ROAD TRIP- A quick week to Coquitlam, Cache Creek, Quesnel, McBride, Mt. Robson, Valemount, Merritt and home.

Saturday through Tuesday we were catching up with house chores and getting all the laundry done from the motorhome, rugs etc. On Monday, our car went into Ford for a recall repair, something to do with a bushing for the transmission. We spent the afternoon outside enjoying the sunshine. My planters went crazy during the week we were away.

The driveway sure appears big now without the MH in it. lol

Tuesday Ray decided to go to the Lion Rampart Pub in Maple Bay. Our fridge is empty for lunch and dinner as we leave tomorrow. As usual a fabulous view and great fish and chips ... enough leftovers for dinner.

Delicious as usual!

When we got back home for about 2 pm, it's down to the dock as it's really warm, about 26C. While down there, a pontoon boat pulled up ... turns out to be Warren and Debbie who have a house directly across from ours, in the new subdivision on the other side of the lake. They are friends of Franceen and Gerry, RV friends we met about 7 years ago at Peace Arch RV Park in Surrey who we visited several times in AZ and currently live in Kelowna. Warren and Debbie met them in Peurto Penasco (Rocky Point)  just south of AZ in Mexico about 6 years ago. Talk about small world. Ray made them his famous margaritas lol.

At 4 pm we came up to the deck and deployed the umbrellas and a fan as it's still pretty warm out.

Wednesday morning we were on our way to the Duke Point ferry by 8 am. We ended up having a short wait but it was nice to be on the road going somewhere.

We were on the 10:15 ferry and arrived about 12:15 in Tsawwassen. It only took as an hour to get to Coquitlam where we were going to stay with My Aunt Norma and Uncle Ken for the night. First up though we stopped for lunch at their favourite watering hole, The John B Pub.

We were still a bit early so we went to Como Lake first for Ray to get some pictures and I just read my book. This is a stocked fishing lake and there's a nice trail around it that many people take advantage of.

After buying some flowers from a local grocer, we made it to Ken and Norma's by about 3 pm. My Aunt is really struggling as she hurt her back and its quite painful. So unfortunate for her, but I'm glad we visited anyways and kept her seated. Uncle Ken is going quite blind, so often closes his eyes.

My cousin Gord and his wife Suzana came over, as well as his sister Pam. What a great visit seeing everyone. We ordered Chinese Food for dinner and of course we picked up the tab as a thankyou for hosting us.

Aunt Norma, Suzana, Pam and Ray

Uncle Ken and Gord

We went to bed at 9:30 and we told them we were leaving early, so not to worry about breakfast or anything. 

Thursday morning we actually woke up at 5:30 and were on the road by 6am. I wanted to get the drive out of metro Vancouver done as quick as possible as I hate the traffic. Turned out pretty smooth sailing all the way to Cache Creek. There's only one spot where we waited 10 minutes due to road construction. Most of the places we would have been stopped, we were through before they started for the day. Here is a picture of a baily bridge in place of a washed out bridge that they are still working on.

We stopped in Ashcroft for fuel and Tim Horton's coffee and a donut to carry us through until lunch. The plan is to make sure our motel in Cache Creek wasn't affected by the flood and then find somewhere for lunch. Well..... big sign closed and no occupancy due to the flood taking out their electrical, as three feet of water went through the lower rooms. This motel is situated right behind the firehall that Cache Creek ran right through it for five days. Apparently it also went through this motel. No one from the motel called, or emailed to cancel. 

Yup ... yellow notice uninhabitable!

See the stove out on the pool deck! Apparently the mud was three feet high when the water receded.

This is the picture of the rear of the motel. Nope not staying there!

Just up the road is Historic Hat Creek Ranch. A place we passed many times and is on our "bucket list" to stop sometime. Today's the day. They have small cabins to rent, with A/C and a full bathroom. Sign us up! Less expensive too for $105/night.

Historic Hat Creek Ranch is located on one of the few sections of the original Cariboo Wagon Roads still accessible to the public. The ranch includes almost 130 hectares (320 acres) of fields and hills in the sunny southern Interior of B.C.

Historic Hat Creek Ranch is a Province of BC owned Heritage Property and a Government of Canada National Historic Site, located on the unceded territory of the Secwépemc (Shuswap) Peoples and managed by The Friends of Historic Hat Creek Ranch Society, a not-for-profit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.

The buildings stand as they did in 1901; some were built as early as 1860. Between1885 and 1905 they witnesses the busiest era of transportation along the Road, serving the needs of freight wagons and passengers of the B.C. Express line (The “BX”).

After checking in at 10:30 am, getting their last available cabin, we toured the Heritage Site. Good thing we went early as there is only one school group visiting at that time. 

