We met for lunch in Princeton on a sunny hot Monday morning. From there we headed north up 5A toward Merritt. I had ridden out through the Fraser Valley and then followed #3 through Manning Park and over the Allison Pass. This was my first time riding that section that the weather was good. My friend had ridden in from the Kootenay's. As with so many BC secondary highways, 5A is just too spectacular and beautiful to properly describe. The route took use through the edge of the Coastal Mountains and out into the arid rolling hills.  We rode past Allison Lake which was the most incredible blue colour I've ever seen but there was no place to pull off for picture taking. I don't like to pull onto sloping loose gravel with a bike that weights almost half a ton.

Because I'm riding alone (the wife stayed home this time) I'm trying to take pictures as I ride. Don't try this at home kids, not a good idea. All I can do is hold up the camera with one hand and click the button and hope it was actually aimed at something. Thats my friend up ahead on his bike. Don't know the name of the small lake off the the right. As in all the pictures here, it is a sunny day but the forest fire smoke haze has created a muted overcast effect.

Another section of 5A. From Merritt we rode up to Kamloops, staying on 5A and that takes you through the Nicola Valley with its beautiful lakes and stunning 'old west' scenery. A MUST ride for everyone.

After Kamloops where is was very hot and very smoky we headed east on the TC to Salmon Arm where we decided to call it a day. Found a motel and had a relaxing evening. The next morning we headed south on 97A down to Vernon and then east on #6 through the Monashee Mountains. These are all good secondary highways to ride. They are very hilly, very twisty and generally in good shape with not too much traffic to deal with. Highway 6 crosses the Lower Arrow Lake at Needles. The Arrow Lakes are part of the Columbia River system.

Here we are waiting for the next ferry, which incidentally, is free. It is a cable ferry and therefore does not have the engine sound and vibration of a diesel powered ship. Very smooth and quiet.

The ferry crossing takes you across to Fauquier and from there you ride north toward Nakusp. Along the way there are numerous Osprey nests on  top of the hydro poles. This area along the lake is a nesting site for the big birds.

From Nakusp we headed east on #6 to New Denver where we picked up 31A in the Kokanee Park area. This section is high and relatively green. Heres a small lake with someone fishing in it. We had pulled into a rest area and were immediately surrounded by a group of women who were on a bicycle trip. I think they were having 'engine envy' as they had just paddled up some rather long steep hills. Our motorcycles were looking pretty good to them

31A brought us out at Kaslo on Kootenay Lake. Kaslo started out as a mining and lumber town but has become a tourist destination. Thats a stern wheeler in the background that has been turned into a museum.

Here's a rather disturbing picture. As mentioned, I was trying to take pics while riding and was having to work the camera by feel alone. I guess I had clicked the button while trying to hold the camera.

Our second day had taken us to Nelson where we spent the night at my friends place. Next morning we headed west through Castlegar. We had breakfast in Kettle Valley and then he turned north toward Kelowna and I continued on to Osoyoos.

The back side of the mountain over looking Keremeos was burning. There were water bombers working the fire and the smoke was spreading over the valley and into the town.

This brought me back out to Princeton and from there it was over the Allison again and out into the Fraser Valley where the traffic was it's usual horrid nightmare. It didn't let up until Horseshoe Bay and from there is was an easy ride home. I was gone for 3 days of some of the nicest riding imaginable and put on 1835 kilometers. The bike needs a good bath again and an oil change.