Bikepacking Merritt – the Epic 1000
The BC Epic is a 1000km traverse across South Central BC
I rode as fast as I thought I could, without injuring or killing myself…
Darch Oborne participated in the BC Epic 1000, and tells us about the bikepacking adventure. In his words…
The BC Epic 1000 is an offroad, unofficial, completely self-supported bikepacking ride/race in the spirit
The beginning in Merritt, BC
of the underground “Tour divide” style and under the same rules. No registration (other than on the website), no support, no insurance, no prizes – it is simply a plotted route with a suggested time for an unofficial group ride. Show up and ride at your own risk.
The BC Epic is a 1000km (1040 to be exact), 11,000m elevation traverse across South Central BC starting in Merrit and ending in Fernie (or vice versa if you choose) mostly along the Trans Canada Trail. The route is about 80% off road on mostly old decommissioned rail grades
The BC Epic 1000 bikepacking ride, since 2015
2018 was the third year of the bikepacking race, created by Dr. Lennard Pretorius of Kamloops. Jame Oborne and Lennard are also the first two riders to complete the Merritt 150 Epic on June 16, in eleven hours and forty-seven minutes. Lennard rode the first and second ‘1000’s’ and had a course record for a while. Virtually single-handedly, Lennard conceived and organized the Epic, seeing it grow from sixteen riders in 2016 to sixty-seven entrants in 2018. Quite an achievement! I predict there will be 100 racers in 2019.
I’d guess that of the sixty-seven riders entered, ten were extreme athletes, with three or four being extremely extreme, ie: 600 miles of off-road riding in less than three days, with less than six hours of sleep! Most of us “racers” chose to get at least some sleep (four to six hours in my case). nightly. Usually right at the side of the trail, after an evening meal at 9 PM, consisting of a couple of energy bars!
Many racers had lights and rode into the dark. My strategy was to ride as fast as I could without injury and to ride long, ie: from the crack of dawn at 4 AM to dark at 9 PM, to at least try to keep up with the middle of the pack.
The grades are less than three percent, but just relentless
The route is mostly old railway bed, including the KVR to Midway and Columbia Western to Castlegar. The grades are less than three percent, but just relentless, such as the climb out of Princeton to Summerland and Christina Lake to Castlegar–they just go on and on and on! But, through beautiful upland fields of flowers, several trestles, tunnels, raging rivers, beautiful forests, lovely meadows are all part of the Epic.
Many bikepacking racers stopped and took pictures of the beautiful features, often allowing me to catch up to them. Then there’s the torture of the Grey Creek Pass. Sixteen kilometers of ‘up’ on gravel, rutted road, at grades to sixteen percent–hike a bike for fifteen kilometers! No fun at all, after already being on the trail for four days.
It is self-supported, meaning you carry what you think you’ll need for each section ahead, including food and water. You can stop at towns or houses for provisions–root beers and double teenburgers–YUM! (I had some coupons from the mail).
I carried my small stove for a quick coffee
Darch begins the Epic 1000
You carry what you think you’ll need to give you a good sleep, dry riding etc. I carried my small stove for a quick coffee/hot choc in the AM (I only used it twice), and I used a Kelty Thermarest pad, summer bag, and Tyvek covering, all wrapped up in my 1/2 body bag from Kiwanis Surplus store. The bikes of choice are Surly big boys, with 2.5″ to 2.8″ width tires.
I used my Transition Smuggler 29″ with gravel tires (2.5″ on the front and 2.3″ on the rear) until I broke the Hammerschmidt bottom bracket bolt about 3 miles N of Beaverdell at 6 AM on Day 3. Luckily, my son James was in Vernon and after a two-hour wait, he arrived with his Trek hardtail 29″.
Within another two hours, I was on the road, with most of my gear mounted on it. It proved to be a lively, but “hard-on-the-ass” steed and I was able to finish the race with it. Thanks, James–my option was to hitch to Kelowna and buy or rent a bike (sure, on Canada Day)!
There are no support stations, no route markings
I rode as fast as I thought I could, without injuring/killing myself, which was mostly fourteen to sixteen in the saddle daily, with four to six hours of “sleep” at the side of the trail. I figured that if I rode slow and steady, and long, I could maybe keep up with some of the pack. After day one, I only saw two riders for the next five days. We were all so spread out over the 600 miles. Most riders carried a SPOT GPS tracking device, so I checked my relative position a few times, but that’s disheartening when I was (only) halfway, in Grand Forks and Evan Deutsche had finished in Fernie!
There are no support stations, no route markings (other than Trans Cda Trail signs) and you rely on your GPS (my old Garmin did not function well at all—should have tested it more thoroughly). I carried a SPOT tracker with an SOS button for extreme emergency, but it enabled my family to track my slow progress towards the finish in Fernie. The SPOT ate batteries and I had to re-supply twice–not able to find AAA Lithium in Midway or Greenwood. Carry more spares!
And speaking of spares, you have to carry anything you think you’ll need to repair yourself and your bike, and for any weather, etc. As for a Hammerschmidt bottom bracket bolt (we’d just changed the bottom bracket days before the race–go figure)! I carried three tubes and used only one, but a few racers slashed their tires and went through several tubes.
I kept looking for Lance Armstrong’s care packages
You carry what you need
Of the 29 scratches (non-finishers) in the race, most were for human failings, ie: tendons/hamstrings/chafing etc. Mechanicals played their part, but most racers had put many, many miles on their steeds and knew what to expect of them. I did several ‘long’ rides on local gravel roads, ie: six to seven hours and did an overnight trip to Princeton and slept in the bush.
I should have “trained” harder, faster, and longer, but at seventy-three, there’s a limit to my strength and endurance, which I knew beforehand. All through the race, I kept looking for Lance Armstrong’s care packages, but alas, I found none.
I passed so many lovely lakes and streams that I desperately wanted to dip in and just stop and enjoy, but I did not succumb until the last evening at Koocanusa lake. What a joy to swim and wash after five days of hard riding! On reflection, maybe except for the awful Grey Creek Pass, the route would be nice to do in, say, two weeks, in a group–still riding hard, but stopping to smell the roses…often.
Who wants to do it? The Epic 1000
Nope, not again, for me…unless? I’ll be pleased to assist other Nicola Valley rider who wants to do it and I’ll continue to help Lennard with organizing a BBQ, home hosting, etc. The BC Epic 1000 is a free event, totally volunteer, which turns my cranks for sure. Any riders wanting to try bike-packing, I’d be glad to loan equipment and accompany you if desired. Go to Bikepacking.com for the best info. The kindred spirit of the racers was super, although, as stated above, I rarely saw another racer after day one, until the finish.
My thanks to my family and friends who sent texts of encouragement along the way, those who helped
Darch’s upports- Travis Fehr of Breathe Bikes, Merritt. And wife Catherine
with the BBQ, home hosting, and to Mayor Menard who came out at 7 AM to start the race. Thanks to MMBA for renting the Park for the BBQ, which was appreciated by all the racers, as they got to meet each other–often for the first time.
