Well we spent 2 days in Stewart/Hyder and took a look around. It didn't take long, because neither one is that big. They both are fairly remote from anyplace else, so you either go there for that reason, as there is no place else to go. There is no cell service there, at all, so there is also no WiFi other than what is supplied by the campgrounds.
We did a little exploring while we were there, and drove over to Hyder to check out the "Wildlife observation platform". It is run by the National Park system, and consists of a a long raised wooden platform with 4' tall sides on it. It is built over a running stream that the bears and other wildlife come to feast on salmon dinner. The stream was loaded with many huge fish, all trying to navigate the relatively shallow stream. We did have to navigate and wait in a construction zone line and follow a pilot car to get the entry of the viewing area.
There is a fee to enter, but if you have a National Parks Pass entry is free. There are many trucks and tractors making lots of noise not far away from the feeding stream, so we didn't see any bears or other wild life while we were there. But the evidence of the bears was everywhere. As soon as we got close to the viewing area you are hit with a overwhelming smell of dead fish. Walking down the platform soon reveals why. Apparently the bears with grab out a huge salmon, take a bite or two, and go back for another live one. The banks are littered with dozens of dead salmon with various chunks missing.
We stayed for a while and watched the fish, but decided to head out. About another 15 or so miles up the road to Salmon Glacier. After about 5 miles or so we decided to turn around. The road that we were traveling on was going from bad to worse. It's all dirt, but the wet weather for most of the season has beat it up pretty bad. The road road twists and turns next to the river, but after getting past the construction trucking area, the pot holes, washouts and ruts were tremendous. We took it for about 4 or 5 miles and then just got tired of getting beat up. And then there is no way out other than to re-trace your route. With another 10 or 15 miles to go, then turn around and drive it back, we bailed.
We checked on a few recommended eating places on the way back, but all were closed. So we came back to the RV, Diane made lunch, and I napped afterward. Not a bad day!
There is also only ONE gas station anywhere in town, and only ONE diesel pump handle. Since we were leaving the same morning as a caravan, we got up early to beat most of the traffic to the station. Interestingly, we paid less for diesel here than we paid in Watson Lake, which was right off the main road. Diesel here was $5.10 a gallon.
Pulling out of Stewart earlier than usual, we wound up driving all the way to Vanderhoof BC. It was about 340 some miles, longer than we usually like to drive, but the roads were really great. I did have to hop-scotch another caravan or two on the two lane roads. It's probably one of the things that really bugs me about the two lane roads. Many of the caravan members we passed are intent on traveling at 10 to 15 MPH below the posted limit of 100 KPH (62 MPH). This causes huge back ups of other RV's as well as cars and trucks. Trying to pass them on curvy two lane roads is dicey at best.
We pulled into a RV park in Vanderhoof named "Dave's RV Park". Sounds pretty simple, but we were pleasantly surprised. It is a well maintained park with the usual gravel roads, but all are in good condition. There is ample grass areas between the sites with new picnic tables and fire rings. The owner obviously takes great pride in the landscape, because it was well maintained and healthy. Many different flowers and shrubs as well as mature pines scattered among the sites and around the perimeter. What I liked about this park is if you didn't need it, you didn't pay for it.
I didn't need cable (we have Direct Sat TV), internet (Telus air card) or 50 amp service. Without a need for AC, the 30 amp was just fine. BTW, since we are back were there is cell towers, the Telus air card is working incredibly well. So for just the basic site we paid $32. We were paying a whole lot more for a whole lot less in other northern parks. And the park is about 3/4 mile off the main road so there is no road noise.
Just before we pulled into town we noted that the sky looked dark up ahead. We stopped for fuel on the way in at a "Co Op" brand station. I paid $4.57 for diesel, less than I have paid in weeks! The attendant told us that they had just had a hail storm about an hour before we pulled in. They got hail about the size of a nickel. We looked around and couldn't see much though. That was until we got to the RV park.
When we turned on the road to the RV park, it looked like it had snowed! The roads were loaded with piles of hail everywhere, and when we tuned into the RV park it looked like Christmas in August. The lawns were covered with hail, the roads were coated, and the walkways were trimmed in white. Unfortunately, many of the owners flowers got pounded!
The owner told us that in the 22 years that he has been here, this was only the 2nd time that he can recall getting hail larger than a BB size, and never in August.
Tomorrow we head out again, and will probably be in Washington state by Friday. As interesting as this trip has been, both Diane and I are longing to set foot back in the lower 48.
