Sept. 5th, 2008

Last night we took a detour off the highway to find a quiet campsite after having had such an awful time of it the night before with the trains. Green Lake Provincial Park campground is in a forest of aspen and birch, and not the most attractive place we've ever seen, but it was very peaceful, and when the darkness fell, it gave the illusion of privacy that the open setting didn't allude to in the daylight.  We had a nice fire, and a supper of canned beans and biscuits, and then we rushed into the tent because it started to rain.

It was still raining when we woke up this morning, so we packed up everything into the Tracker helter skelter and because the tent is soaked, we're planning on finding a motel tonight, which will suit me just fine; I could use a shower.  Alison hates the confinement of the little tent, and I like the convenience of how quickly I can put it up and take it down. Next year if we make such a trip again, we'll have to find a compromise to make both of us happy.

We just had breakfast in Kelly's Whistle Stop Cafe. What a great place! The food was excellent, and portioned just right for a couple of hungry and wet campers. Kelly, once she noticed we were interested in the old photographs on the wall, gave us a tour. She told us of the colourful history of Lone Butte, (barely a town now) about the old landmark hotel, (burned to the ground because of an accident cause by squatters) and the character who use to run the place. He was an ornery old cuss, served burnt apple pies and terrible food, and always politely asked if you wanted that with or without, which referred to the ashes of the cigar that hung constantly out of his mouth.  After the breakfast rush was over, we stood outside with the three of them, Kelly, Tracy and Betty, and it wasn't long before we all were laughing it up, as if Alison and I were a couple of good ol' friends.   Tracy told the story of how Kelly's mom, who she affectionately calls Mom, herself,  had mooned her one day in the cafe. The point of her story being how it made her feel right at home, and how you couldn't choose your family, but you could definitely choose your friends. 

Alison and I both feel like we found three friends that day at Kelly's Whistle Stop Cafe. If you're ever in Lone Butte, say hello to Kelly and the gang for us will you? and tell them that we're hoping to drop in again next year if we're in the area.

Finding no room available at either the Graham Inn or Tatla Lake Manor, we decided to continue on to Nimpo Lake, and with the hopes that no one was at the cabin, take possession of it a night early.