Russ and Rob's Travels: Prince George to Vancouver

Prince George to Vancouver- What a variety of amazingly beautiful landscape we covered. Roads we travelled on were some of the steepest in British Columbias road systems.

Our RV did not like some of the climbs or down hill runs as it run hot and brakes were smelling but we took it slow savouring the view.

Our first camp along this route was in a Provincial camping Ground at Lac La Hache We have had a few stays in these bush style settings, minimal facilities and usually pitt toilets, some have waste dump and drinking water provided for a small fee or free. We have also stayed in some recreation parks which is where we spent our second night camped right alongside Coyish Creek. We happened to drive into this place mid afternoon and decided to have an early camp as it was such a peaceful spot. As it was early and the weather was reasonable we enjoyed sitting outdoors for a bit until the Canada cold night started rolling in.

We travelled part of the historic old Cariboo Wagon trail from 140 mile house to Lillooet, now known as hwy 97. Towns we travelled through were named for the distance they are from Lillooet. Ranch, farmingand horses are still what this area is all about.

At 108 mile we stopped at the Range heritage site which was the original site for the ranch but is now a tourist stop off. There are 13 timber bulidings, historical farm machinery and a museum that are all postioned alongside 108 mile lake.

Further down the road 100 mile House was established as a post house to the goldfields but is now a major service centre for the Cariboo area. 70 mile house was originally a stage stop.

It was then onto Clinton which is where the junction of two roads lead to the Cariboo Goldfields. The Cariboo Road saw the transportation of over six million dollars worth of gold. We turned off just up from Clinton onto hwy 99 continuing our travels through to Lillooet, the town perched out on the plateau above the Fraser river canyon. Plateau's were being used for farming pastures, the green a contrast to the cliffs behind.

It was then onto the Sea to Sky highway which is a continuation of highway 99, a former logging road, still windy and narrow which lead us up and over the mountains to the modern ski resort town of Whistler, the venue for the 2010 winter games. Exploring the town we followed the cobblestone walkway through the shopping village which has 200 shops and boutiques and throughout the town many good quality hotels. In summer the ski slopes turn into mountain bike trails and the chair lifts are used to transport bikes to the top of the mountain for the riders return down. While we we there the bike festival was on so the town was a hive of activity.

Nearing Vancouver the road spread out into a 4 lane highway. Once we arrived we booked one night in an RV park on the north of the city and the following on the south of the city close by the border crossing. We went for a walk along our namesake "Kingsmill" walking trail which lead us along Vancouver waterfront. The following morning it was a visit to the beautiful Stanley Park, 404 hectares of green space, with beaches and forest trails. We walked and drove around the park seeing racoons, geese,squirrells and loads of people, many riding pushbikes. After lunch we headed south driving through busy downtown to where we stayed at Surrey, which is in a rural setting. The beautiful RV park gardens were a show of colours and featured statues made of ceramic or brass. It was a great place to wonder at the end of our day.

Vancouver has been voted the worlds most liveable city for the 5th Year.

Crossing the Border we will leave Canada. ..... returning to the US must mean we are getting closer to returning to Oz ....