Kootenay Lake, British Columbia

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 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.

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.

We arrived in Canada, British Columbia.

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!

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. This sign told the story about how they came to be.

Another view of the lush valley below.

Above is Mount Hooknose, appropriately named don't you think?

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. We both enjoyed the beauty so much, just stopping to get out and just enjoy the beautiful views.

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!

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?

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 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 peaks.

As you can see from the scenery, the ferry wait is just not long enough!

The ferry as it arrives.

Driving onto the ferry. I think the ferry holds approximately 60 cars. There was a semi truck that crossed that unloaded too.

The views of Kootenay bay as you cross on the ferry were just incredible.

A sailboat crossing the Kootenay Bay. Wouldn't that be fun to do!

Another view of the mountains.

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.

A large boat and our dock awaiting us on the west side of Kootenay Bay.

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.

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, and the Canadian flag flying proudly from the steeple.

This granite building was covered in ivy.

As we left Nelson and headed south, there was a lot of beautiful country we drove through.

The fall colors were just amazing.

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. 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 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