Vancouver on the quick

We left Vernon and drove back south to Kelowna to pick up highway # 97C and rode over the Pennask Pass at 1728m to Merritt for lunch. This ride was one of the few times on this trip where we saw an RCMP roadside radar trap. They had a half ton truck parked on the side of the road, radar gun on a tri-pod hidden in front and a cruiser nearby ready as a chase vehicle. Thank goodness I was following a vehicle just then!

Merritt did not seem to be any different from when Nicholas and I stopped there 3 years ago. Sunny and hot and only an air conditioned restaurant to hide from the heat in. Back on the bike and headed south, on hwy # 5 "The Coquihalla" through Coquihalla Pass at 1244m. We encountered heavy rain between the pass and the town of Hope; enough that we stopped, closed up clothing vents and allowed Gayle to pull on rain over pants to keep dry. (Thanks Jacqui) When the SUV's that are passing you are hydro-planning beside you, it can be a little unerving on a bike! Made it through to Abbotsford where we both agreed it was time to get out of the heat again for the day.

Light rain over night and greeted by grey morning sky for the ride into Richmond to catch up with Mel and Dee Dear the next morning. We only realized that they had just been in their "new to them" condo for only three weeks, when we were unloading the bike! They were gracious hosts and took us in and made us feel welcome.

We went out to Steveston, an old fishing town on the Fraser River delta just minutes away for famous fish and chip lunch.We then played tourist by walking around the water front and a portion of the townsite. You may ask where the camera was throughout this day....... back at Mel's in the bike tank bag! Not much of a tourist I agree.

Back to their place for continued catch up conversation and supper. Early to rise and Mel was awake to give us "Bon chance" greetings upon departure! An enjoyable but quick stay once again with old friends from our life in HH. We are so thankful that we have kept in touch all these years.

Thanks Dee and Mel, see you again when you come east.