Living the Dream...: Sunday, August 7, 2011 (Jimsmith Lake Provincial Park, Cranbrook, BC)

We were up and on our way to Kimberley by 9:30 this morning. It was another beautiful day...blue sky and sunshine...gotta like it!! We parked the truck in a parking lot behind the Visitors Centre...it ended up being a good central place where we could walk from.

After a stop at the Visitors Centre, we walked a short distance to Kimberley’s Underground Mining Railway www.kumr.ca .

We purchased our tickets...the next tour was in about 20 minutes and then wandered around until it was time to board the train. We went out to take a look at the Caboose...

The train...

The trip starts with a scenic ride in the Mark Creek Valley...including a running commentary on Kimberley’s history.

And then the train goes into an underground tunnel where we got off and learned all about mining from a fellow who had worked in the mine for over 34 years...I believe his name was Bill Roberts. He was great...he has even written a book filled with stories of his life working in the underground mine. The Sullivan Mine was the largest lead and zinc mine in North America and after 92 years of active production, the Sullivan Mine was closed in 2001.

He explained how the explosives were placed...

He took us inside a Refuge Room...and explained all of the safety equipment and how these areas were used in case of an emergency...

Then we carried on into another area where he showed how the rock is moved...

Time to get back on the train...these pictures were taken in the tunnel by the train...

Once back on the train, we carried on to another stop—The Sullivan Mine Powerhouse—for another guided tour with the same fellow...who had changed and driven down and was there waiting to greet us.

This is a punch-in time clock used at the mine...in the early days...

All sorts of mining artefacts...(that is the train in the background)...

Old Mining Camp Tents...they slept in these in the summer and winter!

These are old trains that were used to transport workers into the mine...

We arrived back at the station just after 12:30...it had been a very interesting tour...much more that what I had been expecting. After disembarking from the train, we went over to explore the Orpheum Theatre and the North Star Schoolhouse....

Now it was time to go to The Platzl—Kimberley’s Bavarian-themed t-shaped pedestrian mall full of shops and restaurants. On Sunday mornings, The Platzl hosts a summer market where local artisans, artists, vegetable growers and crafters display their wares. It was pretty quiet when we walked through...but it was a little late for the market since it was now after 1:00.

It was time for lunch so we checked out a couple of places and decided on Chez Bernard`s. It was okay...but not great and as we walked by another spot on the way back to the truck, we wished we had tried it instead. Although we sat outside...Steve took pictures inside...it is quite a unique spot...

I had to pay a quarter to have this fellow come out of the coo-coo clock...apparently, it is the largest coo-coo clock in North America...

On the way back to Cranbrook, we stopped at Marysville Falls. A lovely walk along the river to beautiful Falls...

...and the grand finalle...

This shot is taken at the top of falls...

After stopping to fuel up, we were back home just before 4:00...wow...that had been a fast...but very enjoyable...day!

After dinner, Steve packed up some things outside while I cleaned up inside. Then we went for a final walk around the campground and the beach. Before heading inside for the night, we stopped next door to chat with Duncan and Beverly. They were also leaving tomorrow...we got them to pose for a picture...