British Columbia to Alberta - Road Trip 2019

We left the Omak Stampede Park late morning to cross into British Columbia an hour away. It was too early and warm to stay at the Walmart, which still offers overnight parking. 

There are really not many services along this route.  Gas is much less expensive in WA than BC, but there are little other international services – money exchange, visitor center, etc.

Knowing Canada would not accept foreign fruits and vegetables Fran was busy turning our potatoes into potato salad, our lettuce into taco salad.  I diced our jalapeno and onions for the freezer.  We hid the last 3 limes as we approached Canadian customs.  At the booth we were told to shut off the engine and all that we were asked if we had cannabis to declare. 

After declaring none, a lecture ensued about ‘our age group’ being the biggest cannabis users caught at the border!  And a chance to declare what we might have.  I gaffawed at the suggestion, not the right response, but explained having worked with the FAA for decades I managed to miss the marijuana generation.

The drive up 97 in Canada is spectacular following the Okanogan River with dozens of lakes and hundreds of wineries.

We found a quirky little overnight spot at Tim’s by the River.  The sites are either huge or tiny.  We took one of the larger grass sites where Fran could hit a few practice golf balls.

Wells Gray Provincial Park in 2016 on our return from Alaska.  That blog can be found HERE.   

This time we are not here for the waterfalls, but to golf in this awesome setting of water, forests and falls.  But alas it’s raining, cold and cloudy … perhaps tomorrow.

We’re staying at the Wells Gray Golf Resort and RV Park with the expectation that we’d have a chance to play a round.  However, the rain is predicted to not just continue, but to follow us to Jasper and on to Banff.  During the 2016 Alaska trip we had 52 consecutive days with rain.  Again the rain is at the high point of the trip, we’ll try not let it dampen our spirits even though the distant views of the mountains may be shrouded in clouds.

The continual rain did keep us inside where we put Gone with the Wind into the DVD player.  Internet is available for $5 CAD, I splurged and bought a 24 hr window.   This allowed me to outline this blog, catch up on email and the last few Sudoku puzzles.

By late afternoon the rain became a pesky shower, but we felt there was not going to be a break and the waterfalls were waiting.   There are only a few of the 39 named falls that can be reached from the roadside parking lots.  Our first stop was Dawson Falls an easy walk from the parking area, except when the trail is also full of water.

I like Dawson Falls, it is reminiscent of SoCal falls, short and fierce! The angry water tumbles down the short embankment.

Next stop was Helmcken Falls where the mist and fog did not allow a clear view.

To reach Helmcken Falls a one–lane bridge at the Mushbowl needs to be crossed.

SUN! Well not much of it, but it’s not raining, as we pack up for another travel day.

Ok only one of us is needed to pack up, Fran finally gets to use all of the clubs she brought along.  The couple next to us was back early saying there was a bear on the 7th hole.  Fortunately Fran did not encounter the creature.

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The trail to Spahats Falls is dry and even a few shadows as we leave the Park 

The falls from Spahats Creek looks like it is coming out of the rocks.  But it’s really not, as the straight walls of the canyon that give that illusion.

Today’s destination is a couple hours north where we’ll spend the night at an RV site at Tete Jaune Lodge.    It’s a nice spot on the Fraser River.   We came in the old road across another one-lane wooden bridge.  The river is quite high, nearly to the chairs in the park.

Our campsite was pull-in/back-out.  A bit unusual but did provide better views.  Including that of Mt Mica.

Despite the recent rain we’ve been having an awesome trip.   We’ll be in Jasper Alberta tomorrow to begin the Icefields Parkway.  No Bad Days!