Highway 97 is quite busy, particularly within the area of small communities. Rick noted that although the towns were small, they had amazing services, and were extremely busy, mostly because they served as the main centres for the farming areas around them. The skies cleared up slightly and we could see that the landscape had flattened out a great deal and had become undulating rather than vertical (ha). The type of forests had changed as well, with many deciduous birch and poplar mixed in with the fir and pine. We pass through the hamlets of 70 mile house, 100 mile house and 150 mile house. 100 mile house is named because a road house was constructed here in 1862 during the Gold Rush at the 100 mile mark from Lillooet. As recent as 1930, Lord Martin Cecil came out from England to 100 Mile House to manage the estate on behalf on his father, the 5th Marquess of Exeter. (I bet HE got a shock!!). All the other houses were named by distance from Lillooet as well.
Old rail fencing
150 mile house.
Farm on unknown lake. This area is riddled with lakes, if you consult a map you will see what I mean.
Our first sign of a Tim's in ages. We start to drool.
We cannot resist the second Tim Horton's for 2 teas, 2 lemon poppy seed slices, one glazed cinnamon swirl and an apple fritter. Yes, we were a bit peckish by now.
Corn fields.
Logs stacked at the mill. This is a place that depends heavily of the mills to support the local economy. They frequently provide a lot of community support, housing for the mill workers, and so forth. It shows. Ninety per cent of the drivers were rolling around in brand new 4 wheel drive pick up trucks.
Another view of the shift to a mixed forest. It looks like Ontario to me!
We are now camped on the outskirts of Prince George. The skies are clearing (fingers crossed) and should the sun god shine down on us tomorrow we will off on the Yellowhead Highway (16) to its intersection with the Stewart-Cassiar Highway (37) which is a key element of this trip. Until then, everybody stay well and happy and we will return to you soon.
Barbara Rick and Flossie the intrepid traveller.
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