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In the 1980's, I travelled back and forth to the Kootenays quite a bit via my favourite route -Cherryville to the Needles Ferry. In those days, one would reach the summit travelling on a two lane road, that wound itself around massive bolders near the crest of the summit. Pristine White Mountain Goat stood upon the bolders like Mountain Gods.

The road is now four lanes through the Summit, which certainly benefits transportation in and out of the Slocan Valley - but to have seen and experienced the old road, that was something out of another time and place, while in my own Canada.

The first time I drove up the New Denver/Silverton Road (Hwy 6a), I came to a section in the road that was approx. 3 km long, 2000 ' above the valley floor, and the road, merely a single lane rock cliff that hugged the mountain rock wall. It too, is now a two lane highway.

And then there was the time that I ran into my mother's neighbours (who live in Ottawa) at the Fauquier Ferry (Needles) - just goes to show how small this country can be.

I hope you enjoy.