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                           THE 
                            THOMPSON-NICOLA BC NATURE TOUR 
                             
                            2 to 3 days  
                          Your 
                            journey to Spences 
                            Bridge along Highway 1 east takes you 
                            through the Fraser 
                            Canyon, British Columbia's premier 
                            river-rafting country. At Spences Bridge, you will 
                            turn onto BC Highway 8, towards Merritt. 
                            This is prime farming and ranching country and the 
                            beauty is well worth the drive. Take a stop at the 
                            N'kwala Forest Recreation Site, approximately 46 km 
                            (28 miles) from Spences Bridge. 
                          
      Merritt 
        is best known for the Merritt Music festival, which takes place in the 
        Summer. From Merritt you will take Highway 5a, another scenic, tranquil 
        drive that winds along the border of Nicola Lake. Great fishing opportunities 
        abound here.  
      
         
          | Mountainfest: 
            BC's Premier 4-day outdoor concert event. July 9-12th 2009 | 
         
         
          | Mountainfest 
            2009!! - Join Paul Brandt, Jo Dee Messina, the Steve Miller 
            Band, Kenny Chesney, Emerson Drive and more at the 17th annual Merritt 
            Mountainfest. Reserved Seating, Full Event and Single Day tickets, 
            reserved camping, as well as VIP upgrades are all available. | 
         
       
      
                             
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                                 Kamloops 
                                  Lake  
                                  Photo Courtesy of Tourism British Columbia 
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                          Quilchena 
                            Hotel was built in 1908 as a midpoint stop for travellers 
                            journeying between the towns of Nicola and Kamloops. 
                            Open during the summer months, it is a great location 
                            for a casual pub lunch, or a more formal dinner in 
                            its main dining room. 
                          At 
                            the north end of Nicola 
                            Lake is a favourite location for migratory 
                            waterfowl. There are several parks in the areas that 
                            are favourites for boaters and birdwatchers. Mineral 
                            Hill, near Stump 
                            Lake (45 km/28 miles from Merritt) 
                            offers cross country skiing. 
                          Kamloops 
                            (50 km/31 miles from Merritt) is a great place for 
                            heritage walking tours. Visit the Rocky Mountain Rangers 
                            Museum, or take in some fishing in one of the 200 
                            lakes in the Kamloops region. 
                          
                             
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                                 Hiking 
                                  in BC. 
                                  Photo Courtesy of Tourism British Columbia 
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                          Heading 
                            west on Highway 1, you will turn off on Highway 5 
                            (Coquihalla Highway) south, and continue until you 
                            come to exit 336, the access to Meadow Creek, Logan 
                            Lake/Lac Le Jeune Road. Follow the signs to Logan 
                            Lake. Camping opportunities abound 
                            in this area, and there is no lack of freshwater lakes 
                            to visit.  
                          Your 
                            tour continues west past the Highland Valley Copper 
                            Mine to Ashcroft 
                            (60km/38 miles from Logan Lake). The road descends 
                            steeply as it approaches Ashcroft, 
                            located at the base of a large valley, on the Thompson 
                            River. Be sure to visit the Ashcroft 
                            Manor, located on Highway 1 on the west end of town. 
                          Spences 
                            Bridge is approximately 30 km/19 south of Ashcroft, 
                            home of the big horn sheep. Keep an eye out for them 
                            and watch your speed in this area. The sheep live 
                            in the cliffs above the town, but often come down 
                            to the river for water. 
                          From 
                            Spences Bridge Highway 1 takes you back towards Hope 
                            and the Vancouver area.  
                          Be 
                            sure to browse the Points of Interest: 
                          
                          Read 
                            a Travelog:  
                          
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