Historic Roadhouse


Hat Creek House was established in 1861 by former Hudson’s Bay Company trader Donald McLean. What began as a small log stopping house later became a two-storied structure, and a west wing was added in 1901. It is the last remaining roadhouse of its type and one of the largest ever known along the Cariboo Wagon Road. Our guided tours of the old rooms reveal an intriguing history of the personalities who operated the ranch and traveled through it on the Cariboo Wagon Road. 

The roadhouse has 18 bedrooms upstairs.

You will see the big ranch kitchen, the saloon and stage passenger waiting room. Victorian era wallpapers and Granny McLean’s sewing machine, brought here around Cape Horn!


McLean’s Cabin, originally built in 1863 at the confluence of Hat Creek and the Bonaparte River, was moved to its present site behind the roadhouse in 1901. Hear the fascinating story how three of Donald McLean’s sons and their friend Alex Hare became known as the “Wild McLean’s” and later found a tragic end in New Westminster.

Hat Creek Roadhouse was famous for its hearty meals, which were prepared from the ranch’s own produce, grown in a flood-irrigated garden and kept fresh in the recently restored Root Cellar. Chickens, turkeys, pigs and goats were raised in the 1898 Pig Barn and in the sod-roofed Chicken Coop, built in 1872.

We were talking with the docent of the Hat Creek Roadhouse and we asked about the "ghost stories" in the place. Apparently a young 6 year old girl died from freezing, hiding under the stairs to escape unwanted groping from an "uncle". They blamed the Chinese cook and he was lynched in the grainery. So who knows .... maybe ghosts. :)

This is the stagecoach they also offer rides in.

Display where you can "Pan for Gold". For an extra fee and some setup time they will actually put real gold in for you to find.

The coop with guinea hens.

Wash House

The McLean Cabin

We did not see any pigs but it sure was smelly lol

Blacksmith Shop

We were talking with the Smithy at the Blacksmith Shop and he actually made us a square nail to take with us ... pretty cool. This guy has been doing this here for the past 6 years.

This picture taken from their gallery.

They have a horse wagon to take you around the property if you wish. We didn't bother as we were pretty close being at the cabins.

The horses resting under the trees before the next ride.

There is also an Indigenous Exhibit.

By the time we finished and left for lunch back to Cache Creek the parking lot is packed and streams of kids coming into the site. This appears to be a popular end of the year school trip.

Lunch is a taco place called Desert Hills Tacos, recommended from one of the docents here at the ranch. Ray ordered one Pork Belly and one Beef Brisket and they are pretty good.

After lunch we went back into Cache Creek for bug spray, after bite, and of course ice for my gin and tonics later in the afternoon. The mosquitos here are fierce! Within 10 minutes of walking the Historic Site I had 10 bites! We took a few more pictures of the devastation from the floods 2 weeks ago, including stopping by the RV park we have stayed at twice.

The RV park from the highway.

Still buried vehicles.

In town pictures:

The firehall Cache Creek ran through!

We started to head back to the cabin to get out of the heat, now 35C. On the way we stopped at Horstings Farm Market. With the strawberries now being for sale in the lower mainland, I thought they would be ready up here. I wanted to bring some to Cory and Deb, who we are staying with in Quesnel for a couple of days. No strawberries, but was able to get a huge hanging strawberry plant that has some ripe ones on it already lol Ray also had an lovely ice cream cone.

Apple Orchard

Ray here. Interesting how the apple orchards changed since I was in my mid-teens. I made good money thinning the branches of tiny apples for a 6" spacing. All the trees were 25-30' tall and were accessed by a ladder with a pole hinged from the top, very tippy. Now they plant them as per the picture above. 

Sitting inside staying cool. The mosquitos are too ferocious outside to sit plus too hot.

After a relaxing afternoon we headed back into town to Slim Jim's Diner. The couple who own the diner cooked up a delicious burger for Ray and BLT for me. Everything homemade. What an eclectic place, lots of 50's memorabilia with Elvis, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe and tons of Betty Boop stuff.

A great day.

Friday is a lazy start and hit the road about 9am heading for Quesnel to visit our longtime friends Cory and Debbie Delves. Our first stop is The Chasm.

Amazing what millions of years of ice can do.

Back in the car and Cory had messaged me to stop at the "Sugar Shack" at 70 Mile House for some of the best coffee and authentic French Canadian Poutine (pronounced poot-sin)  with smoked meat. So we did!

Mimicking maple sap collection

This is delicious. They import their cheese from Quebec, all melty and gooey.

