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Published: June 14th 2019
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Thursday 13th June 2019 Valemount is a sleepy little mountain town and we enjoyed two nights there doing very little! Either side of this restful sojourn, we had two days of driving, the first from Jasper to Valemount and then today from Valemount down to Kamloops (with a few cloud bursts and rolls of thunder to help us on our way)! We pottered around Valemount, sat in a quaint little tearoom, which was like Granny’s parlour and visited the Railway Museum. Fascinating place with artefacts carefully and proudly displayed. The museum is housed in the old Station Master’s house/railway station. It was once the focal point of the town and indeed the reason the town (which spreads either side of the track) is here.
One part of the Station Master’s House also doubled at one time as a schoolroom. We were intrigued by the “Rules for Female Teachers 1915” displayed on the wall, as follows:
1. You may not travel beyond the town limits unless you have permission of the Chairman of the Board 2. You may not dress in bright colours 3. You must wear at least two petticoats 4. You must not keep company with men
5. You must be home between the hours of 8.00 p.m. and 7.00 a.m. unless attending a school function 6. Your dresses must not be shorter than two inches above the ankle 7. You may not ride in a carriage or automobile with any man, unless he is your father or your brother. (No kissing cousins) 8. You must sweep the floor at least once daily, scrub the floor at least once a week with hot soapy water, clean the blackboard at least once a day and start the fire at 7.00 a.m. so the room will be ready by 8.00 a.m. Rather glad my teaching career occurred at a later date!
Our motel in Valemount was more of a trucker’s stop, but clean and friendly and with the bonus of a fire pit to cook our meat on. We enjoyed it there! John also enjoyed a big fried “Trucker’s Breakfast”.
Today’s journey covered 330 kilometres, some of those beneath a hot sun and the rest washed by bucket-loads of rain to the sound of rumbling thunder. Canadian weather is nothing if not variable, especially in the mountains. By the
Caboose (Box Car)
2 men would live in this for 3 working weeks time we arrived here in Kamloops at 3.30 p.m. the temperature was 33 degrees!
Our first stop on the journey was at a pretty little place called Blue River, the second stop was at Clearwater. These simple names are totally descriptive since the Thompson River is a silty muddy ochre colour when it meanders widely in the valley, but very blue when tumbling down narrow channels. By the time it reaches Clearwater, “Yes!” the water runs clear!
Another fascinating little detour was up a very narrow little bumpy track, 6 kilometres return journey, to a place called Little Hell’s Gate. We dreaded meeting a large vehicle coming the other way but fortunately we just met up with a few other cars and managed to squeeze through. Little Hell’s Gate is a narrow little rock gorge through which the river races, causing a whirlpool.
Despite the rain and thunder, it was yet another beautiful scenic drive, lush forests, mountain peaks and eagles above, circling and hunting prey. We have found a good little motel here in Kamloops, with a small pool and hot tub. Tomorrow we push on west again: love the travelling!
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Sandy
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Travelling
Just love the 'odd' cute names some of these places have. Wishing you a continuing safe journey