Two years ago, a couple of long time friends from the coast, Jack Barnett and Bo Work took over a cruise-in at this old mid-BC town.
The roads there are a great drive on good roads about 250 miles north of the Blaine, WA. customs. We were invited in ’08 but couldn’t attend and promised we’d be at the next meet.

With the ’46 all ready and the Boler loaded, we were set to leave at 8am, but because of a little breeze, went to put the top up, to keep peace in the family, me, Char, 2 pups and a cat!!! No matter what I did, it stayed down.

I told her to bundle up cause we were going topless!!! We left home at 9am and met a dozen others from the BCHRA at the Sardis, Hwy 1 interchange. It was a sunny morning, little traffic as we headed east to the Hope exit. More cruisers joined us as everyone gassed up and all turned north.

About 20 rods and customs now, paraded up the Fraser Canyon Hwy that follows the
Fraser River between the CPR and CNR railway routes. The scenery is spectacular, the mountain sides are ablaze with eastern morning color, several pullouts allow other traffic to pass and us so we stay together. As we go north, the temp goes up but we are quite comfy in the drop-top. The only dissenter was Patsy (the cat) who did not like the rising altitude and the open air.
Half way, we all stopped at Cache Creek for gas and lunch. ‘Herbies Burgers’ was besieged for sustenance to charge us for the rest of the trip. Most of the route is fairly level, only a few hills to climb, well laid tarmac, well marked(better obey the ‘Slow To’ signs unless you’re ride is well sprung) lot’s of places for a ‘bush type’ pit stop (you’re in Canada eh?)

Other than a couple slows for road construction, (water truck came out just ahead of us to make the road muddy at 70 mile) we had a smooth cruise all the way. Just as we came into our destination, the skies turned black and a downpour greeted us as we drove to the airport. It was just a block off the Hwy, a large open hangar was straight ahead and our gang filled the building. Soon it quit, we circled the trailers, took advantage of the water taps, the power outlets and our group were set for the weekend.

We all left the cars/pu’s in the garage for the night and pooled munchies for supper. Our hosts had set up a pancake breakfast next to our site which was tasty, reasonable and aided the event. All day long over 400 rods and customs poured into town and took up all rooms. During the day, we yakked, snacked, cracked and greeted many other friends. A small swap meet lined the airport street, other vendors offered knick-knacks, paintings, framed art, car parts and foods.

In the afternoon, a ‘South Greets North’ BCHRA meeting was held so more members could join in on the Assn. planning of future events and add their ideas. It was a good get-to-gether with lots of laughs.

Under a large netting between our trailer awnings, our gang supped on a buffet meal equal to any Sizzler!!! All of us traipsed the shops of 100 Mile and my mate didn’t take long to find the $ Store which had a fresh supply of what-nots she hadn’t seen before. That night we took in the event buffet banquet (what a spread of Baron ‘o beef, fresh hogies, salads and a dessert bar that went on forever!!!

Sunday was car show day, over 500 neat rides attended that filled the downtown streets. Although their plan of having half in town and half at the airport didn’t work well, the locals were enjoying the show of a lot of coast cars, northern cars and several from neighboring Alberta.

We stayed at the airport so we could load up in the early afternoon, we were able to leave at 4pm so we could avoid the canyon traffic and arrive home at dusk. When gassing up at Cache Creek, another driver advised us of a serious accident at Boston Bar. Although some left to go the long way round, we went south and at the crash site where a semi-trailer lay in its side, we were ushered by and managed to skirt a downpour before arriving home with the top still down.

If you ever want to see the scenic sights of the Fraser Canyon, stop at Hell’s Gate for a gondola ride across the river, see the early gold pan spots where the nuggets were the largest, take a step back in time of the early BC settlers, see a great tribute to Elvis at a café offering such good food, stop at BC Indian museums, purchase real handmade Indian items, travel a photo bugs delight, drive a rodder’s cruise that challenges the best rides and enjoy a trip you’ll never forget, please put this event on your calendar, we guarantee you’ll not be dis-appointed.

Compiled by Bunny & Charlotte.