Merlin joined me for some cuddle time this morning, the 6 month old puppy, a rescue the family next door had along. A cute little thing. They were from St John’s BC en route home after a 9 month, 20 country trip with their two pre-teen daughters. The field behind me was occupied by 10 twenty-something girls from Australia and GB on a tour of North America. They started in Los Angeles and were taking a month to experience NA, most of the girls were anxious to get out of the damned tents and into a hotel in NYC, especially after the bear visit last evening. The RV, that I could reach out and touch, was driven by a German couple touring the western mountain states & providences. I was the guy loaded down on a Triumph going to Maine for lobster. Its an interesting observation, that if Canada were an American state it’d probably the least populated/square mile, but they cram their RVs together in campsites like cord wood, eh?
Since I didn’t have far to go today I woke and packed at a leisurely pace. Fixing tea with the Jetboil, slowly moving things around, and packing a little at a time, between conversations with my neighbors, and cuddling with Merlin the four-legged visitor.
Packed, fueled, and once again on the road to Nakusp. There were only two vehicles on the 50km stretch between Revelstoke and the ferry, me and this blasted logging truck. I know he has a job to do, delivering wood to the world, but 40 kph up the hills and 130 kph down the hills—we played leap-frog the entire way.
It was short wait in a picturesque middle-of-nowhere landing. About 6 Harley’s and myself loaded and then a few trucks and holiday campers. The views crossing the lake were gorgeous, and a man from New Mexico struck-up a conversation, curious about the bike and my story. Said he was afraid to talk to the Harley riders.
Once on the other side, I was alone, as the Harley’s preferred to do 130kph, and I was the last one to pass a logging truck struggling up a grade, for just as I passed him the road turned to double yellow almost the entire way to Nakusp. I had Trafalgar cruise control on 80kph, no one with whom to share the road!
In Nakusp I sat outside at a deli and ate a chicken sandwich made with Miracle Whip. I made up for the deli’s deficiency by imbibing in Canadian Moose Tracks on a waffle cone. I had decided on a hotel before the motorcycle rally in town, so I could luxuriate in a long shower and single-serve bathroom before I’d be fighting with 500 other guys for the campground facilities.
I saw the hand-painted sign on the way into town. I told myself, “I hope it has running water.” I pulled up to the place, it’s a log cabin with only four rooms, eh? Big rooms, with extra futon for spill overs. I crossed the little bridge from the four space parking area and up to the porch. A young women opened the door before I could reach the step and welcomes me. I tell her I reserved a room on hotel.com, she asked which room? I madly search my emails, but before I can find it she says, “You’re in the Alpine room”
She continues, “The Alpine room isn’t ready, but you can set your bags in the room while my husband makes the bed.”
I drop my bags and gear in the 800 square foot suite, and notice the library of movies, thousands of them (who cares about movies?). Lots of floor space. Nice furniture. The refrigerator is hidden under the stove. Its great, what a gem! This is a place I’d love to bring the wife and stay a week.
“Is there some where I can sit outside?”
”On the front porch,” she says.
“Well, I’d like to relax with a cigar and maybe drink some whiskey.”
She smiles, “There is an ashtray out there for your cigar, and I’ll get you a glass for your whiskey. How many cubes do you want?”
I could live here! The front porch is one of those kind that every man would love to have. I’m sitting here now, puffing away, typing. Screw this, I’m going to relax with my cigar and taste a little libation. Adios.
trafalgar adventures 