Day 34: Weather Concerns and Spokane

 Saturday, June 15

We woke up early to cross the Canadian border at Oroville WA and Osoyoos BC. The border guard was a bit condescending but we passed by with no issues. We then drove about an hour north to Penticton BC, where we stopped to get groceries and Canadian dollars. It was here that I checked the weather forecast for our ultimate destination of Banff, seven hours northeast. The weather was chilly and rainy for the next four days. It also predicted snow in the mountain passes that we had to traverse. Vanna does not do snow! So after much debate, we decided to head back to the US. We drove south on 97 and then east on 3 to Cascade, where the US body guard was even more discerning, making us open the back of the van and asking for and then questioning the validity of our registration. Anyway, we headed on 395S to Spokane WA, arriving around 4 PM. It rained on and off on the drive and the temperatures never left the 40s. Parking opposite City Hall and right by Riverfront Park, we explored the quaint park on foot. There were some interesting sculptures, a carrousel, bands and food trucks, the 1974 World's Fair Pavilion, and Upper and Lower Falls of the Spokane River. We enjoyed our time there and ducked into the Mall across the street while it rained (thunderstorm) and emerged to sunshine (but still cold temperatures). Then we drove a half hour or so south on I-90 to some BLM land, where we boondocked in the boonies.