Heart of a Champion – Gerry James Palmantier cowboy statue in British Columbia

“Heart of a Champion” — a tribute to Gerald “Gerry” James Palmantier, a Cariboo cowboy. This cowboy statue stands in Williams Lake, British Columbia.

Heart of a Champion - Gerry James Palmantier cowboy statue  in Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada.
Heart of a Champion - Gerry James Palmantier cowboy statue  in Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada.
Heart of a Champion - Gerry James Palmantier cowboy statue  in Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada.

“Gerry was born and raised in the Cariboo. The grandson of Leonard Palmantier, who co-founded the Williams Lake Stampede, he grew up in the most beautiful ranch lands of the Province. Having lived and cowboyed from Riske Creek, Alkali Lake, Dog Creek, to finally, Sugar Cane where Gerry settled down with his wile Kristy and their children. Gerry put his heart and soul into everything he did from working in the bush as a faller, buncherman, loader owner/operator, to going on the road as a bull rider and All Around Rodeo Cowboy in both amateur and pro ranks, then finally as a rancher- owner/operator of the Bearclaw Ranch. Gerry was a proud man of Chilcotin, Shuswap and American descent. Gerry lost his battle with bone cancer on August 27, 1996. His uncle, Jack Palmantier, 1976 World Saddle Bronc Champion and world class bucking horse stock contractor, said of his nephew, he had the ‘Head of a Champion’.”

I visited this Canadian roadside attraction on a road trip to Hyder, Alaska. Taking a British Columbia road trip and looking for stops? Also look for the World’s Largest Gold Pan, the Large Wheelchair, the Big Marmot Statue, Cariboo Sam – the Gold Miner Statue, and Mr. PG.

Site: Heart of a Champion – Gerry James Palmantier cowboy statue
Location: BC-97, Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Cost: Free To See
Hours: Always Visible

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"Heart of a Champion" — a tribute to Gerald "Gerry" James Palmantier, a Cariboo cowboy. This cowboy statue stands in Williams Lake, British Columbia. Visit this weird roadside attraction on a Canada road trip across British Columbia.
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“Heart of a Champion” — a tribute to Gerald “Gerry” James Palmantier, a Cariboo cowboy. This cowboy statue stands in Williams Lake, British Columbia. Visit this weird roadside attraction on a Canada road trip across British Columbia.
The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

BY Valerie Bromann

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.

VALerie BROMANN

Founder & Head Road Tripper

Val is the founder and head road tripper at Silly America. Having grown up near Berwyn's famed car kabob, The Spindle, and a restaurant with a cow on its roof, her fascination with roadside attractions started early. Today, Val has visited hundreds roadside attractions across the United States and is constantly on the lookout for the next BIG thing!