Ray of course also had a Beaver Tail with Maple butter. We purchased a pound of their maple bacon to have at Cory and Deb's for breakfast too.

After our break it's back in the car to Quesnel. Cory gave us great directions and we arrived just before 1 pm. He has a great woodworking shop that Ray was drooling over. Debbie came home about 1:30 and we had a great gab session on their patio.

Debbie and Cory's daughter Jaimie showed up for dinner too. Great to see her. Kristi and Jaimie were the best buddies on the Charlottes with lots of sleepovers at their house and ours.

Debbie made pulled pork buns for dinner, delicious.

This is Jo Jo.

Feeding time.

And this is Candy.

They have a dog called Cede (Sadie) that sure loved Ray's arrowroot cookies lol

After dinner, Ray and Cory headed out for the Prospector's Club drive, of which Cory is president. There were 19 participants this time.  Here are some pictures Ray took.

Cory and his 1954 Chev.

The guys came back and we talked some more before all of us went to bed at 10:30 pm ... past our bedtime lol

Next morning after a big breakfast including the maple bacon, it's off to tour Quesnel and area. The predicted rains came in so it wasn't a very nice day, but we were able to do a bit of walking in between showers.

First up was a stop at Jaimie's feed store.

Back in the car to go to the "Pinnacles" to hopefully view them in and out of the clouds. lol

Pinnacles Provincial Park is a 124-hectare provincial park located just west of Quesnel in Cariboo Regional District, British Columbia, Canada. The park protects a collection of prominent hoodoos nestled in a small forested valley overlooking the city of Quesnel.

The town of Quesnel in the mist.

With the rain the forest smelled so fresh. Lots of wild flowers blooming at this time too.

Indian Paintbrush

Back in the car to tour Quesnel's downtown. We supported the local stores and bought a few things. 

Next up was a snack at "The Den", a little Bistro and cocktail bar. Great coffee (and brownies).

Our next destination is Dragon Lake to view camping/fishing possibilities for future travels. These pictures were taken at  Robert's Roost Campground Dragon Lake. Ray talked with this fisher and he said the fishing was great there.

Spring has sprung with all the babies.

After Dragon Lake we took a drive to 10-Mile Lake. We saw a fox run across the road but of course no one was ready with their phones. lol Here is a google pic of what it looked like. :)

Back to the Delves for the afternoon before taking them out to dinner at The Mill Pub. Great view of the Fraser River, tasty beer and good food.

With the rain and clouds we had a great sunset tonight. Thanks Deb for the picture. A great way to end a great visit.

Sunday morning after coffee and goodbyes we were back on the road at 8:10 am heading to McBride. First stop is at Purden Lake Provincial Park. Ray picnicked here years ago, or should I say drank beer, with friends back when he worked at the CNR in Prince George for a summer.

Our reason for this trip to McBride is Ray's Dad and Grandfather both worked for the CN at the McBride Train Station in the late 40's early 50's. Ray's wanted to see the train station where they would have worked together. We arrived by 12:30 and went directly to the train station for lunch and ate at the Restaurant that had been there for decades. 

This guy welcomed you in the bathroom lol

Ray's grandfather probably wore this cap

This guy cooking our lunch (yellow shirt) was originally in the Scottish Infantry Division out of Victoria and was in Guatemala and the Cypress UN Mission. He was with the US Rangers doing secret ops, as he was a spotter for a sniper. Interesting stories he told us. He also was wearing his "working kilt".

We'd booked a hotel room here but decided not to stay and I was able to cancel the reservation and book into the Mount Robson Mountain River Lodge a short ways outside of Mount Robson Provincial Park. What a great decision! Only issue was we had to stop and buy some food for me to cook as there are no restaurants anywhere close according to the Lodge.

But first here are some pictures we took in McBride including Ray's grandfather's gravesite that we managed to find.

After lunch as I was purchasing food to cook for dinner in our new accommodations, Ray took these pictures of some murals in town.

We got directions to the cemetery. Fortunately it only took us about 20 minutes to locate Jack Kyle's grave plaque that Brian, Ray's cousin placed several years ago during their trip through McBride.

On Monday morning the town called us after we left a message. The row is 19 plot #16 for future reference.

Back in the car. Check in time at our new accommodations isn't until 3 pm, so we stopped a few times along the highway. Along the way in 2 separate occasions we saw 1 small black bear and 1 small grizzly bear eating stuff along side the highway in a field. Of course while cruising at 110 kph it's too late to stop for pics lol

Here is the Fraser River. Who knew the water could be so clear.

As we were still early, we drove past our turnoff into Mount Robson Provincial Park to the Visitor's Centre.

