Campbell River, BC

Rain, rain, go away.

The walk up north was wonderful, beautiful, cold, wet and desolate.  Everyone said to watch out for black bears and cougars, and aside from seeing 2 black bears on my first day out, I never did run across any more -- which seemed to surprise a lot of people, including myself.  There were hardly no pull-out areas, or access roads, or areas for me to get off the road at, so I usually ended up camping on a logging road.  After 5 days of camping out and no showers, I was glad to finally get back into civilization again.

While I was out there, I saw a lot of logging trucks go by, including one that had only 3 very big logs on it.  That almost made me cry.  Also, while I was out there, I met up with Dharma, a bicyclist riding up to the tip of Vancouver Island.  He stopped to visit with me, and offered me a beer.  "Only if its cold!"  I said.  He assured me it was as he pulled it out of the icebox.  I must say, some  people do have their priorities in order!

I thoroughly enjoyed the walk down through the city of  Campbell River.  They have a wonderful walkway that goes right by the waters edge of the Strait of Georgia, making it a very enjoyable walk indeed.  Also along the walkway there are a lot of carvings and totem poles, and I got several pictures of those.  While I was walking along, I stopped a a convenient store to grab a sandwich, and a lady stopped and asked me if there was a baby in my cart.  Not yet, I said, but I've got just about everything else in there!  She sounded relieved.  I am too, actually.

I no more got my tent set up in a pleasant RV camp right next to a beautiful blooming rhododendron bush, when the storm arrived with a vengeance!  The winds were howling and the rain was pelting sideways, but I was tucked inside safe and dry.  The wind finally died down, but the rain kept coming, so I stayed put for a 2nd day.  Mark & Patty, staying in an RV near my tent, invited me in this morning for a hot cup of coffee, and now I'm updating my blog.  People are so kind!

Port Hardy, BC

May 30-31, Tues-wed

I arrived in Port Hardy at 10:30 pm, and Ann was there to pick me up and take me to the hostel.  I know this might sound selfish, but it made my day to know that there was someone at the other end waiting for me.  She took me to the hostel and I got settled in for the night.

On Wednesday I did some walking around town and checked out Port Hardy, BC.  I started off by heading out to the Coast Guard unit, where I asked them for a patch.  They said the only patches they had were all sewed on their shirts.  We visited for awhile, and discussed in detail the road from here to Campbell River, a little over a hundred miles long.  Aside from a couple towns, theres not much out there besides a few black bears (no grizzlies, though.)  They did mention that after I get to Campbell River, not only will it be much more populated, but there will be a big change in the weather, and it will be warmer and dryer.  After that I stopped at the Visitor Center and got some more information about the road from here down to Victoria.  She then pointed out a couple trails around town that she thought I'd enjoy walking, so after our visit I headed out to one of those trails.  I followed a trail that took me down to the harbor area and then angled around a campground, and after that I headed back downtown and had a frosted mug of A&W Root Beer. 

Tomorrow, on June 1st, I'll be heading down the road, just me and my cart, on my way to Victoria, BC. 

 

Prince Rupert, BC

May 26 - 28, Sat-Mon

I arrived in Prince Rupert at 1:30am early Saturday morning.  I tried to hand in that darn Canadian document to the customs lady, but she told me to hang on to it until I get to Victoria, BC.  I mentioned that it was given to me in Yukon, and that I didn't realize I needed to carry it through British Columbia.  I also mentioned that I wasn't sure if I could get down to Victoria by July 3rd, the date I need to hand that in by.  She pretty much said have a good day, and turn it in at Victoria when I exit Canada.  So now I guess I'm going to Victoria with a deadline to meet:  July 3rd.

I took a taxi to Black Rooster Guesthouse, a really nice hostel/motel.  They knew I'd be coming in during the wee hours, and my room was ready.  When I finally got up, they pointed out downtown Prince Rupert (only 3 blocks away) and mentioned a few places I might like to see.  It was pouring down rain out, and didn't look like it was going to improve much anytime soon  I mostly stayed inside over the weekend, but on Monday I headed out anyway and went downtown and checked out a couple museums and explored down by the harbor.  It's a very nice, very hilly town, and I enjoyed my walk in the rain.  I stopped at a little bakery for a snack, and 2 men sat in the next table and started visiting with me.  After quite awhile, they got up and left.  We swapped business cards, and I discovered I had been visiting with the mayor!  I also stopped at the fire station and asked them for a patch.  When I told the chief I was a dispatcher from Alaska, he didn't hesitate and welcomed me in and handed me a patch from Prince Rupert.

Tuesday morning is going to start early, since I need to get down to the ferry terminal by 6am.  I'll be taking my last ferry ride down to Port Hardy, BC, located at the north tip of Vancouver Island.  I'll get in at 10:30pm, and that's where my feet will be on solid ground and I'll start walking.  From Port Hardy down to Victoria it's 310 miles.  I'm looking forward to walking down Vancouver Island.

Ketchikan, AK

May 23-24, wed-thur

Twenty hours seemed like a long time on the ferry.  The ride was enjoyable, and the weather was beautiful, but I didn't sleep much and I was ready to get off.

