Whiskey Jack Adventures: Prince George, B.C. 422 km

We know better! Choosing motels for a Saturday night can be a challenge. We should have been more aware as when we stayed here on the way north there were lots of young guys from various work crews – CN and Yellowhead helicopter – so we knew they would still be there. They were at the end of their work week, drinking beer, noisily swearing (the F word loses its impact after the hundredth time) and smoking outside on the front porch that ran along all the rooms. At 11:00 pm we called the front desk and the little Oriental lady owner put a stop to their noise.

It was the first day in a week that we have not had to wear rain gear. Yahoooooooooo. It had rained overnight so a bit of scud around but warmer and sunnier so a nice ride today.

Our first stop was at Moricetown Canyon. We had stopped here a few years ago on one of our previous trips either to Alaska or Queen Charlottes, not that either of us could remember which. Last time there were people fishing. It was amazing watching them standing over the heavy current spearing fish. No one fishing today. There were church bells in the back ground so maybe they were at church, it was too early, too late or just not good fishing. We did see a young girl ride her bike to meet a fellow in a white pickup, take something from one of the blue storage bins and give it to him before he drove off and she rode off. Sitting on the back of the bike watching the trees go by gets the imagination running amuck. Could it be a drug pick up, illegal sale of fish or just as simple as the guy picking up something he had left behind. It doesn’t matter. We have them on camera and the great McBride/Sinclair detective agency will work it out. We even took a telephoto shot to see what she was up to – pretending to comb her hair – an obvious ruse.

We found ourselves reflecting on why we hadn’t been seeing deer. Not even signs warning of deer like we see at home. Lots of watch for bear, moose and caribou signs but no deer. The distribution maps show no whitetail deer but there are mule deer. Maybe a low population density?

Being Sunday we did see lots more bikes out. We also saw about 20 old cars in a row. Speculating again. Was it just a Sunday ride or were they returning from a show and shine car show?

Part of the ride was along the “Highway of Tears”. The Highway of Tears is a 725-kilometre corridor of Highway 16 between Prince George and Prince Rupert, which has been the location of many murders and disappearances beginning in 1970. Estimates run as high as 40. Road signs warn girls not to hitchhike and there are reward signs at rest stops looking for loved ones.