Brits 'Round BC   2005

DAY 3

Pemberton - Merritt - Kamloops

June 21, 2005

Pemberton to Kamloops is definitely a wonderful trip. From Pemberton we drive up and over the Duffey Lake Road and down in to the historic town of Lilloette. From there we follow the Fraser River to Lytton, where the Fraser joins the Thompson. 30 k North of Lytton we turn East from Spencers Bridge and make our way to Merritt along one of the best driving roads in BC. From Merritt we continue on Hwy 5a to the Historic Quilchina Inn - which sports bullet holes in the bar counter! From there the drive through the Nicola Valley to Kamloops is, once again, spectacular.

We arrive in Kamloops in the late afternoon and spend the evening with the members of the Thompson Valley Branch, enjoying a BBQ supper and a tour of the railroad, or just relaxing at the riverside.

Tony Bradwell has mentioned that the tentative plan for the Kamloops Branch is as follows:

- ride out and meet the tour, perhaps at Merritt or Quilchena
- a BBQ, probably at the motel, for tour participants and Kamloops Branch members
- a tour of the Spirit of Kamloops 2141 heritage steam locomotive, coaches and workshop
- possibly a ride on the steam train (this may be a special ‘mid-summers eve” them run - yet to be confirmed)
- a show and shine while on the shop tour or train ride (Kamloops will arrange for some of their branch members to watch the cars while tour participants are otherwise occupied.)