Day 8 Kamloops to Hinton AB 500 kms Yellowhead Hwy #5

Started off with a full tank of gas @ 1.08 per litre!  I almost felt guilty filling up @ that price. NOT!

This is our start northward for the next 6000 kms.  Another sunny, warm day without any bug cleansing rain.  It was really a treat to ride with only motorcycle gear instead of 16 layer of crap to keep warm & dry.

The Yellowhead hwy follows the Thompson River, so more winding roads today.  We both are getting quite comfortable on the loaded bikes now.

Very little traffic except as we approached Jasper, naturally.  Yesterday, was really the first day of any traffic to speak of & only in the Kamloops area.  Lots of bikers out enjoying the sunny weather. We have pretty much had the roads to ourselves except for the odd RV or 18 wheeler. Cool

At times the Thompson looked calm & almost frozen over, very glass like.  I was tempted to walk across it to the other side, but I remembered that I don't walk on water well @ the best of times.  Farther north rapids appeared. White caps & hay stacked covered the surface.   I expected canoes & river kayakers to appear @ any moment to take advantage of the fast moving water, but today is a work day so none were found.

The mountains next to the Thompson were sparsely covered with trees. No snow capped mountains until we arrived @ Terry Fox Mountain.  Terry had his head in the clouds today.

One of the Jasper Park locals

Later we came around a bend to find 4 Mountain Rams on the road!  Like they owned it!  Cars & trucks dodged ( pun intended) around them. As we slowly passed them, I stared one down hoping he wouldn't charge & "ram" me.  Thankfully, nothing happened.  He probably thought "Just another stupid tourist."