Day 8 July 9, 2024 Prince George British Columbia to Smithers British Columbia 234 miles
This room has a very unique bathroom wall. Normally it is clear glass so you can see in the bathroom from the rest of the space. When you close the bathroom door the wall clouds up so you can’t see through. Wonder what that cost them.
The hotel doesn’t provide breakfast because the restaurant is undergoing renovations. So after loading the car we headed for Connaught Hill Park which is very close by. We wind our way up the hill to the top. The views are terrific in all directions. Several types of trees provide lots of nice shade. We lulled into the parking lot and used the microwave to heat water for tea, coffee and instant oatmeal. John Taylor walked up and talked with us for quite awhile. Then the landscape crew drove up for a short visit. It was a very well maintained park.
Back down the hill and a quick stop for gas and ice. Then we are on our way. Late start for sure. It was about 9:30. Next to the road is a wide section of land where the trees have been removed. Most likely so you can see a deer, moose or bear in time to stop. Well we did see a black bear close to the trees. Unfortunately not in time for a photo Or a quick bite.
The landscape is mostly forest and grass hay fields. The pine forest has more birch trees mixed in. Sometimes the grass is being mowed, sometimes drying, sometimes baled and waiting for pickup. Big round bales, big rectangular bales and small rectangular bales. Some fields have multiple shapes. At the corner of a farm road a flat bed semi is stopped. On the ground to its right is a full load of grass hay. Other than one bale it is still perfectly stacked. We think the driver cut the corner and the load slid off.
We are still encountering lots of loaded logging trucks. In the town of Vanderhoof was a huge sawmill. There were stacks and stacks of what looked like 2x4s. Some have been there a long time and are looking a little warped. Now we know where Home Depot gets their lumber. At the end of the mill grounds are thousands of logs ready for processing.
Down the road we pulled into the small town of Fort Frazer. We parked on a back street in the shade and ate our picnic lunch. In order to get back on the road we went back near the only gas station so we filled again.
At the end of town construction crews are working on a bridge. Thankfully that didn’t slow us down much. Then came a slow vehicle sign. That means they are mowing the grass near the road.
A lake comes into view. Turns out this was the first of several. This is the Lake District. RV camping spots are along the way. We have observed that far more Canadians have campers on their pickups than do Americans.
A Mennonite Church sits beside the road. We haven’t seen any that we know of. I know there are some in Alberta where my cousins live.
Break time so we stopped at the A & W in Houston for a root beer. You will be glad to know that the Whistle Dog is back for a limited time. I think this applies only to Canada so if you want to try one you must go north. In case you don’t know what they are they are on a toasted bun with bacon, cheddar cheese and condiments. All this for $5.64 US. We did not try any. That would spoil our supper plans.
The grocery store was close by so we walked over to get cream cheese for our picnics and a salad kit for dinner. Plenty of choices except ice cream. The hot weather has had an effect On ice cream consumption.
One more bridge construction project before reaching our destination of Smithers. We got here about 5:00 pm. A little cooler here. Only mid 80s. We had no problem with the car overheating today. Oh, and Rob saw a big bear cut out of a big tree.
Spoffords Travel 