When you stay at Ainsworth you get early access to the hot springs 8-10am before it is  open to the public. But before it was open, I was up and alert due to jet lag. I watched the sun rise over the Purcell Mountains and cast its light over the lake. I couldn’t help but wander around and check out the neighbourhood. We ate at the Ktunaxa Grill at 8am and then spent the rest of the time in the water, until they kicked the Thursday night guests out.

After we checked out we continued on to the beautiful Nelson. We drove around the town a bit and stopped at a fruit stand for delicious peaches. 

We  carried, passing through Castlegar and onwards to Christina Lake. The lake was sparkling and a buzz with activity, much more lively than Kootenay Lake. This was definitely a holiday destination. I learned to swim in this lake and we stopped to swim. It strangely was much like what I recalled. Though the washroom was out of commission and the dock that used to terrify me was gone. The water was refreshing and the sun felt great.

Next on the road to nostalgia was Grand Forks, where I lived, learned to downhill ski and attended school from kindergarten to grade 4. We drove by the old house and visited the old watering hole. There was not a soul there when we arrived and we got out of the car to check it out. Then we decided to go for a swim. The water felt particularly wonderful there. As we swam, people converged from cars, by bike and on foot. It was peculiar.

As we drove out of Grand Forks, we passed a Wilgress Lake where a nude man pulled himself out of the water and onto a dock. I only saw his backside, but let me tell you it was fine.  I told my parents about the lake and the nude man. My Dad said he knew which lake and seemed to imply nudity was normal there.  The only nudity I recall in GF is at Snake Hole, the other swimming hole, where you had to cross the river by log to get from the nude beach to the clothing beach… yes we could see the nude beach from the clothing beach.

Anyhow, we passed through Greenwood, the smallest city in Canada. We stopped in Rock Creek for ice cream.  Rock Creek is a place of fond memories. My parents used to take me the RockCreek fair in September which was always on the weekend of my birthday. People showcased their large vegetables,there was a rodeo, animals and farm things to buy like honey.

We wound our way toward Osoyoos, stopping at on Anarchist for epic views. We were going to go to sẁiẁs Park, formerly Haynes Point, to swim, but it strangely closes at 4:30pm. We stopped at Gyro Park to swim instead. Then we drove up to Spotted Lake and then onwards to our destination for the night Oliver, B.C.

We stayed with my high school best friend Courtney and her hubby Don