Lakeview Inn & Suites Fort St. John

... one of the windiest ice storms we've ever experienced. Here, overlooking the Peace River, enjoying their warm and welcoming home, we finally meet this man with whom we've corresponded sporadically over the last 30 years. The connection is immediate, the similarities and humor and attitudes all click and it feels as if we've known each other forever. We are included in their weekend ...

The W.A.C Bennett Dam is one of the world's largest hydroelectric dams. It's quite a sight.

Unfortunatly, the tour doesn't allow cameras to be brought. We were taken 500 feet underground and into the dam. The size of the generators alone are something to see. It is big enough that it can supply 1/3 of BC's power alone. Crazy stuff..

With one week of work to go, I'm anxiously awaiting for our departure to Venezuela in just one month. While I spend Christmas with my family in Prince George, Pierre-Paul will be heading to Montreal tomorrow to spend the remaining month with his family. I'll catch up with him in the New Year and will spend just over a week in Quebec before we depart. Over the past couple of years, I have summered in Prince George and wintered slightly further north in ...

... and its rapid changes, timed to prepare audiences to better understand the fast-approaching opening of the 2008 Olympics (on 08/08/08--a very lucky day according to many Chinese!). If you're at all interested in Beijing and the lead-up to the Olympics, I'll suggest some stories in a future entry (I've been collecting them on my home computer). I'll also suggest a fascinating documentary set in ...

... the parking lot. Anyway, the first real up-north wildlife we have seen - except for the countless moose warning signs. Dawson Creek and the Peace River Valley area looks like the mid-west in many respects. Rolling farm land. Dawson Creek is a agricultural center with a tourist attraction called the ALCAN. Residents seem unimpressed with the 'majesty' of Mile 0 of ...

... do on the weekend. One of his suggestions was the WAC Bennet Dam. It was a really nice drive out there with some great views. The Dam itself is an enormous earth dam, the biggest in North America, and we were able to take a tour into the generating station which is underground. We weren't allowed to take pictures unfortunately, but the turbines were being repaired so we could see them and they were absolutely behemoth ...

... ve decided that we're too close to Alaska to not go there, so that's our next big destination. We headed first for Banff National park in Alberta, and I was shocked and appalled (and still am) at how expensive everything is in Canada. To start, the exchange rate is just about even, so any illusions I had about saving money here were quickly dispelled. Gasoline is over $1.20 per liter (there are 4 liters in a gallon, so do the math). The National Park charges $9 ...

... pellets...but they only lasted for half an hour and it                only happened 3 or 4 times. And it rained                             everyday... but not all day... usually.     5.    The Rocky Mountains, helicopters, waterfalls and                     dinosaur footprints. Special thanks and shout-outs to my crew, Nata Reforestation, Steve and Dave Ardell, bears, and Galahad.                         

... and I think this is so cool. Loaded up with our daypacks, shovels and 4-6 liters of water, the first 4 board the chopper and head out. The ride today will take us over two mountain ranges in the Rocky Mountains of northern British Columbia. White caps, river valley's and pine and spruce forest fill the landscape.             After we land someone says, "I think this is what the army must be like." For the next ...

... we should be airborne for Houston and from there the Belize International Airport!!! It will be nice to hit the warm sand and surf!! Our first two nights will be in a suburb of Belize City called Ladyville so hopefully they have internet and I can figure out how to send you all some pictures!! See you all from Belize!!