Day 14, Saturday September 24th

Revelstoke, Farmers’ market, alpine meadows

We have stayed another night in Revelstoke to be able to explore the alpine meadows more thoroughly and walk some of the trails. When we wake up there is a thick fog, which fortunately clears up quickly. We walk into town to have a coffee and to visit the farmers’ market, which is fun. Sticky cinnamon buns are apparently a specialty in this country, and we buy a nice packet plus blueberry scones and other delicacies. Fresh whole meal loaves and buns, ripe fruit directly from people’s gardens and farms, cheese and sausages, it is all there and we buy it for our picnic lunch. Artists, potters and a writer of children’s’ books are selling their special products.

The local author of children's books

They are all eager to talk to us – or perhaps with any passers-by. So are three men who enjoy a coffee on the sidewalk café we visit. They give us very useful information about the area and the places worth going to. If we would follow their advice, we would need to stay here for a full week so we have to make a choice out of their suggestions. I find that people everywhere in Canada are friendly and helpful and like to talk to travelers and strangers. It is one of the joys of traveling here, I think.

The Courthouse from the Parkway

Meanwhile the weather has changed for the better, the sun is shining in a clear blue sky and it is warm. So we drive back to the Park and the meadows, not taking the shuttle this time but hiking up to the top. But first we enjoy a delicious picnic on the small lake near the parking lot.

The view on the top is even better than yesterday, and we follow several trails, pausing frequently to enjoy the vistas and to take pictures. We stay till closing time as it is wonderful up in the meadows and there is no shortage of hiking trails. There are more people here than yesterday, but it still seems rather unspoilt by mass tourism - forgetting that I am a tourist myself.

Along one of the hiking trails

In the early evening we walk around Revelstoke, admire the Courthouse and discover a small wooden Anglican Church right behind our motel. The decision to go to the service the next morning is quickly made when we see that it is the only surviving pioneer church in Revelstoke. Besides we are promised a “traditional” Anglican service, something to look forward to.

Revelstoke Anglican Church