Wheaton and wifey - North by Northwest
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wheatonFJR
...
Just to back track a little bit, here is the route that we took from Golden, east then up to Jasper, then on west and south to Oyama.
Thursday, July 21st...west to Pemberton!
We woke up and got on our way after a nice breakfast. Dave led us for a while north and west, taking a back way over to the outskirts of Kamloops. Very nice country...we parted ways, Dave headed back to his beautiful place on the lake, and we headed west to roads and country unseen by us before this trip. We had no expectations for this day. I really had no idea what the terrain would be like.
This is the route we took, except for Dave's back way to Kamloops. Pemberton is point 2 on the map.
Kamloops and points west is a dry, ranchland kinda country. If there is anything growing, it's due to irrigation
We ate in Cache Creek, taking 97 north, where Hwy 1 drops down south. Shortly thereafter 97 headed west and the terrain started to change.
We started to head into, through, and around the hills...and into and through an Indian Reservation. We even saw a sign warning that horses were about...and saw one near the road. Here we are, passing Pavilion Lake
As we wound our way through the reservation, the landscape got very dramatic as we got into the Frasier River basin. The river has cut a deep gorge through the land, so you were previously looking up at the mountains, you are now also looking down at a huge gorge
I really enjoyed the terrain west of Cache Creek! Unexpected pleasures...all the way to Lillooet and beyond
Then the terrain changed again as you start climbing west of Lillooet on this twisty two lane road (Rt 99)towards Pemberton. (I highly recommend this road...but I recommend you ride it with a Canadian...as the speed limit is 60km/hour on this road (37 mph!) Depending on who you talk to, nobody goes the speed limit...of course, but how fast is too fast? You could go 70 mph on this road, but the RCMP would take your bike away. So ride it with an aggressive Canadian, and do what they do. That's my advice. I played a lot on this road and took chances...but I didn't like the idea of this trip ending badly and expensively, so I didn't stay up in the impoundment zones for long periods of time. )
So climb on this road we did...but followed a few cars and RVs
But we weren't behind them very long, as we filtered to the front at the stop paddle. If you look closely in the photo, in the right and up the cliff, workers on ropes are jackhammering rocks off the mountain, doing rock fall mitigation.
So now we were in front all alone...yippee!
There's that nasty 60km/hr sign...
River along the road
Duffey Lake
...and what Louanne loves to see...white-capped mountains!
Rt 99 - Awesome road!
So Louanne and I arrive in Pemberton in late afternoon. In the first floor of our hotel is The Mile One Eating House. This is what you see when you are eating outside on their deck!
Just awesome!
They have GREAT food. If yer in Pemberton, be sure to eat here atleast once. We split a sandwich, and split a spicy Mac N Cheese entree. No food **** here, but awesome stuff.
Had a good beer as well.
I would say that keeping an open mind and just letting the trip come to us, we really enjoyed this day, the woods and grasses in the reservation, the Frasier River Gorge, the climb into the Alpine environment, and the great meal outside with the astounding views. Great day!
Thursday, July 21st...west to Pemberton!
We woke up and got on our way after a nice breakfast. Dave led us for a while north and west, taking a back way over to the outskirts of Kamloops. Very nice country...we parted ways, Dave headed back to his beautiful place on the lake, and we headed west to roads and country unseen by us before this trip. We had no expectations for this day. I really had no idea what the terrain would be like.
This is the route we took, except for Dave's back way to Kamloops. Pemberton is point 2 on the map.
Kamloops and points west is a dry, ranchland kinda country. If there is anything growing, it's due to irrigation
We ate in Cache Creek, taking 97 north, where Hwy 1 drops down south. Shortly thereafter 97 headed west and the terrain started to change.
We started to head into, through, and around the hills...and into and through an Indian Reservation. We even saw a sign warning that horses were about...and saw one near the road. Here we are, passing Pavilion Lake
As we wound our way through the reservation, the landscape got very dramatic as we got into the Frasier River basin. The river has cut a deep gorge through the land, so you were previously looking up at the mountains, you are now also looking down at a huge gorge
I really enjoyed the terrain west of Cache Creek! Unexpected pleasures...all the way to Lillooet and beyond
Then the terrain changed again as you start climbing west of Lillooet on this twisty two lane road (Rt 99)towards Pemberton. (I highly recommend this road...but I recommend you ride it with a Canadian...as the speed limit is 60km/hour on this road (37 mph!) Depending on who you talk to, nobody goes the speed limit...of course, but how fast is too fast? You could go 70 mph on this road, but the RCMP would take your bike away. So ride it with an aggressive Canadian, and do what they do. That's my advice. I played a lot on this road and took chances...but I didn't like the idea of this trip ending badly and expensively, so I didn't stay up in the impoundment zones for long periods of time. )
So climb on this road we did...but followed a few cars and RVs
But we weren't behind them very long, as we filtered to the front at the stop paddle. If you look closely in the photo, in the right and up the cliff, workers on ropes are jackhammering rocks off the mountain, doing rock fall mitigation.
