Another warm day. I rose at 5:30 and left Yahk PP at 6:45. I started the morning not sure of how far I would ride/where I would end up — partly based on the disturbed sleep of the night before. I was buoyed by the impending site of the Rockies, something I not experienced since 2001. I entered the ‘Mountain Time’ zone at 7:40/8:40am, and soon after passed the sign welcoming travelers to the Rockiy Mountains district.

I left myself go back to several times this morning, given the previous day. I rose at 6:45, had packed up camp and was leaving New Key's Place (see photo) in an hour. It was a pleasant ride in the morning, having set off before most of the holiday makers were on the roads. I snapped a couple of pics of Kootenay Lake, which reminded me a little of my ride along the westen edge of Cayuga Lake back in July 06. My memories of that day are more pleasant —most likely as I had had several days rest and was refreshed before setting out.

I was up early, hoping to make Paulson Summit before the heat set in. My plans were to head for Nelson, somewhere I had always wanted to visit, if I could make it that far and take my first rest day. It turned into a very long day!

If yesterday was a tough day, today was not the most enjoyable. The distance ridden was not large, and the climb quite gentle, but it was very hot, with the heat hitting as I closed in on Grand Forks. Today surpassed the heat of the previous day. I did get to finish with a swim in Christina Lake, which aided in my (mental and physical) recovering.