Kootenay Lake, British Columbia
Our trip to British Columbia in Canada
One of our dreams has always been to take a trip into Canada. Well we finally made our trip on a three day weekend the last weekend in September, and it was incredible.
We went into Canada from Idaho, after driving the some pretty gorgeous country in Idaho, by Lake Pend Oreille and entered just north of Bonners Ferry into British Columbia in the Kootenay Rocky area. The Kootenay Lake, incredibly beautiful and right in view most all the time.
Come experience British Columbia, and the beauty of the Kootenay Rockies and Lake.
The Mountain you pass just before the border of Nelway, British Columbia - In Northern Idaho
The above image of the mountain you pass in Northern Idaho just before you get to the border at Nelway, British Columbia, Canada. This is in Idaho in what they call the Panhandle. Do you know why it is called the Panhandle? If you look at a map of Idaho you can see why, shaped like a pan, northern Idaho is the handle.
Arriving at the Canadian Border - We are so excited, it is just around the corner
Almost there, only 1500 feet to the border of Canada. We were so excited, finally going to see Canada. Something I have wanted to do as long as I can remember.
We can see Customs - Almost to Canada
We can see customs.
We arrived in Canada, British Columbia.
We arrived in Canada, British Columbia.
Thinkmetric - 50 mph = 80 kph - Watch out for "fast children"
We have to change our speed to metric, it is a good thing our odometer has metric reading too. I love the clever way they made their sign too. Notice how the "km" stands out, so clever!
I found a sign that I thought was kind of funny, sorry I didn't get a picture of it. But is said, Maximum speed 50 kph when "children are on road".
Their children must run fast!
Spectacular views along the drive - Untouched Mountains tall above us, with lush valleys below
The views were just spectacular along the drive. There is high mountains, that seem untouched by man, with lush valleys below.
The Lake is held back by a series of man made dikes - The story about how they came to be
The Lake is held back by a series of man made dikes. This sign told the story about how they came to be.
Another view of the lush valley below.
Another view of the lush valley below.
Mount Hooknose - Along the Kootenay in British Columbia
Above is Mount Hooknose, appropriately named don't you think?
This is a small marina we stopped at on - Kootenay Lake.
This is a small marina we stopped at on Kootenay Lake. It was a nice rest area, with a gazebo for picnics, and probably weddings too.
The views along the drive were just spectacular - Driving along the Kootenay
The views along the drive were just spectacular. We both enjoyed the beauty so much, just stopping to get out and just enjoy the beautiful views.
The Mountain that took our breath away - The photo does not do it justice
We came up over a small hill and this view opened up. Everything had just been so lush and green, this spectacular sheer granite mountain so tall that it still had snow on it, was just incredible when it came into view. The photo does not do it justice at all as it literally took our breath away!
Readers: Have you been there before?
I'm in love with British Columbia in Canada, gorgeous and uncrowded. The traffic was pretty much none existent, just a few cars along the way. The fall colors were amazing!
Have you ever been to Canada?
Is it a place you would like to visit?
Have you been to Canada, if so where?
The Ferry Schedule - in British Columbia, Canada
We were pleasantly surprised to find out that all inland ferries in British Columbia are free! What a great country!
This was the ferry schedule. (photo below) They say the traffic is a lot heavier in the summer time, so there may be a bit of a wait. But when we went we got right on when the ferry arrived.
The Bench - I absolutely love this photo!
The following pictures were the view from the dock where the ferry comes in. I'm not sure that waiting in such a beautiful place could be much of an inconvenience if you do go during the summer.
The Bench overlooking the Kootenay Bay
The snow covered Mountain Peaks. - Overlooking Kootenay Bay
The snow covered peaks.
As you can see from the scenery, the ferry wait is just not long enough!
The ferry as it arrives.
The ferry as it arrives.
Driving onto the ferry. - I think the ferry holds approximately 60 cars
Driving onto the ferry. I think the ferry holds approximately 60 cars. There was a semi truck that crossed that unloaded too.
Incredible views - Along the Kootenay
The views of Kootenay bay as you cross on the ferry were just incredible.
A sailboat crossing the Kootenay - Doesn't that look fun?
A sailboat crossing the Kootenay Bay. Wouldn't that be fun to do!
Another view of the mountains. - Of Kootenay Bay
Another view of the mountains.
I love the sailboats.
I love the sailboats.
They just look like they would be so peaceful to ride in one. No motor sounds, just the silence and sounds of nature.
The fall colors were so beautiful here. - On Kootenay Bay
The fall colors were so beautiful here.