Racers filled over fifty Merritt motel rooms the night before, and many will be back to enjoy the hospitality they experienced as well as the mountain biking on our great trails. A win for all.
Ride On!
Guest Blog post (and ride) by Darch Oborne
Executive Director of Merritt Mountain Bike Association
Thanks, Darch! Epic effort!
For more on Darch, and his contributions to our biking experiences in the Nicola Valley, click here.
And for those of you who would like to get on board this sport…
From the site Bikepacking: Simply put, bikepacking is the synthesis of mountain biking and minimalist camping. It evokes the freedom of multi-day backcountry hiking, but with the range and thrill of riding a mountain bike. It’s about exploring places less traveled, both near and far, via singletrack trails, gravel, and abandoned dirt roads, carrying only essential gear. Ride, eat, sleep, repeat, enjoy!
Walks in Merritt
Walks in Merritt, Canada
Seven Trails to Choose From
From super easy to good uphill challenges, these Merritt walks offer
I love walking trails!
something for everyone!
As a senior, walking is something I seriously enjoy! It gives me plenty of gentle exercise while offering interesting nature views, busy urban scenes and sometimes – ice cream! And walks in Merritt, Canada offer all of these!
These seven walks are great not only for seniors but also for everyone who enjoys a good walk. Turn your walk into a serious hike, if you must, by choosing two or more challenging walks in the same day.
I am going to give you step by step walking instructions, but I have included a map of these trails at the end of my blog.
Walks in Merritt #1 – Coldwater River/Voght Street – 3.4 km
River trail
Are you a bird watcher? Or would you like to see the salmon run? Then this is the walk for you!
Start just past Central School. Enjoy the views as you follow the scenic Coldwater River and the western boundary of Voght Park to Canford Avenue. Next, cross Main St and walk along the river to the bridge.
At the bridge, stop and see the spot where the Coldwater River flows into the Nicola River. Then turn back a short distance to the place where the trail meets Quilchena Ave.
Follow Quilchena Avenue to Voght Street, then turn right and return to your starting point.
Now, isn’t this a great walk? One of my favs to walk, or bike ride!
Walks in Merritt #2 – Collettville/Voght Park – 3.2 km
Here is another good walk, not only for bird watching but also for salmon viewing. Begin at the corner of Coldwater Avenue and Voght Street and head south along Voght Street.
This walk first takes you past Central School (on your right), then over the bridge that crosses the Coldwater River. Turn right onto Lindley Creek Road, then right again at Fir Ave. Follow Fir Avenue to Hill Street. Now turn right and follow Hill Street. At Main Street, cross the bridge and follow Main Street to Canford Aveue. Now turn right and walk along Canford Avenue to Cleasby Street. Turn left at Cleasby and then right at Coldwater Avenue. Walk along Coldwater Avenue as far as Voght Street. A good place to look for Salmon is as you cross the Coldwater River. And the southern half of this route is the best area for bird watching.
Walks in Merritt #3 – Diamondvale – 2.2 km
Here is a peaceful walk around a residential neighbourhood. Begin at the corner of Clapperton Avenue and Menzies Street. Follow Armstrong onto Bann Street. Turn right and follow Bann for one block. Turn right at Scott Place and in the cul-de-sac look for a walkway on the right hand side. Follow this walkway to Sage Street. Continue on Sage to Clapperton Avenue. Turn right and continue to Menzies Street.
Walks in Merritt #4 – The Flagpole – 1.5 km
This walk may be short, but is it challenging! It is dusty and all up hill! My advice is to choose a coolish day. There is no shade on this route! The walk starts just before the cemetery on the north side of Juniper Drive and switchbacks up to the flagpole.
This is a good walk to exercise both your heart and your leg muscles. It is popular with dog owners but do remember to take water for your pet and yourself. Once you reach the flagpole, you reap a generous reward. Not just the workout itself but also the gorgeous, panoramic view of Merritt and the valley.
Walks in Merritt #5 – Parker/Juniper – 4.7 km
This walk offers some good views of Merritt. In addition, in spring, birdwatchers may want to take time to seek out meadowlarks around the golf course.
Begin at Grimmet Street and follow Parker Avenue to Juniper Drive. Continue along Juniper past houses, the cemetery (on your right) and the golf course on your left, to Nicola Ave. Watch out for truck traffic on the lower half of Juniper above Norgaard Ready-Mix. Also along Nicola Avenue to the bridge. Turn left at the stop sign and follow Nicola Avenue to Cleasby Street.
Then left onto Cleasby and follow this street to First Avenue. Next, turn right and continue walking. Notice the beautiful Sikh temple on your right and the river on your left. When you reach Voght Street, turn left and continue up Voght Street to Grimmet. This last stretch is up hill. Central Park will be on your left, a fun place you may want to explore another time.
Walks in Merritt, Canada #6 – Rotary Park and Trails – 1.3 km
Rotary Park Trail
This trail is popular not only with senior walkers, but also with bike riding children and dog walkers too.
Built by the Rotary Clubs of Merritt with the help from the City of Merritt and the City Public Works employees, this route starts at the eastern edge of Rotary Park. It follows the north side of Central Park. From the other direction, the starting point is near the RCMP station.
At Rotary Park, the paved walkway links to the path around the park’s circumference. This is an easy and pretty walk.
Lots of grass, trees, shade and flowers. If it is summer and you have children with you, bring bathing suits. They will enjoy the spray park and you will too!
In addition to all this, there is a band shell and music in the park so check this out!
Walks in Merritt #7 – Walk of Stars/Murals Downtown Merritt – 2.4 km
Walk of Stars display seen throughout Merritt
Do your handprints match those of the Merritt Mountain Music Festival’s past performers? Try them out and see! Almost 70 plaques of Country Musicians handprints are waiting in Merritt’s downtown core!
In addition, ten giant sized murals of country performers are painted on the sides of buildings in the downtown area. This is an easy, flat walk passing several restaurants, stores and (big bonus) places selling ice cream!
I may be a senior blogger but everybody loves ice cream! Yumm.
Let’s see you out on these walks around Merritt, Canada! I’ll be choosing a couple of these to do again soon!
Special thanks to the Rotary Club of Merritt for allowing us to share their map and some of their trail descriptions with you.
Enjoy these walking routes throughout Merritt.
See you on the trails!
From your senior blogger,
Diane
Bikepacking Merritt
Bikepacking Merritt – the Epic 1000
The BC Epic is a 1000km traverse across South Central BC
I rode as fast as I thought I could, without injuring or killing myself…
Darch Oborne participated in the BC Epic 1000, and tells us about the bikepacking adventure. In his words…
The BC Epic 1000 is an offroad, unofficial, completely self-supported bikepacking ride/race in the spirit
The beginning in Merritt, BC
of the underground “Tour divide” style and under the same rules. No registration (other than on the website), no support, no insurance, no prizes – it is simply a plotted route with a suggested time for an unofficial group ride. Show up and ride at your own risk.
