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August 29, 2005 | Tips from Us > Hope, Scenic Drives
Three cities along a 200km stretch of highway. Gas stations between cities: non-existent. That's what you're faced with driving the Coquihalla Highway, Hwy 5, between
Hope and
Kamloops. While it's absolutely drivable don't head off without checking your gas tank first. You know your own vehicle the best, so gauge your fuel consumpition accordingly.
Merritt is roughly 100km from both Kamloops and Hope - smack-dab in the middle of the route - if you are travelling during the day you'll need at least enough gas to get there. If you are travelling at night you may need to drive the whole stretch on a single tank of gas. Cell phone service is spotty along this mountainous highway, so if you do run out of gas you may not be able to quickly call for service. And if you get a tow truck to deliver fuel to you, be prepared to pay an outragious price for the gas. Save the hassle and check your fuel first. Contact one the respective
Visitor Info Centres for more information on the locations and hours of operation of local gas stations. Road conditions along the Coquihalla are available from the
Ministry of Transportation.
August 26, 2005 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Dining
Find more information about Vancouver, Dining
I recently discovered
the restaurant at the Jericho Sailing Centre when a friend invited me to sailing for the night. It is open for the public and the patio offers spectacular views of English Bay, the North Shore Mountains and the downtown area. It offers no-nonsense, pub-style food at reasonable prices. Nothing beats watching the sunset there while enjoying a cold beer and a veggie burger on a nice summer night. Check out
their website for directions. Or read our information about
Vancouver's beaches.
August 26, 2005 | Tips from Us > Victoria, Hiking
Find more information about Victoria, Hiking
There are no restaurants awaiting you at the top, no bars or Gondola rides down; in that sense nothing compares with the Grouse Grind, one of the more challenging
hikes in Vancouver. But if you are looking for a similar, steep, high-cardo hike in Victoria, head out to
Goldstream Provincial Park and take on the Mt. Finlayson Trail. This steep, rugged trail challenges hikers with varied terrain before rewarding them at the top with a sense of accomplishment and amazing views of the Juan de Fuca Strait, Finlayson Arm and surrounding areas. And while there is no snack bar at the top, you'll get twice the workout (because you have to hike back down), it's much more scenic and you'll avoid the commuter-like crowds that plague the Grouse Grind. The average hiker should be able to hike up and back in about three hours. Proper footwear is essential.
August 25, 2005 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Shopping
Find more information about Vancouver, Shopping
If you're planning to visit
Granville Island while in Vancouver, do what the locals do and leave your car behind. Unless you go early in the morning or late at night, traffic down there is a nightmare. Lots of free parking (a plus) coupled with very few throughways (a minus) means total gridlock most of the day. But there are lots of alternative ways of getting there though, and more scenic too. Hop aboard one of the ubiquitous Aqua Buses that dot the waters of False Creek and take a sea cruise before getting there. One of my favourites methods is to walk to Granville Island along the Seawall; great views of the city, fresh ocean breeze and lots of benches for you sit and take it all in (no one said you had to rush). Bicycles and Rollerblades are also allowed on the Seawall.
Public transit is another option. If you must drive, consider using the metered parking outside the entrance to Granville Island instead of driving in. It means you'll do a little walking, but believe me it's a small price to pay to avoid the congestion. Plenty of metered parking is available on 1st, 2nd, 3rd Avenues between Fir St and Burrard St. If you`re lucky there are a few unmetered spots to be had, but those aren't vacant very often.
August 24, 2005 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Sightseeing Tours
Find more information about Vancouver, Sightseeing Tours
If you find yourself in Vancouver without a car and want to do a little sightseeing, consider getting yourself a Transit Daypass, available from most 7-11 convenience stores or just about any place that sells lottery tickets. The Daypass allows unlimited travel on BC Transit services for an entire day. So if you're really on the move the savings really starts to add up, not to mention you don't have to fuss with finding exact change every trip. Vancouver's transit system is broken into three zones, so where you want to go will determine which Daypass you need to buy. Visit
HelloBC for some ideas on things to see and do in Vancouver And for more information on Vancouver's Trasit services, go to the
Translink website.