A large boat and our dock awaiting us on the west side of Kootenay Bay.
A large boat and our dock awaiting us on the west side of Kootenay Bay.
Entering Nelson British Columbia - A beautiful fountain, in front of the fall colors.
Nelson was a beautiful city, that is not too far from the west dock we de-boarded at. There is a gorgeous bridge as you come into the town, but I didn't catch a picture of it. The whole town is set in the depths of those tree covered mountains, with the river running along it. What a incredible place it must be to live there.
These are some of the views in the city or township, and the drive along the way from the dock.
A beautiful fountain, in front of the fall colors.
This was a beautiful house, look at the colors in those trees. - In Nelson BC
This was a beautiful house, look at the colors in those trees.
How about a House shaped like a ship? - Isn't that unique?
How about a House shaped like a ship? Isn't that unique?
Or is it a ship that is now a house?
I loved this old building with the castle towers, - Canadian flag flying proudly from the steeple.
I loved this old building with the castle towers, and the Canadian flag flying proudly from the steeple.
The Ivy House - So pretty and green
This granite building was covered in ivy.
The falls colors as you drive south - towards the Washington border
As we left Nelson and headed south, there was a lot of beautiful country we drove through.
The fall colors were just amazing.
Rock Climbers - enjoying their sport
These were some rock climbers along the drive. There is a lot of steep, and rocky mountains to climb in this area.
There was a parachuter that we saw too. - Recreation abounds in British Columbia
There was a parachuter that we saw too. We were wondering just where he planned on landing as there is nothing but trees as far as you can see in the area he was falling into!
After we left Canada and entered the state of Washington, the beautiful scenery did not stop. The pictures below are Boundry Lake, in Washington.
The US Border - Welcoming us back home
The border coming out of Canada was a lot stricter that the border coming into Canada. Which is probably a good thing for our security.
I appreciate you stopping by and checking out our Canada Trip.
Please leave a message so I know you were here.
Linda
I hope you enjoyed our trip through British Columbia, Canada - Hotels in Canada
I live in Wynndel BC (just up the road from Kootenay Lake)... Some of your photographs in your lens of the flats could have been taken from my back yard! You captured the beauty and wonder of Kootenay Lake and area... Thank you!!
Another PERFECT Lens! Great Pics!
Beautiful lens. A wonderful way to document your travels. Blessed
WOW! Blown away by this lens, the pictures and the way you've presented them are really beautiful to behold. Squid Angel blessed. Thanks again!!
Happy April Fools Day, blessed by a Squid Angel!
It is one of my dreams to visit Canada some say, the gorgeous pictures you have put in the lens are stunning and they strengthen my determination to make this dream come true.
Great photos of the lake and towns in the area. I love it there.
Your pictures make me want to go, thank you!
~ Blessed by a Squidoo Angel of the Travel Canada neighbourhood ~
@jolou: THANKS MEN really is nice place
family vacation
Outstanding lens and photo's. Blessed by an Angel.
- AUTHOR
[in reply to al] Al, I am honored to have inspired you with the photographs of your beautiful homeland and wish you the best of luck on your new life, may it bring you all the happiness you seek! Enjoy, Linda
Your trip looks like a lot of fun and the scenery is breathtaking! I was born in canada 22 years ago and have lived in the UK ever since. I've never had the money to "go home" but your pictures have inspired me again. about to book my one-way ticket to canada from england to start a new life. wish me luck!..
Great way to use a lens as a scrapbook!
Wonderful lens of a very beautiful area. Love your pictures!
Thank you for the tour of British Columbia.
What an absolutly wonderful place. I hope I'll get to see it one day
Wow, that was an awesome trip, thanks so much. Now I have to find the time to do the western side of Canada in the future, those pics are fantastic. Thanks again, and I really loved the house shaped like a ship, that was just to much, lol.
Awesome lens, beautiful pictures. Congratulations on LOTD! It was well-deserved. I was in BC many years ago in the summertime, and was shocked to see people in ski clothes and with ski racks! Best of both worlds I guess, the ocean and the mountains. 5 stars and a favorite!*****
Your lenses are always wonderful. And congrats on LOTD!
Hi ArtbyLinda,
What a great lens! 5 stars for you! I've also created a lens based on the world's man made marvels at http://www.squidoo.com/man-made-marvels. Hope you can visit it and give me your feedback :)
Congratulations LTD!!!! What a beautiful pictures. My aunt lives in Vancouver!! I want to go someday :).
Great pictures - keep up the good work - you've created a great lens.