The BC Epic is a 1000km (1040 to be exact), 11,000m elevation traverse across South Central BC starting in Merrit and ending in Fernie (or vice versa if you choose) mostly along the Trans Canada Trail. The route is about 80% off road on mostly old decommissioned rail grades
The BC Epic 1000 bikepacking ride, since 2015
2018 was the third year of the bikepacking race, created by Dr. Lennard Pretorius of Kamloops. Jame Oborne and Lennard are also the first two riders to complete the Merritt 150 Epic on June 16, in eleven hours and forty-seven minutes. Lennard rode the first and second ‘1000’s’ and had a course record for a while. Virtually single-handedly, Lennard conceived and organized the Epic, seeing it grow from sixteen riders in 2016 to sixty-seven entrants in 2018. Quite an achievement! I predict there will be 100 racers in 2019.
I’d guess that of the sixty-seven riders entered, ten were extreme athletes, with three or four being extremely extreme, ie: 600 miles of off-road riding in less than three days, with less than six hours of sleep! Most of us “racers” chose to get at least some sleep (four to six hours in my case). nightly. Usually right at the side of the trail, after an evening meal at 9 PM, consisting of a couple of energy bars!
Many racers had lights and rode into the dark. My strategy was to ride as fast as I could without injury and to ride long, ie: from the crack of dawn at 4 AM to dark at 9 PM, to at least try to keep up with the middle of the pack.
The grades are less than three percent, but just relentless
The route is mostly old railway bed, including the KVR to Midway and Columbia Western to Castlegar. The grades are less than three percent, but just relentless, such as the climb out of Princeton to Summerland and Christina Lake to Castlegar–they just go on and on and on! But, through beautiful upland fields of flowers, several trestles, tunnels, raging rivers, beautiful forests, lovely meadows are all part of the Epic.
Many bikepacking racers stopped and took pictures of the beautiful features, often allowing me to catch up to them. Then there’s the torture of the Grey Creek Pass. Sixteen kilometers of ‘up’ on gravel, rutted road, at grades to sixteen percent–hike a bike for fifteen kilometers! No fun at all, after already being on the trail for four days.
It is self-supported, meaning you carry what you think you’ll need for each section ahead, including food and water. You can stop at towns or houses for provisions–root beers and double teenburgers–YUM! (I had some coupons from the mail).
I carried my small stove for a quick coffee
Darch begins the Epic 1000
You carry what you think you’ll need to give you a good sleep, dry riding etc. I carried my small stove for a quick coffee/hot choc in the AM (I only used it twice), and I used a Kelty Thermarest pad, summer bag, and Tyvek covering, all wrapped up in my 1/2 body bag from Kiwanis Surplus store. The bikes of choice are Surly big boys, with 2.5″ to 2.8″ width tires.
I used my Transition Smuggler 29″ with gravel tires (2.5″ on the front and 2.3″ on the rear) until I broke the Hammerschmidt bottom bracket bolt about 3 miles N of Beaverdell at 6 AM on Day 3. Luckily, my son James was in Vernon and after a two-hour wait, he arrived with his Trek hardtail 29″.
Within another two hours, I was on the road, with most of my gear mounted on it. It proved to be a lively, but “hard-on-the-ass” steed and I was able to finish the race with it. Thanks, James–my option was to hitch to Kelowna and buy or rent a bike (sure, on Canada Day)!
There are no support stations, no route markings
I rode as fast as I thought I could, without injuring/killing myself, which was mostly fourteen to sixteen in the saddle daily, with four to six hours of “sleep” at the side of the trail. I figured that if I rode slow and steady, and long, I could maybe keep up with some of the pack. After day one, I only saw two riders for the next five days. We were all so spread out over the 600 miles. Most riders carried a SPOT GPS tracking device, so I checked my relative position a few times, but that’s disheartening when I was (only) halfway, in Grand Forks and Evan Deutsche had finished in Fernie!
There are no support stations, no route markings (other than Trans Cda Trail signs) and you rely on your GPS (my old Garmin did not function well at all—should have tested it more thoroughly). I carried a SPOT tracker with an SOS button for extreme emergency, but it enabled my family to track my slow progress towards the finish in Fernie. The SPOT ate batteries and I had to re-supply twice–not able to find AAA Lithium in Midway or Greenwood. Carry more spares!
And speaking of spares, you have to carry anything you think you’ll need to repair yourself and your bike, and for any weather, etc. As for a Hammerschmidt bottom bracket bolt (we’d just changed the bottom bracket days before the race–go figure)! I carried three tubes and used only one, but a few racers slashed their tires and went through several tubes.
I kept looking for Lance Armstrong’s care packages
You carry what you need
Of the 29 scratches (non-finishers) in the race, most were for human failings, ie: tendons/hamstrings/chafing etc. Mechanicals played their part, but most racers had put many, many miles on their steeds and knew what to expect of them. I did several ‘long’ rides on local gravel roads, ie: six to seven hours and did an overnight trip to Princeton and slept in the bush.
I should have “trained” harder, faster, and longer, but at seventy-three, there’s a limit to my strength and endurance, which I knew beforehand. All through the race, I kept looking for Lance Armstrong’s care packages, but alas, I found none.
I passed so many lovely lakes and streams that I desperately wanted to dip in and just stop and enjoy, but I did not succumb until the last evening at Koocanusa lake. What a joy to swim and wash after five days of hard riding! On reflection, maybe except for the awful Grey Creek Pass, the route would be nice to do in, say, two weeks, in a group–still riding hard, but stopping to smell the roses…often.
Who wants to do it? The Epic 1000
Nope, not again, for me…unless? I’ll be pleased to assist other Nicola Valley rider who wants to do it and I’ll continue to help Lennard with organizing a BBQ, home hosting, etc. The BC Epic 1000 is a free event, totally volunteer, which turns my cranks for sure. Any riders wanting to try bike-packing, I’d be glad to loan equipment and accompany you if desired. Go to Bikepacking.com for the best info. The kindred spirit of the racers was super, although, as stated above, I rarely saw another racer after day one, until the finish.
My thanks to my family and friends who sent texts of encouragement along the way, those who helped
Darch’s upports- Travis Fehr of Breathe Bikes, Merritt. And wife Catherine
with the BBQ, home hosting, and to Mayor Menard who came out at 7 AM to start the race. Thanks to MMBA for renting the Park for the BBQ, which was appreciated by all the racers, as they got to meet each other–often for the first time.
Racers filled over fifty Merritt motel rooms the night before, and many will be back to enjoy the hospitality they experienced as well as the mountain biking on our great trails. A win for all.
Ride On!
Guest Blog post (and ride) by Darch Oborne
Executive Director of Merritt Mountain Bike Association
Thanks, Darch! Epic effort!
For more on Darch, and his contributions to our biking experiences in the Nicola Valley, click here.
And for those of you who would like to get on board this sport…
From the site Bikepacking: Simply put, bikepacking is the synthesis of mountain biking and minimalist camping. It evokes the freedom of multi-day backcountry hiking, but with the range and thrill of riding a mountain bike. It’s about exploring places less traveled, both near and far, via singletrack trails, gravel, and abandoned dirt roads, carrying only essential gear. Ride, eat, sleep, repeat, enjoy!
Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo
Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo
Celebrating 60 Years
Dedicated to celebrating and preserving the western culture and way of life
Rodeo action at the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo – Merritt Pro Photo
Our western culture and lifestyle is important to us. Not only has the Nicola Valley Rodeo Association (NVRA) spent the last 60 years celebrating and preserving this culture , it also hosts a wide range of equine and livestock events. Furthermore, the NVRA hosts everything from professional rodeos to 4-H and high school events! The Nicola Valley Professional Rodeo takes place on the September long weekend every year. For 60 years, our Nicola Valley has welcomed competitive professionals. They are now vying for $20,000 in prize money. This is the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association’s (CPRA) Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo.
60th Annual Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo
September 1 -2 , 2018. Celebrate 60 years with us!
We offer close-to-the-action covered grandstand seating, free parking, food concessions and beer gardens. We also include crafters, saddle makers and vendors selling all things uniquely western. In addition, come watch the professional cowboys and cowgirls fight for a position at the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR). The Labour Day Weekend is busy in Merritt, not only with our Annual Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo but also with the Fall Fair. Come visit our valley this September long weekend and celebrate 60 great years with us!
Performance Times:
Bronc Riding – Merritt Pro Photo
2018 Rodeo attractions:
Admission:
Tickets available in advance at Merritt Summer Nights Market at the gate, or by contacting:
Melissa Dinsdale: 250-315-9305, or Haley Rutherford: 250-378-5059
Pricing:
When accompanied by an adult (maximum two children per adult)
Bus service is available to the rodeo grounds. See the schedule below for full details. Bus schedule
What you can find at the grounds
Out of the chutes – Merritt Pro Photo
The Nicola Valley Rodeo Association operates and maintains grounds that host not only the annual professional rodeo but also the little britches rodeo and everything in between. This venue is perfect for equine and outdoor events. It offers stalls, bucking chutes, announcers, box seating and even a covered grandstand.
Rodeo History
Rodeos in the Nicola Valley area started with people just wanting to have fun! We still do!
July 1st always brought out crowds eager to see the Cowboy Race, Hurdle Race and the Ladies’ Race. not to mention any other entertainment on offer!
Victoria Day was always a major celebration. It included horse racing, gymkhana events, athletic sports and of course, the big parade! There were marching bands, floats and huge crowds!
Lower Nicola offered special train fares for any events held there. Of course, people took full advantage of these deals and lined up for tickets! They looked forward to these early stampedes for months ahead! They also prepared for them months in advance! The annual Bachelors’ Ball was the gala event! Personal invitations were sent out to the valley’s single ladies who hoped to find that “special someone”.
It began as a Stampede
The Rodeo began its life as a Stampede 1934. Workers scrambled to build corrals and chutes right in Voght Park. Zack Walker became manager, Leo Morrissey secretary-treasurer. Hans Richter brought a string of bucking horses from Kamloops Reserve to challenge the riders. The real action took place on August 3 and 4, 1934. John Guichon, Harry Ferguson, Sid Brueke and Tom Shuter were the judges presenting prizes. Winners took home prizes up to $100 for bronco riding, steer wrestling and other events.
Storekeepers decorated their windows, restaurants offered ‘Stampede Specials’. Pioneer families held mini reunions. And, of course there was the giant parade! No one missed that unless they were unconscious!
Advertising for the 1935 event at the Voght Park Stampede Grounds guaranteed “a fast, snappy exhibition” as well as “a clear view from the grandstand”. Admission was 50 cents. Of course, the parade was as big a draw as the stampede.
In 1941, the Stampede was cancelled due to the second world war. It was revived in 1959 by the Nicola Valley Riding and Roping Club. Vern (Blondie) Ellingson, Gordon Walker and Ted Spencer took the reins in 1966 and ran the Stampede as a private enterprise. The organization and volunteers helped wherever they could.
The Stampede soon grew beyond an amateur rodeo and attracted high calibre professional cowboys. Soon, it became a 3-day Labour Day weekend event. When Ted Spencer was killed in an accident in 1969, his widow, Larein, handed the venture over to the community.
The Rodeo Association is formed
The Nicola Valley Rodeo Association was formed and then renamed the NV Memorial Rodeo Association in honour of Ted Spencer. John Collett managed it over the next decade. Furthermore, with a lot of donated material and man hours, the rodeo arena was erected at Collettville.
Scaled back to two days, the 1978 rodeo saw 196 competitors, including 46 of the top 50 Canadian Rodeo Cowboys. They were vying for $10,000 in prizes!
The 1981 joint Rodeo Fall Fair land purchase started the task of building new facilities. All levels of government and many local businesses contributed. 1982 saw the first official Rodeo Fair Days.
This Labour Day Weekend we will enjoy the Nicola Valley Fall Fair in addition to the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo, and the parade!
Mexican Food in our Canadian Desert
Mexican Food in our Canadian Desert
Desert Hills Ranch Market Garden and UniTea Cafe, Ashcroft, BC
“… a Mexican Fiesta of luscious fresh produce!”
An Oasis in the Desert!
Painting of Ashcroft by E.J.Hughes, 1965
BC & Canada’s Hot Spot
Often the official hot spot for both BC and all of Canada, Ashcroft’s plentiful heat, soil and water helped its settlers become major producers of potatoes and tomatoes in the early 20th Century. Now potatoes and tomatoes represent only a small fraction of the huge variety of vegetables and fruits now grown at Desert Hills Ranch Market Garden. Family owned and operated since 1983, it draws folk from all over.
A Mexican Fiesta of Luscious Fresh Produce!
Pick a peck of perfect peppers
Desert Hills Ranch Market Garden is a feast for the senses. Outside, huge hanging floral baskets scent the air, while pots and pots and pots of kale, in their purples, greens and blues, line the outside of the packing shed. Walking toward the Market, we find boxes of fruit stacked high and ready for transport, their contents colourful and inviting. My friend grabs a grocery cart to assist her walking, I opt for a red wagon, and we head indoors to shop.
A harvest of many colours
Seedless sweet watermelon
Mexican Food in our Canadian Desert!
More Mexican Food in our Canadian Desert
Nadine busy in the kitchen at the UniTea Cafe
UniTea Cafe
Historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives
Historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives
A Senior’s Trip Through Time
I am always curious about how people lived before technology eased our lives.
Yesterday was blistering hot! So what better place for this senior to enjoy a trip through time than our air- conditioned historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives?
It was a short, hot, walk to Tutill Court. I stepped into the quiet, cool bliss of Merritt’s historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives. It sure is great to be greeted by two smiling seniors, Barb Watson and Jo Atkinson. They answered my questions (and I always have lots of those) with patience and knowledge.
Weaved baskets on display at the Museum
Historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives- First Nations
I am always curious about how people lived before technology eased our lives. So I began with the First Nations people. Our First Nations blogger, Gerome Garcia talk to us about how they lived and what they ate. I wanted to see the tools they used.
The Nicola Valley Museum & Archives has many, excellent, hand – made artifacts. Displayed in well-lighted cases are tools, equipment, baskets and clothing made by the first nations people who used them.