After looking at the mountain from their viewing platform and a quick tour of the Visitor's Centre it's time to go to our accommodations. Wow, we were so surprised how fabulous it is with tremendous views of Mount Robson and Swift Water Creek. All the sitting areas from our cabin, a bench in front, a bench on the deck and a couch inside facing the window straight at Mount Robson.

We were in Cedar Point cabin and here is a picture of the lodge. The are open from Easter to Thanksgiving approximately. They go south for the winter too. :)

Ray was greeted by the owners dog lol

Here's two short videos I took of the cabin's view and the inside.

I took numerous pictures of the mountain in hopes that the clouds would disappear. I finally managed some perfect ones later in the evening.

Finally the last of the clouds disappeared!

After our dinner of barbecued steak with sauteed onions, baked potato and bagged salad, Ray headed out for some shots.

What a great place to stay. The only downside is no A/C. Fortunately I brought my little mini one that worked just fine. You can open windows for a cross breeze which is fine for most people, but I needed more.  lol

Monday morning we woke to some smoke in the air and the view of the mountain is really hazy. It got a little clearer as the morning wore on though. Good thing we got here yesterday for the pictures. With the Alberta Forest Fire near Edson with smoke in the air, we decided to have a lazy morning and then head into Valemount, our next destination. We'd thought to drive into Jasper for the day but with all the smoke there is no point. We checked the webcams for Jasper and confirmed smokey skies.

Here's a last shot before leaving this morning.

It 's only a short distance to Valemount from Mount Robson Mountain River Resort, in fact, only 25 minutes lol. We stopped at a golf course for a few pictures.

We carried on to the George Hicks Regional Park next to the Valemount Visitor's Centre.

Of course there are no salmon in the river at this time. The trail is closed and you can sure see why with the recent flooding.

Next up the Visitor Centre where Ray's brother worked many moons ago.

We checked with the Best Western Hotel, but of course it's way too early to check in so the train museum is next.

Ray once travelled a day in a caboose between Kamloops and Hope for a summer job. He worked on a "Signals Gang" setting up foundations  for train signals. He spent the summer on a four car working train on rail sidings. He rode to various locations on little cars like the one pictured below.

After walking around the outdoor exhibits we went inside the train station.

Welcome to the Valemount Museum! Built in 1914, our building has three levels, the main floor, an upstairs, as well as the basement. On the main floor, we have displays on railroad towns, Japanese Internment camps, Valemount pioneers, local War Heroes, and more. Some of the artists on display include Margaret McKirdy’s sculptures, and James Vanslyk’s art. We have recreated an outfitting and trapper’s cabin in our basement. Additionally, there is the Ishbel Cochrane exhibit, created in memory of Ishbel Cochrane. This exhibit also features the Hargreaves Brothers Outfitting Company, and the historic Mount Robson Ranch, where Ishbel grew up. The Museum’s upper level contains a bedroom and school house display. In addition we have a restored Standard Cupola CN Caboose, as well as the annex. The annex contains local logging and farming artifacts.

They had a kid for his summer project make a model railway of the rail line in the area including the spiral tunnel that we took with the Rocky Mountaineer last year. 

How the Spiral Tunnels work

Dotted lines are the Spiral Tunnels

An eastbound train leaving Field climbs a moderate hill, goes through two short, straight tunnels on Mt. Stephen, under the Trans-Canada Highway, across the Kicking Horse River and into the Lower Spiral Tunnel in Mt. Ogden. It spirals to the left up inside the mountain for 891 metres (0.6 miles) and emerges 15 metres (50 feet) higher. The train then crosses back over the Kicking Horse River, under the highway a second time and into the 991 metre (0.6 mile) tunnel in Cathedral Mountain. The train spirals to the right, emerging 17 metres (56 feet) higher and continues to the top of Kicking Horse Pass.

The line even went through the bathroom to gain the height for the tunnels. lol

We looked around at the Trainmaster Living Quarters.

The bedroom upstairs.

Apparently Ray makes sewing machines. lol

In the basement they made a "Trappers Cabin".

After wandering around for an hour, Ray tried to find us a place open for lunch on a Monday and wasn't successful, so we went to the gas station and got Chesters Chicken and ate it at the picnic table at the Visitor's Centre.

After eating, with map in hand we headed out 17km on a logging road to Kinbasket Lake. Boy is the lake ever down low. I would have thought with all the melting snow it would have filled up somewhat. Sure didn't look like it.

Our first stop is on this bridge over Canoe River going into Kinbasket Lake.

See the smoke in the distance from the Edison Fire.

You can just make out people camping down below.

The mountains really don't have much snow left on them as they should have at this time of year.

