June 17, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Arts, Culture & History Tours
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Long ago, when the small pox was introduced by European settlers on Haida Gwaii, the Haida population decreased by almost 80 percent. The remaining Haida people moved from the southern region of the islands, up north on Graham Island, to the villages that are known today as Masset and Skidegate.
I went with a friend up to Skidegate for the day. It's about a ten minute drive from Queen Charlotte City. We thought we'd spend the day venturing around leisurely and checking out different places!
First off, we stopped at the Haida Heritage Centre & Museum. We spent 4 hours there, walking through the museum and joining in on some tours. The first tour that we went on was the totem pole tour. When the museum was built, totem poles representing the villages of Haida Gwaii were erected, and on the tour, the guide explained the history behind each one, and how to distinguish different designs on each pole! It was very informative; for example, an animal, such as a mouse with a long tongue, indicates communication! The second tour that we went on was about the canoes that are in the canoe/carving shed at the centre. We learned lots about the traditional and more moden ways that the Haida carved canoes! Between the tours we had lunch at Kaay's Kitchen in the centre...I had a nice big bowl of clam chowder!
After the museum, we hopped into the car and drove around the village. In front of the SHIP (Skidegate Haida Immersion Program) building, Bill Reid's pole stands. When it was raised in 1978, it was the first to be raised in Skidegate in over 100 years. The building itself is in the longhouse style, and the pole is on the front. It's quite a beautiful building!
We drove on Front Street, up to the main highway, and took a right. On our left hand side we saw All About U Arts, a gallery owned by Ben Davidson. It was open at the time, and so we went in and saw all of his beautiful carvings. If you're looking to see traditional art, it's a great place to check out.
We continued further down the highway, about 10 minutes out of Skidegate, where we stopped at a pull off on the right hand side of the road. There is a very special boulder on the beach there...yes a boulder! It's known as Balance Rock, and it was deposited on the beach just outside of Skidegate by a glacier. It is believed that it moved it from Alliford Bay, 16 miles away, and many people tell a story about it. There are some Haida legends about it, but the story I heard growing up was that a man attempted to move the rock, with horses, pries, and more, and even contemplated blowing it up with dynamite (but was persuaded not to). We went to balance rock, climbed on top of it (like many do) and beachcombed for a little while!
Before we headed home, we stopped at Jags Beanstalk. It's a little coffee shop/restaurant in Skidegate, that makes great lattes. We grabbed two to-go, and left Skidegate feeling satisfied.
June 12, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Beaches & Swimming
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We waited for low tide, when we knew the River was at its lowest. There was a storm on the way but we really didn't want to have to cancel our trip!
My friends and I got together a few weekends ago. We were the same crew, plus one, who hiked East Beach to the Pesuta shipwreck the week before. This time we weren't going by foot, but instead we were driving through the Tlell River. There are restrictions for driving on this beach. It's always best to talk to the Naikoon Provincial Park Office about doing this prior, or to acknowledge the signage posted. Having knowledge about the area is key and the four of us have been locals since we were babies.
We took two trucks and a dirtbike, and we set off for Cape Ball, a few kilometers past the Pesuta and Gold Creek. One of my friends had a key to his uncle's cabin up there, hidden away in the dunes, and we planned to stay there for a night. As we drove along side the river, and then along side the ocean, we saw lots of debris washed up from the Japanese tsunami. We stopped to take a peek and saw some really interesting things! We drove past the pesuta until my friend saw the entrance to his uncle's cabin. If I had been walking along the beach I would have never even noticed! We drove through the dunes and the forest, which was an incredible experience. When we arrived, we dropped off our stuff and went back out to the beach for some dirt biking and beachcombing.
