July 11 (Kasiks Wilderness Resort to Terrace, 38.00mi/61.15km) - Today wasn't too bad. Followed the skeena river you're still beautiful. The rivers and mountains are still gorgeous as all get-out. I finally came to Terrace, civilization. It was bigger than I had imagined it. I spotted a Denny's and dreamed of $4 all you can eat pancakes, but I passed on them because I was going to a warm showers host for the evening. But I did stop off at a McDonald's and had a Frappuccino and chilled for a while before riding over to my host's house and waiting in their backyard. I charge my phone, read some of my book and as I was cleaning my bike Ben rode up on his bike. Is a very nice fellow. Give me a pump to pump up my tires with and asked if there is anything else I needed. We shared a cherry cobbler As We Lay there in the grass. He and Meredith have an overabundance of cherries... They made a cherry pie which was great and had cherry tart. They are vegetarians so been made a salad and some delicious cooked veggies. They are very friendly couple. It was such a pleasure to get a shower and sleep in a bed again. It was my first bed since Campbell River. I signed at their guest book and gave them my blog address. Maybe I'll see them in Oregon one day and return the favor. Thanks again Ben and Meredith! Your hospitality in northern BC it's greatly appreciated!
July 12 (Terrace to Kitwanga, 63.11mi/101.56km) - Today was a long day but mostly flat with a few Short Hills thrown in for good measure... Following the Skeena River again. Beautiful views of mountains and snow-capped Peaks and lots of forests and Roads. I traveled by the Seven Sisters and came to Kitwanga, cussed at, "Get off the f---ing road a--hole." I said something back and he spun his tires driving off yelling obscenities. I don't understand people. How they aggravate me so. The mosquitoes are still here... And they brought friends. At Kitwanga Centennial Park, a free community campsite kept up by volunteers... I found my rest. More cities ought to have places like these! It should be free to sleep! Or right! Not a privilege! It is one of the Great phenomenons and aggravations of life. A guy here told me that I would be surprised how many cyclists come through here, most go north and south to and from Alaska... Last year he saw two guys do basically what I'm doing. The only difference was one was 67 and the other was 72! Age is just a number my friends.
I met a friendly family at the campsite here, Jacob and Jessica and their two sons Noah and Ezra, who are from the area, the Hazleton Area. They invited me to have some warm soup with them! It's always a pleasant surprise when kind strangers offer their services and open up. This is what Humanity should be about. Instead most seem to hide behind their homes, gas pedals, and garage doors. The sun sets after 10 here in the North... Craziness. I have to remind myself to sleep.
July 13 (Kitwanga to South Hazelton, 23.00mi/37.01km) - I slept in this morning and just kick back and relax a bit... It was sort of like a rest day for me, only about a two-hour ride to go... Easy... So I turn around and wrote some postcards, planned my route out and got ready for the day. At least gets home today from camp! Yay! She called me and we talked for a bit before I got on the road about noonish.
When I arrived and found Chappell Road Scott Parker was there to greet me. You showed me around. He has a huge house secluded in the countryside away from everything and everyone. He told me it helps with his anxiety. He's very friendly and eccentric man. He lives with three cats. The funny and strange thing was that he grew up in Salem, Oregon. We talked quite a bit about that. His parents moved away and he moved to Canada about 11 years ago. Currently he has no ties to Salem anymore. He told me he lived near Bush Park in the South Salem area, went to Leslie Middle School and his dad worked in transit in the Salem-Keizer schools for a while. It sure is a small world out here. Who knew I would meet someone in northern BC out in the middle of seemingly nowhere who grew up in my hometown?!
I enjoyed our time together and wish I could could have spent more time. Is Waterton at work a whole lot in his place... He had some issues. So the shower wasn't the best but he was fun to talk to. He used to be a runner and he made some spicy Ramen for dinner in addition to some orange juice! I slept very well that night.
July 14 (South Hazelton to Telkwa, 65.16mi/104.86km) - This was a long and hot day. I didn't start until about 9:30 a.m. I filled my water at Subway in new Hazleton and road to Moricetown... keeping on pedaling up those Hills. Keeping the perfect circles rolling. The Sun is hot and I am sunburned.
Forest turned into farmland. It is fun to see the transformation of the landscape. I arrived to Smithers at last. I got some drinks, ice cream and then it was on to Telkwa. After a bit I finally found Rainbow Park with a bicycle on the sign indicating bicycle hospitality is present. I arrived after 7 p.m. John my host and his son-in-law Vance welcomed me. They are very kind and hospitable and were intrigued in my journey. They have an awesome cabin here that they use as a kind of bike hostel. Inside they have tools, Dry Goods, Maps, a guest book, couple beds and a small refrigerator... Everything a cyclist needs. Very nice indeed...
Going to lay down and do some journaling, Johnson things down, rest my achilles because that's been giving me some grief. My Achilles began to flare up again earlier today. I had to get out my brace. I'm off to bed now. Believe it or not tomorrow will be an even longer day. Enjoying resting...
