While we were in Smithers I called a classmate of mine Tom Bury and said hello. On account of his work commitment that day we were not able to meet but he told me that Vera and I were in for a real treat on the drive to Prince Rupert. How true.
The road follows the Bulkley River valley to the north out of Smithers, between the Mitchell Range and the Hazelton Mountains. At Hazelton the road turns west and heads for the coast.
Nearby Old Hazelton is the ancestral home of the Gitxsan First Nation People. We had been told to stop and tour the historical village and museum. There were fine examples of totems and long houses that made us look forward to Haida Gwaii.
Hazelton is situated on the edge of the Hazelton Mountain Range with beautiful scenery in all directions.
On up the road we passed by the Seven Sisters range with an elevation of 2755 metres.
At Terrace we then drove along the banks of the Skeena River out to Prince Rupert on the coast.
Prince Rupert was founded by Charles Melville Hayes and incorporated in 1910. Hayes was the general manager of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway and Prince Rupert was situated at its western terminus. Hayes had great plans for the city including docking passenger ships and the development of major tourism in the area. Unfortunately these plans were waylaid by Hayes death on the Titanic.
We arrived in Prince Rupert and went out for dinner at the Cow Bay Cafe on the recommendation of our good friend Kooli Magooli. Fresh halibut and a view of the harbour. Does it get any better than that?
The next morning we were boarding the ferry early and so it was espresso and baked goods at Cowppucccino’s (again – thanks Kooli).
Coming up – over the water to another world.
