Stop two: Howes Lake

This was one of my favorite stops on our road trip, probably because it wasn’t raining. We found this rec site by chance as we decided to keep driving and skip the stop we had originally planned. Just after Lac La Hache we took a dirt service road that lead us about 10km in and ended at Hows Lake rec site.

First camping trip is booked!

Ferries and campsite are booked, Pachena Bay here we come! Just a shame we have to wait until September. However, planning (majorly) ahead is key when you live in one of the most beautiful places on earth…ferry reservations and campgrounds fill up FAST at the first sign of summer. Mind you we are planning a Labour day long weekend trip but we were still a little surprised to see multiple ferries already full more than four months in advance! Again, a tribute to British Columbia and it being a world class destination. Pachena Bay has beaches on par with Tofino’s and is also the head of the world-famous West Coast Trail – a 75km long, rugged coast-line trail established by the First Nations. If you don’t know about the WCT, it is worth a little research. An icon of British Columbia, in my opinion.

We did a Pachena Bay camping trip two years ago and absolutely fell in love with the campground and surroundings.

New essentials for camping..

We have slowing been collecting bits and pieces for our next camping and/or road trip adventure. Joe tends to get the more practical, truck and equipment related stuff, where as I find the creature comforts that I know will be enjoyed on the road… you know, think beef jerky.

So far, I have accumulated some pretty awesome stuff:

What a good day in Vancouver looks like..

It’s a sunny day in Vancouver AND our Discovery Pass from Parks Canada has arrived! Oh happy day.

Knowing Vancouver, this sunshine is just a tease but that isn’t stopping me from thinking camping is just around the corner.

Engineer + Nerd = Enginerd

As I may have previously mentioned, or you may have noticed, Joe is an enginerd. I mean this in the most loving way. If you are unfamiliar with the term, Urban Dictionary describes an enginerd as “a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems. This person can also portray symptoms of a large ego, knowledge of too many keyboard shortcuts, and overall addiction to his/her computer. Most are in denial of their ‘enginerdiness’.” Minus the large ego, this sums Joe up well – just add in generosity, kindness and good looks of course.

I am bringing this up because his truck, Sally, is a perfect example of his enginerdiness.

#ThrowbackThursday: take me camping!

Daydreaming back to living out of the truck, cooking on a coleman, and a different camp site every night.

This Vancouver weather has given me mild seasonal depression thanks to the endless grey, rainy days. It is making summer planning pretty easy. I find looking through past trip photos helps rid the Raincouver blues – and also makes my heart ache with wanderlust but whatever.

Howes Lake rec site, Soda Creek area.

Summer road trip planning has begun!

Within days of Joe and I coming home from our road trip throughout BC last September, we, or at least I, was already thinking of what our next adventure would be. It is now March and it feels like a good time to pull out the Backroads Mapbooks and start thinking about summer road trip(s). Here are a few guidelines/reminders for planning this years trips:

The road ahead..

Hello friends!

As some may know, throughout the summer Joe and I have been planning and organizing for our BC and beyond road trip. We plan to take 2 – 3 weeks and simply explore beautiful British Columbia and more.

We are taking Joe’s 2nd generation Dodge ram – affectionately named Sally – and he is pretty excited to stretch her legs…err wheels… on the backroads of BC. Sally has had a bit of a makeover and now has an air compressor, mini fridge, extra batteries, sleeping platform, fancy lights, storage, among other things! I am one proud, and lucky, girlfriend with all the hard and professional work he has put into this.

We are both super excited to get on the road and of course are always looking for recommendations for things to do, see and eat along the way. I hope to keep this updated with our adventure happenings so do check back/follow.

We will use the hashtag #GoingNorth2016, for those who are hashtag savvy.