Sunday, December 23, 2018

A Quick Annual Trip


A few family members and I took a quick road trip to visit my niece.  We had a lovely time and took her to lunch, a movie and dinner as well as had a nice visit and delivered presents. My niece didn't let me forget any of  my promises right down to the popcorn at the movies and the hot chocolate before taking her home. She is so cute and we had a brief but loving visit with her.

We rushed back to Vancouver Saturday to try and avoid the snow that was forecast for the mountain highway. I was very pleased that we beat all the bad weather and traffic though we certainly saw a lot of traffic heading north. We made a stop at Harrison Hot Springs to try and find eagles that were resting there before making their annual migration but we didn't find any. Along the highway two passed us in flight overhead and I spotted one young one (at least 5 years old because it had a white head but it's body was small) perched on a tree as we rode over a bridge. I couldn't get a photo.

Since there were no eagles to be found we stopped at Wal-mart in Chilliwack. It was super busy with long line ups at the cashiers in all lanes including express lane check out. Even the self-service aisles were full which is saying a lot because Canadians really dislike self-service as a check out option.   My companions decided to skip shopping but I didn't know that so I wandered about buying a few groceries. Fortunately the express lane I was in was moving along quickly.

I stayed at the Thompson Hotel downtown and it was the first time I've stayed there. I enjoyed my short stay. All the staff was friendly.  My room was quiet and the bed was comfy. It was a bit cold overnight and the shower wasn't very hot but it was good enough.  I could have adjusted the heating but I was too lazy to figure it out.  I was disappointed that the pool and hot tub were not functioning but there is nothing the hotel can do about a pipe problem except to fix it. The breakfast was very satisfactory.  I would stay at the hotel again if the price was right but I do also like to check out different hotels.

Over the years I've stayed at 6  different hotels and 4 motels In Kamloops. I prefer several of the hotels (Sheraton Four Points, Holiday Inn on the North Shore, Pacific Inn & Suites and the Thompson) and have stayed at the first 3 on several occasions each. I would not recommend other hotels (unnamed) I've stayed in because of cramped rooms, dark rooms, poor breakfast set up or bit sketchy area. I also recommend the Fortune Motel on the North Shore.  It is very clean and roomy and they have a rudimentary kitchen set up if you like or need to cook or have snacks that need refrigeration. You need to specify that you want a kitchenette or you will get a standard room. They also have a swimming pool though I haven't used it.  Across the busy street you will find a small mall with a full scale grocery story, fast food,banking and so on. The only drawback is it is on a busy street though after hours the traffic is really not that bad. You can ask for a room facing toward the mountains and you should be fine. Also the motel is a cinder block motel just in case that is important information to you.

 

A nice breakfast was included in the room cost.  Sausages, scrambled eggs, waffles, cold cereals, various breads and muffins, yogurts, fresh fruit, juices, water, coffee and tea were all on offer.





I took my swimming suit but unfortunately a pipe had burst in the hotel's new pool area so it was not usable while I was there. I can't count the number of times this has happened to me while visiting various cities and towns. I wasn't too upset though as it allowed me to get more sleep before breakfast.


My view looked out over the parking lot, the shopping mall, the bus transit area and the industrial park and mountains beyond. The last several years these mountains had snow on them and there was lots of snow in the valley. This year there is none but that can change rather quickly. The first year I spent in Kamloops the snow didn't fall until December 24th on Christmas Eve.

The residential development on the mountains is located on Indian Reserve lands. There is a wonderful view of the city from up the hill.






Sorry for the blurred photos.
You can see how the weather changes dramatically.
All the snow you see is less than an hour south of Kamloops.





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Enjoy your Christmas holidays.
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30 comments:

shayndel said...

Looks like a wonderful road trip and visit with your niece!! Beautiful wintery scenes, warm with the love of seeing family!! Have a beautiful and blessed Christmas!! Much love!♡

Red said...

Nice of you to visit the niece . These people know how to show appreciation for what's done for them.

Rhodesia said...

