Sorrento to Sicamous - The Hills Return

Monday - July 8 - A mountain stage in Tour de France parlance....and it felt like it. 

The breaking camp process usually takes us about an hour. The sun comes up so early here that light is no issue.

There were plenty of distractions to give us an excuse to take a break.

God even sent his rays for good measure.

Looks like a painting but there was a lot of moisture in the air this morning. This is the Salmon Arm of Shuswap Lake.

We are entering Salmon Arm and a construction zone. Sounds like a good time for breakfast #2. Doug says, "How about something light like pie."

Thirty seconds later this sign appeared! Must be the right place.

We had 8 different fruit pies to choose from.

And what is peach/blackberry pie without ice cream even if it is before noon?
After we got back on the road, a very kind flagger held up traffic for us while we negotiated the sketchiest part of the construction zone.

Canoe Forest Products mill. They are using the lake to raft logs prior to milling. You can take the foresters out of the woods but taking the woods out of the foresters just doesn't happen.

Another chance/excuse to stop.

This particular section had a bit narrower shoulders than we've had so far. Donna is standing on top of some rocks so she could take the previous picture, being careful to look for snakes.

Her bike is waiting patiently for her to return.

Looking down Main St. in Sicamous, our destination for this fine day.

We explored the waterfront area which was nice. This rock statue is like the one we saw on the waterfront in Vancouver.

Our dinner spot, Moose Mulligan's Pub, included a TV that was showing the highlights from the first 9 stages of the Tour de France. We ate very slowwwwly.

Our bikes are built specifically for touring, and are designed and equipped to haul a load.. They are sturdy (heavy) and have low gearing.   Essentially they are the pickup truck of the bike world.  Camping gear is carried in the waterproof bag on top the rear rack: tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, etc. Bike clothes, rain gear, spare tire and tube, dishes and utensils are carried in the right rear pannier.  All off-bike clothes, electrical chargers, and pot and stove are carried in the left rear pannier.  The right front pannier holds tools, stove fuel, and misc. items.  The left front pannier is insulated and is used for food and extra drinks, usually Powerade.  All of the panniers are waterproof.  There are cages for 3 water bottles. All 3 may be needed at times.