The following pictures are all from the Thompson Valley in south central British Columbia, centered around the small town of Ashcroft. Here, there are several dry semi-desert valleys that are the northern most extension of the Great Basin desert to the south.
Here one can find cactus, sagebrush, rattle snakes, gopher snakes, small scorpions and other such wildlife associated with warm dry ecosystems.
This particular valley arguably has the hottest summers in Canada, with temperatures often exceeding 35 C (96 F) during the day, and sometimes reaching above 40 C (104 F). Summers are long and hot and winters are brief (only lasting 2 months) and are relatively mild to Canadian standards (The coldest month of January has an average temp of -2 to -5 C within these valleys) Spring starts early, and fall lingers long. Many winters have very little snow fall in the valley bottoms.
Trivia: Ashcroft is where the filmed the "Mexico" scenes of the new A-Team movie (along with other surrounding areas in the Thompson Valley)
As I took these pics the current temp was a hot 35!
Here is highway 97 C which goes right through Ashcroft
The semi-desert Landscape found in Elephant Hills Provincial Park
The sagebrush and desert flowers in the wind
The sun getting lower in the sky
The beautiful barren landscape
Prickly Pear Cactus
A Dirt Devil, a common site in arid regions
A small creek running through the hills brings water
The dry hills
Just add water!
Coming into Ashcroft itself along Highway 97 C. It is along the shores of the Thompson River
Looking at the north shore of town
The town flag!
The Highway 97 C bridge over the Thomspn River
The CP railway tracks and the Thompson River from the bridge (looking east) This river is a popular river rafting destination.
A good way to celebrate grad
Cross roads
The River Side Hotel!
And last but not least, main street Ashcroft looking west
Thank you for looking!
Here is my flickr address:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30634635@N03/page2/
Cheers!