October 29 2024
Our journey began at dawn, leaving Quesnel behind around 8am under a thick blanket of fog.
I quickly drifted into a deep sleep, waking up to find the weather transformed, with blue skies and trees capped in frosty white as we cruised into Williams Lake. Driving through the Cariboo region is always beautiful – endless pastures stretched along the roadside, dotted with cattle grazing under the open skies.
I daydream and imagine myself a character in the book I’m reading “Grass beyond the mountains” a story of discovery and endurance on North America’s western frontier.
We passed through 100 Mile House, where a fresh dusting of snow signaled winter’s arrival. Then, on to Clinton along the historic Gold Rush Trail. Clinton’s western buildings and a beautifully clad church seemed to stand timeless against a backdrop of mountains and ranchland.
We kept pushing on through Malakwa, a quaint town hugged by mountains. Snow crowned the peaks, and below them, a stunning sea of fall colors clung to the trees, reluctant to surrender to winter’s approach.
With miles of open road ahead, I slept on and off. Eventually, we entered Banff from the west, where the scenery turned into something out of a holiday postcard. Snow blanketed the landscape, transforming the mountains into serene, frosted giants. The sun dipped behind them as we continued, pressing onward toward our destination.
We stopped briefly in Golden, nestled by the Rockies, for a much-needed food break at McDonald’s – well deserved, especially for Robin, who’s doing all the driving this trip. Originally, we’d aimed to arrive at Silver Slate by 9 p.m., but delays pushed our ETA closer to 11. As I rested, grateful for my naps, I couldn’t help but admire Robin’s dedication behind the wheel, especially with thick patches of fog blanketing the road.
The last stretch was eerie yet captivating. Occasionally, the fog lifted, and glimpses of stars dotted the night sky, a quiet promise of a clear night ahead. Finally, we pulled into Silver Slate around 11 p.m., tending first to the horses, settling them in, and then getting our trailer set up. By midnight, we were ready to crash, exhausted but excited for the journey ahead.
Day one was in the books, and Texas felt just a little bit closer.
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