Fernie, June 2013

June 20 - the trip to Fernie

As I was lying in bed this morning, listening to the radio and mustering up enough enthusiasm to get up, the DJ announced that roads were closed around Canmore: #1, #1A, #40, and the Bow Valley Parkway. This was a bit disconcerting, not that we were planning on taking that route, but because my sister was going to be taking it to come to Calgary in a few days. It was unclear what the problem was.

After I got up, I checked the key websites: DriveBC.ca and 511.alberta.ca. Yep, a real mess around Canmore. No problems heading south and west to Fernie, though, except for 3 construction areas east of Sparwood.

So right after lunch, we headed off to Fernie. By this time, we knew that there were flooding issues in Canmore. And some flooding in Blairmore, although #3 was still showing as open.

Most of our trip to Fernie was ok. About halfway between Calgary and Fort Macleod we got hit with a torrential downpour that really impacted our ability to see other vehicles, but it was over in about 5 minutes. Then we could see blue sky, but mostly we were driving under overcast skies, with some rain.

We drove through Blairmore with no issues.

Around Crowsnest, though, things got really interesting all of a sudden.

We were driving in a section with a pretty lake on the right, and some really steep cliffs on the left.

Normally, one might see a waterfall coming down those cliffs.

But not today.

The water was not coming down the cliffs - it was shooting away from the cliffs, more like how water comes out of my shower each morning, but with much greater force and volume - and dirt.

It really is hard to explain - I apologize for being so stunned by the spectacle that I didn't think to get my camera out of my pocket.

Anyway, there was enough water to flood the highway. The road was still passable, and there was some highways equipment trying to open up a channel for the water to keep it off the road. Perhaps the lowest part of the road was under 6" of water. So everyone drove slowly and close to the highest part of the road (our lane).

A quick check of 511.alberta.ca now showed this section as having a problem.

On we drove.

And at a certain point, came to a complete stop, and the tail end of a long line of vehicles. Hmmm. Was this the first of the Sparwood construction sections, or another weather issue?

Now, I did a quick check of DriveBC.ca, and a quick location check on Google Maps, and determined that this was likely the case. We spent quite a bit of time in that lineup. We knew that up ahead, the flag people were alternating vehicles on a single lane. It did seem strange that there were very few east-bound vehicles, compared to the huge lineup of west-bound vehicles.

We finally got to the bad section: a bit of the road had washed out.

We carried on, and eventually made it to Fernie. There was a lot of rain. Any creeks or rivers beside the highway were running fast and muddy.

June 20 - in Fernie

After supper, we decided to go for a stroll in the nearby paths. We were familiar with the area, having checked out these paths a year ago.

The first thing that we saw was Maiden Lake. The water in the lake was incredibly high. Paths disappeared into the water. Park benches were covered up half way or more. Lamp posts along the trails had seriously wet feet - I sure hope the power is off.

Here are a few shots of the lake.

Then we followed the path along Elk River. It was pretty impressive.

I took a few videos. These range from 6-30 seconds in length. It was so cool seeing the speed of logs with roots floating down the river.

June 21 - still in Fernie - another type of shower

When we got to our hotel, we were surprised to see that there was a Boil Water order - it actually applied to all of Fernie, thanks to the increased turbidity in the water. Seeing how brown the river was, it was no surprise. The folks at the front desk gave up a couple of bottles of bottled water so that we could brush our teeth. (Unfortunately, by the time I was ready to brush my teeth, I had completely forgotten about that. Oops!)

In the morning, I got up and had my usual morning shower. This was an interesting experience, as showers go.

I first confirmed that the water temperature was appropriate coming out of the tap. Then I switched it to shower mode, at which point the shower spewed forth water at a pretty decent volume. All was well. So I climbed in.

Just about the time I got the shampoo into my hair, the water volume plummeted - note: the VOLUME plummeted, in addition to the water plummeting. I had to stand directly under the shower head to get any water. But at the same time, the water got really cold. So I cranked the temperature up. Which turned the water supremely hot. So I cranked the temperature back down, aiming for halfway between the two extremes. And it got cold again. I turned it up a smidge, and got really hot water again. Finally I found a place kind of on the cold side of lukewarm, and finished my shower. Under really wimpy water. Very frustrating, because I really like my usual morning shower. One would think that a major hotel would be able to supply enough water in the mornings.

June 21 - crossing the border

When we got to the border crossing, I was driving. I just handed the Customs lady our Nexus cards, to prove that we were trusted travellers. In addition to the usual questions about where we were going and why, and whether we were carrying any booze, cigarettes, fruits or vegetables, she asked one question that I have never been asked before: "How do you know each other?". I reponded that we were married! She let us through. Very interesting.

June 21 - Spokane

Eventually, we arrived in Spokane, went for a bit of a walk, had supper, and now Stephen is out for a bike ride.

Tomorrow's activities depend on the weather.

We have definitely been keeping an eye on the flood news from Calgary. Sure glad that we live high up!