NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 600

Food
One of the most popular places to go for breakfast is the Bear Family Restaurant (North-
ern Motor Inn, 3086 Hwy. 16, 250/635-6375, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, $11-17),
near the Chevron gas station on Highway 16 just east of Terrace. For breakfast, large om-
elets, hash browns, toast, and coffee run around $9-11.
THE SPIRIT BEAR
Little known outside British Columbia, the Kermode (pronounced kerr-MO-dee) is
an elusive subspecies of black bear (Ursus americanus kermodei). The Tsimshian
called the Kermode “Spirit Bear” and often rendered it in human form in their art-
work. The bear inhabits only the vast tract of wilderness north of Terrace as well as
uninhabited Princess Royal Island south of Kitimat, where it is protected by the Spir-
it Bear Conservancy.
First studied by Francis Kermode, director of the British Columbia Museum at
the turn of the 20th century, the bear was originally thought to be a distinct species.
It's slightly larger than other black bears, has a different jaw structure, and, although
its color varies, some individuals are pure white. These white bears are not albinos,
but instead contain a recessive gene that results in the light coloring.
Once close to extinction, the Kermode is now fully protected and is the mammal
emblem of British Columbia.
For delicious Mexican food, head downtown to Don Diego's (3212 Kalum St., 250/
635-2307, 11am-9pm Mon.-Sat., 10am-2pm and 5pm-9pm Sun., $11-19), where a few out-
door tables catch the evening sun. It's a small, bright restaurant with lots of plants and Mex-
ican wall hangings. It's always busy, so you may have to wait for a table.
Information and Services
Kermodei Tourism Visitor Centre (4511 Keith Ave., 250/635-4944,
www.visitterrace.com , 9am-5pm daily July-Aug., 10am-3pm Mon.-Fri. Sept.-June) is be-
side Highway 16 on the east side of town. In addition to a solid collection of northern literat-
ure, Terrace Public Library (4610 Park Ave., 250/638-8177, 1pm-9pm Mon., 10am-9pm
Tues.-Fri., 10am-5pm Sat., 1pm-5pm Sun.) holds a community art gallery offering exhib-
itions that change monthly. For local reading and a good selection of Canadiana, head to