July 24, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Hiking
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Ever wonder what Alpine Alice does in her free time? Well having been born and raised in the alpine meadows and mountains of the Bulkley Valley, she can't wait to showoff one of her favourite places.
July 24, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Nelson, Hot Springs
I just had a pleasant trip to Nelson and Ainsworth. I would have stayed an extra day but it rained too much after I left the hot springs to do any hiking. I stayed in a hostel in Nelson that was quite pleasant and the waters at Ainsworth did wonders for my body and spirit. I shall return, but as I am from the US next visit I shall bring smaller bills than twenties. For a brief stay it is better to have smaller change, just to advise other short-termers from the US. I wish I could have stayed longer, and I promise to come back soon. Met some good people from Canada, Germany, the UK, and San Francisco who were also enjoying themselves. Drivers should take note of the signs about deer, as I encountered one RIGHT BY THE ROADSIDE just west of Ainsworth and I was unsure which way she would run. Glad my brakes are good.
July 23, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Chetwynd, Sightseeing Tours
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It's been years since I have stopped at the look-out point at the Gwillim Lake Provincial Park; so, naturally I had to stop there to eat my lunch on the way to Tumbler Ridge. I had completely forgotten just how breath-taking the landscape in this part of BC really is; I love this valley so very much!
It is a marvelous experience to gaze out at the roling hills, with snow capped mountains hiding off in the distance - we are in the foothills of the rockies after all - and lose yourself in the scenery. The look-out is far enough off the highway that the quiet stillness just consumes you and your can enjoy the sights without distraction; definitely made the right choice to stop there, and I will most certainly be making the drive out there a few more times before the summer is over - though seeing the glorious fall colours grace the hillsides would be just as breath-taking!
July 23, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Museums
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After warming up from a rainy day exploring Cow Bay, I decided to spend some time checking out the Museum of Northern British Columbia. The museum, as well as the Visitor Information Centre, is housed in a beautiful Northwest Coast longhouse and features exhibits portraying the history and culture of the area dating back to the end of the last ice age. The magnificent art and unique artifacts depict the ancient and modern history of the region, telling the stories of the inhabitants who have called the Northwest Coast home. Afterwards I spent some time browsing through the museum Gift Shop, which offers the finest in jewellery, carvings, basketry and gifts by local and regional artists. There is also a wide selection of book on the art, culture, and history of the region for those who want to learn more about the spectacular Northwest Coast. It was a fun and interesting way to spend the afternoon and I would definitely recommend stopping in if you get the chance!
July 23, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Attractions
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During my day in Prince Rupert, the final day of my northwest BC road trip, I had a wonderful time exploring the neat little area of Cow Bay. In the morning, I stopped in at Cowpuccino's, a cute and eclectic cafe complete with cow photos from around the world. I enjoyed a latte and a delicious banana raspberry muffin, and spent some time admiring the photographs and unique decor. I was surprised and impressed to learn that all of their desserts and pastries are made from scratch in just the small kitchen behind the bar. I would love to go back and try one of their homemade pies! It was a misty morning in Prince Rupert but that didn't stop me from checking out all the little shops and galleries that fill the area. I also took some time to explore the sunken gardens close by, which would have been a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy a coffee on a drier day. For lunch, I stopped in at the famous Cow Bay Cafe to enjoy some more homemade creations. I decided on dilled salmon and halibut chowder with salad and house made bread, which was tasty and comforting on the rainy day. This seaside community is an awesome place to spend the day but make sure you bring your raincoat so you can brave the rain like the locals!
July 23, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Chetwynd, Camping
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Fireweed & Dragonflies, my favorite time of year, especially to spend it on a lake. And nothing is better than spending it on Gwillim. It is picturesque with the expansive trees & views of the mountains, all while being able to swim in these water (not that cold!). The species of fish is just as expansive, and you can either boat, canoe, kayak or fish off shore - all of which we've had success.
These are some of my favorite sites, not only the ones that back up onto the lake, but all the sites are large enough but better yet have plenty of trees & foliage between them for greater privacy.
