Goldpan Provincial Park

I had enough of the headwind so I cut off the road a little early.



This is perhaps the most scenic site that I've had yet, perched beside the Fraser river, deep in a windswept canyon.



The mountains have been getting bigger, and greener as I go, less scrub and tumbleweed, the taller they get.



I can't put into words just how windy it is here. This is the first night that I've fully pegged out the tent.



This park is a "self registration" campground, which usually means you can get away without paying (like I did last night ;-) but, this time I got busted. I thought I should put something in the envelope, so I left $5 and, assuming that the envelope wouldn't be opened, until it crossed some bureaucrat's desk a week later, checked myself in. Sure enough, the park rangers came by, requested the extra $10 (which I happily paid) and were on their merry way.



Now, don't get me wrong, I don't mind paying for camping, but if I do, I want them to pay someone to collect the money from me. Without attendants, it's just a parking lot on the side of the highway, with potable water, outhouses, and a view (usually). So far, I'm going three for six on the "not paying for camping in provincial parks" this summer.



There is a falcon, hovering above my site. He's just sorta standing, like a kite, midair in the wind. When he let's up his stance, he goes whipping back up the valley, at a speed which is ridiculously fast, even for a bird of prey. This wind makes me excited for the ocean.



The next two days are going to be "demanding" I'm not sure if I can make it to the ferry by monday night if this wind doesn't let up.



I found a map of the lower mainland. I'm going to try and plot out a route from hope to twassen tonight. There is no direct way of doing it, that does not involve controlled highway.



That's all for tonight, I'm out of cell range anyway, down here in the canyon.