Road Tripping

 Tofino to Whistler

We started early as we had to check in for the ferry by 12:30. Turns out we left too early as we were at Departure Bay before 11.00. Still I DID get to see the three bears in the woods on the way. No photos as we were in a twisty windy bit and no chance of reversing back! Glad we booked this way as at 10:30 it was already showing less than 25% availability. 

A very different route back to the mainland from Nanimo to Horseshoe Bay and then a beautiful route around the bay before we headed up.

Our afternoon arrival in Whistler gave us time to wander round the town and admire the mountains. Hotel was a bit cheap and cheerful but well equiped with a kitchenette - useful for reheating last night's pizza

We picked up a hitchiker in Whistler.

Whistler to Clearwater

Our route was planned with plenty of stops to break up the white knuckled mountain passes mostly which featured a total lack of guard rails but we made it safely to Lillooet where we visited the museum before lunch at the (you guessed it...) local brewery.

 

The hitchiker did not recommend this snack. Tasted like ice-confection which had been melted and refrozen. 

Enjoying the sunshine, 19 degrees now, three turns around the mountain later and it was down to 6 and fleeces were back on.

As we left Lillooet we crossed a bridge at the confluence of the Fraser and Seton Rivers where you could clearly see the two rivers not yet mingling

The next part of the trip was mostly through valleys and on wider roads. Google maps got a bit confused at 70 mile house  - but the detour meant we did see several beavers dams.

  

To be perfectly honest I was ever so slightly disappointed by Mr Beaver's House as I was expecting something like this:

Finally made it to Clearwater in time to speak to the visitors centre about the best easy walks to see the waterfalls in Wells Gray Provincial Park before dinner at the Hop n Hog Smokehouse. The hosts at our hotel have been lovely and provided me with a kettle and wine glasses, not part of their usual supplies.

When I saw the portions other tables were getting I said I'd have "the girlfriend portion" and just ordered a glass of wine. We STILL have enough left over for dinner tonight!