Day 2:
I was on the road by 6:00 and it was a nice sunrise as the red rays appeared over the mountains from the east and the sun about 45 minutes later. I went north on highway 8 towards Cache Creek and this would eventually take me past a mining outfit that had a large lake or runoff of mud from their mining outfit. It didn't look real pretty but then they also had it enclosed and looked like they were taking care of their deposits. As I got closer to Cache Creek you could also see some large portions of land that were covered with black tarps to grow Ginseng. It looks funny as you see acres of land covered with plastic tarp about five feet above the ground. This area of Canada is said to be just the right tempearatue to grow Ginseng. I stopped in Cache Creek and ate breakfast at Chum's restaurent and would continure on around 8:00. I drove north on 97 as it would be 130 miles to Williams Lake and then another 300 miles to Bella Coola. The ride to Williams Lake is nothing fantastic as you go thru a couple small towns with 100 Mile House probably being the largest town on the way. I arrive in Williams Lake around 10:00 and stop just long enough to get gas and a sub sandwich to eat on the way.
I had been worried about the pass on Highway 20 and maybe running into snow but the attendant at the gas station told me that his freinds drove from Bella Coola this morning in five hours, so I felt ok about going. I started driving east as the first part of the trip is just like any other road except I don't see many cars. It kind of reminded me of traveling in Yukon after leaving Whitehorse and driving north towards Dawson. There would also be some small shacks and deserted houses along the way. 
My first stop would be at Redstone to take a picture of an old Indian Cemetary where they still enclose the body with a fence. It leaves a little bit diferrent impression than just looking at tombstones on well kept up grass in a cemetary. I continue on and this would be the land of plateau and where many larger ranches exist. Many ranches offer people to stay as a hotel and also go out for rides in the valley. I pass a small community at Alexis Creek and then pass many lakes in this valley for the next couple hours seeing few homes and no vehicles on the road. I was also passing many horses that would be in the middle of the road which I would have to wait for. 
After Chilanko Forks, the road turned to gravel which was still kept up well. I could see large mountains in front of me with snow on them that reminded me of the Cascade mountain range back home in Seattle. I finally passed Tatla Lake which is considered half way point and I would reach Anaheim Lake around 2:00 where I would stop to get gas.
I left Anaheim Lake and started going up a steep climb of about 15 percent on gravel road. I knew I would be going over Heckman Pass and this was only the beginning. It also started raining and after about an half hour I was into snow on the ground, frozen lakes and rain had turned to sleet. The scenary would of been nice if I could of seen anything but it was overcast. The road was in good shape considering it was gravel, I reached the top at 5000 feet and snowing. I began to come down a large hill and would only have one lane for the next half hour with pull outs every once in a while. 
I finally came out of the trees and started into the valley on the other side as it was nice scenary. There were signs that kept warning me of avalanches and not to stop. I was able to get a couple pictures and it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would of been.
As I am descending I forget about the snow and just look at the valley and the nice view. I try to remember that I was just in the praries a couple hours ago, got out of the snow an hour ago and I am now coming down to sea level. This is a great road for sight seeing but make sure its a clear day. There are also many parks for hiking in this area although they are all closed right now covered with snow. I finally get into the valley and there are many small farms and the grass is much greener on this side. I get into Bella Colla around 4:30 and it's a small little Indian community that also hasNorwegian fisherman and Caucasians living here. The town is actuallly located on a water inlet (Burke Channel) that eventually flows to the Pacific Ocean. I stop at the store to buy a book on Bella Coola and then drive around out to the government dock where I stop at a local park and walk along the water. This town is a great place to move if your wanting to get into isolation and relax the body. 
It's a slow life style and not easily accessable. I am also starving right now and a local suggest driving back about 10 miles and eating at the Bay Hotel/Restaurent. There rooms were $69 a night and I was thinking about staying here until I realize that the pass may be snowed in tomorrow and I wouldn't even know it. So I eat a large hamburger, two beers to calm my nerves and start driving back as I figure I have three hours before it gets dark as it's now 5:30.
It doesn't look like I will have any problem over the pass but the snow was beginning to stick along the side of the road. I get to Aneheim Lake by 8:30 and decide to drive all the way to Williams Lake and arrive at 11:00. I went to get a beer at an English Pub and then stay at the Drummond Lodge hotel which had a nice view that overlooks the lake. There was also a rodeo going on in town this weekend and there was a small carnival with rides in town. Williams Lake is a nice little city with very little but prarie surrounding it. Vancouver is about 3 hours south and Prince George is about two hours north. I drove 750 miles today and 1050 total so far.