Funky Junk Interiors

When I glanced outside this AM, I noticed the clouds moved in. Going out onto the patio with my first coffee of the day, the air was crisp!

How can that be? Yesterday was one of the hottest days we’ve had this summer yet!

Signs that summer is coming to a close are looming ahead. Can you feel it too?

My home inside showcases this as well. On cloudy days, I’ve ripped the house apart working on things. I’m painting my entire upstairs white-white, and my TV dresser still hasn’t been reloaded yet, with towering stacked baskets loaded with… sigh… stuff I need to go through. It’s memory stuff so it will take awhile. Hence the delay for a ‘rainy day’.

So with nothing fun DIY wise to show yet, I thought I’d take you on a little trip back to Hope, when I stayed at my cabin in the woods. Extending the stay from 2 days to 5 gave me extra time to strike out like a local, taking more new stuff in.

And here’s what I did…

Hope Cinema

When I was moseying around town one of those days, I walked past the old movie theatre. Whenever I’ve stayed around Hope, it was always short enough to ensure I stayed outdoors, not in. However with a little more time on my hands, I wanted to try some new things.

Plus… Pirates was playing! How could I go wrong?!

I did not know what to expect. Turns out, this move was VERY right.

The theatre is original, folks. Inside and out! With one massive exception. It’s outfitted with a state of the art movie system, so you are getting a slice of old school with all the best perks!

The theatre is GORGEOUS! When nighttime approaches, you are treated to all the original neon lights that illuminate the indoors and outdoors. DO take your time walking out after the show is over. The inside will blow your mind.

Plus, the popcorn is the best. They use real butter so it’s the kind that slightly saturates the popcorn making it mushy… it was SO good!

And I kinda loved there was only one show playing and only open certain hours and days. Way to make sure to fill up those seats!

It honestly felt like I was watching a movie in some far off place. Such a treat!

Put this on your must-visit list if you go!

P.S. They only take cash. Luckily there’s a bank machine right across the road.

Oh goodness, I love this small town so.

Memorial Park

And don’t you worry if you get to that cute theatre surrounded by tall mountains on the quiet main street. The park is right across the road, so you can enjoy your surroundings in sun or shade.

I LOVE this park!

It’s really beautiful. The tall trees make it feel like you’re in a sun filled chunk of forest.

Worth getting to the theatre early for.

Flood Falls

Furthering my quest to seek out new stuff, I found Flood Falls to not be very far away. Well… this sounds like a little adventure right up my alley!

The trail into the falls was so pretty! I lost the trail a little here and there, however it isn’t that long, so it was easy to find it again.

The trail meandered through barren paths, to dry rock rivers, and dense forest. It’s an easy walk, however it is all on an incline, and not suitable for bikes.

I’m always busy bike rating a trail…

And then…

There it is!

The water was down to a trickle apparently, but still pretty all the same.

There is nothing like the natural sound of falling water! Nothing!

So I grabbed a nearby rock to sit on to just take in the moment to listen.

Folks were swimming around the pool down below, however it wasn’t something I’d do. It looked pretty stagnant, probably due to the current low water flow.

Word has it that the falls can even stop completely if the summer is dry enough, so going earlier in the year to see this appears to be key.

The little drive and hike was well worth the stop! I could see this being gorgeous in spring… bring a backpack and thermos of coffee I say!

A double culvert trail under the highway

One of the pulls of going to Hope is that a few family members have just moved there. With my sister having just purchased her home, I just had to spec it out. Lovely area and house!

Outside of her complex was a little parking area in front of a mini forest. And straight ahead was this culvert tunnel. 

I didn’t really pay attention to it until two bikes whizzed by me down that little lane right through it. DING DING DING! Where a bike goes, I must follow with mine!

I had loaded my bike in the back of the truck, so I yanked it out and took off to… culvert land.

If you look carefully, you can see the other culvert inside this one. How weird to be riding underneath the highway! Kinda freaky but neat at the same time.

I had to duck my head down a little as I rode through. And then a big semi runs right over me. Creepy.

So, this trail does a few different things. If you stay on the culvert side of the train tracks, you are taken through a remote like driveway that leads to the river or highway. Lots of river goers use this path for a remote river front experience. So my seester, you are close to water!

Should you cross the train tracks, you are on one of the quietest roads on earth with a bridge and meandering country roads that work around the river.

Not one car drove by.

I’m loving Hope more every minute… it’s a very BC, Canada mountains and river kinda experience.

Othello Tunnels

Being that my cabin stay was right next to the Othello Tunnels, I took my bike through the route every AM and PM.

I know I’ve chatted about this before, but every time I go through these tunnels, it always feels like the first time. Breathtaking views filled with ravines and gorges.

The canyon is just so spectacular!

And not to be missed, (which some people do!) is the trail walk beyond the tunnels which is part of the Kettle Valley Trail. 

Keep going! It’ll offer you one of the most beautiful walks or bike rides ever.

The trail beyond is on a slight down-cline, so you only have to work hard if (ahem) you’re trying to come back up again.

The Kettle Valley Trail starts at the Othello Tunnels then ends way into town by Thrasher Creek. Check out the trail maps. Doing the entire run is on my bucket list… as soon as I round up someone to pick me up at the bottom! 

Eco Retreat

And of course, most of you will remember my MUSSSST stay at Eco Retreat. It’s a B&B nestled right beside the Othello Tunnels along the river that offers you a full-on glamping experience. You really won’t even want to leave the property!

You can read more about my Othello cabin stay HERE, and my big cabin stay HERE.

The nearby Alexandria Bridge

And not to be missed is the trip to the old Alexandria Bridge turned walking path, about an hour east of Hope. The sights in this post are incredible!

And you’ll also get a peek at my newest fav junk haunt in the world, and a peek at Lake of the Woods.

Kinda goes without saying, this little sleepy mountain town has kinda stolen my heart.

And yes, I have looked at houses and cabins along the river for sale.

Who knows! I sure don’t. But it’s nice to know I can visit my beloved Hope (and family) within an hour from my front door regardless…

Visit all my other Hope sights HERE