The ongoing story of a girl and her van on an epic journey across Canada.
Day 11 (Thurs, May 20th)
I left my new friends in Houston and drove to Prince George. I’ve been to PG before. I have to be honest. I didn’t like it. My sister Angie lived there for a few years and one visit was enough for me. Between the smell and the severe lack of coffee shops and decent breakfast joints, PG made no friend out of me.
But I was dead tired as I passed through. So I decided to take advantage of Walmart and used their parking lot as a temporary home (see A Sleepover At My New Friend’s for more info…).
Day 12 (Fri, May 21st)
I woke up at 6am freezing my little buns off, in the midsts of a slushy snow storm. (Okay, maybe by some people’s standards it wasn’t a “storm”, per se. But to me, a gentle westcoaster, it was a BLIZZARD.)
Seriously, Prince George, this is no way to win over my heart.
I drove away with not even a glance in my rear view mirror. Stay away, Prince George. Or I will taunt you a second time!
My Houston friends had sent me on a mission to visit Barkerville. Have you heard of this place? I hadn’t, though apparently that makes me a bad Canadian. It’s a total tourist trap, but one of the better ones. It’s a historic gold rush town, complete with museum-like buildings you can wander through, people dressing in old fashion clothes putting on little scenes (I was startled by a shouting match between a man and a woman about giving women the vote), walking tours, restaurants, and even a few B&Bs on site. It’s about an hour east of Quesnel, through some lovely foothills. And guess what it did for the whole drive there, and all the time I spent in Barkerville.
Canada, it’s time we sat down and had a little heart to heart. You are an amazing country, with a myriad of geographic wonders and a wide spectrum of seasonal and climate options. But there is a time and place for everything. And May is NOT the time for snow. Especially in BC. We all know you can do it — it’s sort of your signature weather. But no one likes a show off, okay? Just keep that sh*t in the winter (and in the east), where it belongs.
There, I’m glad we had this chat. I feel closer to you already.
I decided to keep driving south until it stopped snowing. I was willing to go as far as Mexico, if need be. Don’t test me Canada! I’ll go! Then you’ll be sorry!
Actually, I made it as far as Little Fort (okay, sort of south east, but who’s really paying attention?) and spent the night in a cute little rest stop.
Day 13 (Sat, May 22nd)
I thought I had beat the snow. But then I hit Kamloops. And more snow. And I nearly ran out of gas thanks to some horrible signage, but let’s not go there.
If you ever have the opportunity to drive either the #24 between 100 Mile House and Little Fort, or the #8 between Merritt and Spences Bridge, take it! These were the prettiest little roads with some of the best scenery I’ve seen in BC so far. This picture doesn’t really do it justice. Stupid clouds.
I managed to get out of the snow zone, and hit the rain and wind section. Finally, weather I can get into!
I made it to Hope, where I waited patiently.
For a visit.
From Angie!
Photo Credits
All photos by Sarah Gignac
Yellowhead Highway east of Houston
The Road to Barkerville
Barkerville
#8 Between Merritt and Spences Bridge
This article was first published on Raggedy Threads in May 2010
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