Bev and I stayed up until midnight chatting.  Stu left us to go to bed a couple of hours before.  Bev and I have known each other since we started high school, grade eight, we were 13 years old.  A very long long time.  It is a great friendship to have.  🙂

We slept a little later than yesterday and sat out on Bev’s beautiful deck for our coffee and breakfast.  We pack up our things and head out towards Smithers by 10 am.  We stop in Quesnel to gas up.  Regular is 1.399 for regular.  A lot cheaper than at home in the lower mainland.  All gassed up we head north on Highway 97.  We arrive in Prince George and turn west to take Highway 16 – The Highway of Tears.  Not long after we encounter a highway construction delay that lasts at least 10 minutes.  This is a huge project.  Miles and miles of the east bound lane is being resurfaced.

We then come to a landscape that is more prairie like than we have seen so far.

Then 7 billboards outside Vanderhoof.

More interesting landscapes ahead.

We arrive at a Rest Stop called Dry William Lake Rest Stop.  Time to have a bite to eat and to change drivers for a couple of hours.  Pretty spot,

We arrived in Smithers about 5pm and find a motel.  We take our hostess’s recommendation and have dinner at the local Pub & Bistro.  We chatted to the server and she tells us that it is difficult times in Smithers.  They were affected financially by the fires last year as tourists stayed away even though there were no fires here locally.  This year the fishery has been cancelled due to lack of fish or over fishing.  Sport fishing is a huge part of the economy here, so they are suffering again this year.  Sad times.

As we get back to our motel we see some motorcycles parking in the lot.  I notice that the one bike has a Florida plate.  We say, wow you’re a long way from home and ask how long they have been away.  He tells us June 1st and they have already been to Alaska and are on their way home.  They expect to be home by the end of the month  WOW!!!  That is a very long way every day!!  We felt we had a long day at 5.5 hours  🙂

Short day to Terrace tomorrow, about 2.5 hours.  We will try to find a car wash to clean the bugs off my sweet little car.  We also picked up a chip in the windshield outside of 100 Mile House, so might try to get that fixed.  We will see,

Another great day!!