It was their way of saying good-bye and happy trails. We decided to take a diff erent route
back, which was fl atter and easier going but took us a bit longer. We enjoyed the scenic countryside along the Dean River, which led us back to the Dorsey Ranch at Anaheim Lake. Other than being plagued by hoards of mosquitoes, we completed our adventure with very few problems, just a few small pains in our butts. Our one regret was we didn’t get to
Betty and Pan Phillips, August 1966
everyone carries guns out there! So around noon the next day we ventured across the river. We ended up on their fl ight runway where low and behold we found Pan Phillips sauntering about checking his land. He gave us a warm welcome and was quite impressed that we made it without using guides. Apparently between guided trips for hunters and planes bringing people in, they had a pretty steady fl ow of company from Quesnel and Williams Lake. We were okay in his books. True to his reputation, Pan invited us to join him at his homestead and treated us like
family. We ended up staying several days and like family, were put to work. Bob, being a mechanic, fi xed up his chainsaws and other equipment in need of repair. I used my carpentry skills to do some repairs around the homestead. Like me, Pan was an early riser, getting up at 6 a.m. to enjoy what he called his “coff ee and quiet hour”. During our days there I joined him and learned his secret. To this day I still enjoy my “coff ee and quiet hour” before my family arises. T e last night we were there Pan brought out a bottle of rum that he was saving for a special occasion and this was it. We drank, laughed, and told stories just like real cowboys. T e next morning as we were leaving, Pan and his wife Betty gave us their traditional farewell: several rifl e shots in the air.
meet Rich Hobson. Unfortunately at the age of 58 he passed away several months before we arrived. Pan told us Rich had sold him his share of the homestead awhile back and bought a smaller ranch near Vanderhoof BC where his wife worked as a realtor. In 1970 Pan sold the Home Ranch, moved to Quesnel with his wife Betty where they lived in a mobile home park. T ey said they were ready for an easier life. T e last time we visited Pan was in 1980 on our way through to Fort St. John and I am so glad we did because he passed away the next spring at the age of 70. We visited Betty several times over the years. Unfortunately her severe arthritis had confi ned her to a wheelchair so she had to move into a care facility in Quesnel. T e last time I saw Betty was in September 1998. We had a great visit so I was saddened to hear that she passed away a few months later, on November 15, 1998. I hope you all got as much enjoyment
out of my tale as I did reliving the memories of my days as a cowboy! e
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RVT 144 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 29
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