British Columbia- Part 1

Over 15 years ago we went on vacation to Disney, and while that was fun, my 5 year old brain couldn't remember much other than having sundaes for dinner with my grandma. 


So, with it being my parents' 25th anniversary, they decided to go out west. Of course they're shadow had to come with them, this is how I got to come on the trip. Being a photographer, traveling out west to Alberta and British Columbia was the best photo opportunity you could imagine. So for a year and a half we planned and saved up money. Our final plan was to travel from the Calgary Airport, through the ice fields, and Jasper, then head over to Prince George, and down to Barkerville. For our final week, we would stay at Big Creek Lodge.

 

We had tons of different plans, one of them being to drive out to BC, but as the time ticked down to 2 weeks, we made the final decision to fly out. This was my first time on a plane that I would've remembered, so lots of waiting in the airport. Of course, I didn't realize we aren't supposed to have liquid on our carry on, so there goes my favorite perfume and lotion. My dad and I stood at the airport window watching the planes when we finally saw ours come in. 


When we boarded the plane it was 7:25 P.M. our plane was supposed to leave at 7:35 P.M. Unfortunately they declared that there was a maintenance issue, and we would be leaving as soon as it's fixed. Over an hour later we were finally leaving, however it was dark so I couldn't see much, although I did see some city lights. The feeling of taking off was certainly something strange, for my first flight in over 15 years, it went pretty good. 


We landed at 11:30 P.M. and by the time we got our luggage and our rental car, it was midnight. Our hotel was 37 minutes out of Calgary, we crashed when we got to the hotel room. Dad was up at the crack of dawn wanting to go, we had a lot of driving to do and the day was already starting. So, after getting breakfast, we packed and headed west. 4 hours doesn't seem like that long of a drive, but it is when someone constantly says, "Oh let's stop here and take photos!" Not sure who would've said that every 10 Kilometers... But after the 10th stop, it turned into a very long day. 


We stopped at every rest stop just to take photos, there were other people doing it, so I didn't feel guilty about the frequent stops. After a long day, we finally made it to Jasper, we hadn't had any lunch, so we were all dragging and feeling awful. Montana's was our savior. We ate the food like it would be our last meal, and then we headed to Hinton where our hotel was. A fire was raging in the mountains in between Jasper and Hinton, that was definitely something scary. But we were safe, and it seemed by next morning the fire was almost out. 


As we drove back to Jasper, I was looking at the beautiful lakes and the sunrise over the mountains, and on the side of the road there was an elk. I didn't think I would see one, because we weren't planning on hiking in the woods too much, but I guess you didn't need to hike in the woods in order to see one. I shouted in the car that there was an elk there. My parents thought it was on the ridge across the lake, but they were shocked when it was right there. For the most part, I stayed in the car and took photos. The big boy didn't seem to care that we were there, he just kept eating, but it definitely made for my favorite photo of the trip. 


We stopped at Edith Lake, which was probably the most peaceful lake I have ever seen. There was no noise, except for an elk bugling in the distance, and there were no people around. The water was as still as glass, and that sun was still rising between the mountains, I could've stayed there all day. We joked about how the ravens were friendly, and I thought they were just leading us into a false sense of security, and would peck us as soon as we were far enough away from the car. Safe to say, we didn't follow them. 


We continued on, past Jasper, and towards Prince George. We stopped at Mount Robinson for some breakfast, which was amazing. The view was definitely the best part. On the way to Prince George we had 3 stops we wanted to see. McBride, where the horses were trapped due to the snow, back in 2008. And the other place was Morkill Falls, and the Ancient forest. 


I didn't have the directions for Morkill Falls, but I guessed it was down the sketchy looking road. So we took it. There were no signs saying where it was or even if it was down there, but I had the pin in the map saying we were getting closer. We drove and drove and drove, for what seemed like forever, we finally ran into another car. We asked them if they were lost too, and they told us how to get there, she said it was only a little way up the road. It can't be that far then, right? Wrong. It was another 20 minutes until we had passed it. There was a small sign that said Morkill Bridge. Not Falls. We weren't sure we were even in the right place, luckily we rolled down the windows and could hear the water. It was definitely secluded, but so magically. Driving 40 Kilometers out there and another 40 back, was definitely worth it. We joked that Bigfoot was living there. But it was quiet, apart from the raging waterfall. There was no one around, and it was a lot better than Lake Louise. 


The ancient forest was another highlight of the trip, the ancient Red Cedar trees were spectacular. The height and size you wouldn't believe. As we hiked further into the rainforest, there was silence. You couldn't hear the major highway, you couldn't hear people, birds or anything. It was just peaceful silence amongst the giant trees. It was magical, the way everything seemed to be breathing without making a sound, as we got closer to the parking lot, you definitely heard everything again, but in the middle of the forest, it was like you were the only ones on the planet. I could've stayed there all day. 


On the fourth day of our adventure, we headed to Barkerville. While there wasn't much to see along the way, there was a gravesite for a man who had been shot and robbed of $60 and gold pin. When we finally made it to Barkerville, it was like stepping into the past. The old west gold town was exactly as it was back in the mid 1800s. The actors played a beautiful performance in the streets as well in the Royal Theatre. There was a lot of history wrapped up in the small town. While we watched the show in the Royal Theatre, I don’t think there was a dry eye in there, everyone laughed until bellies were sore, and sang all with the songs we knew. I swore secrecy about the show, but if you’re looking for something to do, I highly recommend it. You won’t regret it. 


Stay tuned for the rest of the story next week!