Thursday July 3rd
2014
Prince Rupert, BC –
Burns Lake, BC
305 miles, 6 hours 36 minutes
336 miles, 5:50 am – 6:17 pm
In Canada, again. We were on the beginning of the line
for the customs. Some questions (where from, fire arms) and
apparently I looked nervous and J. was asked about being refused an
entry to Canada before, or working there – strange. The car in
front of us got searched some (couple of minutes). We entered Canada.
Small town of Prince Rupert at 4:21 am – quiet, empty, and sleepy.
We parked by some small city park and took a nap (sort of). It was
too early so we just kind of waited and waited (and possibly fell
asleep for a minute or two). Around six o'clock we drove to the gas
station and got coffee. It was time to drive east – home. Partly
cloudy. The road was following river, the landscape was getting
better and better: river, forest, and mountains with snowy peaks. It
was quite remarkable. Few stops along the way but nothing special,
rest stops, few houses, or some industrial stuff (railroad). Town of
Terrace. Not much really – we found Tim Horton's and got breakfast
and more coffee. We were still quite tired and ready for a real bed.
Quick drive through the town. Back on the road. Hazeltown –
settlement along the main road (the top speed limit was 60 miles per
hour, mostly 55 miles). Detour north to the Ksan museum and village
(recreated village of First nation) – totem poles and some closed
buildings.
Great weather and very interesting display. Apparently
when the totem poles is taken down, it cannot be raised again because
its spirit is gone. Further north was a normal village with about 15
totem poles – some were quite simple. The site looked more “real”.
Drive back to main road. Stop along the way to eat. Great view of the
canyon, river, and mountains around. So beautiful. It was interesting
to see how time was flying – it was supposed to be a short day (300
miles or so), but it was past midday and we were more than 140 miles
away from our destination (what was going on???). Morrice town with a
beautiful canyon – fishing spot for native people, later an example
of government and “new people” changing the country. It is still
very beautiful place. Town of Smithers – the brochures promised
cobble stone streets – the closest we could find were sidewalks
with paving stones. Nice town but nothing special. Nearby was a park
with twin falls – uphill drive, short walk, and two waterfalls
leaking from the glacier. Nice site. J. was getting more and more
tired. Town of Houston – she got her pressed penny at the visitor
center, we saw the biggest fly fishing pole there (big statue in the
town), and we had an hour left to Burns Lake. Drive and drive.
Amazing landscape. J. was really happy to see a bed.
