September 13, 2019
Kuskanook Harbour and Boat Launch, BC –> Nelson, BC

Distance: 116.8km
Ave: 18.7km/h
Max: 58.5km/h

I was up with the sun and some rain this morning. I delayed leaving immediately, observing the antics of a pair of loons near “my” gazebo.

Despite this delay and a 15km hilly ride, I arrived at the Glass House a good 20 min before they opened at 9am. (Yep, I was too early – I hope you’re sitting down!)

The Glass House turned out to be a fascinatingly bizarre retirement home built in the 50s by a funeral home director. Disliking the idea of just throwing out all the bottles that embalming fluid was shipped in, he saved them up and used the bottles as the main construction material… cemented together by hand. He had no formal training in architecture, building, or rock work, but apparently an idea and enough skill and patience to figure it out! It’s an unusual place, shaped like a 3 leaf clover with patio, small bridge, mini turret etc. Apparently curious passers by started stopping and wanting tours pretty much as soon as construction started, so a ticket booth was included in the design. While some of the interior has been refitted over time, much of it smells and looks like my grandparents’ house (although this place has orange shag rather than orange plaid carpet!)

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Back on the road and working hard to make a ferry that would allow me time to make a side trip, I passed hoards of cyclists going the other way. It was fun to wave at my (unloaded) peers.

I made it to the ferry and after loading up on coffee and pastries, started for Ainsworth hot springs. 14km and 14$ later, I was soaking in the glorious pools and caves. I think it would be neat to stay overnight and go for a moonlit soak. However, I wanted to make it to Nelson, so I reluctantly climbed out and beetled off, trading the relaxing heat of the pools for the familiar heat of sweaty hill climbing.

Alice