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| along route 99 in British Columbia |
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| Fraser River along route 97 in British Columbia |
It was time to look at the maps. I am headed to Oregon, which is southwest, and had only a couple of options. It was an easy choice as I am so averse to traffic. There was a large sign at the junction: "Route 99 or 97 to the Coast - Your Choice," and spent the next three hours going through the mountains on winding roads, gearing down constantly, going over occasional one-lane wooden bridges and stopping a few times to absorb the scenery which was difficult to do while driving without dropping off the mountain. It was grandiose, stunning, awesome.
I have been reading the book Klondike, and much of the route I've been following is one of the options the stampeders (those seeking gold) used and is part of the Gold Rush Trail. Incidentally, the book is fascinating, concentrating on the rush through Skagway to the Klondike River at Dawson City where it joins the Yukon, but the author also touches on the other routes, like this one through BC. There are towns on the main north-south highway (97) that today are named 100 Mile House or 70 Mile house or 150 Mile House, harkening back to the way stations along the gold trail. It was in one of these towns, I actually saw a RCMP driving a white SUV and totally fitted out with black, high-tech police gear, offensive and defensive.
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| log jam on one of the rivers along route 99 in BC |
I have seen barely any obvious police presence on the roads which is remarkable. The speed limits are generally obeyed, and there are signs telling travelers to "Use Your Road Sense."
Of course, speed limits are metric, but one gets used to this quickly. I think the loonies and toonies ($1 and $2) coins) are so cool.
My destination was the Fairmount Chateau Whistler, the upscale ski resort north of Vancouver, again because of a Priceline deal. In retrospect, I would not choose this again. As I drove in, I immediately saw a sign indicating the parking options: $35 for self parking; $39 for valet service, and the restaurant / bar prices also reflected what the wealthy will pay. I much preferred the hotel where I stayed at Lake Louise, almost in the shadow of another Fairmount Chateau, but less pretentious.
The psychosocial dynamic in these places is interesting as the staff are ALL extremely pleasant, verging on obsequious, young with English, Asian, Germanic or Scandinavian accents; most girls are blond; the handsome, efficient valet staff looked like Prince Harry and his friends; the check-in staff a bit older and very deft at dealing with all who wander into this place...some with young kids and well-mannered dogs, different nationalities, many clientele obviously used to deferential treatment. But, there is a steeliness and the expectation that everyone behave and pay up and be grateful they are allowed to stay here...or something like that. I thought it a bit odd to see adult men wandering about in the plush white terrycloth robes from the rooms, on the way to spas or pools or who knows where.
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| Royal Canadian Mounted Police vehicle |
Women with shopping bags, of course, as there were numerous opportunities for this activity. Even with all the money in the world, it seemed excessive to me. I'm sure it's the same scene at Aspen or Vail, Park City or Sun Valley, etc.
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