Barkerville, BC's Most Popular Historic Site

Barkerville is the gateway to the past with over 125 heritage buildings. Visitors to this infamous town can follow the route taken by miners in the Cariboo gold rush days so many years ago. In the late 1850's, prospectors followed the Fraser River to the creeks of the Cariboo in the northern country as gold became more difficult to find in other areas. Billy Barker was one of those prospectors. In 1862 he struck gold and before long, news of his gold strike spread and thousands of miners poured into the area hoping to stake their own claims. Gold fever had hit the Cariboo.

Between 1862 and 1870 over one hundred thousand people had traveled the Cariboo Wagon Road to reach these gold fields hoping to find gold along the many creeks that meander through the Cariboo. Built in various stages, it was 1865 before the road was completed. Previous to this, food and supplies were transported either upon the backs of the miners or by pack trains. After its completion, it became possible for larger freight wagons to be used to transport these goods. Stage coaches were then able to travel the distance between Yale and Barkerville carrying miners and passengers to their destination and the small city mushroomed. The most well-known of the stage coach lines was the Barnard Express Stagecoach Lines.

The Chinese played a large part in the formation of this town helping with the construction and building of the Cariboo Wagon Road. Barkerville's Chinatown is now the oldest surviving Chinatown in North America.

The historic cemetery in Barkerville came into being when the first person was buried on the hill on July 24, 1863. Peter Gibson was laid to rest at 31 years of age. On a walk through this interesting cemetery, a visitor will notice that the average age of those buried in it is about 32. It is the last resting place of some of the great and possibly not so great residents of Barkerville.

At its height Barkerville was considered to be the largest city west of Chicago and north of San Francisco. Even during the quieter time between 1910 and the 1930's, the town managed to thrive until the 1940's when the new mining town of Wells came into being. This once thriving gold town became somewhat of a ghost town until 1957 when the BC government began to restore and reconstruct the buildings into what they now are.

Barkerville is not a town to miss but especially if you are interested in ghost towns and old towns with their history and stories.

Writing, Excerpts and Publications

A Most Unusual Camping Trip

This Story was Published in 'Our World' in 2005 - In eager anticipation we set off to explore all the nooks and crannies, historical sites, galleries, studios and shorelines of the beautiful area we had chosen to visit. We kayaked and hiked before finally realizing that it was six o'clock and time to find a campground.

Almost missing the sign, faded and nearly obliterated from age and weather, we pulled into the isolated campsite. Picnic tables were covered with moss, payment was on the honour system using damp envelopes which were to be put into a bolted, rusted metal box. Outhouses were devoid of toilet paper and locks were long since useable. The water pumps had signs posted warning users to boil water for a minimum of two hours but were lacking the water to boil.

Finding a site with the least moss on the picnic table, on the river side, we decided to set up camp and were delighted with the thought of our enjoyment at the sound of rushing waters as we slept.

That was the very beginning of our experience.

But first things first. I pushed all the buttons to put up the windows in our van so the mosquitoes wouldn't bother us while we were sleeping. Next I slammed the door against those pesky insects. We gathered damp wood for the fire and set up the camp chairs. Then it was time to start dinner. Back to the van for the stove and cooler. Locked - with keys securely inside.

"You didn't," he tried valiantly not to glare at me but didn't quite succeed.

I had an uncontrollable urge to laugh but was clever enough to know that this was not the time, nor the place, to remind him what a great sense of humour I have. "Can you phone road service?" I tried a smile. The smile didn't work and neither did his cell phone.

"How far do you suppose it is to town? I'd be quite willing to walk with you." I tried another smile. Smiles weren't working today.

"I'll get help." That was the least I could offer - after all it was partly my fault.

"And where do you think you're going to get help? We're in the middle of nowhere."

Another smile. "I'll bet we'll laugh about this tomorrow."

"It isn't tomorrow."

"Are you feeling just a little bit out of sorts today?"

Fortunately for me there was the sound of a car. "Excuse me," I called as they drove past our site. "We have a little problem. I wonder if you can help us."

A very nice young couple got out, pierced and tattooed, with beautifully coloured florescent hair. They were going to be the only other campers in this campground and I was certainly happy to see them.

"I've had that problem myself," he explained as he pulled out a key chain full of keys. Trying Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota and Honda keys, he was finally able to open the door of our Blazer with a Volkswagon key.

Sitting around our smoldering campfire later in the evening, we marveled at our luck of the only other people in the campsite having a key that worked in our car. "I wonder what type of work he does?" I asked.

My partner was getting very good with the 'looks' today.

Ignoring the 'look', I pointed out that there were flashlights moving along on the rocks beside the river. Suddenly there was a loud blast. The sound vibrated up the banks of the river at our feet, seeming to last for many minutes and then utter silence. In our rush to the van, we collided and tripping over wet firewood, we bruised noses and stubbed toes.

With a minimum of discussion, we decided that an early night was just what we needed to enjoy the sounds of the river from the comfort of our mosquito-free van.

Writing, Excerpts and Publications

Our Most Unique Family Vacation

Published in The RV Times - Our 'Griswold's family vacation' started out like any other normal vacation with two grandparents and three grandchildren about to embark on a three week trip. Some might say, "Three grandchildren, are you crazy?" Well, there's crazy and then there's crazy.