Some of these tools may look small but they were sharp and effective! Imagine the skill and time it took to make knives, axes, scrapers, arrowheads, bows, arrows, baskets and everything else you are looking at! All from materials found in their environment! Neither materials nor time were wasted.
Be sure to slide open the drawers under the display cases where many more choice pieces are displayed. I got my face right down there for a good, close look. The shallow, lit drawers made it easy. I loved the exquisite beading and detailed decoration on these treasures.
No way can I leave this section without mentioning the baskets! They are made from many natural materials – even pine needles! They are amazing in skill, detail, pattern and beauty Many have tight-fitting lids for storage and some were made to hold liquids. Impressive indeed!
Historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives- School Days
A picture that makes me smile every time I see it is of Mrs. Lily Priest, Merritt’s first schoolteacher. The year is 1908 and the Merritt School District had just been formed. She is sitting in a chair in the open door of a teepee shading her eyes from the sun. Just outside the teepee is a wood- burning stove complete with a pot and kettle. This is Merritt’s first school. I can’t help but think how determined the settlers must have been to get their children an education and how determined Lily Priest must have been to see that they got it!
Historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives- Medical Services.
Next, I moved along to the medical display. The old stretcher looks as good as any today, although smaller. Some of the equipment seems familiar, other bits look rather alarming, including the shelves of bottles and potions. Everything would have been spotlessly clean – no antibiotics.
No comfy assisted living facilities for seniors either. You simply recovered or went to live with relatives willing to nurse you. That’s what family did.
The brave doctors and nurses who practiced in the valley got around however they could. On horseback, carts, by commandeering a special locomotive and even borrowing a section man’s hand-car. Now that’s dedication!
Historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives – Home Equipment
This is a great display for comparisons! I found the icebox and “convenient”wood – burning kitchen stove fascinating. Maybe some of you remember a grandmother actually cooking on one. Were you lucky enough to use one yourself? It is possible to turn out amazing baked goods with these stoves but this skill takes time to learn. The early models had no oven thermostats! Women, especially experienced seniors, were justifiably proud of their cakes, pies and bread!
The pioneers had everything they needed to get by, but they had to work a lot harder than we do.
Ever wash clothes by hand with home – made lye soap boiling water and a washboard? Then hand-wring them, carry them to a clothesline and hang them to dry? I have. That is one hard job! And I’m talking about summer. In winter, on washday the entire cabin would be festooned with lines of drying laundry. Those women must have jumped for joy when the wringer washer was invented!
Historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives – Tools and Farm Equipment
Pioneer tools on display at the Museum.
Here is another fascinating area to explore. Take a good look at the equipment in the storeroom – scythes, axes, saws, hammers, traps and dozens of other items too numerous to mention! All these tools had to be kept in good condition. This meant cleaned, sharpened, oiled and replaced. All the harnesses, traces, strapping etc. had to be cleaned, oiled, inspected for damage, repaired and put away. Of course, before any of this got done, the items had to be used
Ever spend a day plowing a field with a horse – drawn plow? Me neither, but I once saw it done by an expert. This fellow was a senior working with an experienced horse. But what a hot, sweaty job!
Imagine harvesting that field with a scythe! Better practice first because this is a tool that can nearly sever a limb! And yes, it is another hard, sweaty job.
I think- no, I know I would rather do laundry, bake bread, scrub floors, and work a half-acre kitchen garden!
Historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives – Back to the present
There is still so much to see. I haven’t touched on transportation, mining, ranching… Looks like I need a return visit, doesn’t it?
Do you want to read about my recent ride on an oversized trike? Read my blog on Seniors Bike Riding in the Nicola Valley.
From your seniors blogger,
Diane
Street Market Art – Merritt, BC
Street Market Art – Merritt, BC
Community Art in Merritt, Canada
Youth Take Leadership and make Summer Nights Street Market Art
Amy Maclaren’s creative flower crown
Street Market Art is happening every Friday night for the whole summer. Amy Maclaren has laid out a plan for character creation – decorating crowns and hats, belts and sashes, masks, and even shoe fun. And her fellow workers, Amrit Ahuja, Felize Omori, and Alexia Clark are a part of the action on the downtown Quilchena block in Merritt Canada.
The Nicola Valley Community Arts Council is employing these four young people through the Youth Employment Program. So this summer, the arts community has help with all kinds of projects and programs!
From the Street Market, to Open Mic Nights, to Corbett Lake Paint Outs this young group is pitching in to make our summer events successful.
From Prep to the Market
Alexia and Felize create flower crowns
First comes the idea of setting up an NVCAC gazebo at the Friday Summer Nights Market, and enlivening it with activities.
With Amy leading the way for this arts project, the activities planned are all about costume and character building. As a student in Costume Design, Amy’s creative direction includes everything from coloured sketches to rainbowsequins.
Amy sources her materials for the market activities in town, materials accessible to everyone who lives here or are visiting the Nicola Valley.
Everything tied or taped down
Gazebo and other necessities are gathered and set up on Quilchena Avenue, the main block. Our first night’s set up was a gusty wind challenge. Duct tape and bricks were in place before flowers and feathers.
Merritt is a windy town, so the locals are prepared.
But after our first night, we are adding a few bungee cords and table clips to our bin.
The YEP workers get everything set up, and then two of them leave to set up and help at Open Mic. Amrit works the sound and Felize and Alexia welcome the audience there at the Kekuli Cafe..
Neighbours on the Street Market
There is room for over 20 vendors or non-profits to set up on the town’s busy block. From a big food truck to gazebos, to small tables, the block is almost full. The Farmer’s market is to the west of us. And a variety of displays is to our east.
Janet Roth is overseeing the Love to Dance Academy’s table. She is there to let people know what a great dance studio we have in town. And encourage memberships in the Love to Dance Society that supports it.
Janet Roth at the Love to Dance Academy table
Charlene Lively has set up the Pro Rodeo display, with information and some news about the High School event that was taking place just that weekend.
Charlene Lively at the Pro Rodeo display
There are jewelry tables and displays of woodwork by local craftsman.
Tina has set up her Humble Hobo Hotdogs Stand at the end of the block. And there is a new Curried Chicken food truck that has line ups for their generous portions.
And there are baked good tables to pick up something sweet.
Music at the Friday Nights Market
The Strange Companions
We can hear country music coming from the speakers on the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, right on Quilchena Avenue, our main street.
And if we keep going, more music…
A favourite local group, the Strange Companions, have committed to several Friday nights at the street market for the summer. They have created a board of info and calls to action, like “Go on over to Open Mics…” Read while you stop to listen!
This group has been playing together for years, with musicians and singers coming and going. We never know who is going to show up when we know The Strange Companions are playing…
Back at the NVCAC Gazebo
Felize and Amy help kids fancy up at the Arts table
Amy and the Youth Employment workers lay out the week’s art activity. Their first work was fancy name or character cards creation with foam letters, sparkles, and shape stickers.
