Hixon, BC

Today was pretty uneventful. We covered about 230 miles mostly in light to moderate rain so scenery was at a minimum. We did accomplish two things today. We found a Boston Pizza in Williams Lake so lunch and dinner was a treat. Also, we were finally able to set our odometer correctly to correspond with "The MilePost 2016" guide book we had purchased for the trip. Once set properly, it was very easy to see where we were and the interesting sites along our route. 

We decided to spend the night in Hixon, a very small village 30 miles south of Prince George. Staying here with 500 people seemed better than Prince George with 85,000. Charlie and I took a nice walk on an ECO Trail next to the river and Karen stayed at home worrying about the two of us being eaten by a bear. Well, at least she was worried about Charlie. At the desk when we checked into this park the hostess told she had chased a bear from the campground with a garbage can lid and a wooden spoon this morning. They grow their women tough in this neck of the woods. Hell with a gun, just attack with a wooden spoon!

Our Hixon, BC campsite

A walk in the woods - lookout for bears!

Fork in the river

 

Charlie panning for gold

Let's play!

Cache Creek, BC

We decided to get a later start today so we could have some time to explore the quaint town of Hope before moving on down the road. Hope is the host to The International Chainsaw Carving Competition every two years (2015 being the last one). The streets are decorated with many of the previous pieces of art work. The statues are amazing. They also have a beautiful riverside park on the Fraser River and Hope is the site for the filming of Rambo: First Blood. Many store fronts from the movie are still here. 

We walked the streets and then headed out of town toward our planned stop at Hells Gate in the Fraser River Canyon. The road was sometimes narrow and steep, hanging on the edge of the cliffs with the river running wildly below. We found the parking lot for Hells Gate and also a sign informing us that the site was very DOG friendly. Charlie can be included in the 1,000’ decent to the river via the gondola ride and he doesn’t require an entrance fee! With very little coaxing, he hopped aboard the car with Karen, myself, and the rest of the tourists as we plunged into the gorge. He was very brave and I tried my best to not show him my concern. I am not a big fan of high places. At the bottom we toured the history exhibits and shopped in the gift store (Charlie included). I panned for gold but only found a few colorful stones and then off we went to the gondola for the ride back up the cliff.

This river gorge has been a route for the natives and early explorers for thousands of years. Rope ladders and hanging logs served as pathways along the cliffs for eons. Simon Fraser traveled the area and used the trail while exploring the Fraser River (odd that he found a river with the same name as his ;). He described it as a place where no human should venture and named it Hells Gate. The water this day was 146’ deep and can be over 200’ deep at flood stage. More water passes thru the gorge than goes over Niagara Falls. OK, enough history and hydrology info for one day. 

After leaving the canyon we followed the Fraser River north thru dry areas that reminded us of the views of eastern Washington. Sandstone, granite hills, sagebrush, and very little else can be found here. We found our way to Cache Creek and stayed overnight. It was a short mileage day but very scenic. Went to bed early with plans to cover more territory tomorrow. Hoping to get an early start.

P.S.   Not much humor today. I’m still recovering from that gondola ride L

River front park in Hope, BC

Chainsaw carving

Chainsaw carving

Chainsaw carving

Gondola ride

Frazer River and bridge below gondola

Photo taken from start of gondola descent

Hope, B. C.

Last night we had a bit of rain as we fell asleep but awoke this morning to bright blue skies. We are hoping this is an omen of good weather to come. After a ferry crossing from Port Townsend to Whidbey Island we took a quiet ride into Oak Harbor and our first coffee stop. Charlie has settled into a calm rider again but only after Karen showed him her alpha side. A little barking and growling from Karen and he figured out the deal.

We made a quick stop at Camping World for a few spare parts and then headed up I-5 to cross into Canada at the Sumas border crossing. The Canadian customs people are always so friendly. I had to explain to the customs guy why we had no bear protection with us. I told him Charlie and I could both out run Karen so we didn’t need bear spray. Ha Ha Charlie brought his Frisbee to the window thinking a stranger might want to play some catch. After a good laugh we are once again in Canada and headed to Abbotsford. Karen had a plan for a Costco stop (fun Canadian stuff) but in the last 18 years they had either moved the Costco store, moved the border crossing or moved the whole Canadian – US border as we could not find the store anywhere. The area didn’t look the same but again it had been 18 years – memory loss. ;) After a few minutes of complete confusion, we stumbled onto the road sign showing us the way to Hope. We joked that without that sign there was no hope. 

We arrived in Hope BC a couple hours’ sooner than I had expected and we were greeted with spectacular views of the Coast Mountain Range and the Fraser River.  We found a very nice, friendly campground (Coquihalla Campground) on the edge of Hope. It’s a Passport America park so we are already staying cheaply. Gotta love that. We realized today the one important thing we forgot to do before leaving home. They say not to leave home without your Visa Card but also don’t forget to let them know you are leaving the country. Their security department likes to know the card is being used by the owner. Fortunately, we were able to find an internet connection and do the notification on line. Things are now running smoothly. In all of our travels, this is the first time we forgot to notify the credit card company.

This area has a lot to see and do so we will spend tomorrow in this area and do some touristy stuff. First stop for me tomorrow will be a store that sells gold pans. This area had a gold rush in 1858 and hoping they missed a couple nuggets. Maybe strike it rich so I can afford the life style Karen has become accustomed to.;)

 

We managed to get Charlie to sit still for a selfie of the herd. See picture below.  Check the headlines tomorrow for news of a huge gold strike on the Fraser River.

Herd Selfie

View from our campsite

Coquihalla River

Coquihalla Campground