So now we were in front all alone...yippee!
There's that nasty 60km/hr sign...
River along the road
Duffey Lake
...and what Louanne loves to see...white-capped mountains!
Rt 99 - Awesome road!
So Louanne and I arrive in Pemberton in late afternoon. In the first floor of our hotel is The Mile One Eating House. This is what you see when you are eating outside on their deck!
Just awesome!
They have GREAT food. If yer in Pemberton, be sure to eat here atleast once. We split a sandwich, and split a spicy Mac N Cheese entree. No food **** here, but awesome stuff.
Had a good beer as well.
I would say that keeping an open mind and just letting the trip come to us, we really enjoyed this day, the woods and grasses in the reservation, the Frasier River Gorge, the climb into the Alpine environment, and the great meal outside with the astounding views. Great day!
hppants
Well-known member
"... keeping an open mind and just letting the trip come to us....."
Right on, man!!!
Right on, man!!!
wheatonFJR
...
Friday, July 22nd
This day, we decided to go over to Whistler, BC...the Winter Olympic venue and Louanne scoped out some waterfalls she wanted to visit.
The Olympic Rings
We walked around Whistler, but as far as I was concerned, I was just walking in one big outdoor mall. It didn't seem like a real town like Pemberton...but the cross between a mall and an amusement park with ski lifts, etc. Just not impressed.
The hikes toward the falls, on the other hand, totally impressed.
Felt so otherworldly with the green growth everywhere...
Brandywine Falls...
The photo des not capture how beautiful this is.
At the same path, we could see the volcano cone of Mt Garibaldi...
...that little tip.
From the same Brandywine Falls trail, looking downstream at the plains leading to Daisy Lake.
After that, we walked back to the parking lot, geared up, rode north past Whistler, past the construction zone again...getting more Canadian dirt on my FJR...
and visiting a rather dramatic falls called Nairn Falls. Just south of Pemberton, you can feel the kinetic power of all that water dropping and twisting and turning through the curves it has etched in the granite faces...
Look for the people in this picture to capture the scale of these rocks
water just fizzing with energy...
We retreated back to Pemberton and walked through town...seeing things like a BMX event with kids at a professional like BMX track and stands. The local newspaper had hockey for the back page main story...in July. We enjoyed another dinner at Mile One...but ate inside as it was raining at the time.
Thus endeth Friday, July 22nd.
This day, we decided to go over to Whistler, BC...the Winter Olympic venue and Louanne scoped out some waterfalls she wanted to visit.
The Olympic Rings
We walked around Whistler, but as far as I was concerned, I was just walking in one big outdoor mall. It didn't seem like a real town like Pemberton...but the cross between a mall and an amusement park with ski lifts, etc. Just not impressed.
The hikes toward the falls, on the other hand, totally impressed.
Felt so otherworldly with the green growth everywhere...
Brandywine Falls...
The photo des not capture how beautiful this is.
At the same path, we could see the volcano cone of Mt Garibaldi...
...that little tip.
From the same Brandywine Falls trail, looking downstream at the plains leading to Daisy Lake.
After that, we walked back to the parking lot, geared up, rode north past Whistler, past the construction zone again...getting more Canadian dirt on my FJR...
and visiting a rather dramatic falls called Nairn Falls. Just south of Pemberton, you can feel the kinetic power of all that water dropping and twisting and turning through the curves it has etched in the granite faces...
Look for the people in this picture to capture the scale of these rocks
water just fizzing with energy...
We retreated back to Pemberton and walked through town...seeing things like a BMX event with kids at a professional like BMX track and stands. The local newspaper had hockey for the back page main story...in July. We enjoyed another dinner at Mile One...but ate inside as it was raining at the time.
Thus endeth Friday, July 22nd.
wheatonFJR
...
So, we come to Saturday, July 23rd.
We looked up the radar and it showed weather starting south of Whistler, and really pouring it on in Vancouver. So we started out in raingear, we had a ways to go that day, cross a border, it was supposedly pouring in our path.
Big mistake.
Since Louanne is the phototaker, and she couldn't take photos with all the raingear, we have no photos of Saturday. None.
Yet, it was epic. Probably some of the most startling beauty was when we got south of Squamish, BC and we saw these islands that just rose out of the water....like those islands in a James Bond film, Man with the Golden Gun, or sumpin like that. Just mesmerizing.
