A very low-key day. We left Prince George and headed towards Smithers. The land has been really lush the last few hundred kilometers. It felt a bit strange when camp neighbours started a fire for the evening given the climate of the fire hazard and water restrictions at home. It’s just not that dry up here right now.

Spotted this incredible nest high atop the power pole as we came out of the woods, back on the highway.

We first drove through Burns Lake. As you drive along Highway 16, before you come to Burns Lake, you can still see the scars from the Shovel Lake fire that destroyed the area in 2018. Burns Lake is a rural village that was incorporated in 1923. It’s not a very big community. However, it’s a very pretty community that clearly takes pride in its surroundings.

Up next is Houston, BC. Houston is a forestry, mining, and tourism town. A town whose population is 3052, with an additional 2000 people in the surrounding rural area. It’s known as the steelhead capital and boasts the world’s largest fly fishing rod. (Guess we missed that)

This road is pretty uneventful. Typically, the dogs don’t sleep when we are in transit.
I guess after several days of driving, they figure they might as well. It’s tough for them to get their 18 hours+ of sleep per day! We’ve been asked if the dogs sleep in the back when we drive. Typically, no. Harley is… shall we say a sensitive passenger. Hence the towels that you see on her bed. You know, just in case. Eric built a platform between the two captain seats and her bed sits on that. She doesn’t like the wind in her face, but she does like to look out the front window. She does best, leaning up against me, and being able to see her dad. She’s come a long way in 3 seasons of travelling the back roads. But she’s a bit quirky, so we capitulate to her oddities.

Ryder on the other hand is as agile as they come and isn’t afraid of jumping up/on anything or anyone – redardless if they are still or in motion.
So if he wants to go in the back, he’s good to go. He almost always sits on my lap on his dog bed though. – and if he had it his way, he’d hang his head out the window regardless of speed.

As we travel on, the terrain is beginning to change. Beyond the ‘fluffy’ mountains covered in lush vegetation and evergreens, you see the jagged mountins of the northern landscape peeking out from behind.

We arrived into Smithers and Eric quickly found where we’d spend the rest of the day and night.
Just about 2.5 km from town, there is a spot (thanks iOverlander) right on the Bulkley River. We were settled for the day by 2:30. – what a great, leisurely way to adventure.
This area is well attended by the locals. We saw a young family fishing and another family go down the river on their SUP.

Over the course of the evening, there were others out fishing on both sides of the river, along with a few folks in boats playing out on the water. It was great entertainment and everyone went home before the sun set.

By just after dinner, we have a truck and camper on one side of us, and on the other side, a group of 5 Vans all from Quebec arrived – looks like a all female travelling group. Clearly this is a well known boondocking spot. By after dinner, all was quiet. The young guy next to us was playing his guitar and singing. Although he was in his camper, you could enjoy his talent all the same.

Our view for the night – It’s pretty magical.

Wildlife report: the only visual we got today was a suicidal squirrel that ran out in front of the van. He zigged when he should have – so he lives another day.

Tomorrow, we’re not certain how far we’ll travel, but you’ll be the first to find out!