Sounds like you had a great time but driving on the raods does not look much fun!! Happy Christmas Diane

Joyful said...

Yes we always have a sweet visit with her and she loves to see us.

Joyful said...

It was a wonderful road trip. It is always quick and I always get concerned about road conditions since the highway does get shut down several times over winter and has already been closed at least 3x this season. But I was very relieved that all went well with weather conditions. Of course it is always great to see my niece and Christmas is always a special time. Much love and Merry Christmas.

Joyful said...

Yes I had a great time since I also got a good sleep in. The road were not so bad. Just that one icy patch on the drive up. Merry Christmas to you Diane. Safe travels to England and back to home. xx

Saucy Siciliana said...

First Coffee.....I love that phrase at the breakfast table! The pictures are amazing Joyful! I haven't seen so much snow since the 60s and 70s when we lived in New York. Here in Sicily there may be some snow on top of Mount Etna, but not in our area, we are on the Western side of Sicily. Have a very Merry Christmas dear!

Joyful said...

Hi Francesca, I just learned you lived in New York. How cool. I'm sure you did get a lot of snow there. We don't have a lot where I live in Vancouver but much more than Trapani, hee hee. Enjoy Christmas my dear!

happyone said...

Glad to hear you had a good visit and a safe one too.
What a pretty Christmas tree.

Angie said...

I appreciate the hotel recommendations in Kamloops. It is a place that we hope to visit - you don't need to be told it has stunning scenery! I have enjoyed getting to know you better this year through your posts. Merry Christmas to you!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Great tree and trip - Merry Christmas!

Joyful said...

Thank you Happy One. Enjoy your Christmas!

Joyful said...

Thanks so much Angie. I hope you do get to visit Kamloops. I know you would love the entire area. Merry Christmas to you!

Hootin Anni said...

There's always something that is broken down in hotels...but having a room that is so quiet makes up for it (a room thus time if year is fortunate)

Love the photos & reading your narration. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Joyful said...

Thanks Carol. Same to you!

Joyful said...

So true Annie. It is good to have a comfy bed and a quiet room on a journey. A good sleep makes everything go better. Glad you stopped by. Merry Christmas!

junieper2 said...

Thank you for your kind comments! Have a merry Christmas! Hope the weather is not too harsh on Christmas day!

Saucy Siciliana said...

Thank you for your concern Joyful. We are in fact quite far from Catania, about a 5-hr. drive so we haven't felt any shakings or dust. But we are watching the developments on TV ... so far it hasn't gotten worse but the people living below the Etna are very, very worried, and the Catania airport is having problems because of the dust. Merry Christmas again!

Joyful said...

Francesca, I'm glad you and your family are fine. I didn't realize Etna was 5 hours from you. I pray that the people living around there will be safe. I did hear about the Catania airport being closed. Flights from NA to Europe were cancelled a few years ago when a volcano is Iceland was erupting.

Joyful said...

You're welcome Jesh. Weather here is fine today but I think it might start snowing soon.

Pamela said...

Nice trip! Happy holidays!

Aritha V. said...

I love to see photos with snow on it and the trees. Very nice

jabbott said...

So happy that your Christmas plans went accordingly. I'm glad you was able to have a lovely time with your niece xxx

Lady Fi said...

Lovely shots!

Joyful said...

Thanks Pamela!

Joyful said...

Trees do look very pretty with snow :-)

Joyful said...

Thank you Joy. I didn't really plan but I want to go so I'm glad it all worked out at the end without too much fuss. xx

Joyful said...

Thank you Lady Fi! I look forward to your lovely shots in 2019.

Jeanie said...

It sounds like a wonderful time! A great visit and the hotel sounds very nice (apart from the pipe issue -- too bad about the pool). But still, as you said, good enough and worth another visit. Your view was great and the breakfast looked yum, too. I've been off the grid a few days and will be catching up as soon as I can!

Joyful said...

We did have a lovely time though the visit was brief. I was more than happy with my choice of hotel. Have a wonderful rest of your Christmas season dear Jeanie. xx

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