Smithers and south to Kelowna

The next day takes us back out to Highway 37 and we continue south, the nights are getting darker and longer the further south we go.  I really do enjoy the long daylight in the North and will miss it.

We stop for the night in the Bulkley Valley, near Smithers.  A really beautiful area with wonderful scenery, a lively town, ski hill and lots of fishing.  Hmmmm, interesting.  Intrigued, we stay over another day and poke around town, try a fishing lake and just enjoy the area.  The house prices are reasonable, weather not to severe and there is an airport if you just have to get out.  This just might have to be investigated a little more and in more seasons.  

I mean really, how can you not like an area that has the world’s biggest fly rod? And a very nicely made one too.  But no sign of the fish you would try to catch with it.

World's biggest fly rod

The road to Prince George is not too busy and we make good time past there and on to Quesnel.  Joe finds a lovely spot on 10 Mile Lake, and does a little fly fishing from the dock.

Rainy day in Barkerville

In the morning we take another side trip, this one into Barkerville.  The weather is not great, low clouds and some rain but we are used to that by now.  Really interesting old buildings and of course the people in costume going about town and giving tours.  

We spent our last night at Jorn’s place in 108 Mile Ranch.  Missed seeing Ellie as she was away in Ontario.

Tourist!

Near Merritt

And then it was our last day on the road!  We stopped on the side of the road near Merritt to add diesel, the truck had been on empty for too long.  Over the Coquahalla and down into the Okanagan.  Drop off the trailer at the storage yard, dirty and a little worse for wear, we will unload tomorrow.  Pick up Rosie from her storage spot and home!

Okanagan Lake

Lots of putting away and laundry to do today.  Everyone is tired and just happy to hang around the condo.  I  get to have a good look at the fabric that I collected on the trip.  Whenever we saw a quilt shop we had to stop and have a look, ok, ok I had to stop!  I have a few ideas written down and some plans on what I will make with the fabric over the winter.   

Fabric treasures!

Almost 10,000 km, over 5 weeks on the road.  It was a wonderful trip, you really appreciate how vast BC and Yukon are when you drive through them. 

Alaska was very beautiful and wild.  We met friendly interesting people all along the way.  Saw a huge variety of wildlife, black and grizzly bears, bison, foxes, moose, a lynx and many eagles.  There were Trumpeter swans in Alaska, sea otters in Homer, mountain sheep and coyotes.  We really only saw such a small part of it all.  Definitely have to go back again.