July 15 (Telkwa to Burns Lake, 80.72mi/129.90km) - 80 miles today! I got up early to beat the Heat. I arrived to Hungry Hill after 15 miles of a straight ascent. The road went in one straight line up and up for a couple hundred meters... I learned about why it is called Hungry Hill and where they killed some Phantom Grizzlies a while back... Over a thousand pound Grizzlies. Was very interesting. After that there were more endless Rolling Hills and farms and forests. I passed through Houston, ate lunch and after 50 miles I came to 6 Mile Hill which is an 8% grade straight up... This has got to be the hardest Hill of my trip so far... Most likely because I'm so tired already. Alas, I press on... There is no rest for the weary I suppose...
I am sweating out of every pore in my body-
At long last I reach Burns Lake. My host live at the top of this huge hill... Go figure, they all do. What a lovely way to end an 80-mile day! I am exhausted. Jay and his family or sweet and very accommodating. They were all happy to have me despite being quite new to hosting. set me up downstairs and heated me up some dinner. Jay is mainly a mountain biker himself and he and his family were watching some mountain bike races and following the World Cup at the same time. Oh what goes on in the world while I'm traveling... I decided to take a shower after I ate and also try to plan some more of my trip going further okay.. Specifically be on Prince George. That stretch of land kind of worries me a little to be honest. But I've got God's strength and courage on my side. Now I need to sleep to get energy for the morrow...
July 16 (Burns Lake to Fraser Lake, 48.66mi/78.31km) - Today was mostly flat but it was all in the hot sun. Jay's wife made me some eggs and toast and Jay offered to send me off with some sandwiches for the road. Very appreciated indeed. I bid their wonderful family farewell and I was off down the road once again...
Rest areas have taken on a whole new meaning as a cyclist. Once I see one I stopped and rejuvenate and get out of the sun even for a moment. Although some rest areas have zero shade whatsoever.
At Last I reach Fraser Lake and meet two other cyclists at White Swan Park. Eric and Jason are from Colorado Springs and cycling to Juneau Alaska in support of Alzheimer's disease. They just rode up from Jasper so I asked him some questions about the road ahead. It was nice to be able to Camp with them for the night. We chatted and swap stories and ended up eating and indulging in some Chinese food in town. They were great companions and I hope to meet them or hear from them again soon! They told me about a kayaking trip down the Mississippi they did from source to see that I would love to do! Perhaps Elyse would do it with me! We chatted and laughed and took some pictures and had a great time. We saw an amazing sunset on Fraser Lake and even a double rainbow! God is amazing! God is good indeed! His love endures forever!
On a side note, I now know why White Swan Park is free for camping... Because of the train that goes right by the park at 3 in the morning...
July 17 (Fraser Lake to Vanderhoof, 42.31mi/68.09km) - This morning after I said my goodbyes to Eric and Jason I spent some time relaxing by the lake, doing some DeVos, taking pictures and more relaxation basking in God's goodness before taking off for Vanderhoof.
The road to Vanderhoof was pretty good... Although the shoulders are still sporadic and still suck. The rumble strips and gravel and bumps... What the Poo?
When I arrived in Vanderhoof, I made a stop at Tim Hortons for an iced Capp before I went to my hosts house. John was there and greeted me and showed me around before he made me some great spicy spaghetti! Yahoo me a beer which I accepted hesitatingly. Many people offered me some beers which are usually turned down but in northern BC I started to accept. It didn't taste too bad. It just doesn't quench my thirst much. We went out on the patio to eat and Jolinka came home a bit later to join us. We had a wonderful chat and I learned that they are also a Christian couple I've been all over the world, lots of traveling. One of their daughters goes to TWU. They have a beautiful log home butter trying to sell it to simplify their life. Their dog's name is Juno.
I sat in there massage chair for two 20 minute sessions which was glorious for my bones and muscles. It was wonderful for the back and aching cyclist muscles. John showed me some pictures of their recent trip to Alaska. They were so gorgeous. He told me when I have the chance make the trip. I have to go now soon... With Elyse by my side! It's on our list.
I finished my tea and my laundry and called it a night! I am so glad I stopped here.
July 18 (Vanderhoof to Prince George, 65.70mi/105.73km) - I had some granola and coffee and bid goodbye to John. Jolinka give me some fruit and yogurt for the journey ahead. I hit the road just after 9 a.m. and they had warned me of some construction between Vanderhoof and PG.
I made good time... After 23 miles I came to a rest area and ate a lunch of fruit which was oh so good! I relaxed in the shade for a bit. After 50 miles I climbed mud hill... The construction zones aren't terrible, but they weren't great either. The shoulders were still terrible. At long last I arrived in Prince George and my phone died so after an ice cream at McDonalds I charged it a few times to find my hosts' house.
John and Joan are there a nice couple indeed. They are very interesting. They live in the forested area of town where Wildlife come and explore. They're Backcountry hosts and fly into parks for 5 weeks where you can't drive to and fly out. John told all sorts of stories of bear encounters... Most were normal, how bears would react, but some were scary... he told of a bear spray study. Basically bear spray is 100% effective in a bear encounter and a handgun is only 50% effective. This is quite the misconception of people who don't know better... logic tells them to come packing.
That evening we had a great dinner and dessert accompanied by a great conversation.
Tomorrow, I head into the wild... But first I suppose I should find a bicycle shop and maybe get a pizza...
