Day 46 – Monday July 3/17  

A slower start to the day, a travel day from North Thompson River Provincial Park (BC) to the home of Kirk and Susie Ambrose (Nancy’s step-brother and his wife) near Horsefly BC, north of 150 Mile House. (map)

 Yesterday’s rush trip to Kamloops had taken its toll on both of us, and a slightly later-than-usual sleep-in felt good. The thickest cloud of mosquitoes we’ve encountered on the trip helped us to hook-up and leave the quiet treed site in North Thompson River Provincial Park quickly once we got ourselves in gear.  We hit the road at 11:15.

We headed south on Hwy 5 briefly, to Little Fort, before turning west on Hwy 24. And here we started to drive uphill for 13 km on the longest stretch of steep grade we have encountered on our travels. After the 13km climb up the grade, the road was less busy than many we had been driving on recently, so our touring had a more relaxed feel. 

At 12:15 we entered the Cariboo District of BC and enjoyed a coffee stop overlooking Lac Des Roche. (photos)

The scenery with hills rather than mountains and mixed forest rather than exclusively evergreens reminded us of cottage country in Ontario. 

Lunch was at 108 Mile House – a heritage village with log buildings. Unfortunately we could only give the village a cursory look, as we were heading to a family visit at Nancy’s stepbrother Kirk’s home. 

{Editor's note: by the time we are publishing this blog post from 'San Campground on Friday July 7th, this whole area of the BC Interior around 100 and 108 Mile House is under evacuation order due to raging wildfires} 

The instructions were to turn off Hwy 97 on the Horsefly Road. 

As some of you know, Nancy’s father Chuck Tilston was married to Audrey Ambrose for 14 months in 1992 -93 until his death. Nancy has been most fortunate to have maintained a wonderful relationship with Audrey and her family for the past 25 years. We were on our way to stay with Kirk Ambrose, Audrey’s son and his wife Suzie. Another brother, John Ambrose from Calgary, was also visiting so it has become a real family reunion. 

We arrived at the end of the driveway to be greeted by a sign saying “Ambrose Camp – 1 Site Left”. (photo)

This sense of humour has pervaded our time with this extended family that has only been together 3 or 4 times before. 

We set up Rocinanate II beside Kirk and Suzie’s house, with electricity provided by an extension cord.  It was wonderful having a meal of spareribs, baked potato and salad prepared and served to us – along with red wine.  Nancy also enjoyed having access to a dishwasher. Several deer stopped by to have dinner on the front lawn. All very friendly. 

Another happy family encounter on our travels. How fortunate can we be? (photo)

From front: Michael. 'Snack', Suzie, Nancy, Kirk, John