Rolls Rally 2008: 3 - Vernon, BC, Canada to Victoria, BC

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Today began at Planet Bee, a honey producer in Vernon, where we learned about beekeeping and their theory that honey cures almost anything. A working beehive was taken apart layer-by-layer while those of us observing sat on bleachers behind protective netting. The bees did not seem overly concerned about the process.

A short distance up the road we visited Davison Orchard's well-stocked farm produce store, done up to look like an old western town. We settled into seats in a train of what could be large apple boxes with wheels. A tractor pulled the little train through the orchards where "Farmer Bob" stopped a couple of times to tell us about the apple business. They don't export apples - all are sold locally. There were at least a dozen varieties of apples, many of which I had never heard. After the ride they treated us to apple pie a-la-mode made from a special apple they grow for pies - delicious!!

In the town of Armstrong, lunch and an explanation of cheese making was laid on at The Village Cheese Company. They had a tasting of the many specialty cheeses they make - I sure wish we could get them in Costa Rica! Many were new to me, such as gewurztraminer and merlot wine cheeses, horseradish cheese, maple syrup cheese and many more. Most of us managed soup and sandwich for lunch, but few had room for the offered apple pie with cheese.

An unexpected pleasure was a visit to a nearby farm where there were 3 steam tractors - the two biggest dated from 1916 and 1911. Two were running when we arrive, the third was out in the field. It blew something when being tested before our arrival, scalding the driver in the process. Those of us who drove the other tractor bore the mark of distinction of being splattered with black oil! I was a little quick on applying the steam pressure, causing the giant machine to almost lift the front wheels off the ground as it lurched ahead, almost dumping Scott from his perch behind me.

Once we reached Kamloops, having travelled via back roads with no traffic, we checked into the Best Western Kamloops hotel. A bus had been laid on to take us into the hills behind Kamloops where RROC member Karl Stegemann and his wife were kind enough to invite the 65 of us to a steak BBQ. Their house has a spectacular view of Kamloops far below. After dinner Mrs. Stegemann played piano while we enthusiastically sang old songs. When the bus transported us back to the hotel it was a good thing I wasn't driving! It was a fabulous night.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Scott had to return to Victoria for business and a 40th birthday party, so we skipped breakfast and I drove him to the Kamloops airport. After several wrong turns in areas of Kamloops new to me, I found the highway and headed for Cache Creek where I'd planned on gas and breakfast, however it was not to be. Many miles along the highway a flagman was informing travellers that the highway would be closed for some 4 hours due to an overturned logging truck.

Consulting my map, I spotted a road south to Logan Lake, then to Ashcroft and back onto the route again. It turned out to be a great drive - good road and not a vehicle coming the other way until Logan Lake. En route was the giant Highland Valley copper mine, then a long, steep downhill grade going into Ashcroft - great fun to drive as the car coasted at over 70 mph (113 kph). Burton & Mary Hunter in their Rolls estate wagon stayed right with me down the twisting route.

We were expected around 11 AM in Lillooet for tea, so being well behind schedule I went right through Cache Creek and onto the road to Lillooet. When I glanced at the gas gauge, it showed just about empty; however I decided to press on regardless, dropping my speed to between 40 and 50 mph (65-80 kph) to conserve fuel. Near a small village (with no gas) I picked up an Indian hitchhiker to have someone who knew the area - a wrong turn would have been disastrous.

Almost an hour later we were relieved to see Lillooet on the far side of the river. My guide got me to the closest gas station; right across the street from the legion where we were expected, so $112 later I had a full tank. I estimate there were about two litres of fuel left. There was still a good selection of muffins at the legion, so I devoured my first food of the day.

This was the first time I'd driven the road from Lillooet to Whistler - it is a spectacularly beautiful ride on not great road - lots of frost heaves. This mountain crossing is very different from the North Cascades route we drove earlier in the trip.

Check in at the Holiday Inn Whistler was chaotic. There were to be breakfast coupons but weren't, and the rooms were not ready. The underground parking garage was a maze - it is supposed to be secured parking with access by key card through a locked gate, but of three of us who went down together only one found the gate, the other fellow and I ended up at the same place by a route that had no gate.

When I finally got a room it was necessary to go outside and walk to another building. To get to wing D one takes an elevator marked wing A. My accommodation was a spacious two bedroom suite with fireplace and full kitchen, but being on the top floor the roof slopes inward, so the bathroom mirror was on the roof at a 45 degree angle above the sink, requiring one to stare upwards to use it. It was very hot, with no air conditioning, so it was necessary to open the windows, allowing the sounds of late night revellers to be heard clearly. Even louder were sirens of emergency vehicles from across the street - drivers turn them on before leaving the lot.

I was requested to put on a slide show of last year's around the world drive before dinner at Earl's Restaurant, where a private room was arranged. Fortunately it was ready for a presentation at the RROC BC dinner next weekend, but it couldn't have been easy for everyone to see the small laptop screen. In spite of that, everyone was quite enthusiastic, giving me a bit more confidence for the main showing!

Friday, September 19, 2008

I slept in for the first time since leaving Victoria, not heading for breakfast until about 10:30. After a walk around the modern interpretation of a Swiss mountain village, I headed back to the room to catch up on some writing and photos. Whistler is designed as a walking town, with parking around the perimeter and shops facing pedestrian streets.

At 5:30 I walked across the park to the upper village, where our group met at Monk's bar for happy hour before an amazing farewell dinner at La Rua restaurant where I enjoyed a fabulous rack of lamb followed by a particularly good crème Brule. Awards were presented, toasts given and we said goodbye to one another with hopes that we would soon meet again.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

After rising early I drove to the condominium where Nick Northeast was staying to pick up luggage to lighten his car. His 1934 Bentley 3½ litre saloon was having clutch problems. In spite of heavy traffic and 30 mph (50 kph) construction zones I made it to the Horseshoe Bay Ferry in time to have breakfast before boarding the 10:40 AM sailing.

In Nanaimo I met an old friend, Jack Zydel, in a waterside pub for lunch and beer. I phoned Nick to find he'd made it to Nanaimo on the next ferry and was headed south. We met up at a same gas station south of Duncan, but I kept the luggage until just outside of Victoria after he had managed the steep hills of Malahat Mountain. We will meet again at the RROC BC meet next weekend.

SUMMARY

As mentioned, this was my first RROC event, and it was a big surprise. Instead of my expectations of a rather stuffy bunch who would dress for meals and behave in a very reserved manner, this was a group of fun loving people whose only concession to formality was to trade daytime shorts for long pants at night.

Some of the cars were amazing. In total 28 cars carried 65 participants, including several visitors from England. Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington & BC were all represented. There were 6 Bentleys and 22 Rolls Royce cars dating from a 1922 Rolls Royce Tourer to a 1992 Rolls Royce Silver Spur II saloon.

The organization, events and driving instructions were extremely well done, and the camaraderie and care participants showed each other amazing. I look forward to joining some of the group next weekend where there will be a 163 km (101 mi) fuel economy run and I'll be giving the around-the-world presentation with the assistance of better viewing devices than a laptop screen!