I spent 3 hours updating my blog in the library in Kamloops.  It has been hard to stop on the road and spend the time to make updates when all I want to do is ride. Afterward, I rode around until discovering a spot overlooking the lights of town.  The sun set but the clouds told me the chance of passing showers was over.  I made a cup of soup then spread out my bivy among fragrant sagebrush under the peak of Mt. St. Paul for a fitful sleep.

I awoke at 5 and went down to the river.  The sun had just began to rise, painting the sky pink and orange with the backdrop of Mt. St. Paul behind me.  I stripped and brought my soap down to the river for a bath in the chilly water.  The water temperature was actually warmer than the ambient air as I scrubbed off the smells of damp clothes and the grit from the road.  Refreshed and in my cleanest dirty clothes, I made a cup of Tim Horton's coffee and ate two packets of oatmeal beside the beautiful park. 

Today I plan to ride toward the town of Vernon and then follow Hwy 6 over toward Nelson, BC.  The Ainsworth Hot Springs are high on my list of places to visit. Where else can one take a hot bath in a cave?  I'll also try to keep things updated for all those arm-chair travelers back home.  Thank you so much for the support and praise along my trip...many more posts and stories to come!

I was ready to get on the road after a great night and the morning interview.  The weather was gloriously dry and warming as I departed PG heading up the Fraser River toward the Robson Valley.  At a lunch break I checked the bike over and discovered a wood screw firmly embedded in my rear tire. This marks my first flat of the trip but fortunately it wasn't leaking air.  I continued on 80 miles to the valley town of McBride where I patched it and used the air pump at the gas station to reinflate the rear.  GOOD TO GO!

Back on the road again, it began to rain.  I smiled and stayed mostly dry as the sky darkened and clouds obscured the tall peaks around me.  I made soup under an overpass drawing stares from passing truckers and a few RCMP officers. I didn't linger long.  By the time I reached the town of Valemount, it was nearly dark and the rain heavier than ever. Overladen raindrops fell in buckets. Once again, everything was wet.  I stopped at a gas station for a cup of coffee then rolled around before pulling in behind the visitor center.  I 4ft overhang on an adjacent log structure was all I needed to stay dry overnight and avoid having to put up my tent.  I slept alright but was up at 5AM and back on the hunt for coffee.  The A&W in town had a "classic breakfast" of 2 eggs, 2 toast and 2 bacon  for about $6.  To my surprise, it wasn't half bad for fast food!  I spent a good two hours in there sipping my coffee and updating my hand-written journal.  It has been easy to get behind on my journal entries when I'm knocking out serious miles and stopping after dark.  By 8AM, the sun had began to burn off the fog cover and I geared up to hit the road.  The clouds hung to the mountains and trees creating a beautiful scene for my morning trip.  The weather would continue to be pleasant throughout the remainder of my day as I continued down toward Kamloops.

Riding down into the Thompson River Valley, it was fascinating to watch the ecology change.  The fir trees and cedar slowly gave way to an arid landscape more similar to Montana or California than B.C.  Irrigated farm fields of covered vegetables, hay fields and pasture land marked a distinct change from the "north" that was becoming so familiar.  The terrain would continue to change into grassland and sagebrush as I rode lower toward Kamloops.  My mood soared with the warmer weather and I look forward to observing the change it has on me back in the lower 48.

Dave sent out an email to some local TV stations regarding my journey.  To my surprise, I received an email from Dave Branco of CKPG asking if I was available to do an interview.  We met in an hour at the junction of Hwy 97 and 16 where he filmed me and interviewed the scooter traveler to a backdrop of trucks, traffic and the PG Mascot.

Interview available here:  http://ckpg.com/scooter-tourist-makes-a-stop-in-p-g-video

I knocked out 230mi of highway riding to make it to Prince George.  My friends Dave and Joan, who I met on my way north, offered me a bed and meal in exchange for stories and conversation.  I gladly obliged, picking up a bottle of Crown Royal, wine and an apple pie before stopping in.  Joan made a delicious meal of chicken breast, stir fry and potatoes while we shared stories.  Relaxing by the glow of the TV in their well appointed living room, we drank well into the early morning. Dave shared many sites and small things to see on my ride south and I took copious notes to improve my journey.  

I absolutely enjoyed my stay in PG with Dave and Joan.  They made me feel like I was at home for a day - something I certainly needed after such a wet and long ride down from Alaska.  Their company and warm conversation warmed my weary bones and my heart. I look forward to our next meeting somewhere on down the road...