Kamloops Sojourn

Spoiler Alert: It's Monday morning and I am safe and sound and very happy with wonderful friends in Comox... and just now catching up on these blog posts.

 Thanks to lovely friends who checked in with me (Hello Dana :-) about BC Wildfires

Salmon Arm to Kamloops was easy and beautiful, starting with an early Thursday morning pooch hike in Little Mountain Park. 

Always tantalising new smells

Stick selection in Little Mountain Park
The Arm

Amazing how easy it is to find off leash dog parks pretty much anywhere, complete with reviews from local dog nation.  We have sampled them in every province. 

After an excellent hike, complete with local stick selection, we were on our way west along the Shuswap and Thompson River. 

View from Craig and Sharlene's beautiful home
in Aberdeen Hills/Kamloops

Very easy to find Craig and Sharlene and Darby's home in Aberdeen Hills, which is absolutely lovely, including amazing views of Kamloops. We spent an excellent two nights there - a welcome respite from driving and campsites and far exceeding even the mighty Comfort Inn. 

Also had a chance to see Kira, Craig and Sharlene's younger daughter. It has been many years (she was in early high school last time) and she is a beautiful young woman. A treat to have dinner with everyone on a summery deck overlooking the valley. 

These cousins are great hosts, and come by it honestly. Craig's parents, my Aunt Esther and Uncle Hap, are also great hosts and I was well and truly feted with superb meals and more dog walks and swims than H could shake a, well, um, a stick at. 

Darby, a sweet young Wheaton Terrier,
a generous host for H

Darby, pictured in shadow here,
even shared her favourite toys with H

Most prominent in her memory and mine will be an afternoon at McConnell Lake - around which we hiked and she and Darby swam. 

Well, H swam and Darby, a young Wheaton Terrier pup, acted as enthusiastic cheerleader. 

H complementing her ensemble with dirt
from the shores of McConnell Lak

Darby encourages Hailey to come ashore

Try as she might, H could not coax Darby in above wading depth. 

Not a sign you see often - McConnell Lake

Darby the Adorable. 

Hap and Esther also have a great home in Aberdeen Hills, having left their ranch in Knutsford several years ago. Their lovely pooch, Skye, is a sweet host, and typical affectionate Golden Retriever.  Sorry that I didn't get a picture of her -- too busy eating (I was, not her) I think.

Leaving Kamloops feeling happy that it won't be long until I see these wonderful guys again. Soon. Soon is good.

Kilometres to Kamloops: 4331.
Next stop, Squamish.