TRIP DAY – 65, 66, 67
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DAILY
MILES 369 – 293 - 0
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TOTAL
MILES – 8,463
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8/18- We reached Prince
George, BC by noon and headed straight to Wal-Mart to resupply. Prices were considerably more reasonable than
we had experienced further north in Canada and through Alaska. After a quick lunch at the Wal-Mart McDonalds
(a real treat!) we headed south on BC 97 and drove hard until 5 PM where we
checked into the Lac La Hache Provincial Park and found a site in the woods
that was totally lovely. This will be
our last night in Canada and we are both feeling very sad to be leaving Alaska
and Canada.
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| Camped in the deep dark woods |
8/19- This morning we awoke before the alarm went
off as we were looking forward to reaching the “lower 48” by evening. The southwest area of Canada started out to
resemble the US southwest with wide valleys between low mountains devoted to cattle
ranching. Then after about 100 miles we
entered a wide canyon area where the road was attached to ever increasing
mountain sides with a major river in the valley far below. This canyon road exceeded 100 miles and was
difficult driving as it was a two lane road with a lot of traffic and not
nearly enough concrete guard barriers to give a feeling of security. A tire blow-out in the wrong place would send
you over the side to the bottom hundreds of feet below. After almost three hours of this we reached
the canyon end and the first major highway, Canada 1, since we left Montana in
June.
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| Southwest Canada is cowboy country |
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| Fraser River canyon road and railroad track |
We were flying along when the traffic came to a stand-still due
to an accident ahead and we didn’t move a single mile in over an hour. This is when you’re glad your bathroom is
traveling with you as we watched a number of folks head for the bushes. When the traffic resumed we were crossing the
border at Sumas, Washington in just over an hour. WE ARE BACK IN THE USA LOWER 48!
Not finding a suitable RV park in Sumas we
headed on to Bellingham, WA where we found a jewel of a park, Bellingham RV
Park, and checked in.
8/20- This RV park is so nice we decided to stay an
extra day to rest and catch up the laundry.
We have paid as high as $7.00 to wash and dry one load in Alaska and at
this park it will cost only $2.25.
That’s reason enough for a second day, but everything here is first
class and we need a little luxury after spending weeks in the wilderness.
Tomorrow we will drive and ferry to Olympic National Park where
we will spend three or four days.