Here is the map of the area...
The highway just hugs the water from high up on cliffs. I would do this ride again in a minute. The weekend traffic heading away from Vancouver in the other direction was mind boggling.
Here is a google streetview of some of the islands from a beach
It was just awesome.
Border took awhile to get through.
We got to our hotel in Monroe, chilled for awhile and then headed over to George/escape's place...rumor had it there was going to be a gathering. George did not lie. There was George and his lovely wife, Niehart welcomed us back. achiu(sp), Dr Richs were there, Auburns were there, Panmans were there and many others...and there was so MUCH food. Unbelieveable. It was great to meet so many of my Forum "heroes" in person again. I really wish I took some pictures, but it just didn't seem like the thing to do. I do treasure the time with them. I do consider many of the people I meet on the Forum friends, or long lost cousins, atleast. There is a bond there, once made, not easily broken.
We looked up the radar and it showed weather starting south of Whistler, and really pouring it on in Vancouver. So we started out in raingear, we had a ways to go that day, cross a border, it was supposedly pouring in our path.
Big mistake.
Since Louanne is the phototaker, and she couldn't take photos with all the raingear, we have no photos of Saturday. None.
Yet, it was epic. Probably some of the most startling beauty was when we got south of Squamish, BC and we saw these islands that just rose out of the water....like those islands in a James Bond film, Man with the Golden Gun, or sumpin like that. Just mesmerizing.
Here is the map of the area...
The highway just hugs the water from high up on cliffs. I would do this ride again in a minute. The weekend traffic heading away from Vancouver in the other direction was mind boggling.
Here is a google streetview of some of the islands from a beach
It was just awesome.
Border took awhile to get through.
We got to our hotel in Monroe, chilled for awhile and then headed over to George/escape's place...rumor had it there was going to be a gathering. George did not lie. There was George and his lovely wife, Niehart welcomed us back. achiu(sp), Dr Richs were there, Auburns were there, Panmans were there and many others...and there was so MUCH food. Unbelieveable. It was great to meet so many of my Forum "heroes" in person again. I really wish I took some pictures, but it just didn't seem like the thing to do. I do treasure the time with them. I do consider many of the people I meet on the Forum friends, or long lost cousins, atleast. There is a bond there, once made, not easily broken.
wheatonFJR
...
Sunday, July 24th
Well, this morning...early we head over to George's and get the bike and stuff sorted, so we can get the bike shipped back, and we can have clothes for the rest of our journey, as we are headed downtown Seattle to see my niece and her kids, and my oldest brother at the same time who had made a trip west over from Pullman, WA.
After we got things sorted, George was nice enough to drive Louanne and I to some midway point (McDs) where my niece would pick us up. We chatted with George for a bit until my niece came, then it was time to bid adieu. Thank-you George. You are a great friend to this South Carolinian! I used many assists provided from Forum members, thanks to all who helped and provided advice, it was deeply appreciated!
So this Sunday was a day to be with family, a sunny day...even saw Mt. Rainier(!) for the first time on the way to my niece's place in the city.
It was a great day to be with family, with whom we hadn't seen in person for a long time, and who knows when the next time may be...so all the time is treasured.
My niece lives in a city/gritty place in town. The local park had many homeless people camping out...but the kids didn't seem to notice at their age. My brother is an unbelievable artist with a camera, has had books published, but has struggled as of late. We have been a bit estranged, mostly my fault, but it was great to see him again.
Here my brother Gary is with one of the young'uns
Here I am with the other young-un, the philosopher. I notice she is just sitting by herself, and I ask her what she is thinking...and she says"this is the best day ever!"...and I say why?...she says, "because you're here."
Well, my heart just melted because of how soft and tender this little girl's heart was treasuring these little moments. I shared that moment with my niece, and she said...well, she is like that...very high and low. She has LOTS of "This is the best day ever!" moments...or vice versa. I laughed.
Of course...many of my "This is the best day ever!" moments occur on FJR trips. So...I TOTALLY get it.
Later that Sunday we walked over to a local joint, where we had our supper...
Fun with family...
...and sleepless in Seattle.
What a trip.
What a trip!
FIN
Well, this morning...early we head over to George's and get the bike and stuff sorted, so we can get the bike shipped back, and we can have clothes for the rest of our journey, as we are headed downtown Seattle to see my niece and her kids, and my oldest brother at the same time who had made a trip west over from Pullman, WA.
After we got things sorted, George was nice enough to drive Louanne and I to some midway point (McDs) where my niece would pick us up. We chatted with George for a bit until my niece came, then it was time to bid adieu. Thank-you George. You are a great friend to this South Carolinian! I used many assists provided from Forum members, thanks to all who helped and provided advice, it was deeply appreciated!
