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Vancouver to Merritt, B.C. on Highways 1 & 5

21 September 2010 - Tuesday

It didn't seem right to be waking up without our little Tazz in our lives.  Just plain wrong.   Yet, it was what it was.  Today, it would be one hour at a time as we fumbled through the motions.

First, a drive to North Vancouver to retrieve Tazz's ashes.  She was going to finish this trip with us, one way or another.  We were told that her remains would be ready at
11 a.m.  And they were.  I was extremely touched when I was told the hospital had
made a paw print for us before sending her body to the crematorium.  When I showed
it to Steve back at the truck, we both cried ... again.

With Tazz between on us on the front seat of the truck, we backtracked on Highway 1, heading east towards the Kootenays.  By the time we left the city it was past noon.  Weren't sure where we'd be tonight, but that would sort itself out when the time came.

Just after two p.m. we left the flat land of the Lower Mainland and turned onto the Coquihalla Highway, headed towards the Coquihalla Connector.

The truck climbed ...  

Coquihalla Highway, B.C.
On the uphill grade of the Coquihalla Highway heading northward - N49 35.910 W121 08.545

There was recent snow in the mountains ...  

Coquiahlla Highway, B.C.

Over a distance of 50 km, the truck pulled the fifth wheel from an elevation of 40 metres to 1250 metres.  Despite the long and steep grades, we enjoy this route.  Soon after the summit, there is a rest area that allows overnight parking.

Coquihalla Highway, B.C.
Just past the summit there is a rest area - N49 37.040 W121 02.666

It was about 3 p.m. now.  I started to check the Backroads maps for an overnight camp spot. 

In the past we've stayed at the Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park campground.  It is a nice spot that we greatly enjoy.  But today it was time to shake up our routine.  The Backroads GPS map showed the Harmon Lake Recreation Site a ways off the highway, down the Kane Valley Road.  It was a bit of a drive in, but why not?  At 3:40 p.m. we turned off the highway.  Arrived at the rec site at 4:10 p.m.  The road was a bit rough in spots & narrow in other spots.

The rec site, located at N49 58.334 W120 41.829 was recently upgraded and offered the same amenities as a provincial park campground but with a $12 overnight fee.   The location was nice -- lakeside in the sunshine.  The site host said it was the first sunshine in a couple of weeks.  It was chilly though; not surprising as the elevation is 1122 metres.

Steve half-heartedly tried some fishing.  Our camping routines were totally discombobulated ... no dog to walk, no canine mooching for food when we ate, no bedtime pee-time.  The world seemed a little lonelier. 

Previous page - 18-20 September 2010
Next page - 22 September 2010