MacKenzie, BC detour

Saturday, June 10, 2017

We got up early this morning with the intention of getting to our next stop, Chetwynd BC, by 11:30 am.  We wanted to get to an International Chainsaw Carving contest and spend the afternoon in Dawson Creek.  Best laid plans of mice and men.

 We got about 25 miles outside of Prince George when we saw a road sign that said Highway 97 was closed in both directions.  Dusty was able to gain Internet access and checked out the web site for BC roads and found that an update would be available in several hours, so we decided to continue up the road.  The photo above shows us at the intersection where a truck had blocked the road.  Dusty learned there was a woman located in a "caboose" (information center) that was on the radio with the work crew. We were first told it would probably be 8pm before the road would be passable, so we decided we would go to MacKenzie, BC and find a spot for the night.  We also knew we could check for updates online every few hours.

So we drove to Mackenzie and found that every campsite, motel/RV park was full.  We were blessed at one of the hotel/RV sites as Beth worked there part-time and said she and her husband had offered others a parking space on their acreage.  She gave us directions and we went to their home to wait and check on highway updates. 
 
 We went to lunch in town, then did a short tour.  This Letourneal G175 Tree-Crusher was used to knock down trees.  Today it is the primary tourist attraction in Mackenzie.

 We headed back to Glen and Beth's home to check on updates. As we entered their subdivision, we saw these two wood carvings at a neighbor's driveway entrance.

About 2:30PM. we received word that one lane traffic was now passing thru the damaged area of the highway, so we said goodbye to Beth and Glen.  Thanks y'all for the hospitality!

 Low clouds and on and off rain as we get back on track.

 This is where the road closure took place.  The right side of the back-hoe bucket is where the road collapsed into the river below.

 Late in the day, but still on-schedule.  Some mud, but we are secure for the night.  More rain coming.

 The view:  Highway is up the hill.  Railroad tracks behind us.
Storm clouds brewing!

It rained all night long.