Musings #8

Not sure what date exactly - what fun to not be ruled by a calendar!!!!

Camped for a couple of days in Surry which is right outside Vancouver.  The campground was one of the best - spotless, well kept and beautifully landscaped.

Vancouver is an easy town to get around and we figured out the "sky train" which can take us all over the city.  Checked out the harbour which is quite beautiful and then walked to Chinatown, then walked to Gaslight Village where we had dinner in an Irish Pub - had pub grub (pot pie - yum was great).  Gaslight Village was hopping - very crowded with young folk drinking and dining.  Realized later that it was Cinco de Mayo and everyone used it as an excuse to party.

Next day took one of those hop on hop off trolleys for a tour of the city.  Went to a park - the flowers were wonderful.  There were cycle paths throughout and being a Sunday and the sun was shining (which is a rarity) most of the Vancouverans were out and enjoying it.

We toured a chinese scholar's house and garden - very pretty.

Vancouver and Victoria were really nice cities to visit.  I had heard so much about them and they lived up to their reputations.

May 7

Leaving Surry on our way to Cache Creek.  What should have been an easy run between these towns turned out to be quite an ordeal.  The main roads in BC so far are 4 lane and well paved even though they are winding..  BUT we hit an accident and they diverted us by back roads to Kamloops (love that name) which was 80 miles out of our way.  This little road followed a river through the hills and was definitely 2-handed driving.  Naturally it was my turn to drive.  We were both exhausted.  Another long, long driving day tomorrow to Prince George.  Be glad to leave this campground.  Not the best.  It is still early in the tourist season and some of these campgrounds are not up to par for the season yet.

Lots of farms and lots of little calves.

Early spring here - trees just beginning to bud and no tulips or daffodils out yet.

An observation - I am amazed at how many people are living in campers both in campgrounds and out in the country.  Wow - the economy must still be really bad.

May 8

Brrr, cold this Morning in Prince George, BC.  Started out bright and sunny then cloudy, then snow flurries.  Went to the Canada Superstore which is a lot like Sam's Club but mostly groceries.  The tour company told us to stock up here as the first couple of towns on the Alaska tour would be small with limited shopping.

Now it is not quite hailing, but round and white spots coming down.  Looks like those dippin' dots ice cream.

Hand made sign "Give 'er a Yank Towing Company

Snow squalls off and on all day with a lot of signs "Caution Moose Crossing" but havn't seen any.

Wow - got even colder - 36 degrees and gusty.  Brrrr.  No leaves or buds on trees here and no roadside flowers.  Think we're in for a chilly night - we have been giving the fireplace a workout and have been covering the bedroom windows with towels. 

Interesting - except for Prince George, the past several hundred miles or so have been so completely empty - you do see some houses and small farms but except for the logging industry what would employ people here?  Sometimes we are the only vehicle on the road.

Saw a combination restaurant and bowling lanes - looked like it might have 2 lanes and 5 tables.

May 9

The campground was very basic - just power - no water or sewer - but nice and grassy and we backed right up to the river and were only one of three campers. 

Funny, the one of those campers knocked on our door and it turns out they were the people camped next us in Santa Fe that we were chatting with a bit.  They are from Maine and are on their way to Alaska also.  So we invited them in and spent the evening getting to know them better.  She's a quilter so I showed her my bedspread.  Got their e-mails and hope to see them again down the road.

Tomorrow we're on the way to Hazleton where we will join the Alaska Caravan and start the next leg of our adventure.  Woo Hoo!

May 10

Wow!  Didn't realize last night in all the dreary weather that we have a glacier view!  Gorgeous, breathtaking.  Camera just doesn't capture it.

Oh Boy it is sunny and cold (32 degrees) this AM.  On our way to Hazelton and with all the snow we got yesterday and last night all the mountains (8,000 and 9,000 feet) surrounding us have lots and lots of snow.

Some hearty soul is golfing in Smithers in 41 degree weather.  Avoiding the crowds?

We're driving on Route 16 from Prince George called the Yellowhead Highway through a beautiful valley surrounded by huge mountains.  Our camp host was telling me he was driving a logging truck on this road in winter and a moose was wandering down the middle of the road.  He had nowhere to pass him as there was ten feet of snow piled up on each side of the road.  He inched past the moose but apparently the moose got pissed off and charged the fellow behind him.  The other fellow was not appreciative.

Most of the few houses we see have wood-burning stoves and big stacks of firewood.  I can see why. 

Very spotty phone reception since Vancouver so mostly our phones are off.

Just passed a black bear on the side of the road.  Darn!! Not enough time to grab the camera.

Yea!  Turned off for the campground.  Eeek! have to go over a long one lane metal bridge.  Tight squeeze.

This campground is beautiful.  Open and grassy but the view of the river and mountains are really worth the trip.  Wow.

OK, time to meet the other folks and get equipped and ready for the grand start of the caravan tour on Sunday.

more later.