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!

Riverside Park in April ~ Kamloops, BC

We see the beauty of Riverside Park in Spring

Riverside Park in downtown Kamloops has been a great attraction for summertime and water activities for many years.  Our summers usually begin early and end well into September but our time spent down in the park in mid-April appeared to be rather quiet but a hot summer day.

Boats on Thompson River at Riverside Park

There is no doubt that we’ve had some great weather in past Aprils but this one seems to be breaking records for hot days and many are getting out there to enjoy those days at the local parks.

Spring growth in Riverside Park

Riverside Park was officially named in 1933 but used for many years previous to that.  The workers who were building the Canadian Pacific Railway back as far as 1885 used the park as a campsite.

Riverside Park history

This is a photo taken of Riverside Park in 1939 which shows a beautiful park down by the Thompson River and some of its’ history.  The park went through many very interesting changes over the early years and we are very fortunate to still have this beautiful gem as part of our downtown area.

Variety Kids Waterpark

The Variety Kids Waterpark has not opened yet this season, but there were some wishing that it was.  This waterpark replaced a wading pool and the Centennial Pool of long ago where many of us enjoyed spending our summer days when we were kids.  It was warmer than the river and easier for swim lessons.  I believe it was built as a celebration of the 1958 Centennial.

Lush and green Riverside Park

The park makes a great meeting place for family gatherings and picnics where the kids can play on playground equipment to waterparks and others can sit in the shade of these big old trees and enjoy their time spent at the park.  So many things happen here, like Music in the Park in July and August and Ribfest in August to just name a couple of them.

Tranquility of Riverside Park

Several events are held here every year and to see some of these celebrations of the past for the Bicentennial Day, Canada Day, special events like the MS Walk (to be held May 1, 2016)  and Remembrance Day, plus many more Summerevents, click on them to take you to that page. 

The Rivers Trail begins here

The Rivers Trail is a legacy of the 2000 Millenium.  It has a continuous trail between Westsyde and the Yellowhead Bridge which brings these neighbourhoods together and celebrates the importance of the Thompson Rivers to Kamloops.

Uji Friendship Garden

In 1990, Uji, Japan became a sister city to Kamloops and Mayor Philip Gaglardi and the mayor of Uji signed friendship agreements to enhance relationships and understandings between the citizens of both cities.  There have been many cultural exchanges done between the two cities with music, art and sports groups over the years. 

Entrance to Uji Friendship Garden

Mayor Mel Rothenburger reaffirmed this agreement with the Mayor of Uji on the tenth anniversary in 2000 and a tree was planted with Mayor Peter Milobar to commemorate the twentieth anniversary.  The Uji Friendship Garden is a favourite spot where local high school grad classes come to take their photos.

There are several areas of the Riverside Park to visit and be enjoyed including the Rose Garden, tennis courts, a concession and the pier has a great view of the Thompson Rivers with Mt. Peter and Mt. Paul as a backdrop.