So this Sunday was a day to be with family, a sunny day...even saw Mt. Rainier(!) for the first time on the way to my niece's place in the city.
It was a great day to be with family, with whom we hadn't seen in person for a long time, and who knows when the next time may be...so all the time is treasured.
My niece lives in a city/gritty place in town. The local park had many homeless people camping out...but the kids didn't seem to notice at their age. My brother is an unbelievable artist with a camera, has had books published, but has struggled as of late. We have been a bit estranged, mostly my fault, but it was great to see him again.
Here my brother Gary is with one of the young'uns
Here I am with the other young-un, the philosopher. I notice she is just sitting by herself, and I ask her what she is thinking...and she says"this is the best day ever!"...and I say why?...she says, "because you're here."
Well, my heart just melted because of how soft and tender this little girl's heart was treasuring these little moments. I shared that moment with my niece, and she said...well, she is like that...very high and low. She has LOTS of "This is the best day ever!" moments...or vice versa. I laughed.
Of course...many of my "This is the best day ever!" moments occur on FJR trips. So...I TOTALLY get it.
Later that Sunday we walked over to a local joint, where we had our supper...
Fun with family...
...and sleepless in Seattle.
What a trip.
What a trip!
FIN
escapefjrtist
Searching for Dry Roads
Awesome RR and trip Mark!
Glad that Jill and I were/are in a position to provide assistance and a little bit of help along the way. Great to see you again, finally meet your [much better] half (!) and enjoy some laughs together.
Whenever you two come back to the PNW, you can count of the gang up here for anything you need!
--G
Glad that Jill and I were/are in a position to provide assistance and a little bit of help along the way. Great to see you again, finally meet your [much better] half (!) and enjoy some laughs together.
Whenever you two come back to the PNW, you can count of the gang up here for anything you need!
--G
Niehart
Pie Smuggler
+1Awesome RR and trip Mark!Glad that Jill and I were/are in a position to provide assistance and a little bit of help along the way. Great to see you again, finally meet your [much better] half (!) and enjoy some laughs together.
Whenever you two come back to the PNW, you can count of the gang up here for anything you need!
--G
Panman
Well-known member
Great ride report Mark. Wish I would have had a little more time to have rode with the two of you. Come again!
Mihalis fjr
Well-known member
Excellent ride report!!!What wonderful photos!!!
Thanks for your time to sharing with us!
Thanks for your time to sharing with us!
hppants
Well-known member
I enjoyed every single picture. What a wonderful trip. I figure to do western Canada, I need to add 10 days to your itinerary. 5 to get to Seattle and 5 to get home from Seattle.
My brother lives in Bainbridge Island - guess we have that in common too.
Well done, Wheatie. Indeed - well done.
My brother lives in Bainbridge Island - guess we have that in common too.
Well done, Wheatie. Indeed - well done.
BkerChuck
Second hand vegetarian
Awesome RR and photos! Thank you for taking all of us along on a great journey!
1911
Well-known member
Again, WOW!
RaYzerman19
Go Wings!
Enjoyed your whole trip report, Wheatie, the Great White North Liberation Army had you under surveillance the whole time. I especially liked the part about the Icefields Parkway and the photos that brought back memories.. last time I was there it was 90F on the highway and 36F when I drove down to the visitor center, I'll never forget that. BTW, now that y'all southerners are back in the land of boring roads, have you had a chance to get the lab analysis on all that Canadian dirt that was on your bike?
wheatonFJR
...
Well, we've had a bit of a problem back at GooberLabs. Gomer dropped the magnifying glass, so we are SOL. But we're fixing to get a new Lab, as the Darlins don't need their outhouse anymore.
If we find anything more on why you Canadians are so different....I'll report back. In the meantime, it's still a mystery.
Last edited by a moderator:
Iris
formerly "herfjr"
Wow!!!! I just noticed this RR. I didn't know you guys had this planned. The pictures and the narrative was amazing!
So happy for you two and a bit envious.
Jim and I have always wanted to go to Banff and your report has shown us so much more.
Thanks for taking the time to share this!
So happy for you two and a bit envious.
Jim and I have always wanted to go to Banff and your report has shown us so much more.
Thanks for taking the time to share this!
wheatonFJR
...
Thanks Iris!
Simply put...
Uncle Hud
Just another blob of protoplasm using up your oxyg
Killer ride report. Photos, narrative, descriptions. Excellent work for an EXCELLENT ride, sir!
Last edited by a moderator:
Niehart
Pie Smuggler
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