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Old 07-19-2015, 03:48 PM   #1
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Route advice in BC

So we booked our summer holiday with the kids this afternoon..
We're basically going through:
- Creston, BC
- Silverwood, ID
- Coeur d'Alene, ID
- Spokane, WA
- Oroville, WA
- Kelowna, BC
- Revelstoke, BC
- Golden, BC
- HOME..

Does anyone have any hints, thoughts or words of wisdom for that route? From Golden back home (Pincher Creek, AB), we are coming across and through Calgary.
Places to avoid, definitely to see, etc..
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Old 07-19-2015, 04:05 PM   #2
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The Trans Canada east of Revelstoke is a mess. Lots of TT swallowing pot holes around the snow sheds in the Rogers Pass. Construction everywhere, especially east of Field. Beautiful scenery but take your time and keep your road senses tuned to high. The upgrades to this section of No 1 have been going on for over ten yrs and sometimes I think they'll never get it done.

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Old 07-19-2015, 11:04 PM   #3
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Thanks for the heads up Keith! We'll be taking our time and probably pissing off a few people behind us by doing so!
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Old 07-20-2015, 12:01 AM   #4
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We'll be taking our time and probably pissing off a few people behind us by doing so!
Yep, I think we got saluted four or five times during our last trip through there on the way to the Okanagan.

Safe travels!
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Old 07-20-2015, 01:55 PM   #5
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Are you not going to Vancouver Island? That is probably one of the most beautiful places to visit, all of it, or just a piece of it. It is all gorgeous.
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Old 07-20-2015, 09:54 PM   #6
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Kandl - was planning on staying in Golden for a week and driving back and forth to Banff and Lake Louise and up to the Icefield. Then going up to Hinton for a week.
Is this doable with the road conditions you are describing?
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Old 07-20-2015, 10:30 PM   #7
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Are you not going to Vancouver Island? That is probably one of the most beautiful places to visit, all of it, or just a piece of it. It is all gorgeous.
I'll second that although BC Ferries will empty your wallet getting to and from the island. Nearly 500 clams for our 30 ft TT, TV and two adults.
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Old 07-20-2015, 10:58 PM   #8
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Kandl - was planning on staying in Golden for a week and driving back and forth to Banff and Lake Louise and up to the Icefield. Then going up to Hinton for a week.
Is this doable with the road conditions you are describing?
Entirely. The No 1 from Golden to Lake Louise is not impassable. Its just got some nasty sections and lots of construction that can catch ya by surprise if you're not on the ball. Hwy 93 (Ice Field Parkway) is in pretty decent shape right up to Jasper. Note: There is wildlife aplenty around the length of 93 and as such it's quite common to be wheeling around a blind corner and come upon a gaggle of tourists standing in the middle of the road, taking pictures of that wildlife. I've had to stand on the brakes more than a few times for these instances.
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Old 07-20-2015, 11:35 PM   #9
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@ Kandl

I guess we are just used to paying those fees and always include them in the vacation budget. But, you are correct; if you are not prepared, those BC ferries are a real surprise once you get there.

I do suggest that people plan ahead and make the Vancouver Island a real vacation - there are many things to see there and once on the Island, your entire vacation could be there - summer time only recommended but for those who would like to winter camp, the Island is certainly worthy of consideration.

Oh, yes, we have been many times - and each time, there is something new to discover!!!

Ciao, and Happy Vacations, no matter where you all should end up! Drive Safe!

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Old 07-20-2015, 11:52 PM   #10
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Oh, yes, we have been many times - and each time, there is something new to discover!!!
Indeed! Discovered plenty when I lived there, especially the DW, who hails from Victoria.
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Old 07-21-2015, 01:01 AM   #11
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BC Travel

Vancouver Island is fabulous. Spent a month there last year. BC Ferries is running a promo through labour day that drastically reduces the cost. Have a look because it is only certain days of the week I believe. The nice thing about the island is that you can still camp tight on the beach without getting robbed for fees. Think about Tofino, Browns Bay to mention a couple.
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Old 07-21-2015, 12:27 PM   #12
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Kandl,
thanks for the info - greatly appreciated.
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Old 08-05-2015, 12:04 AM   #13
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So we made the trip from Oroville, WA to Kelowna today.... Here's a few things we found a long the way....
1) Since we were coming in from the states, we left our fridge and freezer fairly bare for the crossing. We passed 1 grocery store before we saw the second one, which was 5 minutes from our campsite..Lesson to learn - Don't pass up a grocery store assuming there will be one in the next town..
2) With our fridge empty, we assumed we could grab something along the way for lunch... That plan fell apart because unless we were going to stop at every fruit stand along the way, we were SOL.. Even then, access to them was less than desirable... Lesson to learn - stop at that first grocery store and this woulda been avoided..
3) Our campground was easy to find (Woodlake RV Park and Marina) - right off Hwy 97.. The office was a bit more difficult, since it was at the back of the campground, and they are FULL!! The roads are narrow and a couple of the turns tight. We got in ok, and am glad my better half picked the larger of the two available sites when she reserved..We went for a walk to the beach and it I don't think another trailer could be fit in without a shoe horn...Really tight sights to your neighbor and the roads to back in.. Lesson learned - just chalk it up to a lesson and note it for the future...

Off to Revelstoke tomorrow!!
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Old 08-05-2015, 12:15 AM   #14
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Nice place to stay in Revelstoke is a provincial campsite behind the Revelstoke dam called Martha Creek. The lake behind the dam is beautiful and the road to the campsite is paved all the way, only about 15-20 minutes from town.
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Old 08-05-2015, 03:07 AM   #15
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Nice place to stay in Revelstoke is a provincial campsite behind the Revelstoke dam called Martha Creek. The lake behind the dam is beautiful and the road to the campsite is paved all the way, only about 15-20 minutes from town.
Ditto, but not from personal experience. My BIL out of Vernon mentioned this place a couple or three years back as the go-to RV site in Revelstoke. Need to check that out some day...
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Old 08-05-2015, 03:10 AM   #16
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Off to Revelstoke tomorrow!!
Hungry tummies notwithstanding, appears you folks missed the heat wave up through Osoyoos.
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