally and support our economy.  The Farmers Market has long been a way for them to be known and a great opportunity for new artists, too.



Overview of Farmers Market on St. Paul St. in Kamloops, BC

It is difficult to find information on the Kamloops canning industry of the past but I did find an article in “Kamloops, One Hundred Years of Community 1893-1993”.  John Stewart, the author of “The Rise and Fall of the Canning Industry in Kamloops” had some great information that I referred to for this blog.

A great place to visit in Kamloops and another reason to say there is no place like home.

Thompson River ~ Spring Runoffs ~ Oak Hills ~ Kamloops, BC

Kamloops means ‘the meeting of the waters’, so named from the Shuswap word Tk’emlups.  The North and South Thompson Rivers meet here, bringing with them the spring run-off of the melting snow from points beyond as well as the rising water levels due to the rains of June.

 North and South Thompson Rivers meet in Kamloops, BC

The rivers give us a wonderful source of water for practical reasons and pleasure for most of the year but during the month of June, one thing it also brings is the high water level, dependent on the weather of which we have no control.  

South Thompson River at Riverside Park

During high water times, the expanse of the North and South Thompson Rivers can look like a lake but it still has the currents of the river so it is deceiving to see and boat on.  The rivers carry plenty of debris and so this time of year is not good for boating, best to wait until the water recedes to have that kind of fun. 

Mt. Paul and Peter across the Thompson River from Riverside Park, Kamloops, BC

 The sandy beach that is part Riverside Park in the summer is underwater at this time of year.  Several sandy beaches that line the rivers will be appearing within a couple of weeks but for this time, we can sit on the benches that line the walkway and enjoy the view of the water from here.

A magpie takes flight over the Thompson River

 A nice sunny November day in McArthur Island shows the low level of the Thompson River and the wide sandy beaches that can be seen across the river.  The river normally covers most of this sand during the summer months but there is enough to enjoy sitting on the beach on a hot sunny day in most areas. 

The Thompson River from McArthur Island viewpoint, Kamloops, BC

 This same view shows the river at a high point during June that puts us in flood warning. We’ve been there before and will be there again.  The precautions have grown over the years and the risk of some of the flooding has decreased, but caution needs to be practiced while visiting anywhere close to the water’s edge.

Great Heron and the ducks swim at McArthur Island, Kamloops, BC

 The same day in November the ducks and the Blue Heron enjoy the water, little more than a puddle that sits in the slough, normally used for the boat launching at McArthur Island.  The river looks like a stream running past the puddle and between the big sandy beaches as we look towards Thompson Rivers University.

The Thompson River  Slough of McArthur Island in Kamloops, BC

This day in June shows that the puddle at the boat launch has grown and a lone duck floats out there.  I sure hope his nest was not flooded out as the river rose in the slough, there is no doubt that the rising waters have an effect on riverfront homes as well as the homes of the local critters and fowl. 

Curious marmots at McArthur Island

 There are several marmot families living at McArthur Island and it is always fun to see then scurry about.  They would definitely have some flooding issues so hopefully they are all wise enough to move to higher levels before that occurs.  Our family can certainly sympathize with them.

Oak Hills flood of 1972

It was June 1972 and the dike at Oak Hills broke one afternoon and let the North Thompson River flood our homes and cover our streets and yards.  We were all very fortunate that only material goods were lost and repairs could be made to, in our case,  our brand new home.  We had the help of friends and family to take our pets and remaining dry articles to safety before the possibility of more damage could be done. 

Boating down Sandpiper Drive in 1972

The river was high and our house was filled with water so you do what you have to do! The only way to get around the subdivision was by boat and there were plenty of boats and helping hands arriving to assist everyone who lived there.   Fortunately the subdivision was not yet fully developed, this ‘lake’ was where the Oakhills School now sits as we boat our way to dry land. 

This was one very big Kamloops community effort of neighbors helping neighbors. 

I only hope the marmots have the same kind of friends and neighbors and that everyone in their family is safe, too.

There’s just no place like home. 

Tourism Kamloops:

“As a result of the 1972 flood disaster on the North Thompson and other BC rivers, the Province embarked on a program to map the flood plains of many rivers throughout the province. This work led to the construction of a number of major dykes built to protect the lands from large floods. The Oak Hills subdivision in northern Kamloops lies behind one such major dyke.”