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YOU TUBE - http://www.youtube.com/user/TravelsWithLobo

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ON THE ROAD AGAIN:

Prince George to Vancouver via the DISCOVERY COAST PASSAGE

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Introduction

BC Tourism has created 10 scenic driving itineraries called Circle Routes which cover the province.

The trip we took from Prince George to Williams Lake, Bella Coola, Port Hardy, Port Alberni, Ucluelet, Pacific Rim National Park, Tofino, Chemainus, Victoria and Vancouver most closely follows the COAST CARIBOO Circle Route.
A highlight of this trip is the Discovery Coast Passage with BC Ferries, from Bella Coola to Port Hardy on the northern tip of Vancouver Island.


The trip will be presented in 12 reports or episodes.

Yes, I am always optimistic in my estimates of the number of reports but the approaching next trip to _____________________ may make it impossible to complete the blogging of this trip in time.

In the meantime, Barbara is working at beautiful Bowen Island, so what else am I going to do?
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Date of Blog: August 24, 2007

Date of Trip: Sunday, August 12, 2007

Prince George to Vancouver via the DISCOVERY COAST PASSAGE


Episode 2 of 12:

Getting There - Alexis Creek to Anahim Lake

Distance: 200 km.

Distance traveled for the day: 525 km
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Highway 20, west of Alexis Creek continued to be a pleasure to drive.

Scenery was punctuated with beautiful vast stretches of fenced in ranch land, romantic views of clusters of horses and grazing cows, majestic vistas of the Coast Mountains looming on the western horizon, evidence of forest fires, daisies along the side of the highway, pristine lakes and streams. While not spectacular, it was definitely a "feel-good" drive into the west.



Another jewel of a stop was Tatla Lake (219 km) where the general store, West Chilcotin Trading, could have passed for a museum.


I have often heard that dog owner's resemble the breed of their dogs.

Looking at the owner of the general store in Tatla Lake, there is a similar phenomena in the sense that, some people just fit completely into their environment. They look so much the part that they become part of the scene. The general store in Tatla Lake could be right out of a Hollywood Western with "Festus Haggen" tending the store and I make that comparison in a very positive way.


Western hospitality was also on display with an offer of free coffee.

The quality of life was evident in the relaxed manner in which the owner and his family were taking an afternoon tea at a table right in the store. The priority seemed to be family talk and tea with customers a pleasant addition but not the raison d'etre.

Despite the laid back attitude, panoply of services is offered here including; an ATM, notary public, e-mail, post office, gas station, Laundromat and groceries.



A book by Chris Harris, Chilcotin - British Columbia's Last Frontier, caught my eye for its beautiful cover but also because last week we visited Chris Harris' straw bale construction photographic gallery just outside 100 Mile House. (http://www.chrisharris.com)


Just across the parking lot is the quaint Burger Barn which is still waiting to be franchised.


Dianna, who has a beautiful golden Labrador at home by the name of "Sam", got her "doggie fix" with the affectionate canine kept in the post office tucked into the back of the store.


We all felt a little better for having stopped at the General Store in Tatla Lake.

Shortly after Tatla Lake there is a gravel road which leads 80 km south to Chilko Lake located in Ta'yl-os Provincial Park. This beautiful, spectacular lake is the largest, high elevation lake in North America. Due to our time constraints of catching the ferry the next morning at 08:00 it would have been impossible to take this little detour.

At the 256 km mark is the hamlet of Kleena Kleene. That name ranks right up there with Bella Coola or Bella Bella. I would have loved to have seen it if for no other reason than the name. Somehow, perhaps due to a lack of a sign or its location off the highway we did not spot it.

Anahim Lake, with a population of 700, is located at the 320 km mark. The town provides a full complement of services as well as access to the surrounding mountain ranges.

If Williams Lake was made famous by Rick Hansen, Anahim Lake has been made famous by Carey Price.

He is a hockey legend in the making. In 2007 he was a first round draft choice of the Montreal Canadians and a star goaltender for the Canadian "under-20" team that won the World Championship in Sweden.

So what is so special about this kid?

He grew up in Anahim Lake playing hockey on outdoor rinks nurtured by a dedicated father, a former semi-pro hockey player now administrator in an adult learning center and a mother who is chief of the Ulkatcho First Nation.

The committed father recognized that for his son, aged 10 at the time, to succeed he had to play organized hockey. . Unfortunately the nearest organized hockey was three hours away in Williams Lake.

For years this necessitated tri-weekly six hour drives to and from Williams Lake (320 km) for games and practices which later led to the purchase of a used four seat $13,000 Piper Cherokee aircraft.

The family also bought a condo and a car for the overnight stays in Williams Lake.

This definitely sets new standards for dedication which thankfully were rewarded with success in the end to make it all worth while.

The complete story can be found at:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061228. wsptjrs28/GSStory/GlobeSports

Shortly after Anahim Lake the Highway 20 takes on a decided "Liard Trail look".
If you read my reports on the Northwest Territories you may remember that the Liard Highway is a 300 km gravel road.

Highway 20 also becomes a gravel road for the next 65 km. The technology which made the Liard such a smooth gravel road was not used in the construction of this gravel highway as the wash board effect is unfortunately in abundant evidence.

But in the end, who cares, for we are about to cross gigantic Tweedsmuir Provincial Park via Heckman Pass.

''''' to be continued

NEW:-see THE BEST PHOTOS from this blog in FULL SCREEN
MODE

Short Version of Instructions on how to get to the Photos:
In your Browser (Internet Explorer/Mozilla Firefox etc.) do
a SEARCH for:

slideshare AND lobo2007

(or copy and paste the above phrase slideshare AND lobo2007
into the SEARCH line)

 click on SlideShare » Lobo2007's Slidespace
-     once the site opens
-     select the Blog Number you wish to view
-     when the small screen appears,
-     click on FULL to see the photos at Full Screen
-     click to move from one photo to another

-        at end of slide show click on BACK to chose another Blog number

Longer Version:
I have been looking for a means of delivering my blogs and photos
in a POWERPOINT full screen mode. A solution seemed possible in a website
called SLIDESHARE.

however, nothing is simple:
Firstly:
SLIDESHARE only allows a maximum size file of 30 MB which
turns out to be 6 or 7 photographs! Hence, I have opted for a "BEST PHOTOS"
alternative.
Secondly:
The hyperlink function from Travelpod to Slideshare does
seem make the link to the photos; therefore, until further notice the following
steps are suggested.
Alternate Method:

- see Short Versions of Instruction above

While I am at it:       MAP provided by TRAVELPOD

My map is a mess because TRAVELPOD is not set up for a
situation like EXCURSIONS where a variety of destinations all start from the
same destination (Prince George).

I have not been successful in getting TRAVELPOD to make a
change.

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YOU TUBE - http://www.youtube.com/user/TravelsWithLobo

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