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 Q:
What are my travel options?
 A:
Generally the journey is by air and is in two legs. Almost all areas of
the country offer flights into Vancouver that arrive by noon or shortly
afterwards. Once in Vancouver, you have three options. The first is to
work with Phil and schedule a charter flight to Chilko Lake. The airstrip
is only three miles from Charly’s. Plane capacity is from two to
four passengers depending on weight. The second is to book a seat on Pacific
Coastal into Anahim Lake which is two hours from Charly’s. In the
summer there are two flights per day dropping to one flight after Labor
Day. Check their website for times but generally the last flight of the
day departs Vancouver early afternoon. The third option for those with
a lot of time is to rent a vehicle in Vancouver and make the ten hour
drive through the Frasier Valley to Williams Lake and then unto Chilko
Lake. It’s a beautiful drive but a long ways. A few folks have elected
to fly into Seattle and rent a vehicle and drive up. It saves on the air
fare but makes for an awfully long twelve hour drive.
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Q:
One vs. Two Day Transit
A:
I strongly recommend air travel all the way to Chilko Lake in a single
day. With a midday flight into Vancouver, one can leave home early in
the morning and have cocktails that afternoon at Charly’s. Two
day travel is a grind unless you have the time. If you do, then the
journey can be a quite nice sight seeing trip |
Q:
Length of Stay
A:
General rule of thumb is if you can’t stay for a week, don’t
bother coming. The Chilcotin is a long way to travel and operates at
a slower pace than the rest of North America. It will take at least
a week to even start to appreciate it. If you can’t spare the
time, I suggest a hop to London for the weekend. Saturday is change
day. New folks come and current guests depart. It allows for better
use of charters and transit to Anahim Lake for commercial flights. |
Q:
What Clothes and Gear do I need?
A:
If you are invited to a Chilcotin wedding everyone wears their best
pair of jeans. That is pretty much how it is at Charly’s. Hot
is 80 degrees in August and most mornings start in the high 30’s.
You can wear short sleeve shirts most of the time but bring a couple
of warm tops as it gets cool here in the evenings. A light jacket is
advisable. Bring a pair of tennis shoes for walking. Ten pound hiking
boots aren’t necessary unless you are into weight training.
If you are an avid fly fisherman, bring your favorite rod and flies.
If you are a causal or novice fisherman, don’t bring anything.
We have all the gear and it saves the hassles of transit. |
Q:
Communication Options?
A:
We are in the bush but do stay connected to the outside world. We have
satellite internet available via a wireless network. Computers are available
but if you want to bring a laptop it will require a standard wireless
card to operate. Regular phone service plus Directv are also available.
Forget your cell phone. The nearest tower is 200 miles away. |
Q:
Libations
A:
If you enjoy a favorite 25 year old single malt scotch, bring it with
you. It will not be in stock. Customs allows one liter without duty
but I have never known anyone to be checked. If regular hooch is acceptable,
it’s available. |
Q:
Meals
A:
Chef on staff makes three per day. Served buffet style in the main house |
Q:
Laundry Facilities.
A:
There are lots of flat rocks in the river on which to beat your clothes
clean. If this is not appealing, washers and dryers are available. |
Q:
Regarding Donald Trump
A:
Since conception, Charly’s has had over 200 wonderful guests.
All have brought a great attitude, a sense of humor and good will with
them. Some of these folks I have known for a lifetime. Others, I have
never met before arrival. Most importantly, they have all left as a
new friend to this thing we call Charly’s. If you have the attitude
and ego of the Donald, this might not be the right place for you. If
you have thirty seven tattoos, twenty two body piercings, wear you pants
around your knees and unfamiliar with the term gainful employment, this
might not be your cup of tea. Pretty much everyone else should fit right
in. |
