The Scenic Route

Going to town. I was reminded the other day, that “going to town” for the locals meant going to Terrace or Smithers. I had mistakenly said that Bob had gone into town, referring to Kitwanga. There is only one major road into “Town” – Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway), which stretches from Prince George in the interior to Prince Rupert on the northern coast. When accidents, washouts, or landslides occur on this road, you are stuck because there are few if any detours available. It takes us about ninety minutes to get from our cabin to Terrace, depending upon road conditions. Not exactly a quick trip to the shopping mall or convenience store, and with fuel prices rising almost daily it is not a trip to be taken lightly. But it has its advantages. One is that there is virtually no traffic… we have gone miles without seeing another vehicle on the road. The other plus factor is the sheer beauty. Highway 16 to Terrace follows the Skeena River through mile high mountains. So we just relax, enjoy the scenery, watch for eagles and hawks in the trees, and bear, moose, or coyote along side the road. This is what all those RV’s from the south come here to see. We see it while going to town.

View of Skeena River and mountains from Highway 16.

View of Skeena River and Seven Sisters Mountain from Cedarvale Backroad.

... P. L. Morningstar