Land of 41 Breathtaking Waterfalls and Counting Wells Gray is not as highly acclaimed as Mount Robson or the national parks in the Canadian Rockies. But, having been there, I have no idea why. I mean…this place is awesome! Wells Gray has something to offer every outdoor interest: lush alpine meadows; excellent birding and wildlife viewing opportunities; hiking; boating; canoeing; and kayaking. Guiding businesses offer horseback riding, canoeing, whitewater rafting, fishing and hiking. The history enthusiast can learn about the early homesteaders, trappers and prospectors, or about the natural forces that produced Wells Gray’s many volcanoes, waterfalls, mineral springs and glaciers. Many people head toWells Gray for the lakes, but there are also more than 40 named waterfalls in the park. Many of these are in remote corners of the park, but eight of them are easy to reach from the Clearwater Valley Road. So, you might be wondering: Why are there so many waterfalls in the same small area? And how did they form? It turns out that the waterfalls in Wells Gray use the same secret formula as another favourite waterfall destination, Iceland: volcanoes + glaciers = waterfall magic. RV Lifestyle The wholeWells Gray area is part of a massive volcanic complex that dumped lava over the landscape, which hardened into lava rock called basalt. During the last ice age, glaciers covered the basalt. When the volcanoes erupted underneath the glaciers, the ice melted, causing huge floods that carved deep river canyons. Seven of the park’s waterfalls originate on the MurtleRiver, but perhaps none ismore famous than Helmcken Falls… the very reasonWells Gray Park exists. The fourth-largest waterfall in Canada, Helmcken cascades 140 metres to the canyon below. The fact that you can access it just steps from the road is really an added bonus. The viewing platform hangs over the lip of the canyon, providing a panoramic view of the Murtle River tumbling in the distance. For an up-close-and-personal view of the falls, strike out on a one-hour hike along the Rim Trail, where you’ll find waterfall views seen mostly by birds. This Way to the Little Creamery Founded in 1907 as the Brenham Creamery Company, Blue Bell began its operation by making butter. In 1911, ice cream for local consumption began production. Ice cream distribution was limited to the small town of Brenham in the Brazos River country of south-central Texas about 110 km west of Houston. As transportation improved, distribution expanded. The company name was changed to Blue Bell Creameries in honour of a Texas wildflower in 1930. A reproduction of one of the first route trucks, a 1932 Ford, sits outside of company headquarters. The rest is history! Blue Bell ice cream flavours are often the exciting grand finale to any celebration. The products are now sold in 22 states, according to its website. That’s quite a change for a company that still promotes itself as a small-town business selling a locally produced product. “We eat all we can and sell the rest,” one of the company’s favourite marketing slogans says. The century-old, Brenham-born brand offers a wide variety of ice creams, sherbets and frozen snacks. Ice cream flavours include 25 classic year-round options such as cookie two-step, mint chocolate chip and pistachio almond. There are also rotational, limited-time flavours including fudge brownie decadence, spiced pumpkin pecan and confetti cake. And yes, I’ve tried them all! 30 | www.snowbirds.org
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