April 12,
Morning
I'm a little hesitant this morning. With the change in plans I'm not all that certain what I'm up to. Think I'll venture up towards Armstrong and Enderby. I may even wander into Salmon Arm. Best get to all I need to be getting too!
Later:
Near sunset. Came out Pleasant Valley from Vernon. Stopped at a fruit and veggie place. Took the highway to Otter Lake Cross Road, then Otter Lake to Armstrong. Stopped to buy a new bolt and washer for the BoB fender. Highway again to Enderby Back Road, followed its winding curves to Enderby. Stopped just a little north of Armstrong, at a littered Highway pull out.
Have paid $14 for an open air drive through by the river behind playing fields and an arena. Easy day, last part was best, bit of climbing and descending. Left knee was sore to start. Eased after a while.
Wind was, is, the biggest issue all day. Gusts. Mostly at my back. Hard facing west. Here it is blowing stuff around. Am buttoning down the hatches.
Relaxed. Took my time. Enjoyed myself but felt a little odd. Load was good. I have a vision how I'll pare it down for Europe. Back to basics.
Rained earlier, as I passed through Vernon. Stopped at the Bean Scene, a local cafe where they overcharge for everything but everyone still hangs out. Some sprinkles since.
April 13
Morning
Chilly Willy! Brisk southeast wind, so cold my hands couldn't flick the bic to light my stove. Had to use matches! Got a fire going now. Coffee made, more water heating for porridge.
I'm a little beat up. The trip over the Monashee was a bit much, my body still reels! Today I'll definitely take it easy, easier than yesterday. Have half a mind to check myself into a motel.
Sat up late with a fire thinking about things. Had some positive visions of Europe. Second guessing being out here.
Was nice of my pals in Vernon to let me use their place as a weight station. They've been real good to me.
Rained a fair bit last night. I was safe and dry, although I did get a bit chilly this morning. Sun broke out a few seconds ago. Who knows, perhaps things will improve.
Realize I'm pretty good about stowing stuff properly and keeping the real smelly stuff apart from the rest of my load. This camping stuff is second nature now.
Not sure what I'll do with myself today. Perhaps I'll head into Enderby for a while, after that I'll push towards Grinrod.
Sun went away as quickly as it came. Still bloody cold in the wind.
April 14
Morning
I've had a wet and somewhat challenging 24 hours. Rode out to Grinrod, then onto Mara Lake yesterday. All the camps out there were shut down and it was pouring rain. I decided to come back to Enderby, in a solid downpour, on the highway! It was not pleasant.
Have half a mind to pack it up, head back to Vernon, get on the bus.
Had a minor email scuffle with my pals in Cherryville, things are tense there. It threw me for a loop. I decided to let it go. Only one conflict in my life, no desire to engage. Not sure what's happening, a lot of stress.
Realized in six months this is the only conflict in my life. I've found nothing but support and encouragement and good humour. Guess I can take some comfort from that.
Sun hasn't broken through like it appeared it might. Its not raining or blowing but the day remains dull. Birds are singing tho', and there are a lot of locals out walking around. Its peaceful.
Not sure what I'll do with my day. It will depend a lot on the outcome of a call I plan to make to my pals in Vernon.
Later: Swan Lake
In a stand of willows adjacent to a trailer park and RV lot. Sun has just set. It seems to be clearing but there's no colour in the sky.
Hard ride! Headwinds most of the way . Was lucky to be off the main roads most of the day. Quite a grind, must have done only five or six k an hour for most of it. The wind was standing me up straight.
Armstrong didn't seem comfortable, so I pushed on.
There's some colour in the sky now. Some mauve and orange, hints of purple, pink to the north.
Will stay with my pals in Vernon tomorrow, hit a laundry, look around town, then head to Van on Sunday night, by bus.
Some red now in the sky at last. Maybe a decent day tomorrow.
April 15 Swan Lake
Freezing. Really want a fire but its prohibito! Slept fitfully.
Stern but light and extremely brittle sou'easter blowing this morning, not unlike the wind in Enderby the other day. Don't think I'll hang here long this morning. Think I'll go to town, do what needs to be done and be on my way.
Ride yesterday was a grind, mostly wind and some rain as well. Was getting stood up by it coming out of Armstrong, where I got smiled at by the prettiest blonde mountie. Such a sweet grin coming at me from the driver's seat of a police car!
Had a knee issue to start, again. It went away but I do recognize I have yet to whip myself into top riding condition.
Lots of birds, ducks and geese hanging out here in the willows by the lake. Can hear the omnipresent highway grumbling in behind it all. Not a bad camp here, but I wouldn't want to come here in high season, too many winnibegos!
Hope this day warms up. I don't want to pass my whole day freezing my ass off. I was hopeful at sunset last night.
I'm okay, a little rattled. Trying not to scare myself out of going to Europe by not thinking about it.
Angela wrote and told me not to miss the plane, I'd better move.
Well folks, that's it. Not long after I'm done sending this email, I'll be boarding the Pallid Dog, Greyhound, and should arrive in Van before the dawn's early light on Monday. One night there and I'm off to the airport.
All's well, but I'm shaking to my booties. What have I got myself into this time?
Guess we're all about to find out.
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