After spending a couple nights in Kelowna, BC with Pete's cousin, Penny, we traveled southwest to the mountain town of Nelson, situated on the west arm of one of the most gorgeous lakes I've ever seen. (Pictures to come!) Kootenay Lake is nearly 65 miles long, has mountains jutting up from lake level, and is completely undeveloped. After backcountry skiing on nearby Whitewater, we drove along the lake shore and ended up at the Ainsworth Hot Springs. The (free!) campground we stayed at for the night was on the beach on the lake, and make for a spectacular sunset. We earned our tourist name by taking the ferry across the lake on the morning commute. (Pictures to come!) The ferry is the longest, toll-free ferry in the world! After a drive down the east side of the lake, we found ourselves (no surprise here!) on a mountain pass, perfect for more backcountry skiing. The bonus with this find - a hut an hour hike up the mountain! We stayed the night in the little hut (Ripple Ridge Hut), complete with a wood-burning stove and a furry friend (mouse). The skiing wasn't the greatest, but well worth it for the hut experience. We drove down from the mountain pass and into springtime in the little, European-like town of Kimberley. Pete's dad had spent a ski season in Kimberley many years ago, working to install the first chairlift. We made our way up to the ski hill to have a picnic lunch, and found one of the best views of the Canadian Rockies. (Pictures to come!)
We then headed east to Alberta for more adventures ...
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