Road Trip

05:25 hrs.
27 June 15

 

     The Sages are moving and their #1 Son was wrangled into lending a hand. Well, a promise is a promise. I had promised and so a Road Trip was in order.

 

     For those of you, Dear Readers, who have embarked on a road trip the first order of business, other than prepping the vehicle and checking on the road conditions,  is selecting your personal music. On this note, I truly feel sorry for all those who have passengers that require a steady aural diet of Sharon, Lois and Brahms...Skiddee ma rinky dinky dink Skiddee ma rinky doo. For years my BETTER HALF had burned off cd's for our two Loin Fruits enjoyment that held every Couch Monkey song known to mankind. They tortured me.

    

     Road tunes.
     Those songs that elicit memories from your past. Those songs that enhance the driving experience. Those songs that hold you on the ragged edge and, most importantly, keep you awake! The question was what songs to take with me.  

    

     Freewill
     If you choose
     Not to decide
     You still have
     Made a choice!

    

     Speaking for myself, and you may disagree, but one of the best all time road trip albums is Meatloaf's Bat out of Hell. CCR, ACDC, Triumph, Van Halen and BTO are all excellent. However, one of my personal faves is Canada's prog rock icons RUSH. I know a lot of people don't like them. Doesn't matter, because you are not riding shotgun now are you! And besides, I believe road tunes are for the benefit of the driver to keep him/her alert.

    

     From the WAYWARD INN I first had to get off The Rock. To avoid the Metropolis, I selected the BC (SUCK YOUR WALLET DRY) Ferry Corp. Duke Point to Tsawwassen route. Once one the mainland it was an easy drive straight up Hwy 17 to the TCH East bound for Hope. The plan was to refuel in Hope or maybe push through the Coquihalla to Merritt but the best laid plans...

    

     Coming into Hope my options were to take the Coq or the Fraser Canyon route. For those of you who have been around the block a few times you will know that there used to be only one highway to the Coast namely the TCH through the Fraser Canyon. That narrow winding roller coaster road that would add an extra two hours to my trip. Coming in to Hope the road sign signs stated Hwy 5 was closed. WTF. I refuelled and asked the staff if the #5 was closed and in deed it was. A massive pile involving wildlife, a sedan, a tow truck and a tour bus. Thirty five persons injured. Time for Option B...the road less travelled...except for today when everyone was on it.

    

     Off we go, with a firm grip of the steering wheel and The Tunes cranked. 

    

     Yes, the Coq is a big wide fast super freeway that cuts off two hour of travel time. But, its boring. Not, the scenery. The scenery is fantastic and the sweeping road bed allows you to take it all in. Its the drive itself that is boring. The Coq is perfect for robots and Albertans who want nothing more to drive fast from Point A to Point B without stopping. A real BC'er, one who grew up driving logging roads (such as yours truly), will relish the challenge the Fraser Canyon. It's driving the road that is fantastic. There is no time to look at the scenery and using cruise control is out of the question. Just for fun try changing a cd one handed while taking S curves in the bottom of the canyon. I formally double doge dare all real driving enthusiasts to take on the Fraser Canyon Challenge.