Monday, September 5, 2016

ROAD TRIP TO PRINCE RUPERT BC



Published in 1979 this book travels with us on major road trips. It is filled with detailed maps (maybe outdated), and lively, informative clips featuring thousands of things to see and do along Canada's highways and byways.


We travelled with our 5th wheel trailer overnighting primarily in our provincial parks amongst a variety of forests from tall, rustling deciduous trees to dark evergreen rain forest, beside calm lakes and a rushing creek. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GREEN LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK - 70 MILE HOUSE
Sunrise



Our private beach






Sunset
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BARKERVILLE

Barkerville Historic Town stands a testament to BC's golden beginnings in the 1860's



BILLY BARKER telling us his story, a story of great riches and great loss.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FORT ST JAMES
STUART LAKE




FORT ST. JAMES NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OF CANADA

It was in 1806 that explorer Simon Fraser built the Stuart Lake Outpost among the Dakelh and Carrier First Nations People which later became the Hudson Bay Fur Trading Post. 
We enjoyed an interpretive tour of the fur warehouse, living quarters and trading store.
Wally is trying out the first lazy boy chair.



Time to watch a flock of birds tree hopping along the shore of Stuart Lake



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TYHEE LAKE  - SMITHERS



KLEANZA CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK - TERRACE

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------








'KSAN HISTORICAL VILLAGE  and MUSEUM - HAZELTON


The culture of the Gitxan First Nations People












OLD HAZELTON VILLAGE

Kispiox totem poles stand in the grass at the edge of the community where the Kispiox and Skeena rivers meet. Some of the totems date back to 1880. Carved with eagle, raven, frog, killer whale, bear, wolf and human figures the totems illustrate historical events of the Gitksan people







Hagwilget Canyon single lane suspension bridge built in 1932.


Bulkley River






-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KITIMAT


We kept our eyes pealed to spot a Kermode bear, also known as "Spirit Bear" in the Terrace/Kitimat region. The Kermode is a rare subspecies of the American Black Bear. Well, all we found was a mascot all painted up in ceremonial first nations garb.



Douglas Channel is a 90 Km inlet from the Pacific Ocean to Kitimat BC.

Little fir trees sprouting on a fishing relic












We found a beach in Kitimat where we quite happily spent an hour rock hounding. A chunky heart rock treasure was found!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PORT EDWARD



North Pacific Cannery established in 1889 and ran continuously for about 100 years, now a
National Historic site.






-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BUTZE RAPIDS


Butze rapids is a natural feature due to the ebb and flow of the tide around Kaien Island causing the narrow passage of water to reverse on each high and low tide. From our vantage point they didn't look too wild but a local kayaker told us they are a challenge.


The  5.4 Km loop trail took us through a second and old growth hemlock forest interspersed with muskeg bogs with bonsai type shore pines.

This is a "What can you find" puzzle
A bear, footprint, goat, otter, and even a heart!


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PRINCE RUPERT BC


I learned that Prince Rupert is on Kaien Island.
It is the second largest deep sea container port in BC.
It has a cruise ship terminal and a ferry terminal to Haida Gwaii,
It is the end of the Yellowhead Highway.

Having reached our road trip destination we took several days to enjoy the fresh sea air and sunshine, to watch the fishing boats coming and going and to eat fish and chips at this diner established in 1934.


We were in P Rupert on its finest day of summer so we went on a 'bucket list' adventure which I will write about tomorrow.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Homeward bound with gorgeous vistas around every turn in the road. Most of the scenery photos were 'drive by shootings' because the highway shoulders were too narrow to pull over.













There was a nip of fall in the air so a steaming cup of tea and one pot comfort food ( canned chicken, rice, corn and mushroom soup) was welcomed in our 5th wheel Komfort trailer.



Over 3000 Km in Beautiful British Columbia did not disappoint.






3 comments:

Shelley said...

Great photos!! So fun to see these after receiving your notes along the way. That one of Dad in the 'first lazy boy' is hilarious. Nicely improved since then! :)

edie said...

3000 KM of beauty, history, and finding treasures. You captured the beauty again with your camera.

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic road trip.

Catherine