All text, photography and artwork is by GARY SIM unless
noted otherwise.
BC Historical Federation 2013 Conference Historic Grasslands
Conference poster with Sim Publishing logo (bronze sponsor).
Sheryl Salloum nominated me for the Certificate of Merit, and then I
found out that it was being awarded to me. So, I thought about going
to Kamloops to receive the award. After I decided to do that, I thought
that I should sign up for the whole conference, and make it more
worthwhile attending, so I did. Then, I thought about becoming a
sponsor of the event, even though it was relatively last minute, and
signed up as a bronze sponsor. This entitled me to such perks as having
my logo on the conference posters, programmes, and web site. The
photo above shows my logo on one of the large display boards.
Nicola Lake, driving up the old 5A from Merrit to Kamloops.
The weather turned good just as I was starting the week off, and it
continued to be hot (30 to 35 degrees C.) and sunny from Wednesday
to Friday. Saturday dawned cloudy and a few degrees cooler, which was
somewhat of a relief.
A happy Sim receives the B.C.
Historical FederationCERTIFICATE OF MERIT for his
BRITISH COLUMBIA ARTISTS project. I gave a
very short acceptance speech, along the lines of "Thank you very much
for this award. I've been researching the project for fifteen years,
writing it for ten years, have had six award nominations along
the way, and received one award. Thank you."
The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia is the Honorary Patron of
the Historical Federation. As it happens, her Honour is from Kamloops,
and attended the conference on Saturday. She gave a talk on the history
of the Guichon Ranch in the Nicola Valley, toured the book room, and
attended the Awards Banquet. In the photo above she's been going around
the room greeting attendees at the banquet, this was the third time we'd
spoken that day so it was a bit of "hello again" which we both
thought was funny.
The Lieutenant Governor and her military escort in the book room.
Photographer Derek Hayes on the left.
Two buildings at Tranquille, one of the conference field trips.
Antique car show at Tranquille, derelict building beyond.
Antique car show at Tranquille, derelict building beyond.
Looking down to Tranquille from lookout above Thompson River (in flood).
Part of the CN Rail yard in Kamloops, for the railway buffs.
Thompson River valley west of Kamloops.
Thompson River valley west of Kamloops.
This reminds me of the song about "little boxes
on the hillside" ... the boxes are much bigger now.
The grasslands south of Kamloops, on the way home.
Nicola Valley.
The drive back home on Sunday was relatively uneventful. I stopped
a number of times to take photographs, but ploughed straight through
once I passed Merrit. There were some showers going over the Coquihalla,
then dry from Hope onward. The changing clouds made for some
interesting pictures. In the photo below, the center span of the
"old" Port Mann bridge is visible on the right. The bridge has been
taken out of service and is actively being demolished. This is probably
the last time I'll see it.
Driving home over the new Port Mann bridge, the old bridge on the right
is being demolished.
