Day 7 Fernie BC to Elko BC

At $35 THE Ranging Elk was great deal & very pleasant. Of the 3 young ladies sharing the dorm, one failed the challenge & vacated soon after midnight! Nothing personal I hope?

Recovered my bike for Bryan & Mary’s chalet where an ice pack was waiting, then goodbyes & off. Touch call not to stay over another day & take in more of the festival & a little more time with them both. With my weekend pass & Shred Kelly jamming in the park @ 10am it was a tough call. Breakfast at the Mug Shot fell well short of Jennifer’s at Elkford.

It felt good be be biking again. Today, I continue south down the Elk River Trail. Out of Fernie it was on purpose built switch back trails designed for fun & not to take you anywhere in particular – not apropriafor those who need to press on. The route finally connected with a track called Havel Avenue that took me all the way to Elko.

From the highway Elko is a small & insignificant place – a plain store, gas & campground. but is a ploy to keep strangers out. Just off the highway, the village proper is above a sweeping bend in the Elk River & surrounded by the Rickie Mountain s in every direction. Also fishing to die for – just mind the grizzlie

.View from Elko village green

On route, I came across downhill biker, Mike White, who was back country camping for the weekend. He greeted me the a can of ice tea from his icebox & chatted whilst Judas Priest banged out from the pickups stereo. Originally from Newfoundland, where fishing was once king, due to the changing fortunes he had need to move & came to be here & in the oil industry.

At the end of the day Nate Dorr from Montana for weekends fishing. Had tried living in Miami but hated it so is bringing his family back where he belongs.

While chatting, we had a few uninvited visitors.