Prince Rupert, Japan????

We arrived in the rain at Prudhomme Lake Provincial Park, just outside Prince Rupert on July 7. Prince Rupert is the furthest North we intend to go on this trip. Our RV site was beautiful, right on Prudhomme Lake. We were very excited to finally put the kayaks in the water (if it stopped raining!). Unfortunately there was so much debris along the water’s edge it would not be safe to put the kayaks in from our site after all. Plus, the rain did not stop!!

I was also very excited to finally be by the ocean, so we wasted no time driving into Prince Rupert to see what it was like. Along the marina was lined with a couple of museums, some small miscellaneous shops and a couple of cool lunch spots and cafes.

The Crest restaurant was recommended to us for great food overlooking the ocean. It did not disappoint! We had the best table in the place and, I have to say, could be the best seafood chowder I’ve ever had, and the salmon was prepared perfectly!! Barry had a peppercorn sirloin steak that he said was “very good”!

The next day we put on our raingear and headed downtown Prince Rupert to start exploring! The first stop was at the Kazu Maru memorial. Crazy story! On September 25, 1985 Kazukio Sakamoto from Owase, Japan set out for a day of fishing aboard his beloved Kazu Maru. Unfortunately he never returned. A year and a half later the Kazu Maru was found adrift off the Queen Charlotte Islands. When it was brought into Prince Rupert to be identified, it was discovered that the boat was from the same city of Prince Rupert; Owase, Japan! The boat was restored by people in Prince Rupert and placed on display. During the official opening of the Marina’s Memorial Park, Mrs. Sakamoto, members of her family and others visiting from Owase helped dedicate the memorial to all those who have lost their lives in the Pacific Ocean. We thought that was a really cool story!!

After we explored the marina we kept walking to an area where we were told there was a nice hike along the ocean. It was awesome! I think the best part was when we were walking to the trailhead along the marina, there had to be about 15 bald headed eagles swooping around and fighting with each other for scraps from fishermen docking at the marina. It was an incredible scene!! There was also a huge tree where they would all congregate, but you couldn’t see them hidden in the tree. The picture here shows 3 clearly, but I swear there were over 10 hanging out in that tree!!!

At the Rushbrook trailhead there was also Bob’s on the Rocks! Recommended as the best fish and chips in Prince Rupert. Obviously we had to find out for ourselves, so decide to partake after our hike! I would give them 8 out of 10. PEI makes the best fish and chips, don’t you know!!?

Rushbrook trail was very cool! We were heading to “seal cove”; however, we only saw 1 seal!! We also hiked the Butze Rapids trail. It was an easy hike looping through the rain forest ecosystem to a viewpoint that was supposed to be reversing tidal rapids. Unfortunately the water was so high that we did not see any reversing tidal rapids; however, the hike was awesome!

We decided to leave Prince Rupert a day early since the forecast was continued rain. The rain won!! We headed to Barkerville with quick stops in Ft. Telkwa and Vanderhoof!

FYI: Barry's new mission to get RVers to wave at each other on the road...you know, like guys on motorcycles!! No takers yet, but he's not going to give up!!

Don't forget to check out the pics!