Drive from Jasper Alberta to Vancouver BC

 We now crossed over the Yellowhead Pass into British Columbia. We were still in the Rockies for many miles on the first day to Kamloops, and the road went high into the clouds at times.  For much of the year this route is above the snow line and roads may be closed, tyre chains needed etc. We had a small scare on the first morning when a motor bike accident stopped the traffic for half an hour. No fatalities but a reminder of danger. No satnav here or internet so no one knew what was going on. Eventually we were on our way through mountains and along the North Thompson River valley. Scenery amazing. Stopped for coffee and very good ice cream at Clearwater Hungry Hikers Cafe. 

The trees were healthy here - in the Jasper National Park thousands of trees have been killed by the pine beetles that have increased their range in recent years with warm winters. The sight of dead conifers has been distressing - especially so when you know it is yet another climate effect. We also saw evidence of huge forest fires that had recently devastated some mountain sides, terrifying to think of these raging with little chance of containment.

Overnight in Kamloops - a large industrial city with a First Nation Reserve on its edge - excellent takeaway curry and an early start in the morning. 

Saturday’s drive to Vancouver was over more mountain passes, with sparse populations and variable weather. The last hour we were on huge and busy motorways surrounded by towns that make up the outskirts of Vancouver. We crossed the Fraser River on an enormous suspension bridge and arrived early for our ferry across to Vancouver Island. We had a brief sight of a pod of orcas on the way across.