Merritt to Revelstoke - Jun 28, 2007 - Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada

We left Merritt right on 9am bound for Revelstoke. Highway 5A lived up to its billing of scenic but bumpy; lots of big trucks use it which has caused lots of frost heaves. So it was a rocky ride to Kamloops. Elaine counted 31 bicycle riders on this stretch, most of whom were camped with us last night. At the top of the hill into Kamloops, we decided to unhook and drive the car, due to the 9% downhill grade into town. The car transmission was acting up, as if something were seriously wrong. After getting down the hill we decided to hook up again and, if necessary, tow it all the way to Calgary.

After Kamloops, we ran through a couple of rain showers, but the road dried out by the time we reached the Salmon Arm area, where we stopped for lunch and a dog walk. Back on the road again and it started to get brighter and sunnier as we neared Revelstoke. We found the Lamplighter RV Park without difficulty and parked. We didn't plan to, but we were forced to unhook the toad due to the configuration of the campsite. Surprise! There didn't seem to be any problems with the transmission. Drove it around town a bit to check it out without one hint of the problems we had in Kamloops. Go figure!

We decided that cooking supper on our last camping night wasn't in the cards, so we went into town and had dinner at the Regent Inn pub. Live music was advertised about a block from the pub, so we took a walk and listened for about one song. A cross between bad country and bad bluegrass, so we headed back to camp and a quiet evening. We have lots of driving to do tomorrow, so best get some rest.

Around 11pm, poor Tucker was not having a good night. Between the freight trains thundering by near the campground, thunder and lightning and his fear of rain noise on the roof, we finally let them in to sleep in the bedroom.