2016 Road Trip, part 1: Nelson Adventures
Jul. 24th, 2016 11:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jamesqI'd been looking forward to this trip for a long time. You know, what with the constant nit-picking of details, and trying to find just the right combination of locations, rooms, and things to do. This might sound like a chore, but I actually do enjoy stuff like this (when it's working - when it's not, it's like banging your head against a wall). As the day drew closer, I was more and more anxious (the good kind) to go.
Finally, Friday rolled around. I opted to go into work for a few hours to make sure everything was in good shape, and actually got that done about an hour earlier than I'd planned, so I managed to leave at 11 instead of noon. And I was off down highway 2.
I wanted to get at least an hour on the road before stopping for something to eat, and made it all the way to Nanton. My two choices were a cafe (that was fun, and had a giant lineup) and your standard, small prairie town, Chinese/western buffet, which had basically no one in it. Turns out there was a good reason why everyone opted for the cafe, since I think every single thing in the buffet was deep-fried. Ugh. Not a good start.
I managed to drive to Frank Slide, thus repeating an early trip's goal. I had to pull off the road when the rain started coming down in sheets. After it cleared, I got a decent shot of the slide itself.
othelianna suggested that I take the long way to Nelson - basically up the secondary highway to the Kootenay Bay/Balfour ferry. This was an excellent suggestion. It was all very pretty, even if it did add considerable time to the journey.
Here's a nice shot from the Creston Valley lookout. Creston appears to be one of many pocket bread baskets throughout the Kootenays. Great place to lay low during an apocalypse, I'd wager.
This is from the ferry. The urge to lean on the forward chain and yell "I'm the King of the world!" was very high. I restrained myself though. I didn't want to get kicked off the ferry. Again.
My journey:
I did eventually get to Nelson, probably around 9 in the evening. I also think I got the last hotel room in the city. Or so that's what the front desk guy at the Prestige Inn was telling the drop-in couple. I met up with Rosie and we wandered a bit and ended up having supper at Nelson's most civilized venue: The Library Lounge. Ornately decorated in dark wood with statues of naked women, the whole thing had the feeling of a Victorian gentlemen's club (the kind you see in movies, not the kind with prostitutes). I really want to have a philosophy night there. This seems unlikely unless I can convince Joel to go on a bike trip and![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
halfdane866 to vacation at the same time. Great place for a quiet drink.
I woke up to this view:
Rosie proceeded to show me around Nelson. There was a farmer's market which achieved what I think of as "The full-Nelson". It was full-organic, granola, spiritually -affirming and gluten free. The neighbouring Cottonwood Falls park was there (pictures in a later post) as well.
Nelson's main street had lots of nice shops. I also discovered that everywhere likes it's puns, but the locals are so immersed in the puns, they might not notice them - like how a fish doesn't notice it's in water.
One possibility is how enthused Calgarians are about the Banff Hot Springs. Which might seem a little odd to people who grew up near better hot springs. Like Rosie. She was scratching her head after the first time we all went to Banff together. Here's why:
What the Banff Hot Springs looks like:
Here is what the Ainsworth Hot Springs looks like:
It was wicked hot. Beside it was a cold pool that was actually cold (I think I managed to immerse myself in it briefly, but only for a few seconds).
We also fed some ducks. As I mentioned on Facebook, this was OK, because a duck later fed me (at Bibo restaurant).
Bibo Restaurant was very nice, and also had great taste in artists. Here's a piece I'd like a print of, made by my friend Kelly Shpeley:
(late edit: Turns out there are prints available. Contact Kelly through her website)
Kelly lives in Nelson, but I didn't get the chance to see her. Ironically, because she was at the SCA event I cancelled out of to spend more time with Rosie.
I think this sign sums up the whole Nelson experience:
...That sign and this conversation:
Finally, Friday rolled around. I opted to go into work for a few hours to make sure everything was in good shape, and actually got that done about an hour earlier than I'd planned, so I managed to leave at 11 instead of noon. And I was off down highway 2.
I wanted to get at least an hour on the road before stopping for something to eat, and made it all the way to Nanton. My two choices were a cafe (that was fun, and had a giant lineup) and your standard, small prairie town, Chinese/western buffet, which had basically no one in it. Turns out there was a good reason why everyone opted for the cafe, since I think every single thing in the buffet was deep-fried. Ugh. Not a good start.
I managed to drive to Frank Slide, thus repeating an early trip's goal. I had to pull off the road when the rain started coming down in sheets. After it cleared, I got a decent shot of the slide itself.
othelianna suggested that I take the long way to Nelson - basically up the secondary highway to the Kootenay Bay/Balfour ferry. This was an excellent suggestion. It was all very pretty, even if it did add considerable time to the journey.
Here's a nice shot from the Creston Valley lookout. Creston appears to be one of many pocket bread baskets throughout the Kootenays. Great place to lay low during an apocalypse, I'd wager.
This is from the ferry. The urge to lean on the forward chain and yell "I'm the King of the world!" was very high. I restrained myself though. I didn't want to get kicked off the ferry. Again.
My journey:
I did eventually get to Nelson, probably around 9 in the evening. I also think I got the last hotel room in the city. Or so that's what the front desk guy at the Prestige Inn was telling the drop-in couple. I met up with Rosie and we wandered a bit and ended up having supper at Nelson's most civilized venue: The Library Lounge. Ornately decorated in dark wood with statues of naked women, the whole thing had the feeling of a Victorian gentlemen's club (the kind you see in movies, not the kind with prostitutes). I really want to have a philosophy night there. This seems unlikely unless I can convince Joel to go on a bike trip and
halfdane866 to vacation at the same time. Great place for a quiet drink.I woke up to this view:
Rosie proceeded to show me around Nelson. There was a farmer's market which achieved what I think of as "The full-Nelson". It was full-organic, granola, spiritually -affirming and gluten free. The neighbouring Cottonwood Falls park was there (pictures in a later post) as well.
Nelson's main street had lots of nice shops. I also discovered that everywhere likes it's puns, but the locals are so immersed in the puns, they might not notice them - like how a fish doesn't notice it's in water.
*looking at a locally-made chocolate bar*It makes me wonder what weird-ass Calgary think I've never noticed that's obvious to outsiders. There's got to be something.
"Heh. Nelson Chocofellar. Nice joke."
Rosie and store clerk. "Joke, what joke."
"Um. Of Nelson Rockefeller?"
"Oh. Never noticed that before."
One possibility is how enthused Calgarians are about the Banff Hot Springs. Which might seem a little odd to people who grew up near better hot springs. Like Rosie. She was scratching her head after the first time we all went to Banff together. Here's why:
What the Banff Hot Springs looks like:
Here is what the Ainsworth Hot Springs looks like:
It was wicked hot. Beside it was a cold pool that was actually cold (I think I managed to immerse myself in it briefly, but only for a few seconds).
We also fed some ducks. As I mentioned on Facebook, this was OK, because a duck later fed me (at Bibo restaurant).
Bibo Restaurant was very nice, and also had great taste in artists. Here's a piece I'd like a print of, made by my friend Kelly Shpeley:
(late edit: Turns out there are prints available. Contact Kelly through her website)
Kelly lives in Nelson, but I didn't get the chance to see her. Ironically, because she was at the SCA event I cancelled out of to spend more time with Rosie.
I think this sign sums up the whole Nelson experience:
...That sign and this conversation:
*discussing some weird, hang-on hippy draft dodger. Or something.*
"He must be a Wizard."
"Wait. Nelson has a wizard?!?"
"Nelson has many wizards. One of them is named Wizard."
