End of the Road

This is the final week of our journey to the north.  We left Kitimat and lazily headed east.   It was going to be an easy drive home and perhaps along the way we would find clear skies!

Our first stop was Hazelton, BC and area.  Actually there is Hazelton and New Hazelton.  The original Hazelton is much the same as it was with many of the buildings still the same. 

It was a major transportation stop along the river.  We then crossed Hagwilget canyon on a one-lane suspension bridge - rather interesting I must say - on the way to Ksan.  Ksan is a historical village and museum which replicates an ancient Gitxsan village.

Suspension Bridge

Hagwilget Canyon

Many of the towns along the Yellowhead highway in BC have lovely signs to welcome one to their community. 

Here is a sample of the entrance to Vanderhoof which is right next to a terrific little museum.  They have restored several buildings including an old hotel and have done an amazing job.  So often you can look into the rooms but are not allowed to enter them.  In these buildings, you can go into each and every room - what a treat.

Just west of Burns Lake, BC we cam across a couple of fellows who  had a plan to canoe across Canada and down to Florida.  One young fellow was from Australia and the other was from Victoria.  They were just getting to the top of six mile hill.  We stopped to chat and they needed some water.  We replenished all their containers of water.  They rely on the rivers and streams for water and there is none on the hills. Their plan was to enter the water near Burns Lake, and they would be able to mostly travel by water to Winnipeg and then down to Florida.  I will have to track their progress on the their facebook page.

We stopped at several visitor centres  as they are a great source of information as well as at numerous rest areas.  I must compliment British Columbia as they have visitor centres in most towns and rest areas are not very far apart.  There is always an area to stop and have a break and every one of them have garbage cans.  The visitor centre at Hazelton had some neat statues depicting some local history. 

Then we came across as rest area that had a terrific boardwalk through a rain forest.

We often stayed at BC recreation sites.  There are quite a number of them, often on a lake, all free, sometimes free firewood and while some are better than others, generally they are all terrific.  Our last night was at one just outside of McBride.  It was on a great lake but it also seemed to be a real frog hatchery.  The edge of the water was black with polliwogs and tiny frogs - you couldn't walk without stepping on them - I stayed away!!

Baby Frogs

Tadpoles

On our way through, there really was some spectacular scenery.  Our last night was in Alberta near Innisfree.  What a great view!

Our View

Our trip north has come to an end.    It was a trip of 12,300 kms, one state, three provinces, and two territories.  There really was some unbelievable scenery - the northern tundra, the Canadian shield, the mountains, the valleys, the rivers, and two oceans. 

Mount Robson

The weather started hot but changed quickly.  Very few days were not cloudy and most days we had some moisture - sometimes a few drops, and sometimes, a steady rain.  A sweater was pretty well part of my attire; however, on the most part, it didn't stop us from doing anything or going anywhere!

I would like to thank those of you that took the time to make a comment or two - I appreciate hearing from you!

Thanks for following our journey.  It is time to take a break but I will be back the end of October as we head south for another trip.  Have  a great summer!!