McBride, BC aftermath to Smithers, BC 6-15-10

Well, after talking to Tom LaVergne, who is a really great source for good advice (stop laughing, Tom, it's true), I called my insurance company and they said they might be able to help out and to fax them an estimate from the body shop.

After talking to them, I talked to the hotel people. They told me where to go for a mechanic. Once I drove to the mechanic, he said I'd have more luck at the body shop in town. When I got to the body shop, I met this German/Canadian guy who worked there and said he'd bring his pickup to the hotel to get my rack, box, and bike. He wired everything back onto the car so I could keep going and get it fixed at a dealer somewhere in Alaska.

Today I didn't get as far as the last couple days, just because I wasn't able to leave until noon. Unfortunately, the rack wasn't the end of my troubles for the day. After driving 30 miles out of town, I stopped to get some water out of the back. Unfortunately, the back was locked, so I went to the driver door, hit the button, and shut it. After trying the back door again and finding it locked, I realized in sheer terror that I'd hit the button the wrong way, and had locked myself out. The car was running, Eddy was inside, and I had absolutely nothing on me. After kicking the car a couple times, cursing at myself, and feeling like a complete moron, I flagged down a passing car. Fortunately, they were able to open the door with a wiener roaster. Wow.

After that ridiculous start to the day, it was smooth sailing and beautiful scenery. Tonight, Eddy and I are camping in Smithers, BC. It's beautiful here. We met a couple from Vancouver headed for Alaska as well. They are riding motorcycles, but not obnoxious Harleys. :) They are really nice.

I've noticed that Canadians in general seem to be much friendlier and respectful of others than Americans as a whole. It's rather refreshing.

Tomorrow we're taking the Cassiar Highway. Christine, my Alaska consult/phone tour guide, says it's gorgeous. Everything here is gorgeous! I hope this campground doesn't get extremely cold overnight. I can't believe it's almost ten and it's still very light.