Overnighter to Hope, BC

If you've been following my blog, you know that I take mini-vacations whenever I can. My most recent trip was to Hope, BC, home to Sto:lo First Nations and former Fort Hope of Hudson's Bay Company. My starting point was Mom's place in Bellingham, WA. An hour and forty-five minute drive took me past the farms and dairies of Whatcom County to the Sumas border crossing.


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Borders are political, not changes in topographical or environmental conditions. The farms and dairies continue through the Fraser Valley.  Starting near Agassiz, Canada Highway 1 loosely follows the mighty Fraser River into the Coastal Range.  Almost immediately, the lush river plain gives way to sheer granite walls.

Sometimes you can't pick your travel weather in the spring. My overnighter was cloudy, then rainy, so I didn't get many pictures. That means I will be returning soon to this lovely BC town.

Everywhere you walk, you will see chainsaw carvings. Hope claims to be the Chainsaw Carving Capital of the World.  There are also many historical and cultural wall murals. Here's one that was on the back of the Muskwa Gallery.

I walked around town for several hours before showers began. At the bookstore called Pages I found several items of interest. First, the last two cookbooks to complete my Family Circle Encyclopedia of Cooking.  Now I have all sixteen. I also found a Farley Mowat book to add to my collection, and a unique book called Strong and Independent: A system of food storage and homesteading by Yarrow Alpine of Salmon Arm, BC.  It was published in 1983 and is quite a classic. The total for all my treasures was $8.00.

After my town tour I went to Joe's Restaurant for an early dinner and brew, and then next door to the Windsor Motel for a quiet night.  If you get to visit Hope, I recommend both. -- Margy