Day 15 started out like all the others, too early, but…we have lots to do and see today, let’s get started! And…did you happen to notice the odometer on Eunice?! I like to post pics so you can see where we ended up each day, and today…we’re getting there!
Let’s get ready to rumble! Our goal today is to get to Kelowna, BC. Alarm set for 630am, we have four people to get ready in the room! Breakfast at 8am, KSU at 830a, but…looking back at my pics, looks like KSU ended up being about 920a, not sure why, we set our own schedule, right?!
Breakfast wasn’t too bad, although it was crazy crowded at the Best Western, Golden, BC. I have to tell you, years, I mean years ago, I used to stay at Best Westerns and they were…ok…then I started traveling for work and you know me, I’m spoiled by Hilton, so I’m a Hilton Girl, but we’ve stayed at a few Best Westerns recently, nice, clean, friendly staff, I may be adding them to my list. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not turning my back on Hilton, I told you, they spoil me, but as another option, I’m adding them! And look at that view!!!
We rode the TransCanadian Highway, I believe I already told you this, but…it is a massive coast-to-coast national road system spanning 7,821 kilometers (4,860 miles) across all ten provinces of Canada. Impressive! Did I also mention that would be an amazing road trip, to just ride the TransCanadian Highway?
TransCanadian Highway, TransCanadian Highway: Near the Time Zone Boundary Line, Columbia-Shuswap, BC, Canada.
We stopped in Revelstoke, BC to grab a cup of coffee/tea, a snack and happened upon a farmers market/street fair. Music, people, food, vendors, nice weather, and good vibes, what more could you want?!
We left Revelstoke and headed past the Mount Begbie Trailhead, continuing on the TransCanadian Highway to the Shelter Bay Ferry Terminal. We just missed the last ferry, so we had about an hour to wait for the next one. Wasn’t bad because it gave us time to check out the park, get some puppy love, talk to other people waiting on the ferry.
Love riding across a bridge! It was overcast, but who cares?!
The ride on the ferry was only about 30 minutes, but the view was awesome! The other side is the Galena Bay Ferry Terminal. It’s always challenging to ride onto a boat, we had to do it when we took the Cat Ferry to Nova Scotia two years ago. The nice thing about being on bikes is we were the first on and the first off the boat. You have to be just as careful riding off the boat as you do riding onto the boat. Oh, did I mention the ferries were free? It’s a nice way to get from one side to the other, peaceful, serene, and just a pleasant way to travel!
As we were heading to Kelowna, BC, we rode the British Columbia Highway to Fauquier, BC, to the next ferry!
Riding the British Columbia Highway. Riding by the Rock Island Hideout.
When we got to Fauquier, we took the Needles Cable Ferry, sooo cool! The Needles Cable Ferry is a free, cable-guided public ferry in British Columbia, Canada, crossing Lower Arrow Lake on Highway 6 between Fauquier and Needles! This ferry took less than 20 minutes, another free, smooth sailing ride/shortcut!
Riding off the ferry towards Kelowna, BC.
One of the sad parts of our trip, I’ve mentioned the smoke and devistation from the wildfires, and in this video, we actually saw a smaller, but active wildfire happening. In the beginning you can see the BC Wildfire Service helicopter with the collapsable Bambi Bucket to try to fight the fire. It’s a specialized, collapsible canvas water bucket suspended from a helicopter to drop water onto wildfires.
The ride along the coast is beautiful. Riding the BC Highway.
Ok, so…teeny plug for me…one of the things that I knew was going to happen and everyone else knew…and I was going to stop and take a picture…Eunice hit 30 THOUSAND miles! I know that’s not a lot for some, or a milestone, and when you look at motorcycle milestones, it’s usually 5k, 25k, 50k, but for me…that’s 30 thousand miles I have ridden myself on this bike! I bought her in July 2022 and four years later, I am at 30 thousand miles! For someone, years ago, who didn’t ride that much, I’m darn proud of me! Ok, picture taken, mission accomplished! Now I can just sail through without watching the odometer! Let’s go!
We finally made it to Kelowna! We were staying at the Recreation Inn & Suites, from the outside, it was unassuming, but the rooms were clean and right off the parking lot, not too far to carry our stuff, what more could you want?! We settled in, took showers, got dressed, and headed in search of food. We ended up at Baxter’s Bar & Grill – Pub & Grub, had a great waitress, good food and drink, and even got to see a fight, it was very verbal and loud, and if one of their friends hadn’t intervened, it may have turned into a fist fight. Dinner and a show! What more could you want?! Well, this sunset, that’s what! Stun-ning!
Another long day and a milestone, how are you holding up? Ready to do it again tomorrow? We have 2 lakes, 2 national forests, and we’re heading back into the US of A! Come with us!
Day 15: 309+ Miles, 8.5+ Hours, TransCanadian Highway, 1 National Park, 2 Ferry Rides, and 30k miles! Who wants more? I do!
