On the Road - Day 28

We agreed at 5:30 a.m. that we had just had the worst night's sleep of our trip so far. A railroad track ran just across the narrow river from the RV park. We had heard a train or two during the daylight hours, but once we settled in for the night, the trains ran by every hour - Vance says even more frequently than that. It wasn't just the chug-a-chug, clickety-clack sound though. The train whistled piercingly at both of the Fort Langley crossings. I got up and read at 3:30 a.m. Crashed at 7:30. Townsperson told me that the trains are from the docks in Vancouver, supplying goods throughout the Western portion of Canada.

Fort Langley was an important Hudson Bay fur trading settlement. The Fort itself is a National Historical site and a living museum with young adults dressed in period costumes working at tanning hides, candle-making, milling grain, etc. The town center has a historical look, quite charming.

Vance and I brunched at a table outside Wendel's Bookstore & Café. I had a waffle with orange butter and very lean Canadian bacon, which were not the rounds we get in the States. Vance savored his omelet with tomato, mozzarella and fresh basil. We strolled the three main street blocks, visiting with the owner of Joy of Dawn glass works who advised us which route to travel to Jasper. Also had fun looking through a couple of art galleries. The First Nations art has a somber quality. But it did not offset the humorous sculptures we had come across earlier.

Took Hwy 1 to Abbotsford where we got gas at Costco and received assistance from the Visitor Center. I got great maps and brochures on sites to see. Hmm-m, when we were at the intersection waiting to return to Hwy 1 I had a sense of being in the States - Burger King, Tim Horton, Dairy Queen, Starbucks, Best Western, Motel 8 and McDonalds, Chevron and Shell. From Abbotsford we travelled East on Hwy 1 through a wide valley of agricultural lands with workers harvesting deep green crops. Fields made up a patchwork of various colors. Blueberries and sweet corn are at the produce stands now.

Took the Rosedale turnoff to see Bridal Veil Falls. We hiked the trail up a grade to view the falls - very lovely, like sheer lace over the rock face. Returned to Hwy 1 travelling the wide valley. Hills looked like overturned tea cups on the valley table. Ridged mountains stood in the distance. As we approached them, I saw that the ridges were actually peaks with snow filled crags.


Later, in Hope, I took photos of many of the chain saw sculptures of bears, wolves, elk that graced the main street. [These two pictures are of the front and back of the same sculpture.] Also photographed the mountains surrounding town and the remarkably creviced cliffs. My neck is aching from looking up all afternoon. Vance tells me to get used to it because they get even higher!

East of Hope Hwy 1 is called the Gold Rush Trail which winds along the Frasier River and through seven tunnels. We paused at Hell's Gate where the wide river narrows to 110 feet and, believe it or not, 200 million gallons of water rush through the gorge every minute. A gondola takes folks to the other side of the river so they can see the roiling tumult below. Unfortunately we arrived after the gondolas had shut down for the evening. I had noticed 20 miles back that there were strange patterns in the flow of the water. but no rocks to create rapids or whitewater to explain it.

We continued on Hwy 1 and are now beyond Hope at a motel in Boston Bar ... I so wanted to say that. (giggle, giggle) After the noisy train night we were determined to get a good night's sleep off wheels.

100 km = 65 miles per hr. Sign on highway: RAPP - Report All Poachers and Polluters

Ended at Canyon Alpine Motel, Trans Canada Highway, Boston Bar, B.C.
Odometer 60,317.5 (122.3) Total: 2173.2