After the ride up through the Palouse, through Metaline and Metaline Falls, after playing 50 questions with the inquisitive Canadian Customs Officer, we headed for Nelson, BC. A little known fact is that Nelson was the filming location for Steve Martin's 1987 film, "Roxanne." Of course, the town is nothing like what is portrayed in the movie, but nevertheless it's an interesting smallish town surrounded by tall peaks lying at the south end of Kootenay Lake. After a stop at a very disappointing grocery store, it was on to find a campground. I'd found Toad Rock Motorcycle Campground online. It lies halfway between Balfour and Ainsworth Hot Springs, just off BC 31.
The camp
ground is run by Mary, who owns the property. One of her memorable sayings is "If it doesn't thrive on neglect, it doesn't belong here." The camp is on a large parcel of land and has wooded and open sites. There is a newish washroom with toilets, showers and sinks. Scattered throughout the property are "accommodations" for those who don't want to tent it. There are little cabins as well as a late
'60s vintage VW bus, complete with painted-on flowers (more on this in a bit).
Mary says she's owned the property since 1974, but it has the feel of an old 1960's commune (please don't ask me how I know that). At any rate, the other guests, most if not all on motorcycles, were a well behaved bunch. There is even a camp dog - Dick - who made a show of begging food while we cooked out dinner. Only problem was Dick, a Boston Terrier, enjoyed barking the better part of the night. We consoled ourselves with the thought that he was keeping the bears away from camp. In the morning, Mary was unapologetic. Dick, she said, was just "doing his job."
The most unique element of Toad Rock is the common area. There is an open pavilion with a bar, refrigerator, coffee maker, piano, pool table and various and sundry other items to lend ambiance. When I asked about snow, the response was they get "just about the right amount - 4' - enough to cover the chores." My inquiry about whether Mary closed up the buildings in the winter led to the "if it doesn't thrive on neglect..." quote. So, herewith, some photos from Toad Rock:
And finally, about the aforementioned VW Bus. . . Saturday morning, the Pup said he wanted his picture taken in front of the bus. The site was occupied, but no problem, the residents were apparently absent. Pup got up on the deck in front of the bus and we snapped his photo (I'll have to find that photo and post it later). As we were doing this, I noticed movement inside, behind the curtain, and out popped this woman who had slept in the bus the night before and had been dressing. She was not amused. We defused the situation and learned that her name was Christine and she was from LA. She was riding with her brother Steve, who was from Colville. The two others in the party were Mark and his wife Leslie, from Deer Park. As it happened, we met up with them at the ferry dock and ended up sharing two camping sites with them in Revelstoke. They were great folks who generously shared their sites at the campground, which was otherwise full, with us.
If you're on the road near Balfour, BC or Ainsworth Hot Springs and want an unusual camping experience, check out Toad Rock. Just bring ear plugs, cause Dick will keep you up half the night.
ground is run by Mary, who owns the property. One of her memorable sayings is "If it doesn't thrive on neglect, it doesn't belong here." The camp is on a large parcel of land and has wooded and open sites. There is a newish washroom with toilets, showers and sinks. Scattered throughout the property are "accommodations" for those who don't want to tent it. There are little cabins as well as a late
'60s vintage VW bus, complete with painted-on flowers (more on this in a bit).
Mary says she's owned the property since 1974, but it has the feel of an old 1960's commune (please don't ask me how I know that). At any rate, the other guests, most if not all on motorcycles, were a well behaved bunch. There is even a camp dog - Dick - who made a show of begging food while we cooked out dinner. Only problem was Dick, a Boston Terrier, enjoyed barking the better part of the night. We consoled ourselves with the thought that he was keeping the bears away from camp. In the morning, Mary was unapologetic. Dick, she said, was just "doing his job."
The most unique element of Toad Rock is the common area. There is an open pavilion with a bar, refrigerator, coffee maker, piano, pool table and various and sundry other items to lend ambiance. When I asked about snow, the response was they get "just about the right amount - 4' - enough to cover the chores." My inquiry about whether Mary closed up the buildings in the winter led to the "if it doesn't thrive on neglect..." quote. So, herewith, some photos from Toad Rock:
And finally, about the aforementioned VW Bus. . . Saturday morning, the Pup said he wanted his picture taken in front of the bus. The site was occupied, but no problem, the residents were apparently absent. Pup got up on the deck in front of the bus and we snapped his photo (I'll have to find that photo and post it later). As we were doing this, I noticed movement inside, behind the curtain, and out popped this woman who had slept in the bus the night before and had been dressing. She was not amused. We defused the situation and learned that her name was Christine and she was from LA. She was riding with her brother Steve, who was from Colville. The two others in the party were Mark and his wife Leslie, from Deer Park. As it happened, we met up with them at the ferry dock and ended up sharing two camping sites with them in Revelstoke. They were great folks who generously shared their sites at the campground, which was otherwise full, with us.
If you're on the road near Balfour, BC or Ainsworth Hot Springs and want an unusual camping experience, check out Toad Rock. Just bring ear plugs, cause Dick will keep you up half the night.
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