Silver linings from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Ken discovers that even the wettest of clouds can have a silver lining. At the end of a particularly cold, wet and miserable day. And why it’s always good to wave to the traffic…
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Silver linings
October 12th, 2011Late in the day
October 12th, 2011Late in the day from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Ken stops for a short break towards the end of a cold, wet and miserable day. Still following the Skeena river, as he’s done for over a hundred miles.
Living up to its name
October 12th, 2011The Skeena river wasn’t one to disappoint. For, continuing my journey along its banks inland beyond the town of Terrace towards the small settlement of Kitwanga, it was truly the river of mists. Cold, wet and miserable day.
Just a decent, nourishing packed lunch and a flask of hot coffee to keep morale up. Both carefully eked out to sustain myself over the six five miles or so along the highway.
There’d been interludes. A few walkers on the far bank. Wondering how they had crossed, for I’d not seen a bridge for ages. A train. Much shorter than the earlier ones. A large bird on the far bank. A bald eagle perhaps. But otherwise, pushing along the highway, trying my best to settle into a rhythm as the traffic flew past, fine spray coating my glasses.
Whilst my general direct was east towards the large regional centre of Prince George, I’d mountains to negotiate, necessitating a day running north east, before heading south east for a few days.
Evening mists
October 12th, 2011
Wispy clouds about the Skeena river, between Terrace and Kitwanga in Canada’s British Columbia Province. Early evening.
Big bird
October 12th, 2011Big bird from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Is it a plane, is it a bird, or, more to the point, is a bald eagle? Or has Ken been drinking out of the wrong bottle? Again? You be the judge. Answers on an e-mail, or drop him a postcard if you can find an address…
Not so jovial
October 12th, 2011Not so jovial from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
It’s not always Swallows and Amazons on the road, explains Ken. A particularly wet, cold and miserable day. Just a decent packed lunch and a flask of coffee, carefully eked out, to bolster ebbing morale.
Teeming with salmon
October 12th, 2011Teeming with salmon from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Take one river, a tributary of the Skeena river, teeming with Salmon. But still no bears, even if there’s evidence of their presence. Pretty clever critters. Seems they can fashion picnic tables. Even mould plastics…
Bear reminders
October 11th, 2011Bear reminders from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
Never mind beaver fever – guardia – Ken fears he may have a dose of bearitus – seeing signs of the cuddle critters at every turn. Good job he’d actually spotted a black bear cub the previous day…
[Editors adds: Bearitus – not to be confused with beargryllysitus, an entirely different condition requiring frequent hospitalisation in the local Five Star Hotel. Helps a bit if you’ve got a film crew in tow…]
Back in Terrace
October 11th, 2011Back in Terrace from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.
After an overnight stop with a family "off the beaten track". Ken returns to the outskirts of Terrace, in Canada’s British Columbia, to rejoin the highway east. Start of a damp day.
Packed off
October 11th, 2011School for the boys started the next day. But I’d already got a packed lunch. Fresh chicken sandwiches, banana cake with chocolate chips and a flask of hot coffee. Essential stuff, as much for morale as sustaining turning the pedals. Steady rain and around sixty five miles to cover to reach my next stop at Kitwanga. Not entirely sure what I’d find when I get there.
Travis had returned home a little earlier from his night shift at the local hospital. Karen had made fresh waffles for breakfast. Good sustenance, especially when drizzled with homemade strawberry puree. Chance to chat a little more before I set off, considering it most rude to arrive late and depart early. I’d done neither.
When it came to hitting the road, Travis had already retired, but the boys were eager to wave me off. They’d been on a bike tour with their parents a few months earlier, month or so away, so had a pretty shrewd idea what would lie ahead.
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