We drove four long, hot days with no air conditioning in our hottest weather. I know what you're thinking. I thought so too. It took us one day to drive through Washington, one day through Oregon and two days through California. It was not until we had almost reached Palm Springs before a little voice asked, "Are we almost there yet?" The first leg of our trip was over and we were welcomed at our destination with cold drinks and a refreshingly cool swimming pool. We weren't crazy.

We spent two days in Palm Springs and then drove to Anaheim for four lovely, hot, fun-filled days of walking around Disneyland fighting the crowds. Some again might say we were crazy but it all depends on how you look at it. If you love Space Mountain or the Holywood Tower of Terror, you're crazy. I'm not one of them but I did get conned by one of my sons who joined us there into going on Thunder Mountain. I should have been suspicious because last time we were there he told me Space Mountain wasn't a roller coaster ride; it was only a 'roller coaster-type of ride', and I fell for it. Uhmm.

From there we returned to Palm Springs late in the evening. As we drove up to my brother's place - tired, hot and sticky - my husband, misjudging the outside overhand of our motorhome, knocked their mailbox over. The cement base lay in crumbling little pieces on the ground while the children and I carefully stepped over it. I won't say crazy but my husband spent two days rebuilding the cement base to its 'almost' original state while the children and I enjoyed the swimming pool.

After a four-day rest from Disneyland, we decided to set off for Arizona in 48 degree weather with, like I mentioned, no air conditioner. But like troopers we persevered because we had promised the children a visit to the Grand Canyon. Through deserts and over mountains we travelled until finally we stopped near a small town, hoping to find a campsite. The funny, or not so funny thing, was that once we stopped, the motorhome wouldn't start again. I laughed. Really, what else was there to do?

"It's our lucky day," I declared.

"How so?" my husband asked grumpily.

"Well, we could've broken down in the middle of nowhere."

"We are in the middle of nowhere," one grandson pointed out.

However, we did make it to the Grand Canyon and what an awesome sight that was! There is nothing to compare to it. But while we were leaving our campsite the following morning, my husband failed to notice a tree stump and tore the corner out of our motorhome. It was the corner that housed the secondary battery that the fridge ran on while we were driving. Well, what the heck - warm drinks, melted freezies and canned meals are better than nothing. The children handled it much better than my husband did drinking warm beer.

Then we stopped at Bryce Canyon in Utah - another unbelievable sight and one we were glad we had not missed. But when we arrived at our campsite that night and hooked up our water supply, we ended up with water all over the bathroom floor - a loose connection and not the appropriate tools to fix it with. So with the help of the children, I used pots and kettles to bring water into the motorhome. It was just like camping in the good old days.

From there we travelled to Nevade where we stopped at Virginia City. Another great place to visit and one I'd like to go back to again when our motorhome is in a little better shape. As my husband started to back into our campsite, I said I'd get out and direct him. "No," he said. "It'll be fine."

I shouldn't have listened because within minutes he had somehow attached himself to a metal fence post. That wasn't too bad though. The problem occurred when he tried to pull away and the bumper and part of the back wall of the motorhome came away also. Have you got a clear picture of our holiday yet?

So back to two grandparents and three grandchildren. The children were fabulous. They weren't an ounce of trouble. I would take them anywhere again but the husband I'm not so sure about.

Writing, Excerpts and Publications

Chemainus, Vancouver Island

Published in Northwest Travel Magazine in 2005

Unwilling to let their town die in 1982, some of the residents came up with the idea of a giant outdoor wall mural. This was an attempt to breath life into Chemainus, a small town on Vancouver Island, so it could live without the mill. The mill had kept the town alive for 120 years. They believed in the slogan, "If you say you can do it, you can." Like The Little Engine That Could, "I think I can, I think I can" puffing its way to the top, Chemainus has also puffed its way to the top and now enjoys 400,000 visitors annually.

The vision was one of people who refused to be conquered. It was about determination, persistence and belief while the naysayers insisted that turning the town into an outdoor art gallery could not, and should not, be done. Thankfully there were people who upon hearing those words, heard only "should" and "could".

We recently visited Chemainus, "The Little Town That Did" and were glad we had. The people of Chemainus invited internationally-known artists to use the town as their canvas, making it the exciting and interesting town it has now become. There are currently more than thirty-five murals and twelve sculptures depicting the town's history and its people.

Following the yellow footprints throughout the town, we passed murals relating stories of much of Chemainus' history. The Japanese community is depicted from 1900 to 1942 showing mill workers and fishermen. There are murals of the Chinese "bull gang" moving timber, as well as murals of sailing vessels, steam trains, and workers that were the foundation of Chemainus. There are also murals showing original buildings with long-ago scenes. At the entrance to Waterwheel Park, there is a mural with a working waterwheel. And not to be missed are the murals and fabulous sculptures of First Nations People.

In our stroll around the quaint little seaside town, we passed antique stores, boutiques, studios, and galleries. Arriving on the beach, we enjoyed the sun and had an ice cream cone in the interesting flavour of moose tracks. To better enjoy the murals located around town, and really feel as if you have become part of the past, there are horse-drawn carriages.

We didn't take advantage of the wealth of other activities that Chemainus offers but there is also golfing, boating, fishing, hiking and camping. And for those interested in history, there is the Chemainus Valley Museum and live theater if you wish to pursue your cultural side.

For a little town that thought it couldn't, it certainly did!

Writing, Excerpts and Publications