'I'm a Lumberjack and I'm O. K.'. Monty Python
Well not me, obviously, but my, there are many lumberjacks around here, in north central BC. Most of the traffic seems to consist of three trailer long lorries laden with trees. We passed a couple of HUGE timber processing factories too. Lumber is BIG business in this area.
Fort St.James was the capital of New Caledonia and the centre of the Hudson Bay Company fur trading operations from the early 19th century. It continued trading well into the twentieth century. It is one of the most completely original forts in Canada and is now a splendid living museum and was well worth the 70 mile round trip away from our path south to go there. We had the place to ourselves and the (in character) staff were most informative. The fort is next to a massive lake and it seems that dried salmon was the staple winter food. The bottom fell out of the fur market when it became fashionable for top hats to be made of silk rather than felted beaver fur. Although many other furs were still in demand, austerity measures were put in place by the company as profits dwindled. It was all beautifully done by Parks Canada and they deserve more visitors as it is such a vital part of history. I guess it is just too remote though.
They keep some sheep there now. We ate some in the little cafe that is staffed by students from a local chef school. Roast lamb is not often on menus here; a real treat. They must have been glad that we came as, once more, we were alone.
We are whizzing down through western Canada now to spend time exploring Washington and Oregon in greater detail. I have given Adrian such a build up to this area - I just hope he likes it as much as me.
Over 9,000 miles so far on thus adventure and we've loved them all. Tomorrow we continue on the 'Caribou Highway' and then join the 'Sea to Sky' - such marvellous names they have for their roads. The A34 just doesn't have the same ring to it.
Fort St.James was the capital of New Caledonia and the centre of the Hudson Bay Company fur trading operations from the early 19th century. It continued trading well into the twentieth century. It is one of the most completely original forts in Canada and is now a splendid living museum and was well worth the 70 mile round trip away from our path south to go there. We had the place to ourselves and the (in character) staff were most informative. The fort is next to a massive lake and it seems that dried salmon was the staple winter food. The bottom fell out of the fur market when it became fashionable for top hats to be made of silk rather than felted beaver fur. Although many other furs were still in demand, austerity measures were put in place by the company as profits dwindled. It was all beautifully done by Parks Canada and they deserve more visitors as it is such a vital part of history. I guess it is just too remote though.
They keep some sheep there now. We ate some in the little cafe that is staffed by students from a local chef school. Roast lamb is not often on menus here; a real treat. They must have been glad that we came as, once more, we were alone.
We are whizzing down through western Canada now to spend time exploring Washington and Oregon in greater detail. I have given Adrian such a build up to this area - I just hope he likes it as much as me.
Over 9,000 miles so far on thus adventure and we've loved them all. Tomorrow we continue on the 'Caribou Highway' and then join the 'Sea to Sky' - such marvellous names they have for their roads. The A34 just doesn't have the same ring to it.
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