Barometer
Still in northern BC
A few summers back, my little family took the opportunity to meander eastward, camping as we went. If we liked the place we were at, we stayed. Many weeks into our trip, my sister in Manitoba, impatiently waiting our arrival, caught me on the cell phone and asked, “Where are you? What are you doing?’ and I said, “I am having a beautiful Moussaka near the campground in McBride, and the others are enjoying the pasta.”
“What?” she said, “You’re still in northern BC?!”
Yes.
If you are starting your camping trip in Terrace and have a full, busy morning packing up rain gear and sun-screen and swim-suits and rubber boots, you might want to stop sooner rather than later—like at Kleanza Creek.
Kleanza Creek has many things going for it, not least of which is that if you forgot something of Extreme Importance, it is only 20 minutes to dash back home to get it. Meanwhile, the rest of the family can set up right beside the cool water and soothing sounds of the rushing brook, start a fire, and begin the task of relaxing. Aaaah! Badminton or frisbee-playing is encouraged in the meadow across the road, or even on the road. The road goes nowhere except to the next camping spot…so really, just chill.
One of the best things about camping is the family unit working together: getting up early to start a fire, gathering the pots and pans and long fire-forks, to cook a good, old-fashioned breakfast of bacon and eggs and beans and toast. Then heating the wash-water over a fire and scrubbing scrambled eggs out of the cast-iron frying pan with a stick.
Another great thing is packing up late, throwing bananas and comic books into the back seat, then just about the time the whole family is feeling very lunchy-brunchy, pulling into Kitwanga for burgers and gas. You can use all the facilities, there’s no clean-up, and road snacks are available to go. That is the wonder of a holiday!
You may have heard the saying “stop and smell the roses.” In the case of Highway 16 West, this means 45 minutes later you quit travelling for the day at Hazelton. Don’t zoom by, or you will miss the best spot. Turn north to Old Hazelton and camp at ’Ksan, where worlds collide: the beautiful museum grounds, a camping spot by the river, and a pizza place a short walk away.
There should be a sign on the highway: “Mothers of nine-year-olds! Your sanity, next left!”
Stop in Smithers for sit-down pancakes or for sausages to go, then barbeque them at Pinkut Lake. Granisle has the best trout-fishing and BC’s longest natural lake in which to try to catch them.
South of Burns Lake, Takysie Lake and Ootsa Lake have everything you need for camping and nothing you don’t. The laundromat has a take-one, leave-one paperback area, which is brilliant. Cell phone service is limited at best, which is a good thing.
I will just mention that no woman in her right mind would cook anywhere near Vanderhoof in the summer, what with the grandmas on staff at the museum café. If you buy a pie to go made from two different fruits, that is a well-balanced meal that may last as far as PG if you ration it out over the hour or so of your next leg.
The best thing about these camping spots is what a short drive they are, how far away they are from life, from strife, how quiet they are—and yes, how still.
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