Day 9 It's a working world out there!

Ever felt like all the people around you are working hard while you are slacking off? On this sunny morning, I couldn’t help but notice that almost all of the traffic was work-related. So many semis and heavy duty, no-nonsense work trucks, with a sprinkling of RV’s trying to look serious in their midst. Even the majority of those parked in RV campgrounds are workers; you can tell by their trucks.  This is a land where natural gas and oil exploration is booming.

Unhooking the sewer, water and power to prepare to hit the road, was my way of looking like I belonged among these capable people. On the road again at 7:30, late by their standards, Bryan certainly noticed the increase in big rigs as they created their own wind blast in passing.

Bryan worked as hard today with all of the long, rolling hills as he says he has on any cycling trip yet.  It was constant climbing all day, with a few exciting downhills. The winds were sometimes favorable but inconsistent as they bounced off trees and mountains. Altogether, he covered 160 km, with three rest-and-eat stops along the way.  It was hard to find places to stop since there were few pullouts. The gravel approaches were pretty much off limits as I discovered quickly when a tanker truck driver waved me out of his way as I waited for Bryan. I didn’t try that again! Luckily, there was a place just a few kilometers down the road where I was free to relax and read my novel.

As we traveled, there were lots of noteworthy instances like:

-the other 4 cyclists that Bryan saw and /or talked to about their experiences                                     -the moose and her twins that Bryan halted traffic for so they could cross the highway safely              -a power nap for 10-15 minutes at each stop as a great way to re-coup and digest                                -some great views again, with snowy mountains reappearing in the distance                                        -the painter I talked to at the Pink Mountain stop says that 150 RV’s will pass by each day in the summer  

This is just one of the many portable units for workers at the Pink Mountain campground.  

While everyone else was gainfully employed, I just drove, made food, read and managed to lock myself out of Mama B within minutes of parking her for the night at the Sikanni Chief River campground. If you have ever done that, you know how dumb I felt. What to do but confess to the couple sitting nearby at their campfire? As a retired firefighter, he said he was used to rescuing people. Within minutes, we found the unlocked window and his slim wife slipped through to open the door.  I am so thankful for people who are willing to lend a hand without judgement.  I quickly hooked up the RV and made spaghetti for Bryan, his 5^th meal of the day. Maybe I am useful after all!

 This is the 9% grade down into the Sikanni River bridge. I didn't mind that this tanker was just going 20 km per hour. It curved and continued even further down.