Prince Rupert and Train to Jasper

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Its interesting how it gets difficult to keep track of dates when you are being uprooted every few days.
Prince Rupert (31st Aug - 3rd Sept)
After a lazy first day (Richy stayed in working on the blog and I bugger off to the museum with Anne who said there would be a musuem tour by a Tsimshian guide), we decided that we had to Kayak somehow, somewhere. (I always use this word interchangeably with canoeing but now its like the difference between fins and flippers! Very expert already!). Even though it was a drizzly day, we thought, why not. so after a couple of phone calls later, we hop into the SUV where another keen kayaker, Alejendro from Brazil, was picked up. 3 hours on calm waters of a lake, we saw bald eagles and seals (they were as curious of us as we of them) but no bears. Surprisingly, although my muscles were screaming in pain as I paddled towards the end they didn't hurt too badly over the next few days. Richy was a top hero with the paddling:0). Pioneer hostel had a great little kitchen and we made a few good meals there including one of halibut cheeks - some of them as big as teacup saucers(yum yum!!) - this represented a fish some 60lbs so Zane from the Charlotte Islands, who was in town for a few days, said.

On the 3rd we took the Skeena from Prince Rupert into the state of Alberta (where the cows come from!), specifically, Jasper. You can chance upon bears, wolves (both Andrew and Richy saw on diff occassions) and deer (lucky San, not!). A beautiful scenic journey chugging through small villages and big towns, a great way to see lots and catch up on your reading at the same time.

Before going into details of muscle-screaming adrenalin and hair-standing excitement, let's start in Prince George. The Skeena stops for one night in its 2 day journey - we were not sure whether this was for the tourists to sight see or just the relaxed, no rush Canadian way of doing things... Its a a key place for timber and transportation in the north but not really developed for tourism. In the oddest places, you meet people that put a deep mark in your mind. 2 such people are Betty and Cy whom we stayed with on our one night in PG (Huntley Place B&B). We could not believe that Cy is 78 and still running around like a man half his age! They are full of stories and continue to grow their knowledge through different travellers. Betty was really sweet to keep us fed with her home-made food by packing lunch-boxes for us and Andrew. The home-baked scones were lovely - thanks! Unfortunately for the rest of the world, this is the last year they will run the B&B (or so they say!) and they will begin their own travelling again next year. Good luck guys!

Jasper, Jasper, Jasper! Robin's Nest Robins Nest run by the friendly Le-Anne who works in the post office was our home for the next 4 days. Without wasting any time, we headed with Andrew (a forester, whom we met at Pioneer Hostel elected to join the with the sniff and snore team for the next few days as companions. To date, he survived it.... ) to the info centre to get the low-down on walks and biking trails. The bear talk got us all really excited but will we see any?

Hot tip: In canada if you are travelling with 2 or more people, it is worth looking up B&Bs or homestays (outside of the cities) as they can work out better for the pocket, is a lot quieter and personal.

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Comments

[anonymous]

Can swin kah?
Hmmm, just wonder whether both of you can swim well. any crococdile? Remind me of my old days swiming in the river fresh like that water.

[Syed Zul]

WOW
Hi there San, I see that you are both enjoying your trip so far. Keep uodating us. Take care. Regards to Richard. cheers syed zul