Day 432
To Madeira Park
Our whole 3 months in Canada had been building up to a family reunion over the Labour Day weekend. We were almost there!
First a few days exploring the Sunshine Coast. Our ferry had brought us to Powell River. Now me, I would think a town called River would be on a flat plain by said River. Here, it was all about the hills. Fortunately our Warmshowers hosts for the evening, Terry and Draigh, had advised me of the least steep hill to ride up to get to them, so not too bad! I keep singing Warmshowers praises, but it is fantastic. We had another evening, welcomed into a ‘stranger’s’ home. Over dinner we chatted about their coast-to-coast ride of Canada, our trip and cycling life. In the morning we found out more about the lives of this lovely couple. Terry had lived for 16 plus years off the grid, bringing her children up in a remote cabin she had built herself. She has written a book about her experience and Draigh, a talented artist created the cover for another book Terry wrote for children.
With a mix of advice from Danielle, Michael, Terry and Draigh we headed off up a dirt track into a bit of wilderness. We camped at Haywire Bay, a stunning setting, a beautiful beach overlooking Powell Lake. We swam, smelt the barbecues as we ate our one pot chicken curry, and then went for a walk on the beach and in the surrounding woodland. We watched a local couple throw a ball for their dog, Bosley, again and again he gamely leaped off the rock to retrieve his ball from the river, we were exhausted just watching.
Tom then planned his evening shots, so up at midnight camera in hand, off we went back to the beach to capture it by moonlight, and jolly beautiful it was too.
The following day we rode deeper into the forest. The signs said dead end but on we went. Past Duck Lake, now a protected area to protect the err, ducks. Fortunately, though it was blocked to cars we could get through and continued on our journey. The forest is criss-crossed by mountain biking tracks and every now and again a couple of riders would pop out of the trees. We both felt very envious. On we went. Down the roads used by the loggers, we had been advised these could be dangerous and we passed several signs warning us to be Truck-Aware. Well, it was just bliss, no trucks, not a one, barely a car, just one fan, a lovely guy pulled up, stunned at how fast we were going, and the roads less travelled meant great surfaces to ride on. Just bliss.
We popped out back on the main highway, opposite a petrol station. Now as you know I do love a petrol station. They usually have a sink so I can have a wash. Two days cycling on dusty trails and a bath in the river do not make for a clean Debs and Tom. They also sell ice cream and cold drinks. We took our usual position, sat on the floor with the building as a backrest, devouring our ice creams. We got a few funny looks, I realized why when I went looking for a bin, there was a picnic table round the corner, doh! A chap started chatting to us. “I know where you’re going! Mile zero on Route 101, eh? Longest tarmac road in the known universe”. Or words to that effect. Route 101 runs from 20 miles up the road from Powell River, yes where we had just come from, to the bottom of South America, where we are going to. Ah, didn’t realise that. Still, it would have meant a 40-mile round trip on the road rather than our fantastic adventure in the woods. We didn’t mind missing it.
Just one more ferry ride and then Madeira Park. The ferry took us on a magical trip, weaving between islands until finally we arrived. Madeira Park was just a few miles (up and down hill) away and family! We arrived a day early, which was pretty good really. The family will be spared the sights and smells of two weary travellers and kit, extra smelly this time due to the jar of pickles leaking last night. Uck!