Finally back to the hotel for 2 pm, and we were able to check into our room. Now 30C outside it's a nice reprieve with the A/C. The hotel's restaurant is closed Monday too.... but will reopen for our free breakfast tomorrow morning.

We decided to sit in their lounge for a bit with our beer in our Yeti's and relax. Gorgeous wood construction in this hotel.

They also have an indoor pool, hot tub and water slide. We did bring our bathing suits so we went for a dip after relaxing.

At 5:30 we headed out for dinner to the Cariboo Grill, one of the only places open to eat on a Monday after 4:30 pm. We ate delicious prime rib and all the fixin's. Delicious. Ray wandered around taking pictures of their neat artwork.

The artwork above and below are made from slate.

Thank goodness I had my little A/C unit with me again. Our A/C in the room did not get cold all night. I think this little thing will be travelling with me wherever I go now lol

Tuesday morning we were up at 6:30 and finished our complimentary breakfast by 7:30, but lazed around before heading to Merritt. 

The road constructions signs are everywhere! Mostly because of the Trans Mountain Pipeline work. At every road into the site .... every kilometre ...  were signs slowing to 70 km. What a pain. There wasn't even any traffic entering the road to worry about. 98% of the traffic on the highway is the construction crews driving aimlessly and ever so slow. At every "road slowdown" we could see about 5 "white hats" just standing around and very little work seeming to happen. No wonder this project has blown up money wise! We must have seen at least 25 trucks just driving slow and at least a 100 parked in the various road working yards. Unbelievable! They obviously never heard of crew cabs.

They had single lane traffic for this very slow paving crew.

We stopped to take a picture of this glacier on our way out of Valemount as we were coming out of the mountains.

Mt Monashee

Further down the highway after the construction stopped, we noticed a sign for "Little Hell's Gate" down a logging road for 3 km so off we went. This is on the North Thompson River.

A delightful little viewpoint. Here is a short video of the narrows. Hard to believe that the mighty Thompson River fits through this narrow opening.

Looking up river.

Looking downriver

Continuing on the highway, we stopped at Little Fort to have a rest stop, a bite of pie and and a coffee. Cory, our friend in Quesnel recommended this place, the High Five Diner. He said they have the best pie and coffee. He was right! Lots of work crew people stopping for coffee and food too.

Ray says "I like pie" lol

Very generous servings too.

After fueling up the car we headed out for the last of the trip to Merritt. We arrived later in the afternoon and took a short drive down to Claybanks RV Park that is closed due to the flooding in 2021 and still has not been fixed being a municipal campground. The bridge just past it is still not repaired either. Ray took a few pictures.

This is the picture from November 2021

This is what it looks like now.

These houses on the cliffs are losing more and more of their yard every year.

The RV Park we've stayed at multiple times. Now not planning to open until the fall of 2023 after closing November 2021.

Traffic was pretty good on the drive except for all the slowdown areas due to the pipeline installation. We headed to our hotel, The Best Western Plus on the way out of town. Once we arrived we were in our bathing suits and into their indoor hot tub and pool. A great way to end a long drive. :) Both Ray and I woke up with very sore backs this morning and were both beat, so a hot tub definitely helped. We are finding that car trips are ok for Ray's back for the most part. Where he gets really sore is trying to find a comfortable place to sit (me too) in hotel rooms. The beds have been fairly comfortable but we sure miss our lazy-boy chairs.

We have a much bigger room this time with a kitchenette. Best news ..... the A/C works! Tomorrow home to the island and sleep in our own beds.

It was a blustery evening with winds and rain. Glad we were not driving in the dark. We went next door to Mr. Mikes for dinner. The steak oscar was just so so. Certainly won't order that again.

Wednesday morning we were up and out the door on the road at 8 am after having a bit of their "free breakfast".  Not the best, but something to tide us over. I managed to get an earlier reservation for the 12:45 pm. so off we went. Traffic was good until we hit Chilliwack and then definitely more cars and trucks on the road.

We followed the new Trans Mountain Pipeline project from Valemount all the way to Abbotsford. What a project. Lots of slow down areas all the way. 

Arrived at the ferry with a 2 hour wait. Glad to be off the freeway and traffic. Here is a picture as we were leaving the terminal 20 minutes late. There seemed to be a health emergency in the parking lot with an ambulance attending.

Delta Port

We are finally at the end of the Fraser River. See how the water colour changes. 

The waters of the "mighty Fraser" blending a long way out in the strait.

Kristi decided to stay here for the weekend as her "girls weekend" in Ucluelet is cancelled due to the inability to get there with the Cameron Lake fire. She was here before we arrived home. Dinner is at Jake's at the Lake. :)

Good to be home.