The Park rangers are quite lovely, pleasant & helpful - a joyous change from most of the tough nuts we have encountered. Be wared though, they do crack down on parties after 11 & no fireworks allowed on site.
This trip, we had a lovely sunset which then turned into an amazing thunderstorm - with lightly that lit up the entire sky - it was a wonderful show to watch over the lake. The next day it rained lightly throughout most of the day, which resulted in a great many hands of crib! I truly enjoy the sound of rain on the roof of the holiday trailer & the awning, of which i got to finish reading my book under later in the afternoon.
The next day was absolutely beautiful, so we took the dog for a walk along the trail that goes around the side of the lake from the beach. We meandering through the pines along the shore, and settled on a nice little rocky patch do do some casting, while soaking up some rays. It was the perfect end to a perfect weekend!
July 22, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Theatre & Performing Arts
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Last night I decided to go with a friend to the drive-in movie theatre just west of Prince George. I know. It hardly sounds like blog-worthy material. Bear with me though, because there is something to be gained from knowing that there is a drive-in here. Firstly, the Park Drive-in Theatre in Prince George is, according to their website, one of only three remaining in the province. It is also one of the most northerly in the world. The rarity of such a treat may be lost on younger people who automatically associate watching a movie in a car with a built in media centre, but for those who are old enough to know who Ziggy Stardust is, it may come as a surprise. Indeed, the day where drive-in theatres were packed every weekend with old cars filled with teens eager to see the latest Dirty Harry installment is long gone, killed by cheap video rentals and movie channels and, more recently, internet video downloads. So why did I even bother going last night, when it would be easier to stay home?
1. Sitting on the couch is boring and people do that too much anyway.
2. It is cheap entertainment, with $9 getting you a double feature where at a regular theatre it would cost more for a single movie.
3. Your car can hold significantly more snacks than you could ever sneak into the regular theatre, and you don't have to fight for cup holders.
4. You can adjust the volume on your car radio yourself rather than having your ears bleeding after a loud action scene, or being frustrated because you can't hear the actors talking.
5. The screen is approximately 263 thousand times larger than any flat screen TV you could afford or fit into your house.
6. you can laugh and make as many inane comments as you want, because nobody can hear you through the glass.
If you have not yet been to the drive-in, you really don't know what you are missing. Go see the latest sci-fi, or laugh your way through the most recent animated comedy. Just remember to start the engine every once in a while, or your battery will go flat like ours did and you will need to get a jump!
July 22, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Attractions
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This past weekend I had the chance to take in a free movie in Centennial Park. A large electronic screen showing “Up” and “The Big Miracle” attracted hundreds of people to the downtown park as the sun was setting. People of all ages brought lawn chairs, blow up mattresses, blankets, and snacks to the park to enjoy the two feature films on a warm Friday night. Not only did I enjoy the family-friendly movies, I loved that I was breathing fresh air instead of sitting in an over air conditioned building. Plus, it was also a bonus that there was not an admission charge and popcorn was provided by donation! Watch out for the next Movie in the Park that is playing in August for a full, free evening of entertainment.
July 20, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Attractions
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One of my favorite ways to tour the Bulkley Valley is via the Glacier View Circle route, this loop takes about an hour to drive and has both paved and gravel sections as it runs along the scenic Telkwa High Road and a portion of Highway 16. As I did the drive today I enjoyed picturesque views of Kathlyn Glacier, rolling farms and points of interest. One of the best stops on the trip is Driftwood Provincial Park. Here I found a bridge and a nice easy walking trail to the fossil beds, and although visitors to the park may not remove fossils, I learned lots about the area’s cultural and geological history. The entire tour includes 9 sites of interest and a brochure that I picked up at the Smithers Visitor Center conveniently laid out each of these locations. I would definitely recommend doing the tour either early in the morning or late in the evening if you hope to see wildlife, especially late in July and into August when black bears frequent the berry bushes along the road.
July 19, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Armstrong, Farmers' Markets
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What a great opportunity to buy local food in a small community and knowing all the producers personally