Friday, February 22, 2008

Cherry Creek Kamloops Lake B.C. Canada

More pictures from Western Canada this week, as friend Sheila in Kamloops sent along some photos of Kamloops Lake in the Cherry Creek area west of Kamloops, B.C. (Canada).

The first picture shows the trail up to the view point. This area is accessed from the Trans-Canada highway west of Kamloops, south of the lake.

The second photo shows the view from the top: This viewpoint is on private property.
A panoramic view of Kamloops Lake looking roughly northeast across to Tranquille; Kamloops lies further east. This picture was taken on a friend's property at Cherry Creek.
Sheila says:
The Kamloops paper today reports that this lake hasn't frozen in 12-14 years, ans that this is only the third time in 20 years! It is frozen from Tobiano (6 Mile Ranch) to Savona. I took this picture because of the rarity of the lake being frozen over, but I didn't realize at the time how rare it was. In this picture, the ice covers the entire surface of the lake (it's very clear ice) except for the part right across the lake at Tranquille. Now, a week or so later, the ice has likely receded even more, as the weather is getting warmer every day.

Years ago, Tranquille's King Edward VII sanatorium treated thousands of patients before it closed in 1958. After years of disuse, Tranquille is to be developed into a large resort community which will see the restoration of three Victorian cottages and a fire hall on the site.

See also South Thompson River Views east of Kamloops.

Update June 2008: See Sheila's new blog about RVing with pictures from B.C. Now that she is able to post her own photos, I guess these are the last I'll get from her!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Spring break, Daylight Savings Time, St . Patrick's Day, First day of Spring, Easter means a busy March!

This March, the use of the adjective 'Madness' seems particularly apt! With so many distractions, it will be April before we know it.

In Ontario, we're already distracted from the usual winter weariness with the new Family Day holiday long weekend (the third Monday in February; this year February 18) which was sprung on us recently, and for which no one has plans for, and for which students and teachers and their parents in the Toronto area certainly do not need, given the many Snow Days this year.

We're all a little confused, too, about what will be open, who gets the day off and who has to work. Schools, government offices, liquor and grocery stores, banks, etc are closed. Corner shops will likely do a banner business in milk and bread, and snacks!

Now with a busy March waiting for its cue in the wings, our Winter Distraction Dance card is pretty full. Here's how I see it:
  • First off, in the Toronto area, Spring Break is the week of March 10-14, though breakers usually start heading out any time after March 6; it's the busiest time of the year for Toronto's airport, Pearson International..
  • Daylight Savings time begins Sunday March 9 ( so at least the kids won't be late for school after missing an hour's sleep).
  • First day back at school is Monday, March 17 -- St Patrick's Day.
  • First day of Spring is Thursday, March 20.
  • Good Friday and Purim are the following day, March 21.
  • Easter Sunday is March 24.
  • Easter Monday is March 25.
As I see it, there are only two full weeks of classes in this area (if you discount those skiving off early for Spring Break) so March, which usually seems to drag on and on, will be over in a flash.

What has this to do with travel? you may well ask. A lot, if you are booking flights, hotels, etc or planning to travel this March.
  • Daylight Savings Time: Not every country/state/province observes this so be SURE to double check departure and arrival times, especially if traveling on or about March 9, and especially if crossing the international date line.
  • Spring break means High Season rates, and crowds, especially in the sun and fun destinations.
  • Easter, including Easter Monday, is a holiday in many parts of the world, including Hong Kong.
  • Holy Week (this year March 16-20) is a major celebration in countless other countries, including the Dominican Republic and Honduras.
With so much happening this March, don't get too distracted -- it'll be tax time before you know it!