As the tide came in, we were forced back into the cabin in the dunes. The ocean comes right up to the edge, and as the weather became stormy, the waves were huge. Two of my friends had GoPro cameras, and one was daring enough to stand in the water and film as the waves crashed over the camera. He had to be very careful he didn't get pulled in by the strength of the water though! It was rainy and windy, so we spent the evening in the cabin playing cards and eating homemade deer sausage. The Sitka blacktailed deer here sure look cute, but they're tasty too! The next day we couldn't leave until 8pm, when the tide was low again, so we could cross the river. We embraced the stormy weather and went wandering on the beach and around the dunes in our rain gear and rubber boots. Oh the island life, it's so much fun!
Camping is permitted throughout the Naikoon Provincial Park. If you're looking to hike to the Pesuta, or further, talk to the Park office in Tlell to become more familiar with the area. Bring a small tent, camp in the dunes, and have as much fun as we had!
June 06, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Beaches & Swimming
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As the 2012 summer season begins, we thought we should spruce up the salt water aquarium at the Queen Charlotte Visitor Centre with some new critters from the ocean!
Some staff went on a hunting and gathering expedition for different intertidal sea life at Miller Creek beach, about 20 minutes away from the village of Skidegate. When the tide was low they found tonnes of different coloured bat stars, a small sea cucumber, and a massive variation of species of nudibranchs (or sea slugs)! They brought a few of each back to the Visitor Centre in a bucket filled with salt water and now they make home in the tank! We've got clown nudibranchs, which are my absolute favourite, as seen in the picture!
You can see lots of this sea life in Burnaby Narrows down in the Gwaii Haanas National Park, but if you can't make it there, you can always check out Miller Creek or our tank! Maybe we'll be feeding the critters when you arrive at the centre! It's always neat to watch the decorator crabs and the sculpin snatch up the clam meat we feed them!
May 29, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Beaches & Swimming
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We may be known for our wet climate, but we do still have beautiful sunny days! A few of us recently went out to jungle beach for a hotdog roast. It isn't quite warm enough yet for swimming, especially with the wind. However, in mid-July and August, more local families will be headed there for beach days! We spent the afternoon walking along the beach, wandering amongst the driftwood logs, and enjoying our hotdogs near the shelter and outhouses provided. Quite recently someone built a small lookout post at the entrance to the beach, as you can see in the picture!
According to the Katherine Dalzell book "The Queen Charlotte Islands of Places and Names: Book 2", Jungle Beach is the local name for the picnic site located at Halibut Bight. It is noted that Mr. Mackenzie, a taxi driver in 1930, promoted the area for picnics in order to promote trips there and help his business. During the stormy winter months, driftwood logs are deposited near the entrace of the beach, in a "jungle-like" fashion.
From swimming to beachcombing, or just looking for a place to have a picnic with the family, Jungle Beach is a favourite spot for locals and tourists to hangout in the summer sun!
May 23, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Hiking
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The Pesuta, a shipwrecked log carrier, washed ashore on the East Coast of Haida Gwaii in 1928. The weathered bow remains today, jutting from the sand, and can be seen if one hikes out there....
...I decided to join with two of my friends to hike to the Pesuta. It was a sunny day, but the exposure on the East Coast means the wind gives quite a chill! The hike takes about four hours to complete, and that includes having lunch when you get there. We choose to hike further about twenty minutes to Gold Creek, where we travelled back towards the Pesuta through the sandy dunes. In one area there are moss beds in the dunes, where we stopped to sit and have lunch.
Some debris from the Japanese Tsunami can be found on East Beach as well. Some of the things you can find are so neat! This is the same beach that the Harley Davidson motorcycle washed up on!
The Pesuta is less than I remember from when I was a child. Pieces of it have fallen off and have been swept away by the ocean. All over it are carved in signatures of people who have visited it over the years. It really is a piece to be treasured, and the hike to it is always fun, so long as you ensure that the tide remains low enough to walk the beach!
May 08, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Whistler, Spas & Wellness
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The tulips and daffodils made all the difference on my latest visit to the wonderful Scandinave Spa in Whistler. I have had the good fortune of visiting this unique outdoor hot/cold pool oasis a few times since it opened in 2009, but never in Spring. The experience is always truly remarkable. So relaxing and stimulating at the same time....but I have to say that the flowers and spring buds made it even more memorable. As soon as I left after 2 hours of bliss, I wanted to return. And I will....
