Heading for the mountains

Left Comox Valley in the rain – the same type of weather when we arrived – headed to the ferry terminal to catch another BC Ferry across to Powell River and drive up the Sunshine Coast.

Still not seen much in the way of animal life – how can you tell the difference between a female deer and a female elk? Saw one of them just chewing on the side of the road to the ferry.

Caught the 10.10 ferry across the Discovery Passage – no whales, no seals, no dolphins, NOTHING except flotsam and jetsam. Chatted with Mary from Campbell River and her grand-daughter Hanna who were on their way to visit relatives at Powell River.  Mary told me they had seen a fin whale and calf on the western side of Vancouver Island recently – they had not been seen there for about two hundred years since they were hunted to near extinction.

She also told me how the pulp and paper mill at CR had closed down recently and how it was affecting the community. A bit like our woodchip mill closing in Triabunna. As we came into the Powell River terminal, we could see the pulp mill working there. They used lots of derelict ships to cause a breakwater or holding area for the logs as they come to the mill.

Headed south – had three hours to fill in till the next ferry left Saltery Bay at 3.15. Many First Nation totem poles, middens, petroglyphs, fishing areas can be seen as you travel down the coast. Having learnt about the Inuit people, it was interesting to make comparisons.

Saw a sign about the Lang Bay Salmon Hatchery so pulled in there to check it out. Those poor salmon who didn’t make it were just rotting in the water – Miss W wouldn’t let me go down in the water to scavenge some meat. We watched some fish try for over half an hour before they got into the next section of the stream. There was a video playing on the side of the hatchery – showing bears catching the fish further up the stream – Miss W thought it was real live streaming – until I showed her it was only a film. She took a picture of a scat we found – not sure if they are rosehips, berries or salmon eggs? Can anyone tell us for sure?

Chatted with some people at the Saltery Bay terminal – they had been to Powell River to help with a healing type church. Thank goodness one of them had some balm as both Miss W and one of the other ladies got stung by wasps or bees. The wasp must have liked the colour of Miss W’s jacket. Another calm crossing to Earl’s Cove – now to make the decision – do we rush to catch the 6.45 ferry across to Vancouver or do we take it at a leisurely pace, stay the night at Gibsons and catch an early ferry tomorrow?

Up to catch the 8.25am ferry across to Horseshoe Bay then north on Highway 99 to Squamish and Whistler. Lots of driving through mountains and avalanche areas, roads with 20kph horseshoe bends, following creeks then rivers and crossing train lines. Then the scenery changes – hills and mountains are dry, not much cover, few trees – then suddenly a very lush area in a valley like at Hat Creek Ranch near Cache Creek.

Stopped there for a walk around a native interpretation centre of the ‘Bonaparte First Nation‘ tribe. Took lots of photos of what life was like for them before the early white settlers arrived and took over their land. Check them out on my flickr set.

Spending the night in Kamloops before heading to Banff tomorrow.

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