May 19, 2024 - Day 20

 I forgot to mention yesterday that reality went against history and we actually did see some wildlife on the way in to Stewart. I forgot because I did not get any photos so it kind of makes me think it didn't happen. The speed limit is 100 on Highway 37 so by the time the beasty is spotted, I stop, turn the car around and go back three transports have passed and scared the poor thing away. First was the moose. I actually did take a very distant, very blurry shot (not worth posting) - it would be easier for you to find Waldo in my shot than the moose. Shortly thereafter we saw two bears in two different locations - same story with the traffic and the same results; though in these cases there are not even any bad photos. So here it is, my record of my wildlife sightings yesterday.

They talk a lot about bears up here so after yesterday's experience we couldn't resist getting this for Karen. It's for Karen because she'll wear it as a night shirt thus getting good use from it.

I mentioned yesterday I expected to see horses in this turn of the century frontier town. Sadly I cannot get that far back in time but this brought me a little closer - no horses just horsepower.

There's a nearly kilometre long boardwalk called the Estuary Boardwalk. It takes you out into the eco-zone protected and inhabited by local birds and plants. Nothing terribly unusual there but the background was certainly a pleasant addition to the walk.

After lunch we decided to take a walk to Alaska. It's an 8 kilometre return trip; we could have driven but we weren't sure if our rental policy allowed it. Flashback to a similar experience we had with Karen and Murray in 2012 on our trip to Arizona. We weren't sure what the policy did and did not allow so avoiding an errant trip into Utah we walked just to set foot in the state.

It's a bit odd; you can walk or drive freely into the US, no check points or stopping required but you cannot return without the proper procedure. Don't forget your passport!

Hyder, Alaska is an old gold mine town that has certainly seen better days. Referred to as a ghost town, it certainly is. The only thing open was a gift shop so we bought some fudge to keep everyone happy - especially us.

I'm so rarely in the photos - just had to prove I was there.

Time to start making our way back south tomorrow.  😞

May 18, 2024 - Day 19

We left New Hazelton headed for Stewart, a small BC town on the Alaskan border. We stopped to take a photo of this sign and a woman offered to take one of us - thank you, people are so nice.

As we passed the Junction at highway 37 and 37a we found where some of BCs biggest and most beautiful mountains are. This was the only time today the sun was out so nicely. Talk about lucky. It's hard to put this beauty into words. Stunning!

The toe of it is in BC with the balance in Alaska; no matter how you express it, it's an impressive sight. 

The Bear Glacier about 40 kilometres before you reach Stewart, BC.

Stewart welcomed us with an interesting sign. It was so nice we decided to have our lunch there.

We're staying at the Ripley Creek Inn, an accommodation consisting of 20 something rooms spread over several period buildings. Very different and very cool. Internet is hourly so I have to hurry. 

Guess I won't need to set that alarm...the neighbours should take care of that.

Our room is rather cool but it's a good thing that sofa is there because as soon as you step into the room the floor slopes steeply toward the window. The couch effectively provides a soft landing.

Somewhere along the line I swear we made a wrong turn and ended up in the 1890s. Where are all the horses? It feels like we're in an old western epic. Gorgeous town.  😎

Pretty busy eh? Don't worry it will get busier as evening approaches.

May 17, 2024 - Day 18

The weather looked pretty iffy again but if it's like yesterday we'll get some breaks. With that in mind we headed out early for the Hagwilget Canyon. They say the view from the bridge and of the bridge is not to be missed.  

The peaks of the surrounding mountains are made of hard granite rock, which resists erosion relative to other rocks. Of the peaks visible here only the tops of two mountain ranges are sharp and irregular, indicating that they alone rose above the highest limits of the last Ice Age. Reading the interpretive signs really does give the illusion of intelligence.  😅

I'm used to seeing the odd homestead with an abandoned car or two in the front yard. This guy takes things to extremes. The guy walking his dog owns the only operable vehicle in this photo - none of the others are going anywhere soon.

There's what looked like (and was) an interesting pair of hiking trails about a kilometre from our hotel so after lunch and a short nap we walked over to the trailhead. The bear warning caught our attention right away but history dictates there is not a chance one will be anywhere to be seen while we're around.

The Waterfall Trail was not bad until the end then it became rather steep and rocky with several fallen trees to climb over. As is usually the case, the reward awaited us at the end.

Then there was the Lookout Trail. It was not a hill climb; it rose steeply and steadily along a rough, rocky, rooty trail straight up to the top of a mountain. Karen wisely (given her medical history) decided to stop and turn around at the half way point. I demonstrated no such intelligence. Was it worth it? Maybe - I must say it was a nice view of the town of Hazelton - that's our hotel in the upper left third of the photo.

So should a 72-year-old man in moderate shape at best be doing this? I guess I really am growing older but not up. Perhaps the tee shirt I changed into after a shower upon our return to the hotel says it best.

Tomorrow we'll be leaving for a two night stay in Stewart, the northernmost point we'll get to in BC on this trip. Hang with us - this is fun yes?

 

May 16, 2024 - Day 17

Today was a smorgasbord of all that BC has to offer in springtime mountain weather. Our journey started early in the rain but as we left Vanderhoof behind the clouds started to separate and the sun peeked through.

As we rose higher into the mountains the weather became more varied...and the scenery became more beautiful.

The culmination of the weather game was early winter - wet snow, sleet and hail! Just a little something to make the day more interesting.

