We left Anchorage a week ago tomorrow.
Got up
during the night and too many lights to see the sky. The beds are so comfy and we sleep for 9
hours. The host had a very high hot fire
going in the metal fire box on the first floor which he reduced around
10PM. We realized he had heated the whole
lodge with that fire and we didn’t need to have heat on in the room. In fact, we opened a window. The rooms had been recently remodeled with
nice touches and paint and flooring.
They have used burled wood logs as part of the split log stairway. A huge bison head watches over the stairs. Pat wanted to watch the new Great British
Baking show on her Netflix computer but all she can get is the Great Canadian
Baking Show. Same concept but Canadians
are so nice.
The alarm
went off at 7AM and already the lodge patrons were awake. One couple was on their way to a hunting
camp. There was dew last night, no
frost. The police who are staying in the lodge are actually Royal Canadian
Mounted Police, without horses. They are
wearing bullet proof vests and armed to the teeth. It’s hunting season and guns are
everywhere. We fix a light breakfast in
the shared kitchen and take off in sunshine.
Thank goodness the Shack is closed, probably creating a menu of food
they won’t have.
The Cassiar
is 95% good road. There are hairy spots in the northern section, the southern
section is very upgraded. Lots of lower
rolling mountains and good fall color.
Lots of signs warning of bears and caribou but no sightings. As we move southward there is a change in the
climate zone; types of trees and other flora and little fall color change. It is getting warmer and warmer. We stop at Meziadan Park, it is picture
perfect and we eat a light picnic. The
lake is blue green and the mountains form a backdrop. Great camping spot. Gold and silver mining are still very
prevalent and the First Nation natives have good educational stops for culture
including old and newer totems. We
actually see two black bears today along the road, there are salmon and other
fish for them and largest huckleberry patches in BC. The traffic on this portion of the highway is
much increased due to mining and with road improvements it is becoming a
trucking route for fuel and other goods going north. We are seeing higher peaks of the coastal
mountains with patches of snow from last winter and glaciated areas, there is
no new snow as of yet in lower elevations. The coastal mountains are highest
elevations and only let us peak at them.
On their west side is the ocean.
The Seven Sisters are a string of high pointed peaks with glacier and
impressive. In New Hazelton we pass a
secondary school just getting out for the day.
We did not see a lot of diversity they are of native decent. We have to drive over a lengthy one lane only
metal grated suspension bridge hanging over a deep gorge. Chuck hates heights but gets us through. The
very southern portion of the Cassiar is logging country with large rigs
carrying cut trees. They have a
replanting program and each cut area has a sign saying when it was cut and replanted. It is repetitious to keep noting the many
large rivers and streams we pass over, many are glacial. Mountains are majestic but water is king.
We turn onto
the Yellowknife Hwy going east. It is
nearly 70 degrees and the sun is very hot.
Locals say it is very unseasonable for them. We are staying at the Hudson Bay Best Western
in the town of Smithers. We have high
jagged mountain peaks on one side.
Smithers is a known all year outdoor sports for tourists. The downtown is done in alpine décor. The hotel rooms are well appointed and beds
are comfy. We are able to do a load of
laundry to keep up with the trip. We get
take out at the hotel’s sports bar. These places get full of travelers and so far,
we have managed to stay healthy. Good
local beer and deals on appetizers. Pat
gets mini-Yorkshire puddings loaded with roast beef, grilled onion and
horseradish sauce and artichoke/spinach dip.
Chuck gets dry rub ribs and bratwurst, onions and baked pretzel. All was good and a treat after a long day. We have not been snacking as we travel. An occasional small bag of trail mix but
nothing more between meals. Try to stay
hydrated but that means restroom stops; we are expert on roadside toilets,
mostly pit and rarely flush. Host says it will stay warm at least through
our next leg of the trip. We packed all
summer clothes deep into the car so will have to make do with heavier
clothes. We will stay in British
Columbia for another day and then into Alberta.
The time zone should remain the same. Assume it will get warmer as we move further
south. There’s a Tim Horton’s in town,
so we know where coffee and breakfast will be.
10 days to
go. Nighty night.
Total miles driven today: 386
Total miles driven: 1813
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