An afternoon drive to enjoy the sunshine and the last colors
of Fall. The weather has taken a quick
cold turn and many of the leaves have fallen but on such a lovely day, there
are still so many sights to enjoy.
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| Autumn colors |
We began on the west side of the North Thompson River and
followed the Westsyde Road. As we travel
north, we see homes, ranches, animal and tree farms and also vineyards which
now includes a craft beer business. There
are horses, cattle, goats and sheep and the occasional deer family enjoying the
serene countryside.
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| Jamieson Creek |
We stopped at Jamieson Creek to have a look. There is something about a creek that I find
special. I’m not sure if it is not just
the running water bubbling over the rocks that create the special aspect or if
it somehow brings back some childhood memories for me, either way, it is
enjoyable.
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| Picnic scene |
There are signs that the picnic table has had visitors but
those days are likely over until next Spring time. There were also signs of salmon that were
coming back up the creek to spawn and didn’t make it all the way.
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| Reflections |
The North Thompson was calm and quiet today. Due to the recent rain we’ve had higher waters
than what might be normal for this time of year. As we approached the McLure Ferry, the river
was reflecting the colors in the trees that lined the shores on the east side.
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| McClure Ferry |
We’ve taken this ferry ride before and will again on our
return home. It is a reaction ferry
which means it is propelled by the current of the river. It is held by cables as it crosses and takes
five minutes to get to the other side of the river. It is free and carries 12 passengers and two
vehicles. It is available on demand so
will come over to pick you up if it is sitting across the river but it does not
operate during high waters or winter freeze.
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| North Thompson River |
We follow the road on the west side of the river and once we
come to the top of the hill across from McLure, we are offered this great view
of the river and valley. The sandbars that
are scattered all down the river will not be seen during spring high water and
summer months. They do create hazards
for summer boating on this river as they’re not flagged. As much as we'd love to boat up this river, it just won't happen due to the sandbars.
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| Country Roads |
Country roads…… we are now on dirt and gravel roads and that
isn’t the best idea after a car wash but we will take the ‘high’ road, which
this is. A much higher altitude than the
valley road we just left. Not many views
for this part of the drive other than lots of trees and the occasional small herds of
cattle until we get into the old remains of the fire that swept through this
area a few years ago.
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| Forest fire remains |
It has been a few years so new growth is gradually happening
but the charred trees left are a reminder of the devastation that fires can
create.
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| North Thompson River |
We’ve now crossed the river at Barriere and are on the east
side of the North Thompson River. There
is a stop of interest just south of there and offers a nice view of the river. This
view is looking north which is the route many Eastern Canadians used during the
Gold Rush days.
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| Southern view |
This view is looking south from the same viewpoint as the
North Thompson River flows down with the Yellowhead highway in sight. Once the Overlanders of 1862 got across the
Rockies, they managed to get through the rapids and make their way to Kamloops. They are part of the history that helped
create Kamloops to be the wonderful city it is today.
