CAMPING IN JUNE PART 2

On the road to new camping territory we drove through the beautiful Creston valley, on to Cranbrook and a little further south east to Kikkomen Creek Provincial Park, an area with Ponderosa pine trees and large open grasslands. Two lakes border the campsite with a third expansive lake adjacent to it.

A walk around Hidden Lake was needed exercise after a long drive. The lakes in this provincial park are home to an abundance of Western Painted turtles and today they were hiding in Hidden Lake because it was cool, cloudy and drizzly. Enjoyed birds flitting and trilling and one posing for the camera.

Baynes Lake BC

When planning this trip Wally aka Waldo was curious about a historical town called Waldo which was once near to our campground. In 1972 Canada and the USA signed a treaty to dam up the Kootenay River by building the Libby Dam in Montana to create hydroelectric power. The town of Waldo and other communities lay in the fertile valley along the Kootenay River and were destroyed an the river flooded. Only two buildings were moved to Baynes Lake community, one being the church. We met a local at a community farmers market and pancake breakfast who remembered the stories her parents told her of people sitting on the river bank watching the town being burnt down. 

Some old timers are still resentful of this loss.

Baynes Lake

The flooded Kootenay River became Lake Koocanusa ( Kootenay/Canada/USA)

Hiking around Surveyors lake in our campground

The sun came out and so did the turtles

On a rainy day we drove back to Cranbrook tovisit the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel.

We  toured 17 rail cars that were in service between 1907 - 1970

The opulence and luxury was noted in the craftsmanship of leaded glass accent windows and inlaid design in the fine wood interiors The private dining car was in service for Queen Elizabeth II on a tour of Canada.

This bear was forgotten on the train 84 years ago

The HOPPER was a unique feature in the sleeping cabin for admin people for royal guests. The sink and mirror folded upwards to become a leather chair and the chair seat lifted up became the toilet.

The museum also housed other exhibits like minerals found in mining and also by explorers in the local mountains. My eye was drawn to this large heart rock with a trilobite fossil which dates back to the Early Cambrian age about 500 000 000 years ago. Lots to ponder.

Back at the campsite there was always time to read, relax and prepare yummy meals meal to eat around a campfire which has been unusual in the last couple years with fire bans in place.

Omelet in a bag and potatoes grilled in foil packets. No pots to wash!