Day 5: Cabins, Mountains and Motels

The temperature outside was just 7 degrees Celsius this morning. It was a good thing we were sleeping in a cabin! 

Gerald enjoyed a big breakfast at the Toad River Lodge Restaurant and the other two opted for oatmeal in the cabin. 

We set out just after check-out at 11 am, and stopped for quick breaks every 10 km, or so, until we reached our destination around 5 pm. 

Today’s 51 km held some incredible views. Picture sheer mountain cliffs on one side of you and a clean, tumbling river on the other. Towering mountain peaks covered with evergreens in every shade of green fill your vision and the brilliance of wildflowers dances in your periphery. 

At one point in the day we saw a yarrow flower growing in the middle of the highway. While we were stopped to capture it on film, a car drove past, and knocked off a few buds. It bent over and bounced right back—a true illustration of resilience! 

There were many animal warning signs along the road, but the only spotting we had today was (what we believe to have been) a caribou and its calf. Amelia sees the wildlife and Gerald and Cheryl spot the berries—today it was wild strawberries!

Layers was the clothing game today. It was always a question if the jackets should stay on or be taken off. We got warm on the uphills, but the downhills were cold. The final few kilometres were especially chilly as the wind picked up. 

Tonight, we had planned to camp at Strawberry Fields Campground. Instead, we’re keeping warm (and dry) in a motel called Double G Service because it’s really too cold to be tenting. Plus, we are on vacation.