August 23, 2005 | Tips from Us > Pemberton, Hiking
Find more information about Pemberton, Hiking
This past weekend, a bunch of friends and I hiked up to Joffre Lakes, just north of Pemberton. From the parking lot, it was just a short 5 minute walk to the lower lake where we caught the first glimpse of the beautiful turquoise water with the glacial mountains towering above. From there, we started the 3.5km trek up the hill to the second lake, making our way through moss covered forests, up over large boulders that had broken away from the mountains over thousands of years, and across rivers fed by the glaciers above. The second lake was beautiful but it was the extra 1.5km to the third lake that made the hike worth while. The tree line disappears at the far side of the upper Joffre Lake and water falls over the rocks, feeding the lakes below. The view across the upper lake looking at the glacier high above is breathtaking. We had lunch on the rocks over looking the lake before heading back to the parking lot on what turned out to be about a 5-hour hike. For additional hiking suggestions see the
Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Hiking page.
August 17, 2005 | Tips from Us > Duncan, Wineries & Vineyards
My husband and I went wine tasting with some friends recently in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island's east side. We got off to a late start and only had time for a few stops, but had a wonderful afternoon. The valley, along with other parts of
Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, has a rapidly-growing wine industry and produces some excellent, award-winning wines. Finding our way from one winery to the next was made easy by the "Wine Route" signs that now direct visitors from the highways to the wineries throughout the province. We started at Merridale Estate Cidery in Cobble Hill just south of Duncan and tasted some amazing ciders made from freshly-pressed apples grown on the estate. Personal favoutites were the Scrumpy and the Traditional Cider. We also visited a few wineries, the highlight of which was Godfrey-Brownell Vineyards in Duncan. Even though we arrived late in the day (after 6pm) we were warmly welcomed and were even treated to a basket of bread and a plate of some delicious Vancouver Island cheeses. The wines were excellent (particularly the Merlot and the French Oak Chardonnay) and the setting is serene and lovely.
August 10, 2005 | Tips from Us > Whistler, Zip Lining
Find more information about Whistler, Zip Lining
I went to Whistler last week for the weekend. I haven't been in
Whistler in the summer for a few years. I forgot how much there is to do in the summer. Just watching the mountain bikers come flying down the mountain was awesome. Then we went
Zip Trekking because I've heard it's a lot of fun. It's also educational as they tell you all about sustainability in between zips. I was afraid the $98 wasn't going to be worth it but it totally is. I would do it again in a second.
August 10, 2005 | Tips from Us > Squamish, Hiking
Find more information about Squamish, Hiking
A friend and I recently hiked the Elfin Lakes Trail in the Diamond Head Area of
Garibaldi Provincial Park. If you're reasonably fit and haven't done this one yet, add it to your 'must-do' list. From the trailhead, an 11 km (6.8 mi) gradual uphill grade will lead you to a pair of pristine ridge-top lakes and an overnight shelter. Be warned: if you forgot your camera, the 360 degrees of mountains and glaciers will taunt you. Swimming is allowed in one of the lakes, and the water at the moment is surprisingly warmer than bone-chilling. My friend went for a dip and was amazed by the lake's clarity! he said he could see his feet as clearly as if he were standing on dry land! The Elfin Lakes Trail sees a lot of use on summer weekends, but on a weekday you'll likely share it with only a dozen people or so. A tip: suntan lotion and insect repellent strongly recommended. For additional hiking suggestions see the
Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Hiking page.
August 10, 2005 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Festivals & Events
Another "Celebration of Light" fireworks festival has come and left Vancouver. About 1.4 million people took in the free event, and if you've never been before, the crowds can get unruly. This year I decided not fight the crowds on the Downtown side of English Bay and headed over the Burrard Bridge to the Vanier Park side. What a difference! The crowds on the south side are much better behaved, you can actually find a spot to sit down and when the show is over people leave the area peacefully. I'm not suggesting there aren't people there, just not nearly as many people. Something to consider if you plan on going to next year's festival.