Cheap Gas

No, not here.
In the U.S.A.

A short trip to WA state last week proves that British Columbians pay $5.23 a gallon for regular gas compared to $2.77 a gallon in Washington state (Omak).

The cheapest Canadian station was at $1.195. 
Everywhere else in B.C. we are now paying $137.9 for regular gas.

Filling the Tacoma at home now costs about $80.00, compared to the Omak fill-up at just over $40.00.  That's cheap, even with the currency exchange rate.

1 litre gas Cdn $1.379 = .264172 US gallons.

U.S. $2.77/gallon

Omak is growing, and no longer the little town known for annual horse races down a steep hill.

I had an hour to kill so drove around the older parts of town, admiring the 40's and 50's "retiree" homes, and their well-cared for gardens and shrubs.

Like Vernon, B.C., growth appears to be concentrated at the North end of town, with new malls (Wal-Mart, J.C. Penney, and a small Sears store etc.).

And just like in Vernon, it means the demise of part of the old downtown, with its empty storefronts.  Wenatchee is another example of the old downtown's demise.

Empty storefronts and quiet streets in the "old" downtown

There are many, many small businesses:  sheet metal and paint shops, recreation shops, beauty salons, farm and feed supply, car dealerships, tractor and recreation vehicle repair, and many old smaller motels.

Some of the nicest buildings are public works facilities including a small water utility.

I like the brick post office and the old fire station at the edge of the park along the Okanogan river.

Post Office

old fire station

Another sign of the times is the old theatre (pictured below), as much a victim of Netflix as age:

the old theatre

The drive from Vernon via Hwy 97S is a true joy for anyone who loves geology (as I do).

Having read much about the end of the last Ice Age (especially from Dr. Murray Roed's excellent studies), my travels invariably have me thinking of glacial outflows and how ice pressed and scraped the myriad rock formations and shapes, all the way from Penticton through Oliver and into Washington State.  Glacial Lake Penticton had me spellbound, and I've loved rock formations ever since.

There's so much to see when heading south on Hwy 97 from Vernon through Washington State.

And I see something new every time I venture south on that highway.