Hixon, British Columbia - Kettle Falls, Washington

Day 32 – Tuesday, August 30 2005
Hixon, British Columbia – Kettle Falls, Washington
Miles Driven: 603
We were up early and ready to hit the road by 5:30 AM. Normally we would not start driving until daylight but we wanted to try to make it across the border before stopping for the night. The first hour was tense, driving in the dark and watching for wildlife. By 6:30 we were in Quesnel where we gassed up and as we were driving out of town saw a small deer lost on the city street, the only wildlife of the morning. We followed Highway 97 south to Cache Creek, then turned east on Highway 1 toward Kamloops. Just before Kamloops we turned south on Canadian Interstate Highway 5. We were only on the super highway about 50 miles before we exited at Merritt and followed Highway 97c to the Okanagan Lake area. The valley from Penticton to Osoyoos was covered with orchards and vineyards. It is said to be the wine capital of Canada, you can believe it. The view driving up out of the valley from Osoyoos was spectacular. We followed Highway 3, a twisty mountain road to Christina Lake, British Columbia where we turned south on Highway 395 and crossed the border for the last time. Of all the border crossings on this trip, six in all, this was the only time we were questioned and asked to open the van for inspection. Once across the border we were only 31 miles from Kettle Falls, Washington where we found Barney’s Café and Motel. The room was cheap but the meal at the café was the best of the whole trip, good old USA beef! The TV didn’t work but we were too tired to care.