I guess this will be the thread I add pics and vids to from this weekends 2.5 day sortie to Abbotsford. Dad and I are leaving Calgary at 03:30 Friday morning in his 2015 Chevy Malibu. We haven’t decided on whether we’re taking the Coquihalla or the old TCH route from Kamloops. Taking the “Coke” cuts off 2 hrs to Hope mind you. I guess we’ll decide gassing up in Kamloops.
I’ve also decided that on this trip,after 20+ years of driving past Craigellachie,it’s time to stop. We’ll be passing that area quite early...Before the Tour buses stop so hopefully,we have it to ourselves.
That’s where Canadian railroad history occurred. It’s the spot where the CPR rail line coming from the west and coming from the east met. It’s known as “The Last Spike”.
There’s a famous black/white pic taken in 1885 at this very spot showing quite a few of Banff’s who’s who of the time,,Tom Wilson,the first whiteman to see Lake Louise. Bill Peyto,Trapper and all around trouble maker. Lawrence Grassi, Canmore resident and mountain climbing guide in the day. Grassi Lakes just past the Canmore Nordic Centre are named after him as is a mountain overlooking Canmore. I can’t recall who else but they are significant people of the time.
I also plan on showing you guys the Othello Tunnels which are just outside of Hope. This is a special location as Hope is where most of Sylvester Stallone’s classic 1982 film,First Blood was filmed. In the film,it’s known as Chapman’s Gorge. This is where Sly throws the rock at the helicopter and Art Gault falls to his death. As well,there is more railway history here. This time from “The Kettle Valley Railway” which ran around the southern interior of BC. Pretty much the whole railway subdivision has been converted to bicycle grade and various campgrounds are located
throughout the system.
Can’t wait for this.Weather looks warm and dry so far. I get to drive the Malibu as long as I want I was told awhile ago.
I’ve also decided that on this trip,after 20+ years of driving past Craigellachie,it’s time to stop. We’ll be passing that area quite early...Before the Tour buses stop so hopefully,we have it to ourselves.
That’s where Canadian railroad history occurred. It’s the spot where the CPR rail line coming from the west and coming from the east met. It’s known as “The Last Spike”.
There’s a famous black/white pic taken in 1885 at this very spot showing quite a few of Banff’s who’s who of the time,,Tom Wilson,the first whiteman to see Lake Louise. Bill Peyto,Trapper and all around trouble maker. Lawrence Grassi, Canmore resident and mountain climbing guide in the day. Grassi Lakes just past the Canmore Nordic Centre are named after him as is a mountain overlooking Canmore. I can’t recall who else but they are significant people of the time.
I also plan on showing you guys the Othello Tunnels which are just outside of Hope. This is a special location as Hope is where most of Sylvester Stallone’s classic 1982 film,First Blood was filmed. In the film,it’s known as Chapman’s Gorge. This is where Sly throws the rock at the helicopter and Art Gault falls to his death. As well,there is more railway history here. This time from “The Kettle Valley Railway” which ran around the southern interior of BC. Pretty much the whole railway subdivision has been converted to bicycle grade and various campgrounds are located
throughout the system.
Can’t wait for this.Weather looks warm and dry so far. I get to drive the Malibu as long as I want I was told awhile ago.
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