Up early at 4:45 a.m. to catch the ferry to Prince Rupert. Although it had rained overnight, the weather cooperated and was dry but cool for the short ride to the ferry dock.
As usual, we met some motorcyclists heading off on an adventure. This group was heading up towards Alaska. Exchanging stories helps pass the time while waiting to board the Northern Expedition (we boarded the last after passengers and cars).
This is the first time we’ve seen bikes get strapped down in the middle of the ferry instead of along the side wall.
Saw some sea otters and whales heading out of Port Hardy. The ferry stopped in Bella Bella to offload/onload passengers and a few vehicles. That’s the only chance to catch some cell phone service on the route up through the inside passage.
Other than Bella Bella, a few abandoned villages and a Coast guard station/lighthouse the rest is water and scenery (both sides)
Just before Prince Rupert we had a night-time view of a large container port that was a hive of activity keeping the supply chains running.
Arrived in Prince Rupert just before midnight for a much needed night’s sleep!
From Prince Rupert we headed east and then north of the Cassiar Highway BC-37 and took a side trip to Stewart which is right on the border with Hyder, Alaska.
It’s a pleasant 36 mile drive past the Bear Glacier.
We also bumped into this crazy bunch of bikers (Francoi, Pierre and Richard) that we met on the ferry and we celebrated Canada Day/Night in Stewart. I called them the Three Amigos but they prefer the Three Musketeers.
While in Stuart, we heard the Alaska Highway southbound from Watson Lake had been washed out. We decided to continue north as far as Iskut and reevaluate the route from there.
The road was still closed with no firm plan to reopen and there were reports of grocery shortages and hard to find lodging. So, we decided to change course and head back south and add Kamloops and Banff in our itinerary.
Leaving Iskut we found these “happy stones” (one to keep and one to pass on) left on our bike by another biker from Oregon. The stones travel around the world by passing them on to other travelers. We hope to pass one on to another motorcyclist when we get to Newfoundland.
The road from Prince George to Kamloops was fairly boring except for the southern part just before joining Trans Canada Highway 1 east. The landscape changed quickly from lush green to arid (almost desert like).
After a few minutes on Highway 1 we saw heavy black smoke ahead. It turned out to be a recreational vehicle fire and the road was blocked for over an hour.
Upon arriving in Kamloops we also heard a motorcyclist was killed on Highway 1 just east of here. A vehicle towing a trailer heading westbound lost a tire that hit the motorcyclist in a freak accident.
Today is a rest day to check the bike, update the blog and do laundry. Tomorrow we have a short day heading towards Bannf which is just as well as rain is in the forecast.
From Banff, we’ll head back north on the Ice Fields Highway to Jasper then make our way east on Highway 16.
John and Geraldine's Motorcycle Travels 
So glad to see you both back on the road! Love the updates! If you come through Maryland look us up!
Geraldine, have you been beating up John. I see some bruises on his face. Hope you two are have a good time. Miss and love you.
Haha, I’m still wind and sunburnt from the whale watching boat. Almost gone now!