Kootenay Magic

Just over an hour away, and past the beautiful Moyie Lake, is Cranbrook. Home of the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel where you will find the only remaining set of passenger rail cars from Canadian Pacific's 1929 Trans Canada Limited. Other attractions in Cranbrook include South East British Columbia's oldest and largest historical structure, St. Eugene's Mission; Splash Zone Water Centre, a water playground for kids of all ages; and for those who want to see something a little different, why not pay a visit to the Aasland Museum of Taxidermy where you may be able to observe a taxidermist at his trade - watch out for the smell, it takes a little getting used to!

Approximately 10 minutes North of Cranbrook is Fort Steele. This is a great way to step back in time and experience life in a frontier fort. There are approximately 60 restored buildings - homes and businesses - at the Fort. Visit on a Sunday and you can attend a service at one of the churches. From wagon rides pulled by majestic Clydesdale horses, to a musical show at the Wild Horse Theatre, Fort Steele will appeal to young and old alike.

Another town well worth a visit is Kimberley. This is a little touch of Bavaria situated in the Rocky Mountains. The focus of the town is in the Platzl that is a picturesque shopping area. Put your money in the clock tower box and listen to the Bavarian guy yodel! In the winter, Kimberley offers a great ski-ing resort, or in the summer, ride the ski lift up the mountain, but instead of skis, take up a sledge and come back down on the alpine slide. Look out for the inquisitive gophers at the bottom!

An essay like this can only break the surface of what this region has to offer, and cannot do justice to the never-ending beauty of the scenery, or the friendliness of the people who live there, but I hope that it outlines some of what I think are the highlights of an enchanting area, and that it encourages you to explore Kootenay magic for yourself. Be careful though, you might find your spirit loves it there as much as mine and you'll never want to leave!

Katie-Anne Gustafsson is a Contributing Editor for the topics Vacation USA and Women's History. She is a freelance

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