Chilliwack to Merritt - Jun 26, 2007 - Merritt, British Columbia, Canada

Elaine's birthday today and we're driving to Merritt. The day dawned bright and sunny with a promise of warm temperatures. After breakfast, we got busy breaking camp. We only have 2-3 hours to drive today, so no hurry. We left the campground around 10am and by the time we had filled with gas, checked tire pressures and hooked up the car, Chilliwack was in the rear view mirror at 10:30. A minor problem that could have been major was that we opened the back hatch cover to get the tow equipment out, and then forgot to close it again. Someone on the street alerted us to the problem and we got it closed without either losing something or slicing someone in half.

A good ride down the Trans Canada highway, a bit windy in places but otherwise uneventful. It's nice to drive in the sunshine for a change. Turned north just past Hope on the Coquihalla Highway. There is one long uphill when eastbound, just south of the Coquihalla toll plaza. After that, it's relatively flat except for an 8% downgrade into Merritt. We arrived around 1:30.

The campground in Merritt is not too bad, although the spot we have has few trees. It's a corner lot and is basically pie shaped, so the dogs have lots of grass to run around on. Elaine found a great gift, an owl made from wood that can be stained. There's some kind of bicycle tour group here too, all camped in tents and eating from a big Ryder truck parked in the tenting area. Not sure what they're paying for this, but if it were me, I'd want better accommodations.

We decided to check out the local golf course and ended up playing 9 holes. Graham did well and Elaine had a trying time of it. Checked with the campground folks about internet (available, but does not reach to our end of the campground) and about a nice restaurant for a birthday dinner. Apparently Merritt doesn't have 'fancy' restaurants, but they suggested Navarino's, which is basically Greek with most of their menu being American (pub grub and pizza). We did have a good meal and returned to the campground near sunset for a quick walk with the dogs and then turn in.

Wednesday June 27, 2007

This is our last 'no driving' day of the vacation. Tomorrow we go to Revelstoke and then home on Friday. We decided that we shouldn't waste another sunny day, and so set off for the Nicola Valley Golf Course, about 22 km towards Kamloops on the old 5A highway. The highway is two lane and relatively narrow with lots of corners, but is very pretty, especially near Nicola Lake. The golf course is not as nice as yesterday's, but is great for us. And at $10 for 9 or 18 holes, the price can't be beat.

The Quilchena Hotel's there also, and we stopped for lunch. It only opens from late April to September, and is near the big cattle ranches of Douglas and Nicola Valley. The saloon has bullet holes in the bar, and they serve great burgers! All in all, we had a good meal and game and returned to the campground for dinner. We checked with the CG manager and they recommend highway 5A as the scenic (although slower) road to Kamloops. There is only one significant hill (near Kamloops) and the road is the preferred route for the bicycle riders.