Prince Rupert

Second day in Prince Rupert. So far internet access is very spotty. Ferry up Inside Passage was great.  They said there were a couple of humpbacks but we didn't spot them. So many many islands!! Getting ready to hit Cow Bay district here in P.R. leaving tomorow for Smithers area.

Telegraph Cove and Port Hardy

On Dad's recommendation we stopped at a tiny little town called Telegraph Cove about an hour outside Port Hardy for a pitstop.  

Sign says: "It Isn't easy being green.. and short - Kermit"

Quatse River estuary in Port Hardy on northern tip of Vancouver Island.  Easy, flat bike trail and we saw Great Blue Herons and Canada Geese.

Finally!  Driving on to the Port Hards to Prince Rupert ferry - our home for the next 15 hours

Beautiful weather to start the ferry ride up the Inside Passage

One of many lighthouses that dot the islands.

Oh, Canada

We're off!  I'll have to wait to post pics later - it's been an eventful few days and no internet access.  or when there was internet access no charged devices.   So we're sitting at a MickeyD's in Campbell River.

Crossing the border at Blaine was no problem... until we realized that the "thunk-a-thunka" we'd been hearing for the last 10 miles was NOT due to buckling roads.  But buckling radial tire on the left front.  Blow out on the hwy to Tsawwassan ferry terminal .  Couldn't get anyone from Progressive roadside assist to help.  We had enabled voice roaming in Canada on our cellphones but they were undergoing system maintenance and kept dropping our calls everytime we got connected.  Had better luck with USAA roadside assist even though they don't insure our motorhome.  They couldn't find anybody to help change the spare but could arrange a tow.  They at least gave us the name of a tire shop in Vancouver, BC ... who couldn't help but gave us the number of a tow company... who said they knew a tire company who could come help with the spare.  Couple of hours later and the nice guy from Fountain Tire showed up, got us on our way to the ferry, and had called ahead to one of their Vancouver Island stores who had som of our rare sized tires in stock.

We had missed the last sailing, of course so had to wait 2 hours until 5:45.   Lovely time at the terminal until somebody pointed out the giant blue, stinky puddle originating from one of the camper's rear orifices.

Half a roll of duct tape, nasty paper towels and we crawled, shamedly onto the ferry. Made the crossing in 2 hours with minimal leakage.

Entrance Island Lighthouse from Nanaimo Ferry

 Pulled into Rathtrevor Beach about 8:30 or so. Time to shower, get settled and watch the sunset.  No electrical hookups, though.  Duncan's going through withdrawals.

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

Yesterday we made it to Courtenay and more nice folks at Fountain Tire again.  Turns out we only needed two replaced - we were expecting to do all 5 that were left.  But good to get checked out anyway.

Last night we were at Miracle Beach.  Was nice and quiet until the engines began revving up in the distance.  Turns out there is a speedway just down the road. Flushed the sewer lines and all seems OK with the pipe.  Curt thinks it was just residual gunk from the last time the plunger was pulled.

Have seen lots of deer - one right in our campground.  No bears yet :)   On the road to Port Hardy now.  Big ferry trip tomorow!!!

Camping for Wildlife!

We've pledged to join National Wildlife's   "The Great American Backyard Campout"  on June 28th.



We'll just be in Mother Nature's backyard instead of our own.   Somewhere in the Jasper National park vicinity.     Hope to see lots of other Happy Campers join us. They even have cool songs and stories and recipes and all kinds of other fun stuff:   http://www.nwf.org/Great-American-Backyard-Campout/Get-Ready/Songs-and-Stories.aspx