| Bonner's Ferry is the
last town in the US a mere 30 miles from the border. This is pretty empty
country. |  |
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That's not to say it is not still up and down. The border crossing was
quiet with no queues. The Canadian Customs were friendly as ever. Few
questions and no search. Main concerns seemed to be hard liquor, tobacco and guns. |
| However just over the
border at Yahk we blew a tyre (6 inch long split in the sidewall). Fortunately
we managed to get it changed just across the railroad tracks from the
general store. (We were carrying 3 spares). Getting the C$20 to pay him was
more of a challenge when the ATM would not accept our card. It didn't have
any money in it anyway until the store clerk filled it up from the till. |  |
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Shortly after leaving Yahk we had our first view of the Canadian Rockies. |
| The first town of any
size this side of the border is Cranston, some 40 miles further on (though
we are in to kilometres now). We caught sight of a heritage
train but couldn't stop. |  |
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We are closer to the Rocky Mountains now, and much higher than we have seen
so far. |
| We need a spare wheel for
the mill back home. But I don't think we could mange this one - a bit over our
weight limit! |  |
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I suppose we will get bored with shots of mountains but they are spectacular
as we head up the Kootenay valley. |
| You cannot fail to be
inspired by the scenery. Bear in mind we are already at 4-5000ft. |  |
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Beside the mountains there are many lakes. This one is the source of the
Columbia River, one of the largest and most powerful in north west America. |
| The lake is fed by a
spring. The Columbia River drains an area of 670,000 sq km and discharges
1967 billion cubic metres of water per year. It is the 4th largest river by volume in the continent.
265 species of birds and 50 species of animals live here. |  |
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This may only cross a creek but the escarpment on the other side is
impressive.
We were delayed today by the tyre problem and travel was slow so we only made it to
Radium Hot Springs, about 70 miles short of Lake Louise. |
|