Leaving town

The last of the tourists and seasonal residents are pulling out as the leaves change and the snow creeps closer.

Lake view, early autumn

Autumn colour

Autumn colour is subtler in the boreal forest than in the temperate deciduous region I grew up in. But even on a dreary rainy mid-fall day it's there.

Early fall trees

The birches have turned, but the larches will be another couple of weeks at least. There's lots of fresh snow on the glacier, and a dusting on the ground. Winter is mustering his forces on the mountain tops.

K&S Railway at Payne Siding

This hike takes you up high above the junction of Kane, Sandon and Carpenter Creeks. The views are fantastic, but beneath your feet there are things just as interesting -- such as snow in early October, and the corduroy impression of long-removed railway ties of the K&S Railway, cast in relief by the snow.

Garlic display

Red hardneck rocambole varieties, especially Russian Red, were the big sellers at the Garlic Festival.

Soap

As a region the BC interior must have a lot of dirty people. There are sure a lot of soapworks companies! (Actually I think it may be that sales of antibacterial plastic-bottled Lever body-cleaning products are lower.) At any rate, I love the look of stacks of natural multi-hued bars of soap. There were several such booths at the Garlic Festival.

Crowds

This photo shows about 10% of the Annual Hills Garlic Festival. It's really really big for a village of 600 residents.

Garlic Festival

One little town, one day, scores of vendors, live entertainment, food, garlic, six thousand people, lots of garlic and other beautiful produce as well as a zillion handicrafts and food items.

Gazebo skylight

Gazebo

A gazebo was built at Centennial Park in New Denver this year. Hand-crafted, with incredible attention to detail. Throughout the summer it has played host to the Art in the Park program for young children.

Fallen trees at the Kohan

A couple of cottonwoods and a couple of smaller cedars came down at the Kohan Garden. Definitive cleanup will probably happen at Wednesday evening's weekly volunteer workbee.

Sit at your own risk

A ferocious windstorm brought down dozens of trees around town, including many giant cottonwoods and cedars along the lakefront. Several fell on trailers, sheds, campers and atop or near houses but no one was injured. Beneath this one is the remains of a park bench.

Zen world fusion under the trees

A new constellation of local musicians have been jamming a new kind of music and this weekend they put on a performance at the Kohan Garden. It was the place to be. Small people, tall people, old people, young people, shorts & tank top people, long skirt people, local people, former local people, visitors from afar. Almost as much a social event as a musical one, but the music was great too.

School garden

This new green space adjacent to the preschool and primary classrooms grows herbs, veggies and a wide variety of colourful and interesting plants. During the summer it's maintained mostly by volunteers.

Cello with limbs

It's music school time again. Pedestrian traffic can look a little unique.

Smoky haze

Smoke

Wildfires 75 km to the north have put a haze in the air, making the mountain peaks and ridges barely visible. They're dropping ash on everything, and giving the sunlight a curious orangey-yellow cast.

Fishing

Garden Bench

Shade

On the heat of a late July day, visitors to the Kohan Garden can find shade and peacefulness alongside the lakeshore.

Kohan Entryway Roof Detail

Detail of timber joinery inside the entry hut at the Kohan Garden.

Kohan Garden Entry

Street faire

Besides the weekly farmers' market, New Denver hosts an annual street faire attracting flea market, antique, jewelry, imports and clothing vendors.

Fingland Cabin Blacksmith Tools

The Fingland Cabin in Silverton was the home and blacksmithy of Fred Fingland. It's a log cabin that was built in 1896 and restored by the local historical society. It's operated as a part-time museum by the society, with occasional blacksmithing demonstrations during holiday celebrations.

Bridge over Silverton Creek

The main highway bridge in the community of Silverton, spanning Silverton Creek.

Valhalla Pure

Valhalla Pure is a sporting goods retailer with 17 retail locations across western Canada. The owner has had this property in New Denver since he started the company. The name Valhalla Pure was inspired by the Valhalla Mtn. range visible across the lake. The store is only open May through September but it carries a great range of quality clothing and gear. The chain-wide seconds and remainders arrive here in boxes once the tourists have gone home and on a little-publicized Saturday in the fall the locals have a field day picking through bins and scooping up amazing deals.

The same bench can be seen in a wintry west-facing view in this entry.

Dusk at the lake

Canada Day

Canada Day Dog Show

With prizes for "cutest dog," "best trick," "worst dog breath" and "best hang-dog expression," the Annual Canada Day Community Dog Show is always a hit.