July 16, 2022

Got up early, had breakfast and rode over to Canadian Tire.  Note for future:  when asking favors at an auto service center, speak to the adults, not to any callow youths working there.  The latter either don't know anything or have a bad attitude.  Bought oil and a cheap drip pan and looked around for something to use as rags.  Cheapest thing I found was something from Scotties that turned out to just be a bunch of packets of kleenex.  It did the trick for mopping up oil change mess.

As before, people came up to talk when they saw me working in the parking lot.  One guy offered me tools.  In High Level, Alberta a guy gave me his phone number in case I needed anything.

Got away around 11:00 for the 270+ mile slog down to Cache Creek.  Much of the scenery I can only call generic North American. Fields, low mountains, occasional lakes and streams and small towns with gas stations, strip mall type businesses, many motels as this is a travel route and whatever small infrastructure (tanks, loading docks, etc.) is called for by any local industry.  But there were moments.  Late in the day the low sun produced sun drenched fields dotted with rolls of freshly cut hay.  

One of the best moments was a deep river valley containig the Fraser River just south of Wilson Lake.  Heading south the descent into the valley is fairly gentle to a very nice bridge over the river.  The ascent on the other side, however, is steep and winding and long.  With the excellent pavement it is quite fun on a motorcycle.  There are also great views for any passenger in or on your vehicle.  I did not remember this stretch from previous trips on the road.  The reason is that I missed the abrupt left turn that 97-S takes at Wilson Lake and ended up heading some 30 miles down Highway 20 before turning around and getting back on 97. 

The northbound descent to the Fraser River bridge was not nearly as fun as the ascent. Anyone can feel like Fast Freddie Spencer on an uphill curvy road.  It takes real skill to ride fast in the other direction.

Weather was pretty good.  Just some spitting rain showers midway and the usual late afternoon wind.

The bridge over the Fraser River, picture courtesy of
Google Streetview.  There was no convenient place to 
stop for a snapshot. And, I was in no mood to stop for picture
taking after yet another unscheduled detour.