The scenery peaked as we peeked upon entering Smithers. The traffic was a little nuts; wasn't expecting that. Where are all these people going...and where the hell did they come from? None of them were here as we entered the town.

We are staying in New Hazelton. Or is it Hazelton? It's all a blur. Our "mountain view" is partially obstructed by what I'm sure one day will be a low housing development. We're here for two nights so I sure hope tomorrow brings some decent, stable weather.

May 15, 2024 - Day 16

 After a fabulous waffle and bacon breakfast we left Dave and Christy's just after 10AM. On the road again...a great song and even better sentiment marred today by what can only be described as crappy weather. For the first time this trip it rained the entire time we were driving. I'm guessing there were some gorgeous views out there amongst the rain, cloud and mist.

We landed at the Siesta Inn in Vanderhoof (I'm not making these names up). It is so dated it's cool. Definitely reminds me of Route 66. 

We were alone when we arrived...sadly that ended rather quickly.

We have had a couple of stays on this trip where the deadbolt lock on the door did not work. So imagine my surprise when I saw this indescribable system. I have stayed in hundreds of hotels and motels over the last 60+ years and have never seen anything like this. As I said...Route 66.

The motel comes with an unexpected bonus. There is a train that I swear runs through the back of our room bringing with it an unbelievably loud horn and a rumbling not unlike a 5 on the Richter scale earthquake. That should disrupt my sleep faster and more frequently than my crushing calf cramps.

Stay with us, we're still having a ball.

May 14, 2024 - Day 15

 We have reached the half way point of the trip and this was a good way to celebrate it. Much of BC has a place in history for a gold rush, like so many places in Canada. The Bullion Pit Mine was an inspiring story of man's tenacity for extracting wealth from the ground in his search for gold. Although it was threatening rain and indeed did rain that did not spoil our day in any way.

The town of Likely is located where Quesnel Lake empties into the Quesnel River and is one of the few remaining Cariboo Gold Rush settlements. The descent from there to Quesnel Forks is a rugged ride down a steep 2 kilometre long gravel/dirt road.

Quesnel Forks is a ghost town in the Cariboo Region of BC. It is located at the junction of the Quesnel and Cariboo Rivers and is a very interesting, educational representation of the Gold Rush in general but the Chinese immigrant involvement in particular.

The restored pioneer buildings and historic cemetery are there to be explored. I found that very appropriate because when we were in Haida Gwaii with Dave and Christy in 2018 I dubbed us collectively the explorers.

I suppose I was a little larger in stature than the great people who helped build this country of ours.

Sadly, tomorrow we'll be leaving Dave and Christy. We cannot thank them enough for making our three days with them magical. We are headed for points north - exactly where remains to be seen - not even we know at the moment. I can only promise it will be an enjoyable journey.

May 13- 2024 - Day 14

 This is the first day the weather has not been perfect since we were on Vancouver Island a week ago. The morning was overcast and cool, the afternoon brought a bit of rain and of course by day's end the sun returned (though it was still cool). It gave us the opportunity to spend some time in this little BC paradise Dave and Christy call home.

We were able to take advantage for a nice hike, No need to do anything formal, just walk out the door and the woods and trails are waiting.

Tomorrow the plan is to hop in the cars and do some exploring. Hoping for a little bit nicer weather.

May 12, 2024 - Day 13

 I'll begin by wishing a very Happy Mother's Day to one and all. We have been looking forward to this part of the trip very much as we will be spending 3 nights with our friends Dave and Christy. Dave, Karen and I went to high school together so that's a friendship forged in time. I know I've said it in my journal numerous times, so now on the blog Old Friends Are The Best Friends...and that has nothing to do with chronological age.

The drive to their beautiful home in Rose Lake was enjoyable as all legs of this journey have been so far. We left 100 Mile House around noon but had to visit the town murals first. I find that a fascinating part of Canadiana.

We see so little wildlife when we travel it's always a thrill when it happens - even if it's in a residential area, as was the case here in 108 Mile House.

The 108 Mile House Heritage Site is another wonderful Gold Rush tale come to life. These locations make learning fun even if you're not a history buff.

We arrived in Rose Lake at Dave and Christy's place about mid-afternoon. What a beautiful spot! This is their view down to the lake. Karen and Christy got caught up while Dave and I did the same.

May 11, 2024 - Day 12

 Another somewhat crazy day proving something I have said for many years, that being that GPS systems are not always the saviour some believe. We left Cache Creek and came upon a rather interesting location for a wrecker...

The town of Clinton is kind of a wannabe Route 66 full of antique and memorability shops complete with the gimmicky things to suck in the gullible public. C'mon I couldn't resist,

And now the GPS story. We were searching for a natural phenomenon called the Chasm. The GPS in our rental Hyundai was our first attempt at locating it. It came so close, turning us off the road about a kilometre from the Chasm. That was a pleasant drive through basically crown land and forest. Okay, so we'll try Apple Car Play on my phone. I have no idea what it was trying to do but we were guided on an amazing, beautiful drive through the lower ranch properties. The perfect weather day made this two hour side trip an absolute joy. 

It was so remote we stopped to eat our lunch and take a bio break in the middle of the road. Wow, that's what great road trips are all about.

I decided third time would be the charm so shut off all GPS' and followed a somewhat hidden sign on the highway touting the Chasm in 7 kilometres. It was correct to the metre and we settled back to view what we had searched for all morning.

No matter how long or short the drive, I'm always happy to land at a new abode. This is in 100 Mile House...what's wrong with that boy?!