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!

Springtime ~ Spring Blossoms ~ Kamloops, BC

Is it Springtime yet?  Spring is coming to Kamloops, as it does every year but we just aren’t sure when !  We know that the official first day of spring has come and gone and that snow has all but disappeared from the corners of our great city but do we know when Spring blossoms actually arrive?  Some things we do know.

 

Mt. Paul and Mt. Peter ~ Kamloops, BC

We know that there is beauty in ever season and we are fortunate to have all four seasons in Kamloops.  When winter is done, it takes awhile for the cold to leave the ground and allow the new growth to happen.  We will have green on our hills once the sunshine has time to warm it all up and we’ll be thrilled to see the green before the heat of the summer sunshine turns it brown again.

 

Tree lined path of Albert McGowan Park ~ Kamloops, BC

We know that the deciduous trees will grow new leaves and dress the branches that were bare and cold all winter.  We will soon hear the robins sing their songs.  The trees will give the birds places to build their nests to lay their eggs then when the time is right, they will teach their babies to fly.

 

Spring blossoms in Kamloops, BC

We also know that the blossoms will explode one day soon on our flowering cherry or plum and other trees and color our tree lined streets and walkways.  This will give the bees places to buzz around and get their nectar and to pollinate the blossoms for us.

 

Spring at Miss Wende's Adventure Golf ~ Kamloops, BC

Blossoms bring beauty to any tree like this beautiful tree at Miss Wende’s mini golf on Summit Dr. and plays dress up with the gorgeous pink blossoms. The shame is that the blossoms don’t last long so we shall enjoy them while they’re here.

 

Roadside flowers on Tranquille Road ~ Kamloops, BC

We know the trees are the stars of the blossoms but there are flowers blossoming all over town.  The crocuses are one of the first ones to pop out of the ground and tell us all that spring is coming.  These tiny flowers line the roadway on our drive out to Tranquille Wildlife Management Area.

 

Albert McGowan Park ~ Kamloops, BC

City parks like Albert McGowan have a great assortment of trees, and this park is not as old as some of the others so the trees are not as large or mature as in other parks but they sure do put on a great show of color in the spring.

 

Springtime blossoms ~ Kamloops, BC

Spring will arrive and we can all hope that Mother Nature has decided that time has come and that all her spring wardrobe is ready to come out of her winter closet and show us her beautiful blossoms once again.

 

Brown-eyed daisies in Westsyde, Kamloops, BC

We know that many more plants and flowers will pop up on the hills when Spring does get here.  The hills over the North Thompson River are dotted with hardy brown-eyed daisies to brighten up our days.

 Kamloops, BC

We also know the warmer weather soon allows the winter snow to runoff the distant mountains which will raise the water level of the Thompson River and bring so much more to life. The sage on the hills comes alive and we will once again see green hills surrounding Kamloops.

What we do know is that Springtime is almost here. Mother Nature knows what she is doing and she is very busy making Spring happen! Now let’s just sit back and enjoy the wonders to come in our hometown of Kamloops, BC.

We love Kamloops, BC ~ Sunrise to Sunsets

We love Kamloops for all the scenery, attractions, sports, diversity or weather, and that would include the beautiful sunrises and sunsets.  We all enjoy seeing that big blue sky to be flawless and free of clouds but our sunrises and sunsets would not be as stunning without them.

 

Summer sunset from Peterson Creek, Kamloops, BC

There has been damage done to many of our pine trees by the pine beetle but the trees made an interesting framing for the summertime sunset we enjoyed while taking an summer evening walk through Peterson Creek Park.

 

Sunset over teepee at Kamloopa PowWow

Mid summer evening spent at the Kamloopa Pow Wow near the Kamloops Residential School on the South Thompson River, offers a sunset backdrop for all to enjoy.  It was the ending of a grand show, if you wish to see more of the Pow Wow show, click here.

Autumn sunrise over Kamloops, BC

There are not many sunrises that are quite this bright and they disappear so quickly that there is never time to get to a better viewpoint but this one is taken from our own deck and it was amazing to watch.

 

Sun setting after Kamloops afternoon rain

We were crossing the Halston Bridge after a late afternoon rain and the setting sun and clouds made such a dramatic picture ahead.  You’re not able to see Batchelor Heights to the west side of the North Thompson River as the contrast is natural lighting in the picture and better able to show the true colors of the sunset and clouds.

 

Autumn sunset on Mt. Paul and Mt. Peter, Kamloops, BC

I was following Ord Road  heading east to get to Westsyde Road and head north up the N. Thompson River when the lighting on this late afternoon drive made Mt. Paul and Peter look beautiful where they stand at the meeting of the North and South Thompson Rivers.

 

Christmastime sunset in Kamloops, BC

With the neighboring homes preventing most views of evening sunsets, I was happy to include some of the color while taking pictures of my Christmas lawn decorations. Now if only I could eliminate all those wires in my pictures………. but then I wouldn’t be able to light up those Christmas decorations ! 

Christmas morning sunrise in Kamloops, BC

Many grandparents will make those early Christmas morning drives to get to watch the little ones and all their excitement open the gifts that Santa has left and we are no exception.  The timing was perfect to catch this pretty sunrise as the sun was streaming down from behind the dark bank of clouds onto the crystal white snow up in the hills above Kamloops.  This picture was taken as we drove the new road below Thompson Rivers University (TRU).

Sunrises are such a great way to start the day and then to finish the day with a sunset, what could be better?