I was planning on staying at a hostel, but I was really reluctant about staying at this one because all the reviews online about this place are negative, and they all complained about a grumpy old man.  But it was so much cheaper than the motels.  When I arrived, the grumpy old man was outside working.  He basically chewed me out for not making reservations sooner, and he then ordered me to carry my cart up to the 3rd floor.  When I asked if there was anywhere on the ground floor inside or outside that I could leave my cart, he was extremely curt and short and said no, that I had to carry it all up 3 flights of stairs.  And that's when I got my cart, turned around, and walked away.  Locals said that Super 8 Motel was the cheapest around, so that's where I headed.  The hot bubble bath was wonderful, and I happily got all my laundry done.

The next day I had a great time being a tourist in Ketchikan.  I walked about a mile to the downtown area, then joined passengers from the 5 cruise ships that were docked to help improve the economy in Ketchikan, AK.  The brochures included a walking tour that covered several miles and a lot of interesting places to stop and check out.  I started off by checking out the Visitor Center, then started out on that walking tour.   A creek runs right through town, and the path and trails of this walking tour followed and crossed over the creek several times.  A lot of old buildings were along the creek.  There were about a zillion tourist-trap shops along the walk, and I was pleased with myself:  I only bought some stickers, a patch and some salmon jerky.

Some of the places I went to were the Tongass Historical Museum, Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery & Eagle Center, Tongass Trading Center, and the SE Alaska Discovery Center.  I think the Discovery Center was my favorite.  The weather was absolutely beautiful to be out and about in Ketchikan, AK.  It was a great day.

Sitka, AK

MAY 20-22, 2012 - Sun-Tue

Today is the first day of my trip that I'm actually traveling alone, and yet, I so wish I wasn't.  I miss Kriss terribly, and she wanted to go to Sitka so bad.  I felt almost guilty going there without her.  When the ferry arrived at 12:30 pm, there was an RV park right next to the ferry terminal, so I asked the lady if I could pitch a tent there, and she said sure.  She pointed out a couple of picnic tables down by the waters edge, and I happily set up my tent in some soft, plush grass looking out at Sitka Sound with a beautiful view of the ferry docked.  I'm sure I had the best spot in town! 

Later, I started visiting with Jen & 14 month old Jake.  She & her husband have a charter fishing excursion and she would be staying there in their RV all summer.  She fixed us a wonderful supper of salmon & vegetables, and mentioned that she'd be driving the 7 miles into town tomorrow if I'd like a ride.

The next day we were heading into town.  She gave me the quick tour and pointed out several spots I'd like to see, then she dropped me off in the middle of town.  The first thing I did was hit a few of the souvenir shops and I bought Kriss a Sitka, AK t-shirt, 4 Alaska place mats, and some post cards.  Then I headed for the post office and bought an over sized envelope.  I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it only cost $12 to mail it all to South Africa.  I thought it would cost a lot more than that.

I did check out quite a few places, such as the Sheet'ka Kwann Naa Kahidi Community House, Totem Square, Castle Hill, St Peters by the sea Episcopal Church, and the Sheldon Jackson Museum. I also went to Sitka Luther Church, and also toured St Michaels Cathedral. But probably my favorite place was going to Sitka National Historical Park & Totem Trail. It was a beautiful park with many totem poles, and I really enjoyed walking around there.

                                                                                                       St Michaels Cathedral

Gustavus, AK

I took the ferry from Juneau, AK to Gustavus, AK to see my friend Rachel.  I was able to spend the first night camping out at Glacier Bay National Park, and the next night I stayed at her house.  Glacier Bay was beautiful, and I enjoyed the camping.  I also had a great time visiting with Rachel and her Mother, Jill.  The visit was short but sweet, and today I'll be back on the ferry on my way back to Juneau.  I'll arrive back in Juneau at 6:00pm, then head out on the ferry for Sitka, AK at 8:00am tomorrow.

Here's a few pics of Gustavus, AK:

Seawolf at Bartlett Cove in Glacier Bay Nat'l Park.

Rachel, in front of my tent at Glacier Bay Nat'l Park.

Albo, Eve, and Finnvara at Bartlett Cove in Glacier Bay Nat'l Park.

A glass of hot tea.

Now this is how I camp!  You can't see it, but there's a blazing fire in the stove!

Jill, Me and Rachel

Juneau, AK

Kriss and I enjoyed our last day together in Juneau, AK.  We checked out the shops, and did a bit of sight-seeing, such as touring the State Capitol, going to the City Museum, checking out the governors mansion, and riding the tram up to the top of the mountain.  Of course, the worst part was saying goodbye. 

The next morning, we got up super early -- 4:30am -- to get me to the ferry terminal to catch a ferry to Gustavus.  When we got there, the guy behind the counter said I was plenty early, and that my ticket to Gustavus didn't leave until thursday -- 2 days away!  Like a dummy, I hadn't paid attention to the date and just assumed that we were both leaving on different ferries on the same day!  Kriss and I gave each other a you-gotta-be-kidding-me look, and went out for breakfast.  Her ferry didn't leave until noon, so we had PLENTY of time to get her back to the terminal for her ferry ride to Whittier!  And, like I said earlier, saying good bye was really very hard.  We had a great time traveling together, and I'll miss her a lot.

Here are a few pictures of Juneau, AK: