Late last fall we decided that lil Blue would make the perfect chase vehicle to go along with the bike. We bought a featherlight utility trailer, to match the equally light bike, as not to over exert ourselves as we travelled and in the off chance that Meryl could not ride due to inclement weather or a breakdown. This was a Noble and rational plan, VW Buses are reliable and NEVER break down right??? RIGHT?? But we will get to that later.
Around the same time, we decided to participate in the first annual Sturgess North motorcycle rally being held in Salmon Arm BC. Salmon Arm has been near and dear to us for several years, as we have the pleasure of family living there, so it was a natural fit that we would attend, knowing our accommodations would be looked after, not to mention help keeping the children busy.
Detailed lists categorically ranked items of importance and priority. Weight was going to be a factor, so we needed to keep it light, or at least as much on the trailer as possible. Tents, toilet, bedding, and of course the tool box had to be accounted for and meticulously packed and arranged. (yeah right) So that was the intention, what really ended up happening was a last minute dash in the eleventh hour, frantically trying to make it all fit in the pouring
rain. (that's how we roll, I've accepted it) In the end all we forgot was my bedding for Meryl
and I in the van, kids were taken care of, no biggie (this also becomes a problem later in
the story)
Couldn't sleep with excitement and anticipation so we decided to make tracks Saturday, a day earlier than planned. So off we go, early start, 7 a.m. we are out of the yard. Weather is unbelievably poor, monsoon conditions in fact. I have no recollection of such a wet summer in
recent memory. It matters not, we are on our way to warm and sunny British Columbia.
We trailer the bike south west, waiting for sunny skies, but instead it rains harder. Three
hours into our trip and there is little reprieve. It is starting to get pretty hilly around
Evansburg, but lil Blue is making good time. Oil pressure is kind of "fluttery" but we choose
to ignore it for the most part. Never should have that damn gauge in the van anyway. Meryl
decides to hop on the bike. The rain is dissipating, we are starting to see breaks in the
clouds... Time to Ride.
Our friend Darryl who is also coming out to Sturgess phones, to let us know he is in fact
behind us. Originally he had left a day earlier, but he is travelling with his three girls
ages 10, 8 and 18mos (ALONE with no help) so obviously it is taking him much longer to get
anything done than originally planned. We decide to meet in Hinton for lunch. After waiting a
brief while, we see him pull in. "Jesus" Meryl exclaims, "That trailer is bigger than his
house, how does he plan on getting that thing through the Rockies?" We just laugh at the size
of this operation, no wonder it took him so long to catch up. "Darryl, how big is that
trailer?" "46 feet, hitch to ass" Darryl replies. Yep, it's bigger than the house he
lives in. Oh dear god... This is going to be fun
Lunch is ate, kids are changed, we are ready to go. Off to Miette Hot Springs and the Pocahontas Cabins in Jasper National Park.
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Katie outside of the Miette natural hot springs in Jasper National Park |
The cabins are beautiful, the hot springs are packed, but fun. We enjoy the games room, heated swimming pool and a beautiful menu at the resort. Weather clears up and the kids are back in the pool by 9 a.m. A quick breakfast and the show is back on the road.
Next Stop - Kamloops.... Stay Tuned.
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