Wonderful lens! The photographs and descriptions of your trip are lovely. Congratulations on making LOTD! :D
Beautiful lens and congrats on LOTD!
Beautiful lens, great pictures..thank you for taking us there!
Another really beautful lens from you. The pictures are really great.I sooo want to go there now!
Congratulations on LOTD!!
Brilliant lens, breathtaking photos and congrats on LOTD!!!
I really enjoy visiting new places and this surely has been an awesome trip - thanks to you... :)
Awesome lens. Congratulations on Lens of the Day. Very well deserved.
I've traveled to Victoria, BC by ferry from Port Angeles, WA and up to Vancouver by car. I have a sister who lives in Port Angeles and another sister in Mt. Vernon, WA which is probably less than two hours from Vancouver. Both cities are gorgeous.
I love Canada. Thank you for the beautiful photographs.
You have captured the beauty of the Kootenays! Next trip .. Okanagan Valley? Truly beautiful also! Let me know when you're coming ... I'll be your tour guide.
Congratulations on LOTD. Well deserved! 5*s, favorite, fan already - lensrolled.
Well deserved, I felt like I was there.. All those fantastic photos :)
Great lens. Beautiful photography!!
Super!!
Hello Linda,
Breathtaking Lens! You really took some excellent pictures on this lens. Professional quality. You should think about submitting some of these pictures to the professionals. You may get some money for them. They are superb. Thank you for your hard work in presenting this lens. I am grateful for that.
jdpugsle
We are planning to go In January up To Alaska, despite the lady in Charge.
The accorss canada by train. We love trains.
Great lens
- AUTHOR
[in reply to cphillips]
Thank you everyone for your kind comments and support, I think I have made it to one lens of each of yours and left a little thank you for each of you in return! Bless you all! Linda
cphillips, Thank you for your kindness about my photo's, I'm an amateur photographer and usually take pictures on the fly from the passenger seat. I'm thrilled when my co-pilot stops so I can really get a photo I desire. On our Canada trip it was so beautiful we stopped quite often to take in the gorgeous views! My camera I use is a Canon Digital EOS, most of those were taken with a 55 mm lens. I am no expert on camera's but for the amatuer I could definately recommend it, I use the 55 mm for distance and bought a 300 mm lens for zooming in animals. But thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, I really appreciate it!
Wow! Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos. I had no idea how beautiful Canada is and I'm inspired to visit our Northern neighbors. God bless you!
Terry
www.squidoo.com/DoesGodAdvocateTheSecret
could there be a bluer blue, so beautiful. Great lens, thank you for sharing it with us.
Wow this is perhaps the best put together picture lens I've come across, beautiful.
Superb! Breathtaking! Stunning! Magnificent!
Hi Linda - Yet again you have produced a work of art.
Congratulations from marywilson - have a look at my new lens please when you have time http:/squidoo.com/hackysackshack
Boy what a lovely journey
Great trip into Canada. I loved the photos. Thanks.
Excellent lens and wonderful photography.
gorgeous pictures!
A wondeful and restful lens to vsit, great photos. Thanks for taking us all on a lttle trip with you! :)
Congrats on LOTD. Gorgeous photos!
Hi Linda,
May I say you have a great talent when it comes to taking pictures. They are absolutely beautiful. I love photography and I am very critical of picture content and quality. Yours, in my opinion, could not be more beautiful. I'm curious what kind of camera do you use.
Thanks.
Hi Linda,
May I say you have a great talent when it comes to taking pictures. They are absolutely beautiful. I love photography and I am very critical of picture content and quality. Yours, in my opinion, could not be more beautiful. I'm curious what kind of camera do you use.
Thanks.
I grew up beautiful BC Interior, specifically Kamloops and Vernon - not as far north in BC as the Kootenays but equally as beautiful. When I toured my latest CD last year back home, I did get an interview by Kootenay Co-op Radio though. ;) I currently live in Toronto, Ontario Canada, a far stretch from the vast mountainous beauty of the land I call my true home.
I LOVE that land more than anything. Thank you for posting such a beautiful appreciative lens about your visit there.
Beautiful photos and a great story! I'm glad to hear that you had this opportunity. Congratulations on winning Lens of the Day!
Lots of great pictures!
Yes I live in Ontario but do get out to BC on business sometimes. Usually in the Vancouver area. I have not been into the interior of BC.
Walt AKA All Sports on the Web
All Sports on the Web
Wow! What a beautiful photo-travelogue! Makes me want to go there right now. Congratulations on LOTD. You deserve it. 5*'s.
