A Trip to the Interior!

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of going on a road/camping trip to Lac Le Jeune, in British Columbia's Southern Interior. On the way there, we decided to take the slightly longer and scenic Fraser Canyon route. This route passes through the  stunning Fraser Canyon, where steep mountain faces have been carved out over thousands of years by the forces of Canada's second largest river. This is a truly breathtaking route that takes you through many tunnels running under steep cliff faces and introduces you to plants such as Horsebrush,  Sagebrush, and Ponderosa Pine. These plants are able to survive in these hot and dry parts of the province.
As you drive along this route, you pass by pretty old towns that were established during the Fraser River Gold Rush of the mid 19th century. As we were passing through these beautiful towns and landscapes, I couldn't help but think that it is in these areas that atrocities against  Indigenous took place. As settlers and prospectors moved up the Canyon, there was significant violence against Indigenous peoples and many smallpox epidemics broke out, some of which killed upwards of 70% of Indigenous peoples in the region. I believe that it is our responsibility to understand and be educated on the past and present injustices towards the Indigenous peoples of British Columbia and beyond so that we can work together to create a better future.
As we reached the town of Lytton, a town that often registers the hottest temperatures in Canada, we caught a glimpse of the confluence of the Thompson and Fraser River. As these rivers meet, the distinct  colour of the rivers becomes clear, with the Thompson's blue water meeting with the greener, brown water of the Fraser. While filling up for gas in Kamloops, I spotted a small group of Black-billed Magpies. These striking birds belong to the same family as Crows, Jays, and Ravens. With their long tails and dazzling plumage these birds, that are not found on the coast, were a pleasure to watch. Once we arrived at our campground at Lac Le Jeune Provincial Park, South of Kamloops, we set a fire and enjoyed marshmallows and the calls of Common Loons coming from the lake. The next day, we met up with friends for a hike at nearby Stake Lake and its surrounding cross country ski trails. Turkey Vultures soared above while Dark-eyed Junco's chirped away in the forest. Upon arrival back at the campground, I ventured to the lake and spotted an American Pipit feeding along the lake's edge. This bird wasn't shy as I advanced in front of it and it continued to walk straight towards me coming to within 10 feet. A picturesque sunset  over the lake was the perfect way to spend our last night in the Interior. The next morning, we left and this time took the more direct Coquihalla highway. In Merritt, we stopped in a dry grassland and I snapped a few shots of the flowering Horsebrush. These plants are perfectly adapted to preserving precious water in a dry climate with their thin leaves coated with small hairs pointing upwards reducing their overall surface area to the harsh sun.
What a wonderful trip it was!