I was up early as I wanted to be packed up before the forestry people started arriving for work. I was sure it wouldn’t have have been a problem, but I was literally camped on their office doorstep and I hadn’t been able to ask anyone’s permission!
I made a coffee, broke camp and the forestry services blokes and girls (Esketemc First Nation Indians) turned up about 7.00 am just as I was finishing up. ‘Never expected to find an Aussie camped on the front lawn’ was one comment. They thought that was awesome and bought out coffee and a big packet of home-made beef jerky for breakfast. Forestry is a big industry here – the resources are owned by the community with some outside management assistance. This is a bit unusual apparently. It’s all pretty laid back, but works well. The boys were keen to tell me about what they did and the trees they harvested. Seems there’s still plenty there to be had. They were such great people and so welcoming – this is one of the best things about adventure travel – everywhere you go you meet amazing, warm, hospitable people.
If you click here you’ll find a bit more info on Esketemc First Nation. I need to educate myself better as most of the county I’ll be riding through over the next few months is Indian land or reservations. It’s a big deal.
The gas station didn’t open until 9.00 am which was a bit of a nuisance – a few horses seemed to be waiting for something too. On the road again, I got some supplies at Williams Lake and then fair dinkum fried chicken as a very early lunch at 150 Mile House. I took off for Horsefly and around the lakes for the rest of the afternoon. Wonderful views as always and more great camping spots – just too early unfortunately.
The road from Mahood Falls to Bridge Lake was pretty tricky but lots of fun. Bitumen through to Little Fork and a quick blast south to Louis Creek. It was really hot – 35 plus degrees, but it felt a lot more with my jacket and armour on. More forestry south to Adams Lake where I tried to find a decent camp site without luck. Kept going and ultimately found something just out of Magna Bay. Set up and went down to the pub for dinner. Friday night footy was on the big screen (it’s the same the world over it seems) albeit was the Canadian NFL. Everyone was saying that it’s the poor cousin to the American league, full of has-beens and players coming back from injury. It looked pretty hard and fast to me. There was quite a crowd and they were really into it. Had a pretty good burger mid-way through the match and no one would let me buy drinks. It was a big night, but by 12.00 was in the tent where I slept like the dead.
Covered a bit over 500 km for the day with 60% dirt. Not a particularly eventful one on the bike, but really nice day none the less.
Adventure USA 