The second week flower and birds were provided for crowns and embellishments like coloured feathers and foam sparkle stickers were attached to cowboy hats
Last week, the YEP workers got busy with face painting and created characters for the children coming by.
What’s up this week?
Support from the NVCAC Directors and Members
Beside our art activity table, the NVCAC Directors set up a membership table under our gazebo, ready to encourage passersby to join our Arts Council and support the arts in all of the the Nicola Valley.
Mischelle and Gale discuss the Street Market action and the dancing nearby.
Two active members, Director of Programs Mischelle Pierce, and artist and Gallery supporter, Gale Simpson, discuss all the arts action happening in town!
This week, right at the end of our Friday Nights Street Market, some good music and dancing is happening at the Adelphi Hotel. Some of our great country and western musicians play there regularly. And people come from far and wide to hear them and get up on the dance floor.
This weekend there was a group from Arizona dancing up a storm. Not sure if they were heading out to the Rockin River Fest event in the Valley. Or if they just staed in town and enjoyed the action right here on the main street.
Visitors from Hobart, Tasmania
Jane, Jasper with mom Lani, and Jean
It’s Jasper! My grandson from down under. Jasper is chatting it up with Jane Bartle, NVCAC Treasurer, mom Lani, and president Jean Kiegerl. I think Jean is selling Jasper an Arts Council membership.
And I know Jasper ended up with enough RCMP Musical Ride tickets to take all of us!
Jasper and family weren’t the only visitors from out of town. We have travelers weekly, often from Alberta, the States, Europe, coming to experience the Nicola Valley.
Join us for some Street Market Art!
Come down on Friday nights 6-9pm. See what’s up, buy or make an embellished cowboy hat or flower crown. Check the current week’s activity!
Wearing their embellished cowboy hats
Sashes? Shoes art? What Street Market Art are we up to?
It’s usually free, with people making donations to help us buy the next week’s activity materials….
Go to Nicola Valley Arts Council Facebook page to check out the next event!
And be sure to come down and see us, listen to some music, grab some food, stop and chat. Make yourself a crown!
Jano, Arts and Culture Blogger
Vanessa Trenholm led a community canvas painting again!
Smoked Trout at Harmon Lake
Smoked Trout at Harmon Lake
Making smoked trout while camping is easy and fun.
So, would you like to know the secret to great Smoked Trout?
A secret about how to make the best smoked trout in all of the world? OK, at least the best in Nicola Valley? I am about to share it here! Keep reading!
The Process
Teresa and Brad, camping friends I met last year here at Harmon Lake, have graciously shared their tips and techniques with me to share with you, the world!
Not only is this amazing to the tastebuds, it is a fun thing to do together with friends and family!
To make our Harmon Lake Smoked Trout you need…
The Trout
First things first! To make Smoked Trout, you need them! Catch them, buy them, ask your friends for theirs, it doesn’t matter. But you need fish! We happened to catch ours the day before! It doesn’t matter what size as you will fillet them and place them on the rack by size for best and even results.
The Process – Preparing the Trout
Filleting the Trout! Have the right tools to make this important part easy. Having the right tools from the get-go will make your learning easier and you fillets clean cut and “pretty”.
I watched as my friend masterfully filleted the trout and deboned them. She used a tool she purchased specifically for deboning fish, and it worked great. You could use pliers, but she said this tool was worth every cent!
Get started
Cut the head off first. then make a straight cut, across the fish, down to the bone near the tail. Starting at the cut. angle the knife on the fish and also angle the blade slightly up over the backbone and fillet away. Once you start to fillet keep the knife blade on the angle above the bone. With a clean smooth motion, filet the fish, keeping the blade just above the bone.
Keep going!
It may take some practice but when I did it it just took a few times and I was sliding the blade right up to the end. It really wasn’t that hard, just practice and a feel for it.
I learned that there is a technique and once you get the hang of it it becomes pretty easy!
Once both sides are filleted, you can fillet out the inner bones. This is a bit tricky to explain but I will try! Take the tip of the blade and cut lightly under the bones about 1/2 inch in. Start over and repeat with smooth motions. Three or so cuts should do it. Cut that piece off the fish. Clean up the edges with a clean swipe down the edges. Voila! A Fillet!
Tips for preparing the Trout
The Process for Brining the Trout
This is simple yet tricky, the right mixture of the the salt (and what kind of salt), brown sugar, along with the right amount of water and then the brining time! My friends secret sauce is 1 part salt to 2 parts sugar.
Dissolve the brown sugar and salt in 2 cups of water. Add about an additional 4-5 cups of water after you have dissolved salt and sugar. Taste test the brine. If you go “Echhhh! Too much salt!”, add more water and you could add some more brown sugar. You do want it to taste salty like the sea, but not so much that you can’t swallow it!
We used two extra large ziplock bags and and split the brine mixture in 1/2. Put the fillets into the bags. Seal the bags and refrigerate 2-3
hours. More time for larger fillets!
Tips for brining
The Process – Smoking the Trout
Air dry the fillets on a surface of parchment paper or plastic wrap (never use metal) for about an hour.
Smoking time varies as does our weather! So you have to vary it each time. Wind and rain are not your friend for smoking fish. So let’s say its 70 degrees and no wind. Your smaller fillets should be ready in about 90 minutes. You can leave on the bigger fillets for an additional 1/2 hour.
We are using a Little Chief Smoker with alder chips, which pair well with trout!
The smoker is running from a 12 V battery and an inverter. We charged the battery with two 75 Watt solar panels. A generator works great too!
Tips for smoking the Trout
How would you like your fish smoked? Mild, medium or well done?
The more fish on the trays the longer it will take.
When the Trout has smoked enough
Air dry for about an hour before removing the skin and refrigerating. Make sure the fillets have cooled down first. Best to place them on a paper towel and in a container or ziplock bag The paper towel is there to absorb any excess moisture. So, if you take them out of the smoker and they seem a little too dry, don’t set them on paper towels.
Teresa and Brad’s Philosophy: Keep it simple for best results! Particularly with trout as trout is so delicate!
Share and enjoy!
Moister or dryer, it’s up to you! When the trout fillets are smoked the way you like them, loosen from the rack right away or they will get stick to the rack. Take a picture and share! You earned the right to brag!
Then quickly put them away or they may just go missing. AKA, eaten all up!
That is how to make the best smoked trout in the Nicola Valley.
Trout, and other fish, have been smoked throughout history. Click here for some more information
Do you have special tips and techniques you want to share?
I would love to hear them! And see you at Harmon Lake!
Geocaching in the Nicola Valley
Geocaching in the Nicola Valley
The fastest growing “sport” in the world?
There is an active group of geocachers in the Nicola Valley.
Geocaching is probably the fastest growing “sport” in the world. I use quotations because it isn’t a sport in the classic sense. There is no competition, in fact there is probably more cooperation and camaraderie involved in this sport than any other. Essentially it is a world-wide treasure hunt. Anyone, from the age of wonder, before they can walk, to so old they can barely walk, can participate. Enjoy Geocaching in the Nicola Valley!
