Day 8: Resting in Kelowna

May 17, 2014

You need to rest once in awhile regardless of how much fun you’re having, especially when your knees crank out mile after mile for you. I tried camping in Peachland but nothing affordable presented itself so I promised myself a day off if I pushed on another hour and half to Kelowna. And that’s the calmest conversation I’ve had with myself. I’m staying at a hostel full of internationals here to travel and work. I feel a little like I’m back in undergrad. A fun experience but also a reminder that I’ve grown and changed a little since a dorm room was my abode.

You know you’re in a Canadian city when the waterfront park has a large area designated for a skating rink

I didn’t do much today except a little exploration and resting. So let me tell you a little about the people I’ve met along the way. As any touring cyclists will tell you, the people are one of the most important parts of touring. For example, at a campground two nights ago I had a great conversation over beer with a lovely Dutch couple traveling by RV to Calgary. I chatted with a guy from Saskatchewan who is in BC panning for gold. I didn’t know that was something people still did but he explained that it was either a huge multi-million operation with quick boom and busts or individuals panning on the side. I also met Jess and Emily, two recent university grads, who are also biking across Canada. They were the first transcanada cyclists I met but have since met more. Anyway, with all the hours I spend with my own thoughts, I get a chance to meet a lot of interesting people along the way making the trip surprisingly social.

Back to the road tomorrow.

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