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The Quesnel and District Museum and Archives will host the illustrated talk Bannock and Beans: A Cowboy's Account of the Bedaux Expedition as the fifth presentation in its 2010 Heritage Speakers Series. Jay Sherwood will be the guest speaker on Wednesday October 27 in Council Chambers at 7 p.m.

In 1934, millionaire Charles Bedaux spent $250,000 in an attempt to cross northern British Columbia in five motorized vehicles. Part adventure tourism, part publicity stunt, the expedition was accompanied by a publicist, a radio operator and a Hollywood film maker. Their progress was followed by thousands around the world.

Bob White was one of the cowboys who cleared trail and packed supplies. In the 1980s, after he retired from ranching, White wrote down his memories of the expedition in the natural style of a cowboy telling tales around a campfire. His detailed recollections of events that occurred almost a half century earlier indicate that this unusual adventure was one of the highlights of an eventful life.

Sherwood edited White's manuscript, supplementing the narrative with archival material and photographs. These provide the visual material for a fascinating presentation.

Copies of Bannock and Beans will be available for purchase, with Sherwood happy to autograph copies after his presentation. They are also available at the Quesnel Museum gift shop.

Admission is by donation. For more information contact the Museum at 250-992-9580. The Quesnel and District Museum and Archives is funded by the City of Quesnel and offers a growing range of programming and exhibits.