Canadian Rockies

An overcast, windy, mid-50F morning convinced me to add layers to handle this abrupt change from the Dawson Creek BC that I knew yesterday.  Factor out another 10 degrees for wind-chill when riding and yep, 3 upper and 2 ½ lower should be about right for today’s layers.

I had my first-ever Tim Horton restaurant experience today.  It’s as if McDonald’s and Starbucks had a love child.  Neither wants to claim it, but you can see the keen resemblance to both.

It warmed as the day moved on, but cooled as the altitude increased.  Intermittent rain throughout the day showed cause for the snow still on the peaks as I crossed the Canadian Rockies.  This area has been plagued by fire very recently, so the rain is the silver lining in those clouds.

The Continental Divide forms a Y in this area, running from NW to SE.  It made me wonder which way the water goes in the middle of that Y.

The scenery is wonderful along Hwy 97 as you play tag with the Pine River for scores of miles.

 

 

 

Heavy forest surrounds the Pine de Moray Provincial Park as the road bends to due south.  Williston Lake is similar to Lake Shasta with its multiple arms and man-made dam, but more like Lake Mead in size.  Mcleod, Carp, Davie and Summit Lakes are the most notable remainders as you approach Prince George BC from the north.  The Parsnip and Salmon Rivers are each crossed on this 251 mile route.

 

Consistent sunshine took over at the one-hour-to-go point, just to make friends with me for the evening.  I’m running a day ahead of schedule so I’ll need to readjust some ferry scheduling tonight.  I’ll be back on the road in the early morning only to meet you here once again, tomorrow evening from Smithers BC.