pr rupert trip report. {nklr}

[R Bizarro]

Hello Listers.                         Thought some would like to read about my trip. I know some of you like to travel to BC.  Enjoy. Rick. [b]-----Original Message-----[/b] [b]From: [/b]R Bizarro [b]Date: [/b]Tuesday, June 20, 2000 12:44 PM [b]Subject: [/b]Pr Rupert trip report.      It was time for me to hit the road! This is my latest trip from Northwest BC. As I was gathering my things together for my latest trip, I was thinking how fortunate I was to live in such a beautiful part of BC. I looked around at all the greenery and flowers, which are in full bloom. Again it was a sunny day, the forecast was for sun with cloudy periods. Temperatures was high of + 20C. All packed, bike all check out. Ready to roll. Pr Rupert the Alaska ferry, BC ferry docking,Queen Charlottes as well. Major industries are Commercial as well as sports fishing, pulp mill and exporting terminal.  Travelling time from Kitimat was 3 hours and a distance of 260KM one way. As I left Terrace to Rupert first thing you notice is how unique this road is. One side of the road lays the mighty Skeena river. I noticed that the river water was dirty and higher than usual. Summer heat and resent rainfall, plus the melting snow pack on the mountains has caused the river to swell. I know that this will make for spectacular waterfalls along the road. Back to the road. On the other side of the windy road the mountains rise up to the blue sky. Most of the mountains will have snow on the top of the peaks year round. On some parts of the road you will see sign warning you not to stop. Either falling rock or in the winter months avalanches will fall. Now two hours into my trip I came to a camp/picnic sight. Time for lunch. As I was eating I had a small friend watching every bite I was taking of my sandwich. It was a small squirrel. Of course my friend had  lunch as well. After a break I continued on. Near Rupert now the Skeena finishes it's flow into the ocean. What a sight, where river meets ocean it does become wide. You start noticing commercial fishing boats setting out the nets, I stopped for a picture. The spring salmon or as the American all it king salmon are running. Birds like seagulls follow the boats just waiting for a meal. Often you will see the might eagle flying in presute of a meal. A few miles from Rupert you notice the strong smell of the salt water. Haaa, the joys or riding a bike. Smells you just don't get when you are driving a car, with the A/C on. Before heading into Rupert I took a small detour to Port Edward. Which is only 10KM away from town. When you hit the turn off, the smell of the Pulp Mill will hit you. Not a good smell. By now you must be wondering why on earth I detoured from my plans. No it wasn't to get a nose full of the air of the pulp mill.  Only 12KM down the windy narrow road is an old fish cannery. The tour is great.You find out more of the history as well the culture of the area. Plus how natives as well as the immigrants to the area worked. The hardships the people endured making a living on the coast way back when, as they settled in on the north coast. After the tour I headed into Rupert. Close to town you notice the welcome sign. [u][b]City of Rainbows!  [/b][/u]  Yes this town is known for its rain fall. Have to remember we live on the coast. Luckily no rain today, nothing but sunshine. This small city is known for its gift shops as well as the great sea food. The board walk water front lined with fish boats is something else to see. The chatter of the owners of the boats talking about the catch of the day, made me wish I could join them for a day of fishing. I noticed some happy tourist on the dock while they unloaded a charter boat. Hey they had 2 halibuts and at least 4 springs, as well as 10 to 15 crabs. Not a bad days catch. As I was deep in my thoughts just watching the captains helper cleaning the fish, I heard a few bikes coming towards me. They were tourists on BMW's I got talking to them, they were from Los Vagas. Long way from home and were catching the ferry in the morning. We had an enjoyable time talking about the trip they were on. I found it funny how they were admiring my KLR, one of the comments was I wish we had a dual sport bike . They wanted to head to Alaska. The Alaska ferry docks in Rupert, one day it will be my turn to take that trip. One day. As I left the board walk on the water front I had to make one quick stop at the gift shops. I promised my kids I would pick something up for them. I found the store owners to be extremely friendly to anyone walking in the door. When I headed out of town I couldn't help but notice all the different licence plates from all over. I guess this little city is enjoyed by a lot of people before they board the ferry. After spending the day in Pr Rupert it was time to head home. It was a good trip, well worth the time to myself. One last note. [b][u]The seafood is Great!![/u][/b] Highly recommended.