The BC Small Town Vibe

During our ride across the United States, one of our favorite activities was staying in small towns. The interactions with the locals were always welcoming and friendly, and the conversations were rich, often filled with heartfelt kindness and generosity. This has also been true in all the small towns we have visited in British Columbia, especially in Hope, Princeton, and, yesterday, Summerland. 

Molly riding along the lake.

Last night, we relaxed at the Giant’s Head Brewery, where we enjoyed an excellent local blues musician while mingling with locals celebrating the start of their weekend. This morning, we had breakfast at a small family diner and discovered why families have remained in the area for generations. There is great pride in the town, its natural beauty, and, most importantly, a strong sense of community where people look out for each other and warmly welcome visitors. 

There’s a vibe in these small towns that’s difficult to put into words, but it feels free, safe, caring, and kind all at once. I have truly appreciated the small-town experiences on this ride, and I look forward to more.

Today's ride could never match yesterday’s epic journey, but it was certainly interesting. The highlight was riding along the shores of Okanagan Lake to Kelowna. However, we faced a rough patch when Molly got a significant puncture in her rear tire that didn’t seal and went completely flat. We managed to pull the bike safely behind the highway barrier, successfully plugged the tire, filled it with air, and continued on to Kelowna. 

Looking south along Hwy 97

Finally, we got off the highway and followed a network of trails and cycle paths into town, where we found a bike shop and replaced the tire, which was clearly on borrowed time.

Tomorrow, we’re taking a much-needed day off to rest, watch the 49ers (who will hopefully win their third straight game), and explore Kelowna. So, there will be no entry tomorrow.

Until Monday!