There are many different levels of difficulty. Starting with, “park & grabs” to one I know of that requires a three day hike to reach it. There are some that require scuba diving or mountain climbing skills!
No diving or hanging from a rope off a cliff, there are over 3 million geocaches worldwide. You won’t run out of the fun too soon.
History
Geocaching started on the day that the U.S. government deregulated the system of satellites that circle the globe. A GPS could then be used to identify where you were on the earth, to within a few feet. Someone, I’m not sure who, hid an object, identified it’s coordinates, and published it to a few friends. It was found very soon after and the new game was spawned. Today, one of the goals of almost all serious geocachers is to find the original cache. It is still active after all these years!
Nicola Valley Connection
There is an active group of geocachers in the Nicola Valley. Over the years we have hidden over 250 caches within a reasonable distance of Merritt. I have hidden more than 50 caches myself. A group of us went out two ago, with the idea to find 100 caches in one day. We did it easily, on a dirt road, off the Coquihalla Connector, and ended up in Summerland! We saw some incredible country, and got some wonderful ice cream before heading back to the Nicola Valley.
I organized and then compiled a book, A Taste of the Valley, as an educational initiative. High school students interviewed seniors in the Nicola Valley and then recorded those stories. Each story in the book has a geocache attached to it. Twenty-nine of them appear on Geocaching.com, but there are several more that only appear in the book. Some of them have never been found! Geocaching in the Nicola valley could be a great goal for geocachers looking for a challenge!
Personal & Family Benefits
Geocaching is for all ages!
One of the characteristics of the game that grabbed me right away was that anyone, of any age could play. It is a wonderful activity for families, especially for grandparents and the grandkids. Four of my own grandchildren did their first geocache when they were babies. They pawed through the little trinkets in the containers and traded for what they liked. Everyone loves to find something and sometimes the caches are works of art.
I’ve seen Chinese puzzle box caches, containers that require you to find a key and fake rocks! My wife makes them for me! I’ve seen gnomes sprinkled throughout the forest that eventually led to the cache, a large gnome city! What has been most important for me has been the time I get doing something fun with my family. I mean, you can’t play video games all day, every day! You can’t even waterski or go for a run every day. Almost everyone will enjoy a treasure hunt to break up the monotony of watching TV!
Equipment Needed
All you need for the game is a hand-held GPS, or a cell phone. Then register yourself for a free Geocaching.com membership. That will give you access to the website and the millions of caches available worldwide. The whole Nicola Valley awaits your first attempt to find a geocache. Go for it!
International Connections
As I’ve stated there are millions of little treasures hidden around the world. From Inuvik, to Cape Dorset, to the Nicola Valley, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, even Antarctica, they’re everywhere. My wife and I have geocached all over the western hemisphere and every place we go we meet other geocachers. One day, in Berlin, we ended up with three groups of geocachers trying to find the same cache. It turns out that Germans, Spaniards and Canadians can enjoy the sport despite language issues! We managed to talk about Geocaching and our holidays for several minutes. That is another reason I love geocaching, those international connections!
Physical Fitness
Fun and fitness!
My wife and I love to hike and geocaching, particularly in the Nicola Valley, gives lots of opportunity. The Kane Valley Ski Trails, Tom Lacey Memorial Trail, Sugarloaf Mountain and other sites abound in hiking and geocaching opportunities.
Geocaching in the Nicola Valley
There are many caches in the city of Merritt, the valley and the surrounding hills. Within the town there is a huge, fourteen stage multi-cache centred around the many murals in town. There are caches that focus on the coal mining and ranching history of Merritt. A series of caches, that teach about the food and medicinal plants of the First Nations people.
There are caches that will take you to incredible vistas.
Other caches show the hopes, passions, and dreams of the people who called, or call, the Nicola Valley home.
Great sport! Join in to the geocaching treasure hunt.
And hunt for some of the geocaches here in the Nicola Valley that have never been found!
Guest Blogger: Jeff Bloom
Jeff Bloom
Jeff Bloom was born and raised in Kamloops, British Columbia. He played a year of professional baseball before returning to Kamloops, getting married, finishing his education and becoming a teacher. He and his wife Gail have raised their two children in Merritt and now enjoy their grandchildren. Jeff has taught elementary school in the valley for 43 years and most recently has published one children’s picture book, with more to follow soon.
Geocaching in the Nicola valley has been one of Jeff’s passions over the years.
Enjoy Camping in Canada – Nicola Valley
Enjoy Camping in Canada
Experience Lundbom Lake in the Nicola Valley!
You may never want to go home!
Camping in Canada! Lundbom Lake West Recreation Site, in British Columbia, is an awesome fishing, horseback riding, and camping location! Add the surrounding area which provides excellent mountain biking and ATV/dirt bike riding and you may never want to go home!
Check out some exciting ways to experience Lundbom Lake!
Tables
Toilets
Come in the summer, come in the fall, this lake is fabulous any time at all.
Each time I experience Lundbom Lake, I fall in love with it all over again! I know I’m just 15 minutes from downtown Merritt, but I feel like I’m miles away in the wilderness. Super easy to get to, it is just off Highway 97c on an easy-to-travel gravel road! Each summer I spend many weeks there enjoying all it has to offer, and even travel back and forth to work from my campsite!
The occasional lightening storm rolls through as seen from the west campground
The short drive on the gravel road takes your breath away! Rolling hills covered with wildflowers, sparkling lakes, and rich grasslands. Gorgeous! If you are planning on experiencing Lundbom Lake, you can also take the the back road through pine and fir forests and grassy, open meadows. There are a few extra bumps on this road, but is it worth it!
Camping in Canada? Great camping in the southern interior of BC
Lundbom Lake camping will add additional camp sites this year, as the demand is growing! It is usually full on weekends and holidays, so reserve early. It’s pretty easy to find a nice camping spot during the week. This is a forestry campsite so there is a small fee for camping.
Two areas to choose from – East and West
Even the horses smile at Lundbom Lake
Most of the sites are spacious and private, great for large RV’s, tents, and trailers! I have even seen motorcycle groups come and stay for overnighters. Several sites are right on the lake. Others are nestled in the forest. There are two areas for camping at Lundbom Lake, East and West. Stay on the main road to access the East side or cut through the west campground and take the back road thru the forest! You’ll find the campground hosts, Cathy and Clint, on the West site.
Click here for a quick timelapse of the sun setting at Lundbom Lake! Beautiful!
Excellent Equine Camping Experience
Horse people love it here! The West campground includes horse corals. “Build it and they will come.”, someone said. And they do!
The draw? The never ending trail riding. And the trails really are never ending! Trails thru the grasslands up the mountains, by the lakes, and into the forests. Spectacular!
Experience Lundbom Lake Fishing
My friend Joanne caught a beauty at our site.
Be prepared to catch “the big one”! I have seen them as big as 9 lbs and they can get even bigger! The lake is stocked with rainbow trout each year and there are plenty of fish to be caught here!
Some days are a little tricky but when the bite is on, it’s on! Lundbom Lake can be challenging so the more fishing skills you have, the better your luck will be. I don’t consider my self a “pro”, but I’ve had pretty good luck right off the shore!