Beautiful lens. Very well done. 5 stars and favorite. Congrats on the LotD award. Bear hugs, Frankster
A big Canuck Congrats on making LOTD!
wow - so beautiful. can't wait to take our next trip!
Beautiful lens and pictures, congratulations.
Awesome job with this lens! Thank you for the great pictures! - Marty
Never been to canada before infact never left Africa would love to one of these days, but i believe there are some places in africa that is some how like canada, congratulations on LOTD.
Never been to canada before infact never left Africa would love to one of these days, but i believe there are some places in africa that is some how like canada, congratulations on LOTD.
Very cool Photoblog
Your lens certainly deserves this lotd award! I noticed you have quite an eye for photography, the pictures are beautiful! Makes me want to take a deep breath and see if I can get some fresh air!
Congrats on Lens of the Day. You deserve it . These pictures are beautiful.
Congrats on LOTD!! I am so happy as this lens deserves it. I love this part of the world and your lens really shows the beauty of it.
Congratulations, Linda! You create beautiful travel lenses, and I'm so happy about your LOTD honor.
Beautiful photos.
Congratulations on LOTD. Nice lens and lots of great pictures. Sounds like you had a great trip. 5*****
Love the lens. Our favorite place in the summer is Christina Lake just north of Kettle Falls. Great camping if you have a boat as the sites are on the back side of the lake with no roads. Complete with bears and lots of wild life.
Congratulations on LofD and on being able to fulfil your dream of visiting Canada!
Gorgeous photos, enjoyed my visit very much!
Congratulations, Linda! What a beautiful LotD! Blessed by a Squid Angel today.
- AUTHOR
[in reply to MeganCasey]
Thank you Megan Casey, you have just made my day! I really appreciate you choosing this lens for LOTD, and I appreciate all the hard work that YOU do for all of Squidoo! Thank you! :)
Linda
thanks, Linda, for the colorful pics and commentary! congrats on LotD :) here's the post: http://blogs.squidoo.com/lensoftheday/?p=485 -- Megan
Love your lens when I see lens like this it makes want to back to being a truck driver miss all these places
Congrats on your LOTD xxx
wow... nice pictures..... i wished i could go there!!!
Congrats on LOTD. Your photos are beautiful. The whole lens is gorgeous. I love the lay out.
Congrats on LOTD and so glad you had such a nice trip in our fine country, I enjoyed your visit! B.C. is definitely a beautiful province, lived on Vancouver Island for a couple of years.
Wow great lens with beautiful pictures. I love BC it really is one of the most beautiful places in the world. 5* fan:)
Absolutely beautiful pictures! Great lens! I enjoyed seeing a part of the world I have never seen before!
Beautiful photographs and stunning scenery. Congrats on LOTD!!
fantastique! Love the photos, certainly gets me in the mood to travel. Congrats on LotD! This lens would make a fine addition to my best family vacation ideas lens..
Gratz on LOTD! Hope people take the time to check out your other great Lenses!
Beautiful pick for LOTD! Amazing pictures.
your lens is beautiful! Love the photography, the maps, the layout, the colors of it (very inviting). very nice job.
Congrats on LOD! Nice photos, too. :) *****
- AUTHOR
Wow! I'm so honored that this lens was chosen for LOTD, the strange thing is that you don't realize it is, until you are looking at all of your comments here! :-)
Thank you all for taking the time to come and congratulate me, each and every one of your comments truly means so much to me! I appreciate you all!
Linda
Have been to Washington State too - Mount Ranier, Mount Hood and Mount St Helens! Fabulous pictorial lens Linda and well done on getting LOTD.
Gorgeous photos and a great lens...5 stars and congrats on LOTD!
I feel like I've been there with your great pictures. Beautiful lens! Congrats on LOTD!
Beautiful trip! It's as though you brought me along. Come to think of it...bring me with next time! :)
Thanks for the road trip -- it was great --- Congrads on Lens of the Day
Beautiful pictures, congratulations on LOTD!
Stunning lens and Congratulations on LOTD! We went to Canada a few years ago and it was just amazing, we loved it. You took some really beautiful photos. We intend to go back there again one day. One of our best times ever :)
Congratulations on LOTD!
Congrats of LOTD!
Congratulations on making LOTD - well deserved.
Thanks for showcasing our wonderful province! Nobody appreciates trees the way we do! I'm curious though, why you think that you need to keep your borders so secure from Canadians? Sure, we have a communist party, but nobody ever votes for them!
Great lens!
Wow, lot of photos. Great work, you got 5* from me :)
109