Fort Nelson to Whitehorse

Julie, a woman from Nova Scotia who moved to Fort Nelson, was on the bus yesterday. She is a wonderful person, and she really loves Fort Nelson. We’d hoped to do an interview this morning at our motel, but I discovered too late that there was no one at the reception then. So if she did come by, she had no way of finding the room. Julie, if you happen by some miracle to read this, I’m really sorry I didn’t notice this earlier and I hope you weren’t too put out! Hopefully our paths will cross again!

The moon is out again, and staring out the window I get the sensation that this bus is the only thing that is left of civilization. The highway has become two snow-covered lanes, and there are no other vehicles out there. Not even a trucker to break the darkness. Earlier I caught sight of moose at the side of the road, darting into the forest as we approached. My first glimpse of them. Pictures don’t do them justice, but I will do my best. Around this area there are also wild horses, buffalo, elk, wolves, reindeer, and apparently giant porcupines. Hiding in the shadows no doubt.

Prince George to Fort Nelson

The moon is so bright, the trees cast sharp shadows on the snow. We’re on the midnight bus to Dawson Creek, and then on to Fort Nelson after a bit of breakfast. I had intended to sleep most of this ride, but it’s bright enough to see the landscape, and the shadows and snow are making faces in the trees, and I can’t tear myself away.

Most of the people on the bus are sleeping. It’s not too busy; anyone who wants two seats to themselves can have them. There are a couple of guys talking a few seats back. They started with a discussion about the differences between Halifax and Calgary and Kelowna, and where they’ve come from and where they’re going. They then moved on to talking about pot, and have since moved on to hockey. It’s all very familiar and very Canadian.

It makes me think that if our neighbors are to the south, then our family is to the north. I think we spend too much time worrying about what our neighbors are doing or thinking, and not enough time worrying about how the family is doing, how they’re getting on, if they need anything.

The two guys in back have now moved on to talk of over-fishing in Prince Rupert. Too bad it’s too late and too dark to film. This is exactly what the country should be hearing. Ah, the shot that got away . . .

Vancouver to Prince George

Vancouver to Prince George was all about sleeping. The last rush of preparations - and the lack of sleep over many nights - finally hit as we were heading into the Fraser Valley. I woke for a bit around Hell's Gate, and then drifted in and out of consciousness the rest of the trip. It felt so nice just to stare out at the passing scenery, watching the landscape change. The land becomes desert-like through the canyon, and as we traveled north the trees got thinner, and the snow began to collect on the mountaintops, and then migrated closer to our level until it seemed suddenly it was settled on the sides of the road like it had always been there.

Prince George turned out to be the perfect stopover. We stayed at Mead Manor, a local bed and breakfast. I would recommend this place a thousand times over. Laura and Bob, our hosts, were brilliant. We were picked up at the Greyhound station, given a big room with the type of beds that sleep was made for (complete with chocolates on the pillows), and a bath with jacuzzi jets. In the morning, we had a three-course breakfast, and we were allowed to hang out in the room repacking – I always have to repack most of my pack after the first night, just the way it goes – and then were driven back to the Greyhound station. Oh yeah, Bob gave us a tour of Prince George on the way, with a stop at the UNBC campus to check out the view of the city. Don’t get scared, I’m not going to plug every place we stay, but we couldn’t have imagined a better first night (and next day). It was the perfect beginning.

Itinerary

Grrr . . . I can't post this in the description (even though I swear it's under the 500 max) so here's the tentative schedule:

Vancouver – Prince George – Fort Nelson – Whitehorse – Dawson Creek – Edmonton – Saskatoon – The Pas – Thompson – Winnipeg – Sault Ste. Marie – Montréal – Mont Tremblant – Québec – Fredericton – Bay of Fundy – Charlottetown – Moncton – Halifax – Corner Brook – St. John’s – Truro – Rivière-du-Loup – Saint-Siméon – Ottawa – Toronto – Perth – Regina – Maple Creek – Calgary – Peace River – Yellowknife – Grande Prairie – Prince Rupert – Skidegate – Port Hardy – Victoria – and all the spaces between . . .

We plan to write the blogs on the bus and post when we get internet access. We're hoping at least once a week.

Leaving Vancouver in 5 hours! I'm gonna go get an hour's worth of sleep.

Two filmmakers, a camera and a bus . . .

Starting February 12, we will begin our journey across Canada to produce the documentary "The Distance Within". Covering the vast spaces of our country to find its far-flung population, we will explore the fundamentals that Canadians hold important in their lives. This film seeks to appreciate Canadian cultures, promote the beauty of the lands, and encourage Canadians to be travelers in their own country.

And we intend to blog it all the way!