Trout Creek KVR Trestle Blues: Thursday, August 27th!

When you're traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don't have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road. -William Least Heat-Moon, travel writer (b. 27 Aug 1939) 

Drove to Summerland at about 8:30 am to park in the lot at Summerland Sweets, close to the KVR trestle and train stop, the former being the endpoint for the day's hike. Once I'd parked I hopped into Arturo's car and we drove back to the IGA parking lot in Summerland to regroup. From there we took three cars to drive to the Summerland Rodeo Grounds, off Bathville Road. After parking we took off into the surrounding hills. About half of the group were new to me so it was fun getting to know them as we trekked. 

Although there were a number of fairly steeps slopes to scale near the beginning and a number to descend, towards the end of the hike, this was perhaps the easiest of all the hikes to date, inasmuch as much of the time we were trod well defined trails on gentle or flat slopes. We ended up in the hills to the west of Trout Creek and at one point we could see parts of Conkle Mountain where some of us had hiked on Monday. On the way down we came across three of the many wild horses that live hereabouts. We'd seen about five a week or so ago, when driving on West Bench, right in a residential area, but I'd never seen any sign of them while hiking, although plenty, and I mean plenty of horse manure, some fresh, most well weathered, everywhere I've hiked, from the flats at the start of a hike right at the top of some very steep hills/mountains! 

Further along we had a spectacular view of The Three Pinnacles, I believe, to the east of where we were, a gorgeous set of peaks that can be reached by not all that difficult a hike, according to Kilean, who has done it a number of times. Believe one starts not far from where today's hike will end so do hope that group will decide on this destination at some point.  Very pleasant last few km on soft trail, through the shade of small pines. Close to the end of the hike one walks along a fence which encloses the The Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre lands here in Summerland. Shortly thereafter, one walks onto the KVR trestle and I could spy friend Erika's B&B, Alpine Rose, at the top of Canyon View Road, up above Dirty Laundry, with wonderful apple orchards/vineyards cultivated right to the lip of the canyon, Trout Creek Canyon, I presume but don't know for sure. Stats for hike:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/879688248#.Vd-VnbGwhlU.email

This coming Monday we are going to go to the Three Blind Mice area near Naramata, starting and ending at Riddle Rd. Jim French has kindly agreed to be the one preventing everyone from getting too lost and would be happy to share the responsibility! So please meet at Home Hardware, eastern parking area in Penticton so that you can carpool and be off by 9am. Summerlanders can meet up at the IGA at 8:40 to carpool from there. I unfortunately won't be coming; I have another appointment to go to.


Hi Lori: Trust all is going as well as possible under such difficult circumstances. I did a bit of searching and the cemetery I believe Andrew's parent are buried at is called Green Acres Funeral Home & Cemetery, 1 Green Acres Ln, Winnipeg, MB R2C 2Z3, 1-204-222-3241. If this is not the one, I'm at a loss as to know where they are interred. One of the reasons I think it is Green Acres is due to the fact that is off the Trans Canada and we pass it every time we visit Corinne's parents at Falcon Lake, not far from Kenora. I remember, or think I remember, thinking we were well outside Winnipeg, driving to his father's graveside service. At any rate, as the Executor of Andrew's will you should be able to find out.

I have attached what I wrote about Andrew but thought I'd include it in the message just in case you had difficulty opening the attachment, given different computers, software, etc. Once again, sincere condolences to you, Tessa and Alexander. Please keep in touch once you have had time to deal with everything that needs attention and we can discuss what might be possible regarding a memorial service in Winnipeg. This can wait of course but I know that good friends, Maret and David Swayze, more of Andrew's friends from university days, now living in Ottawa, are in Winnipeg twice a year, dealing with aging parents, would try to be at any service you decide upon should they be able to tailor their visit. Same holds true for Corinne and I, as mentioned earlier.

Anyway, one day at a time. Heartfelt sympathy. Know that Corinne and I grieve with you and for you and your children. Take care of each other, Patrick.