8/16/83, written 8/20. Lee borrowed my pencil on 8/14 thus the log is not current. Ferry stopped in Petersburg (a dump) which was founded by some Dane named Peter who started fishing there with his family. The furthest south glacier that calves into the ocean is there which provided Peter with ice for his caught fish. The couple on bikes got off here. Town smelled of fish and dogs were ungodly ugly. Also stopped in Ketchican (I was there on a band tour, too). It's nice but so much rain. Didn't walk around much. I met the older lady from Michigan (Clara) again. Went to the bar for several drinks with her. The bartender (female) was very nice and was from good old Sitka. She visits the Pioneers' Home (for elderly people). She looks forward to moving in there. She's a grandmother, but looks about 35.
8/17/83, written 8/20. Got off the ferry at Prince Rupert. Again, I didn't even have to show ID to get into Canada. Went to J.A. Prescott's Home Bicycle Repairs (522 W 8th Ave, Prince Rupert BC. 624-5880) to find out what the noise was. Changed the chain and adjusted everything ($32). Went to a credit union to exchange traveler's checks ($100 US to $122). There were a few minutes of rain, but generally a beautiful day. Tailwind. Some sun. Mostly flat. Followed Skeena River. Stopped for a cookie and a mother deer with two fawns popped out walking along the shore toward me. Stopped about 20 feet away. She squatted and urinated (I could hear it!) then they meandered away. I didn't dare move to get my camera. A black bear was coming out of the river several miles further. Good views of bald eagles along the river, too. Much more exciting than seeing them from the ferry. More intimate or something. Camped at Kleanza Creek after a 105 mile ride. Met two BMXers (kids) who came over to say my tent looked weird. They were very interested in all my gear and were excited about building a fire for me (even though I just wanted to go to bed). Good kids from Houston BC. They told me about a carnival in Terrace (about 9 miles west of Kleanza Creek) the next day. I couldn't decide whether to go or not.
8/18/83, written 8/20. Awoke to sunshine. Ate breakfast. Walked along part of a nature trail. Came back to discover the BMXers at my camp. They had made another fire. I decided to ride since it was such a nice day. Clouds and rain soon came. Not such a beautiful day. I wasn't in the best mood. Stopped at Seeley Lake (just west of Hazelton). Nice lake with loons and a blue-winged teal. Had to set my tent in the rain. The Park attendant was very friendly and assured me the weather would be drier by Prince George. I met some workers at a lumber company who were checking out tree seed crops. Apparently there are many cones but not many seeds per cone. They explained I'd see the last of the cedars there (it's too cold further east).
8/19/83, written 8/20. Waited for the rain to stop and packed a damp tent. Not a bad riding day. Arrived in Smithers around 4:30. Called Andy Gordon's friend, Art Stock. Met him at the Smither's Hotel for a beer. Went to his apartment for a shower, then to a barbecue at some friend's place. Most were young foresters. None seemed overly satisfied with their job or at all secure. Good people. The evening ended with a guitar sing along. Art finished with some talent and very funny songs.
8/20/83. Got up around 8:30. Did laundry. Bought bread. Talked with Art. He's going to quit his job (Pest Management with the Canadian Forest Service) to travel through Europe on bike in February. He wants eventually to establish a maple and apple orchard and bee colony in Hazelton. He doesn't like the system he's been working in. I started pedaling around noon. Stopped real quick to "fix" a tight chain link (had to do the same thing later). Came upon a car wreck. Luckily a fireman and his wife were at the scene and under control. I mostly tried to reassure one of the three injured until an ambulance arrived. His back hurt. His girl friend seemed more seriously injured with a cut above her eye. The other fellow was OK. Wow.
I saw a blue grouse later. Didn't go far today. Just to a private campground (my first) - $6.00 with shower about 1-1/2 mile east of Houston. Talked with some locals. While eating, one who lives in the apartment above the showers, Chris, invited me over for a gathering, eh. The first hour was spent watching him and his friends playing a video game. Then more of his friends came. The stereo went on LOUD. They must all be able to read lips. I left after about another hour.
I also saw a dead coyote and a kestrel along the road. This was the first day I rode shirtless. Warm and sunny.
8/21.83. Got an early start. The tent had some dew. Not a cloud in the sky. Rode shirtless most of the day. Found a "fool's hen" (spruce or blue grouse) on the center line near Topley, with a broken leg. I took it into a service station (the next vet was 125 miles). He said he and his nine year old would get a kick out of taking care of it. We wrapped the leg to the body.
Saw many kestrels today. Black bear came to my lunch picnic table (where I had been laying in the sun) just as I packed everything away.
Camped at Pipers Glen (east of Franklin Lake). Over 90 mile day. Very friendly proprietor. We flipped a coin to see if I'd pay $4 or $5. I won. The regular rate is $6. Chickens, turkeys, and calves were running around the nicely manicured grounds. My tent stakes penetrated the dirt easily. Shower. Right on lake.
8/15/83, written 8/16. No rain until I got biking to town. Got some bike gear, plastic for a ground cloth, and visited the Job Service. There was a biological aide job with the Forest Service available, but I decided to continue my travels. I really like Sitka though. Packed my wet tent. Lee and his friends (didn't meet) took off for their week at the lake. I got on the ferry. Nice sunset. Met that friendly older lady I had met on the last ferry, as well as the cool young couple who had been going to the same places as me on the ferry with their bikes.
