But as it turns out, we are
right on the first part and wrong on the second part. The lady who owns
and runs the place is named Carole.
"Would it be possible
for us to get a ground floor room since we've some gear to bring in?"
I ask.
"Certainly, no problem
at all" she tells us.
She sorts it out and gives
us our room key. The room is really nice - one of the nicest ones we have
seen on the entire trip. They have free Internet service a bit faster
than Alaska, so I'm able to make another post.
PAUL - No card but lots of pictures. Met some great folks and
saw some incredible scenery.
TO ALL - Tom and I have just landed in another BC city that I
can't pronounce - Quesnel - at the Talisman Inn. Fixin' to walk across
the street to eat some Italian food. The previous post was from the Boundary
Gift Shop in Hyder where the Internet is at the speed of paint drying
on the wall if it works (the post took a couple of shots!). What a ride!
And we have the PCH to do!
GUY - I'll lean a few for you, my friend!
SEATTLE PHIL - Should be at your doorstep early afternoon if all
goes as planned. Look forward to seeing you again.
I notice Carole is outside
walking a cute little Yorkie on a leash. I can't resist so I wander out
so see the pooch.
"What's his name?"
I ask.
"Speed bump because he's
not any taller than one. I rescued him and nursed him back to health"
she responds.
"That's awful kind of
you. Not many folks care that much about animals anymore. They
just treat them like pieces of furniture sometimes to be tossed out on
the trash heap when they get tired of them" I tell her.
"Well, I've been through
some trouble myself and it was kind of a healing for me too. My husband
left me and my daughter Debbie high and dry with no source of income.
Never heard from him again so we got this inn. Then we got this dog and
have managed to make it quite well. The folks around town try to direct
visitors to our place and that has certainly helped" she tell me.
"I admire your spirit.
You've certainly done a great job with the place here" I add.
"Thank you very much"
she says as it seems to help her a bit to be able to share with another
soul.
As I always say, everybody
has a story to tell if we can just take the time to listen. We chat a
bit more about life and raising kids since her daughter is involved in
the business too. It's a pleasant evening and a pleasant respite from
many miles on the road.
"Now I've got another
question - anywhere around here to get a bite to eat?" since my stomach
is talking to me in no uncertain terms.
"Oh yes - just diagonally
across the road - the Café Rustica. It's owned by a Swiss couple
who make everything from scratch" she lets me know.
"Thank you very much.
I'll certainly give it a try" as I go fetch Tom.
We make the short walk over.
It feels good to stretch the legs a bit after the hours in the saddle.
It is a converted house, but tastefully done and appropriately appointed.
We are ushered to our table and Richelle is our server who asks me - .
"What would you like to
drink?"
I ask my usual question when
in Canada -
"Is your ice tea brewed
or instant?" knowing I would really like some good brewed ice tea
but the chances are slim.
"It is instant I'm afraid"
she replies.
"Oh well, I'll just take
Diet Coke then I reckon" I tell her..
But she is determined to have
a happy customer.
"Let me see what I can
do" she says with a twinkle in her eyes.
We placed our order and talk
about the days on the road. It is amazing to us that Alaska came and went
so quickly. We both would like to return but at a much slower pace. The
wait seems a bit long, but Tom and I are enjoying just sitting there and
chilling out. Finally Richelle returns - with a freshly brewed glass of
ice tea in her hand for me. As it turns out, they went to the store, bought
some tea bags and some ice and brewed especially for me. I just about
fall out of my chair.
"That was awful nice of
you to go to all that trouble" I tell her still in shock.
"No
trouble at all. We appreciate your business" she answers.
The food comes and it is absolutely
splendid. Nothing is better than a day of riding finished up by a good
meal with a good friend. Richelle gives us the bill and I ask her another
question -
"Are y'all open for breakfast?"
"Sorry, we're not. But
if you go up the hill to the Caribou Burger Palace, they have a wonderful
breakfast" she tells me.
"The Caribou Burger Palace
for breakfast?" I ask since the name seems a little odd to me.
"Yes, you will not be
disappointed" she says.
After all the trouble she
went through to make me ice tea, I figure it must be a dandy place. We
thank her, pay our bill and leave her a big tip for she surely earned
it. We wander back across the street to our room, knowing tomorrow will
be another border crossing and back into the States to Seattle.
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