Having arrived at our motel (VALHALLA) and with a pub next door called ODIN and amidst a lush mountainous misty cool valley one would be excused for thinking we were on a mythological Nordic journey. Not to be as we find ourselves in New Denver, BC Canada.

We had a number of ways to get to New Denver and chose north, driving along Kootenay Lake. It is a very long lake and we might have enjoyed the drive more if not for the rain and low mist around the hills/mountains. We drove as far north as Kaslo before heading west to the ghost town of Sandon. Sandon had been an old very successful silver mining town and the unofficial capital of an area known as Silvery Slocan,

The town began in 1891, was designated a city in 1898, burnt down in 1900, rebuilt somewhat, turned into a Japanese internment camp during WW2 then wiped out by a flood in 1955. With the main street built over a river it was probably no surprise that this eventually happened. A few buildings have (sort of) been restored and one of them turned into a museum with a wealth of information and stuff - most interesting. The town is now recognised as a true classic ghost town of the west. Too wet and chilly for any ghosts to appear while we were visiting.

Some of the interesting facts about Sandon during its height: It had 28 pubs, 29 hotels, 85 brothels, 3 churches, 2 newspapers, 1 school house, a hospital and a number of theatres.

After checking into our rustic time warp motel we went in search of a restaurant for dinner. Found one called "Rory's On Main" which was great. On arrival the blackboard claimed ":fine dining" so were somewhat surprised when the mains consisted of burgers, wraps and salads! Only open in the summer, and from 5pm - 9pm Thursdays to Sundays, we did managed to get in. In the high tourist season we suspect reservations would be necessary.

Leaving the next morning for Salmon Arm we called into the Japanese Internment Museum and Japanese gardens down by the lake. The Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre is located on the site of "The Orchard" internment centre of New Denver. In 3 of the original shacks it tells the story of 22,000 Japanese who were forcibly relocated by the Canadian Government after the attack on Pearl Harbour during WW2. Canadians would not consider this time to be one of their proud moments especially when the property and possessions of those interred were sold off at very low value. Furthermore the internment was done against recommendations made by the police and RCMP. Also most of the Japanese were 2nd and 3rd generation Canadians. One of those problems governments have - damned if you do and damned if you don't! The centre is a National Historical Site of Canada and well worth the visit.

Then it was just down the road to the Kohan (by the water) Japanese ornamental garden on the edge of Lake Slocan. Great location, beautiful and very peaceful. Put us in the right mood to begin our drive to Salmon Arm.