Tour BC 2007 - Day 1

Day 1 - July 13



I got a late start and finally got on the road at 11:22. It was
already 91* in Walla Walla.

When I got to Pasco to take US 395 North, I could see dark clouds and
showers in the west. The storm moved rapidly, and I drove through it as
I headed north. The rain subsided near Ephrata (US 395 to WA 17
North).

I drove along roads that brought back memories of the Washington
Sampler, a bicycle tour I rode in the mid-90's.

Continuing to head north, I marveled at the landscape and how much it
reminded me of the Leadville and Buena Vista, Colorado areas where I was
in June.


In Omak I stopped at McDonald's - for information on how far I was from
the border and where I should exchange my money. I was provided
directions to Bank of America where Christina happily exchanged my money.

There was road construction in Oroville, and many Washington and
British Columbia vehicles made left turns in town. Since I was unfamiliar
with this area, I stayed put. It was a short wait and then we were
flagged through.

I arrived at the border at 5:00. There was a single line with about 15
vehicles in front of me. The line moved rather quickly, and I arrived
into Canada around 5:20.

Osoyoos is less than 5 miles from the border. This was my destination.
It was obvious when I arrived that Osoyoos is a resort town. There
are many RV camping areas, motels, resorts, B&B's, except no nearby
provincial parks that allowed camping.

After traveling east on BC 3 for 30 minutes, I came to the conclusion
that icons of a tree and tent referred to private campgrounds. I made a
U-turn and came down what will be on Friday, an 11.5 mile downhill
into Osoyoos.

I am camped at Nk'Mip Campground, which is where the tour will be
staying Friday night. For $30 and some change, you get a small campsite
with a water spigot, picnic table, shade, and hard pan for your tent. It
is up above the lakeside camp sites, with a view of Osoyoos and the
mountains across Lake Osoyoos.

Tomorrow: Go to tourist center in Osoyoos and get map. Drive to
Penticton and check into motel. Then ride bike to bike inspection for tour,
pick up registration packet, and return to motel.

Nikii who is somewhere in British Columbia