Aspen Grove B & B shout out, Smithers BC

[IamGCW]

While finding my way through Canada I noticed a Suzuki rider moving up in traffic behind me.  Soon the road entered a town and at a red light the rider asked where I was staying.  Having no plans I suggested we stop in a nearby lot for a chat.  The rider (Jenny) was returning from New Orleans (month long ride) and suggested a B & B 3 hours north.  An old guy with no plans was now following a spirited rider to Smithers BC (wow an amazing town).  Turns out she owns the property and gave me a free room since I was a rider. 

I can defiantly recommend this place as a stop or a destination.  During my short stay there she shared many stories of her family and their adventures.  What a perfect stop.  Had a cup of tea before turning in for the night, hot tea is rare for me but it was the right drink while hearing of her living on a sail boat raising the family.  You meet the nicest people riding, and this lady can ride!


http://aspengrovebb.ca/

[Bronxboy]

  I'm sure u had some Great stories to share with her as well.

[Flrider]

That is so cool, great story Gil 

[The emperor has no clothes]

I too think Smithers is a cool place 

[_Sheffjs_]

That looks so inviting! However what I would like to know, is there a spot along the way you would like to have a second place if so what is that area?  Where is the dream spot?

[John Schmidt]

That looks so inviting! However what I would like to know, is there a spot along the way you would like to have a second place if so what is that area?  Where is the dream spot?

Jerry, here's a neat place Rita & I stayed in 21 yrs. ago this Sunday while on our honeymoon. If you read through the article, it refers to the Great Northern Railway which built a number of hotels along their route for crews to stay in, some are in the Glacier Nat'l. Park. This is one of them, we stayed in a couple others. After opening the link, go to the right under "Related Information" & click on Photo Gallery. The first picture shows the hotel on the left sitting high on a ridge with the town of Waterton below and to the right. Absolutely a beautiful place to stop over. We had the kitchen make up a picnic lunch and went to a park that is below the hotel in a wooded area. During lunch, we had company in the form of some deer begging for food, a bunch of magpies doing the same, and the burrowing ground squirrels(think that's what they called them) that would sit and bark warnings like a prairie dog. A short distance up the road, we turned off and went a few miles into the forest and climbed a rather high ridge for a view of the entire valley. When we got back down, a ranger asked where we had come from, then told us about 30 min. earlier a mama bear and two cubs had been sighted on the same trail. Ignorance was bliss I guess. 

As for Gil's B&B spot, that's beautiful and I'd love a stopover there. B&B's always seem to be in rather unique settings and this one is no exception.

http://www.glacierparkinc.com/prince_of_wales.php

[IamGCW]

Jerry,

First let me say anywhere with James.  If you have to ask why then you don't know James.

Now as John has known for years and commented on before, Glacier Park Mt.  The rides around the area are worth the trip and the park is a life changer.  As you ride you'll see mountains, rivers, lakes, forest's, meadows and wildlife.  Camping there was fun, hotels are nice, and small cabins (raw and furnished) are common.  The locals area really friendly.  I will always return there given the chance.  Next time it will be with Crystal!

Gil

[_Sheffjs_]

wOw!!!!  That slide show was amazing John! New desktop background.  Sherry and I have been to Colorado all over, JH Wyoming and Norway Fjords however we haven't had the chance to go on further this direction and I have always wanted to go especially after seeing the pictures. Something tells me this must be one of the most amazing areas.  Seeing Gill has done this a couple times on a bike I knew there was a different perspective than fly in do the tourist thing and go home as we do.    I thought there might be a spot in Canada, hummmm     

[John Schmidt]

Yes Jerry, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. We went up the east side of the Canadian Rockies for about 400 miles and down the west side. We were in a 4 wheel drive rental and it's good thing. Every turn in the road is more stupendous than the last one, shot 23 rolls of film and a few hours of video. Spent some time in rustic cabins to the 4 & 5 star hotels(splurged a bit) and everything in between. Our favorite was a B&B coming down the west side right on Flathead Lake.

If you've never done it, make sure you take the time before it's too late. You never know when "too late" comes. Same goes for Fall in New England(Maine, Vermont, N. Hamp.), colors are unbelieveable. We did that four years in a row and never tired of it.

[IamGCW]

Well if you're looking for Canada "must do" the Canadian mountains west of Edmonton near Jasper.  It's the Icefield range or something like that.  Stunning, as good as or better than Glacier.  Post a request in the VRCC BC Forum for information (they are a new board area).  I rode in temperatures of 36f at 8 AM while others in front measured 32f.  This is in the middle of June.  The problem is the speed is like slow and slower.  You need to be there for several days to see it, enjoy it, and repeat it. 

But my heart is really USA locked.  I would enjoy Glacier west side, drive up to Jasper to Edmonton, then Glacier East side and home via Utah, Az, and the Ozarks.

Gil

[Bronxboy]

  Awesome !! I look forward to making a few of these myself.

[BCoy]

  Very nice!  We spent a lot of years in the mid west with the Rocky Mountains as a back drop, love the spring and summer. Winter was enjoyable but consumed most of the year, just the opposite of Florida. B&B is on our list of things to do and that looks like a very nice B&B.
Thanks for sharing.

[John Schmidt]

Yes, we went to Jasper for a couple days, crossed over to the west side of the Rockies near Red Pass Junction and started south. By the time we got home, the honeymoon was well into five digits but worth every dime. Two days after getting home, we had to have the house completely replumbed to the tune of another $3k. Nice wedding present. NOT!