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June 25, 2005
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Today we will drive the much-dreaded “Cassiar Highway”. We had a lots of controversial information about this road. Some said that we should take extra gas and tires, some that it was Ok just watch out for the unpaved areas and so on. After some research on the internet and compiling all the info from those who have been on it, we decided to take a chance and go on this road instead of the Alcan. So, with maps, info and all gassed up we started on this dubious road. |
| We thought we would not meet anyone so we started to count the cars that passed us from the opposite direction. Soon we gave up, as there were more cars, trucks and campers on this road than on the Alcan. Also there were at least three places where one could get gas, some B&B, camp ground motels etc. So, it was not a road in Outer Mongolia after all. Yes there were pot holes, but not more so that on the Alcan, far less towns or communities, but plenty of rest stops, poties, and even some tourist shops. |
| The weather was good most of the time, although we got a couple of showers but not too bad. We ate at the Tanzila river Lions campground. Even came across a glacier right by the road side. Went to shop at Jade City and I ended up with a set of jade earrings and a necklace. |
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June 26, 2005
| Today is the last leg of the Cassiar with a little side trip to Stewart. We woke up to beautiful sunshine and I promptly took my camera for a walk around the Bell II compound, documenting the buildings and the lay of the land. |
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Leaving our Inn after breakfast and about after an hour’s drive we got to the 37A turn off. What a road! Glaciers coming right down to the road! The Bear Glacier had a little emerald lake with ice chunks on it. What a site! Beautiful scenic drive! |
| Stewart was rather quaint with old but colorful buildings. We even met with the owners of the Ripley Creek in who gave us some info about the road ahead. They also had some chickens and cocks and a baby Canada gosling on their yard. We had coffee and doughnuts at the local bakery and walked out on a boardwalk over the receding fiord. Later we drove over to Haider Alaska which is indeed a ghost town with just a few still functioning buildings. A few miles up the road there is an elaborate bear viewing area, but no bears! |
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Our drive back to the Cassiar was sprinkled with rain showers and our car starting to look rather well traveled. We had lunch by the glacier’s picnic tables but no view. I guess when they built the rest site they could still see the glacier, but it must have receded since. We had plenty of mosquitoes and this must have been our fastest lunch yet. Otherwise we would been on the menu!
Arrived to our hotel the Hudson Bay lodge in Smitters in good time but my email reservation was not received by them. Rather they did not check their email…
No problem because they still had room for us. We checked in then had dinner immediately as a big busload of German tourist just arrived. My dinner was quite awful and I sent it back. They treated us for free desert and did not charge us for the errant dish.
Once in our room I made reservations for our hotels in Vancouver and Victoria. Also researched the ferry rides to and from Victoria. All looks good. So, early to bed as tomorrow will be a hard day’s driving.
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June 27, 2005
Driving day! No side trips or sightseeing just driving, from Smitters to Cache Creek. At Prince George, we washed the mud of the car and went shopping for lunch and breakfast stuff. We had lunch at the Fort Park where for a change we were not bothered by mosquitoes or gnats. We had some rain, some sunshine, some work in progress unpaved parts of route 97, and plenty of logging trucks and other vehicles that we kept passing. Rather a mundane day but we made the drive in good time and checked into our favorite place at Cache Creek, at the Bonaparte Inn, right next to the creek by the same name. We had a mediocre diner at the Bear Claw, with bad wine. After diner I updated our trip sheet and off to bed. |
June 28, 2005
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We are getting an early start, even though today’s ride to Vancouver is only about 200 miles or so. Our drive takes us through the Fraiser River gorge once again, and it is still just awesome. The car got once again real mucky from the road construction sites and washing it was a real waist of time! |
| Vancouver is indeed a big city. Driving through town to Stanley Park got us into some real traffic. This town seems to be bigger every time I come here. Trude really liked Stanley Park. Not surprisingly it is my favorite site around here. Their collection of Totem Poles is something to be seen. We drove around first, then took the freebee buss around the park then walked some. Checked into our Holiday inn around 5:30pm, and found out that we got upgraded to a suite. What a treat, terry robes, two rooms, two baths, and couch etc. great location, just what we missed from our trip. Nice, Nice Nice! |
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Took a buss to walk on the waterfront and checked out the cruise ship terminal and the IMAX theatre which were not quite finished yet when I was here last time. The place is quite grand, and very interesting. |
| Walked to Gastown and had dinner at the same Greek restaurant as I had last time with Colette. Still there, still good. Walked back all the way to the hotel, but mostly because we were too lazy to go over one block to Granville and take the buss. No logic in that but after Trude’s two martinis and my margarita we were happy and indeed in need of a walk. On our way home we heard some music and to our surprise there was a square dance event by the UBC on Howe Street. |
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About 50 elderly couples dancing away to the caller, with the women dressed up in country style skirts and blouses and the gents in casuals. Quite a treat, we just sat there enjoying the merriment. Afterwards we stayed up quite late and enjoying our suite!
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