Nelson, BC to Creston, BC
DATE: Friday, September 13
Broom Shop in Crawford Bay
DISTANCE: 77 miles / 124 km
Start elev. 1,831 ft., end 2,018 ft.
MAIN FEATURES: Ride on Osprey Ferry, Artisans at Crawford Bay, East Shore of Kootenay Lake and the Glass House
We will begin this day a little earlier than the rest, so that we can make sure everyone gets on the same ferry. It is a fairly easy 22 mile ride to the ferry landing at Balfour. There is a delicious bakery, restaurant and other shops to keep you busy. The ferry ride is the longest FREE ferry ride in the world and you will find a coffee shop and restrooms on board – sit back and enjoy the ride. After unloading on the other side of the lake in Kootenay Bay we have a monster of a climb (see the elevation map and remember our excellent support) before dropping back down into Crawford Bay. Here you will find several artisans that are worth stopping at and maybe taking home some of their wares. You will find a handweaver (softest garmets and throws), broom maker (think Harry Potter and Fiddler on the Roof), pottery (multiple shops), forge (everyday iron items) and more. Well worth the stop.
The Glass House
Most of the rest of the day you will wind your way along the east shore of Kootenay Lake where there are many beautiful vistas and photo opportunities. Be sure to stop at the Glass House! It is constructed of more than 500,000 discarded embalming fluid bottles. This square shaped bottle makes for a curiously beautiful home. Before you reach your destination, we will send you onto a secondary highway which drops down into the valley floor where you can view the Selkirk Mountains all the way from the ground up!
