Now it was Aug.15, 2013 and the weather did clear as we rode up this majestic valley stopping many times to gaze in renewed wonderment at the river I canoed so often and the valley I drove so often those many years ago. For anyone who enjoys nature and the beauty of a river valley this ride\drive will be jaw dropping!
A quick dash into town to Sam and Arlene's to enjoy their company and great food( prepared by Sam , assisted by Arlene) and the company of Lenore and Wally for the evening. When we mentioned that we wanted to step out to a local park to meet Bonnie and Doug Pringle's grand children, Sam said "ask them over for ice cream." So a few minutes later the house was filled with more chatter and laughter as we reacquainted with Doug and met their son in law Coleman's children Penelope and Thatcher.
Thatcher, Doug, Arlene (hostess) and Coleman
Coleman, Thatcher and Grandpa Doug Pringle
Looking south east at Bear Flats.
Looking west at Bear Flats
Tourist pullout farther up river.
As you can see, some are not fond of BC Hydro's plan to build a third dam on the Peace!
You will get both pro and con views depending on who you engage in conversation.
Looking down river near Ardill's Ranch
We were on the lookout for deer on this entire ride because Nicholas and I saw quite a few here in the valley on our 2010 tour. Also our friend Markus had a deer hit while riding home on his motorcycle just before we met him on that trip. He and his Yamaha Teneré were the big losers.
We took a ride around town checking for changes, Gayle had not been here since 1987. Next we dropped in on old friends Arlene and Sam Kosolowsky. After promising to return the next evening for supper we looked in on Lenore and Wally Harwood just down the street. Had a great finish to the afternoon chatting about all sorts of HH topics and accepted their invitation to supper. We went to check into the Sigma Motel, while Wally worked his magic in the kitchen. The evening temperature after supper allowed us to sit out for extended conversation catching up on their lives and those of their children's. Still amazing to me that they all have children of their own! Where does the time go??
Harwood's veranda on the bank of the Peace River
Grasshopper pie was a great way to end a fantastic return to HH. Thanks so much for making us feel so welcomed after so many years. Back to the motel for a good night's sleep.
The next morning I hit the road for the first run in weeks. I was going to retrace a run that I used to do as training in the fall prior to hockey season here in HH, but found one of the highway access roads is now closed and gated by a farmer. So instead I just ran out towards the Glen and returned via the Arena and Dudley streets through town. Deja vu! I was out early enough to see deer in several places around town.
I then took a ride to check out Peace Canyon Dam and when I returned to town I went to see Wally to get some WD40 to spray a squeeky front suspension pivot. Lenore told me that Gerry and Ida Sauraeur had returned her phone call of yesterday (telling them we were now in town) so I decided to ride out to their place only to find their place empty. Later Lenore surmised that they may have gone to Fort St.John for the day. Another missed opportunity on my part!
Back at the motel Gayle was ready to go for another trip down memory lane. We asked to have St. Peter's church opened so that we could have a look around. Church services are still held here but sporadically we are told. We found our names in the Vestery Book, as we used to take services on Sunday when our Anglican priest Dorothy Daly couldn't make it in from Cheywynd. Many fond memories of our church involvement and community centered around this little log building, (circa 1935)
We had made plans to meet Franzi, Markus Zwygart and their children Naomi and Sami for lunch at the WAC Bennett Dam tourist centre cafe, so were surprised to find Markus in the museum parking lot, when we left the church. It was so good to see his smiling face and hear that he is doing much better physically than when I last saw him in 2010. Back then he was limping quite badly and had one arm in a sling, as he was just beginning to convalesce after his motorcycle crash with a mule deer.
Markus,Sami and Naomi
We went to the cafe at the WAC Bennett dam where we met markus's wife Franzi, and children Naomi and Sami for lunch. Afterwards Markus took the opportunity to try out the K1600GTL. First with Naomi and then with Franzi. First time on a highway bike since 2010! The grin on his face when he took the helmet off said it all. What biker would not enjoy the opporunity to ride such a wonderful machine?
Markus and daughter Naomi two up, ready to ride.
Now it's Franzi's turn.
These boots are made for riding protection, so that is what I'll wear!
Gayle and I then took the opportunity to ride across the Bennett dam before dropping in to see Bonnie Pringle at work at GMS and of course take a picture in front of her office at the powerhouse enterance.
Off again to drop in to visit Franzi, Markus and the children at their home and enjoy a tour of their house renovations completed upstairs and down. Then we enjoyed rhubarb juice and chocolate chip cookies, before our supper date no less. Talk about being treated well and made to feel special. So happy to have made this reconnect and yet hard to say another goodbye.
Thanks Franzi for taking the photo
Gayle, Penelope and Bonnie
The old folks were wondering why all the energy seemed to be with the youngsters. This relaxing get together ended our last night in Hudson's Hope. A great way to finish off our time in British Columbia.
Thank you friends for showing us such a good time!
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