Summer 1997 - Yukon to California
Journals - 17 July 1997
Day 7
17 July 1997 (kind of cloudy with spots of rain; a great day for these
parts; mileage = 8; Prince Rupert, B.C.) -- X - When all the people crowded
the deck in the middle of the night, I couldn't sleep. I went to the
cafeteria and read the German dictionary. After some hours of this, I went
back up and slept some more. We both got up around 7:00 and packed
everything up. The ferry docked and after much waiting, we left with the
big cycle tour group. On the way out, some woman tried to tell me that
our sealed cartridge bearings were serviceable. Her credibility relied on
herself -- proclaimed fact that she was a mechanic! I was able to largely
ignore her. We got through Customs rather easily as a face in the large
crowd of bikers. They didn't seem to notice that we had about 200 times
more cargo than anyone else. Then we rode to town. I asked where a bakery
could be found and we went there. We went to a very steep sidewalk to eat
and met a pedestrian, Don Parker, who was very nice. He said no problem to
camping in his yard. Very cool. So we then went to his house and unloaded
the bikes. We then took light bikes down to the main part of town for some
shopping. We first stopped at a bike/sports shop that was amazingly well
stocked. Even still, they didn't have what I needed. Next to the drug store
where we mailed our pictures and bought some soap and stuff. Then on to a
cool camping store where I bought a "Made in B.C. Canada" rain jacket
designed for cycling. It seems very nice. It was Valhalla, like the place
in Edmonton. Then we went to a discount store and bought lots of Swiss
chocolate. Then to the ferry station where we learned that the travel agent
totally shafted us. They were very nice there, though, and we did get our
ticket. Then we went to a store that sold only rain wear. I bought some
boot liner soles. Next the grocery store, which was quite nice to have some
selection and good prices. We loaded up $70 worth of groceries onto the
bikes with no panniers. Gosh, we're getting good at this. Then back to
Don's. We cooked a big meal of corn on the cob and beans with smokies. His
friend's cat was being a pest with the tent. It put many small claw holes
in it. Also, the neighbor kids were very eager to have our attention and
play with our stuff. It's very nice here, though, despite the drizzle,
lumpy ground and cat claws.
![[Bike]](./only2500b.gif)