Brian Chan & Phillip Rowley are fish experts and can provide excellent information and details on fish and fishing
To get specific information on the types and quantities, visit Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC.
Did you Know?
History of Lundbom Lake
To find the history of Lundbom Lake, I reached out to Nicola Valley Museum and was thrilled with the response! They rock!! Special thanks to Emmanuelle Dugas!
I had heard that the lake was named after a Lundbom. The lake is actually named after an early Nicola Valley settler, a Norwegian bachelor named Agustus William Lundbaum.
In 1871, Lundbaum settled north of Nicola Lake. He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1880 and a judge in the Court of Revision and Appeal under the Assessment Act for Nicola 1n 1881.
What did Lundbaum do?
Overlooking Lundbom Lake
Lundbaum was a great fisherman and is credited with introducing the angleworm into the district. Lundbom Lake was mainly known as Fishermans lake. It eventually became popular for just lazing around or hiking. Early campers said it was crawling with all kinds of insects, snakes, frogs, moles and coyotes. They said the fish were “small, silvery and saucy”.
Sometime before Lundbaum left in 1885 or 1886, he declared the Nicola Country was “going to the dogs” and “the grass was about done”. He rode the range, with his rifle, shooting down his heifer calves so that as he put it, “ there would be enough grass grow” for those he allowed to survive.
Lundbaum was so concerned about the overgrazing of the Nicola Rangeland that it is said he went out of his mind and was taken out of the valley, never to return. He apparently recovered and farmed in the Fraser Valley.
Lundbom Commanage
Ridley and Pooley staked a claim and applied to purchase the open country. This action resulted in the Stockmen from Nicola Lake signing a petition to the government to have the area declared a commonage reserve under the Commonage Act.
The commonage bearing Agustus William Lundbaum’s name still exists as established in 1887 and is a fitting monument to this early environmentalist. It is a commonage reserve to this day.
Lundbom Commanage contains 100 acres. Lundbom Head, sometimes called Sugar Loaf Mountain, stands in the Lundbom Commons.
Now visitors from far and wide enjoy the Lundbom Lake experience!
Turquoise waters at Lundbom Lake?
Camping at Canada, at Lundbom Lake! Lots of fun…
But always be careful and be safe! Wildfires are always an issue during the hot summer months.
Check the Fire Bans and Restrictions
I remember when Lundbom Lake used to be turquoise waters.
Anyone else remember that? And know why it’s not anymore?
And want to read about why I love living in Merritt? Read my blog…
Julie
Merritt Restaurants – Brambles Bakery & Cafe
Merritt Restaurants – Brambles Bakery & Cafe
Brambles Bakery & Cafe – A Dream Come True
“Brambles is a true delight for all your senses.”
Ideas Percolating…
Brambles Bakery & Cafe
A busy Community hub
Of course there is also the fun and friendly staff, a space for the kids to play, the eclectic menu with real, healthy food made from scratch, daily lunch specials, and a feeling of community.
Did we mention that our food is delicious?”
All of this is true, but there is more!
The vibe at Brambles is laid-back, save the bustling staff, working hard to ensure that your order comes out quickly and accurately.
A selection of “Old World” breads
And there is no doubt that their home-crafted breads are brilliant! All of the breads, buns and focaccia are perfect for dipping in your soup du jour or for enclosing your favourite sandwich ingredients. They are made in the “Old World” way, using pre-fermented doughs with long, slow fermenting times, providing many health benefits. Brambles is a member of the Bread Bakers Guild of America, and Dorothy and Sarah often travel to symposiums to hone their bread-making skills. You’ll find sourdough, Alsatian rye, Country, and Multi-Grain-Seed breads daily, while extra-special ones are baked on certain days of the week. Have you ever tried sour cherry chocolate or sourdough cranberry bread? Oh, you must!
And when they say “Best Buns”, you’d better believe it!
Focaccia Breads
Never disappointing!
Brambles’ Brownies
You know how sometimes you choose something that looks amazing from the showcase in a bakery, but when you bite into it, it doesn’t come close to tasting as good as it looks? I cannot count the number of times that happened to me in the past. It is darned disappointing! That never happens at Brambles Bakery & Cafe! Everything is made from scratch with real butter and fresh local ingredients where possible, and everything is truly fabulous. My personal favourites include: Hazelnut Roulade, Rhubarb Torte Squares, Coconut Tarts, Lemon Squares, and Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns.
Oh, Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns, I love you so!
Sticky cinnamon buns with pecans
It is also one of the few places in the Nicola Valley where you can find gluten-free and vegan options, with those options continually expanding. The soups are gluten-free. You can have your sandwiches made with gluten-free bread, and you can also enjoy tantalizing GF treats such as Black Bean Brownies, Hazelnut Date Bars, Almond Lemon Cake with Raspberry Filling, and you can take home bags of gluten-free Granola.
Dodo serving sandwiches
Vegan Tuesdays
Today was “Vegan Tuesday”. I enjoyed the daily special, a delicious chickpea salad with apricots cashew sauce and greens with a side of home-made rhubarb chutney and a cup of bean soup!
Of course I had to have a treat to take home to enjoy with my afternoon tea, so I chose GF Carrot Cake. Cake is something this waistline does not need, but, oh, it wanted it so badly! I thought it might be a tad dry, as some GF baking tends to be, but no! It was Yum!
Brambles also serves healthful salads with a wide variety of dressing choices, and they have a liquor license, to boot! You will find a selection of local Left Field Cider Company Ciders and near-local beer and wines.
Any Coffee in this Cafe?
Oh, dear! How can it be a Cafe without coffee? Espresso? Yes! Flavours? Yes! Drip? Yes! You can even get an added liqueur shot! Also a wide selection of teas, hot or iced!
Nicola Valley Honey
And, as if all that is not enough, there are shelves where you can browse for food and gifts to take away. You’ll find Brambles’ own packaged food items, local Nicola Valley Honey, as well as local food gifts. They also sell sturdy, colourful African Market Baskets, whose purchase helps to support humanitarian projects in the villages of Ghana. Methinks they would make a perfect picnic basket, loaded up with Brambles’ food to take up into the hills for a Food Adventure! Or to take home to a loved one! Any woman I know would think that was the best gift EVER!
Brambles Bakery and Cafe – A Dream Come True
Not only was this Merritt Restaurant – Brambles Bakery & Cafe – a dream-come-true for Dorothy and Sarah, it was a dream-come-true for the entire Valley. At the time they opened their doors, there was little in the way of this special kind of place, and no bake-from-scratch bakery. It was an instant success and continues to thrive. Many out-of-towners have discovered this treasure, and stop in during their travels.
Sarah and Dorothy
Thank you, Dorothy and Sarah! I had my great idea of “the Quilchena Street Cafe” back in the day, but I am so happy that you saved me all that hard work!
And, never could I have pulled it off with such incredible panache!
JGS
PS Did you read my blog on the Quilchena Hotel One Eleven Bar and Grill meals? Pop over now and catch up!