Cheating the Weather Gods

The weather forecast for today was for light rain from Nelson to Nakusp with showers to the east of the Needles ferry. I dressed for the weather with rain pants and rain jacket. After Thursday's downpour I was not taking any chances. 

Ready to leave Nelson, BC.

We left Nelson and considering that the ride would be faster exposing us to less rain, we chose to ride Highway 6 up the Slocan Valley to Nakusp, rather than ride from Nelson to Kaslo and New Denver before heading to Nakusp. The skies were grey but the road was dry to begin the ride. Shortly after heading north on Highway 6 the roads were wet. We rode into the rain father north, but shortly it stopped and the wet roads began to dry.

The road to Nakusp is a fun road to ride, but not as good as the Nelson-Kaslo-New Denver route. However, the weather continued to improve and it was quite warm when we arrived at the Esso gas station in Nakusp. We refueled and headed to the Needles ferry, a run of about 55 kilometres. Again the highway was clear with very little traffic, and we made it to the ferry very quickly and after a short wait we boarded it for the ten minute crossing.

Heart Creek at the Needles ferry

Nast weather to the north at Needles ferry. We avoided it. Thankfully.

Highway 6 from Fauquier to Lumby traverses a variety of geographical features including level and straight sections, mountainous and twisty ones, and sections with a selection of both. Traffic was light until we approached Lumby when it became heavier. We were caught behind a vintage truck which rarely hit 80 kph. It finally pulled over to let the line of traffic pass.

Lumby was incredibly busy with the highway lined with cars and the street full of people. I'm not sure why but outside of Lumby we ran into a long section of stop and go and single lane traffic. By this time the clouds were gone and it was sunny and warm, perfect riding weather. The ride to Vernon was uneventful until we arrived at the intersection of Highway 97 where it splits to head to either Kamloops of Kelowna. The signage in this area is terrible, and I took the wrong turn. We did, however, find a Chevron station and refueled wit 94 octane gas, a positive outcome. 

We headed back to the main highway to Kelowna, but again took a wrong turn and after stopping at Macdonald's for lunch we headed down a road that gradually became a lakeside drive. We figure it out after a few kilometres and headed back to the centre of Vernon and finally took the right road to Kelowna. I miss my GPS!

Garry lost one of the bolts for his windshield, so we stopped at Gasoline Alley H-d where he was able to make a makeshift repair so that his windshield would no longer vibrate. 

The ride from Kelowna to Penticton was uneventful after the heavier traffic in Westbank, and after a small stop to figure out where we were staying we arrived at the VRBO that we had reserved for the next wo nights. It was an old house that was updated as much as possible, but it had no real common area. The deck faced the back yard and the small fountain/waterfall that one of the owners had created. He did a great job and it really is a terrific feature for the back yard.

Waterfall in the back yard of our VRBO in Penticton. 

Darlene and Gretel were some time behind us, so I took the opportunity to visit and old friend who has lived in Penticton for at least thirty years. The visit was short but it was good to see her after so many years. We first met in 1974 when we were student teachers in Prince George. Now, she is in her late 80s and I am also considerably older. But I can still ride a motorcycle!

When the ladies arrived we moved the suitcases and other items to the house, then ordered pizza from a local pizza place. After dinner I checked the weather forecast to the west and it was not promising. We were facing showers and rain for most of the ride back to Campbell River on Sunday, but Monday was going to be worse. I decided that I would return to Campbell River on Sunday, a day early. Garry agreed so we planned on leaving early on Sunday morning. We rode 505 kilometres today  - the longest ride that we have done all trip. I was wondering if I would still be able to ride that distance and I am very pleased that I can still pull it off.

And, considering the weather forecast for today and the nasty weather that we were able to avoid, we cheated the weather gods. But they must be paid, and when they exact their toll remains to be seen.