March 06, 2012 | Tips from Us >
New Westminster, Dining
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As a resident of New Westminster I gleefully celebrate any new restaurants that open in my town...but even more so when they turn out to be as good as any of the top spots in Vancouver's 'more advanced' restaurant scene. Open now for a few months at the newly renovated River Market (previously it was the New Westminster Quay) Wild Rice is owned by the same fellow that opened the original (and still there) Wild Rice on the outskirts of Gastown. The new location is worth the trip from adjacent areas and not just for the food. The Fraser River is steps from the restaurant & the huge glass garage-door style windows ensure a wicked and fascinating view of this working river. The food is unforgettable. I am still drooling at the memory of the wonton soup and the kung po. Loved how the dishes were served family style and seemed to keep arriving! An added treat for me was that they served Killer Cab from nearby Pacific Breeze winery - Canada's only 'garage winery'. The stuff is great!
Sorry don't have a photo but it is a casual open kitchen concept place and I would think their website would have pics. Thanks for coming to New West Wild Rice!
November 25, 2011 | Tips from Us >
Nanaimo, Shopping
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Every time I am in Nanaimo I make a quick trip to the
Nanaimo Museum, not only because of the artifacts, but because of the small gift shop in the lobby. There are some great little finds there! Local crafts, kids stuff, First Nations jewellery...and its all pretty affordable. Another great spot within walking distance is the Barton & Leier Gallery that is full of funky, unique and again, affordable gifts and art. Both within walking distance of the Harbour, located in the commercial district.
November 14, 2011 | Tips from Us >
Whistler, Hiking
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In the final episode of the Great Ranger Experience, Ranger Katy Chambers and Ranger Andy Turner want to share their Garibaldi Provincial Park experience with you. The spectacular mountain and glacier landscapes of Garibaldi were protected as one of British Columbia's first Provincial Parks in 1927. The almost 200,000 hectare park offers more than 90km of world-class hiking in the summer and fall, and exceptional ski touring opportunities throughout the winter and spring. B.C.'s park rangers keep busy by maintaining recreational opportunities while ensuring the natural features and dynamic ecosystems are protected.
As BC Parks turns 100 years old, Park Rangers want to share their experience of working as stewards of BC’s wonderful parks. These short videos capture spectacular landscapes, and showcase a little bit of what our Park Rangers are up to throughout the Province. Featured Park Rangers share what is special about their favourite provincial parks, and most importantly, share why they are passionate about being a ranger! There are four videos in total, we’ll share one per week.
Links:
The Great Ranger ExperienceGaribaldi Provincial ParkHiking in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains regionBackcountry skiing in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains regionOther Great Ranger Experience posts:
BC Marine ParksSouth Okanagan GrasslandsBugaboo Provincial Park
November 07, 2011 | Tips from Us >
Sechelt, Wildlife Tours
This week in the Great Ranger Experience, Ranger Ryan Elphick, Ranger Dylan Eyers, and Aquatic Ecologist Doug Biffard want to share their Marine Park Experience with you. Many of the sensitive ecosystems and species that are protected throughout the marine park system are vulnerable to environmental stressors such as climate change. B.C.'s park rangers and ecologists monitor our coastlines and try to understand the changes and in order to maintain healthy resilient ecosystems.
As BC Parks turns 100 years old, Park Rangers want to share their experience of working as stewards of BC’s wonderful parks. These short videos capture spectacular landscapes, and showcase a little bit of what our Park Rangers are up to throughout the Province. Featured Park Rangers share what is special about their favourite provincial parks, and most importantly, share why they are passionate about being a ranger! There are four videos in total, we’ll share one per week.
Links:
The Great Ranger ExperienceBC Marine ParksSunshine CoastOther Great Ranger Experience posts:
South Okanagan Grasslands
Bugaboo Provincial ParkGaribaldi Provincial Park