June 27, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Dining
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Yesterday was definitely one of those order-in kind of nights. After a long day of work, I was starving but it seemed as if my fridge was filled with absolutely nothing that was appealing to me. After one of my co-workers had nothing but praise to offer about her “nacho” pizza that she ordered the night before from Olio’s Pizza, I figured that I would try it out for myself. I decided on the one of the signature pizza’s, the “Olio’s Casa”. I was impressed how quickly it arrived to my door and even more thrilled when I saw the mixture of topping piled high on a fresh in-house made crust. I must say, I haven’t had a pizza this good in a long time. Personally, I believe that the local ingredients that they use in all of their pizzas contribute to the mouth-watering flavours. Although some of the other pizza’s, such as the “Sloppy Joe”, “Frankie’s Chicken”, and the “Donair Pizza”, sound a little too adventurous for my liking, I’m sure I’ll be calling Olil’s again for another great pizza.
June 26, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Museums
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Located along the Northwest Corridor on Highway 16 West of Northern British Columbia is the community of Port Edward and the North Pacific Cannery. Since being established in 1889 and being open for almost 100 years, the North Pacific Cannery served the region and was a prominent fixture of the fishing industry.
I made my way out to Prince Rupert a few weeks ago, and shortly before Prince Rupert is located the community of Port Edward. Here is Port Edward is located one of Canada's best National Historic Sites. The Cannery served as a prominent fixture of the fishing industry and today it serves as a museum documenting the North Pacific Cannery's important place in the history of this region.
Many canneries were located along the Pacific West Coast and today you can see what remains of the buildings in Port Edward. You are able to experience how life would have been in the cannery from the old machines, boats, equipment and canning supplies. Enjoy the unique experience of having a meal in the old mess hall, or spend a night in the old bunkhouse of authentic cannery living quarters.
If you find yourself driving along Highway 16 West heading towards Prince Rupert, make the stop into Port Edward and visit the North Pacific Cannery. Here you will find the place where thousands of workers and their families, of various nationalities including First Nations, Chines and Japanese, migrated to Port Edward for the summer months in order to take advantage of the salmon season. This National Historic Site is a must see on any visitors list travelling along the Northwest Corridor.
June 26, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Parks
While in Prince George I wanted a view of the city from above and it was recommended to me that I visit Connaught Hill. It is a very beautiful park right on the top of the highest point in Prince George. I was told that Connaught Hill used to be a ski hill many years ago and was used for training for ski jumping. Today, the hill is site to a very beautiful park with lots of flowers, rock gardens, and many great areas with picnic tables all around the park. I was able to drive my car all the way up the hill and park at the top, but many more adventurous types have the possibility of parking at the bottom and making the hike up. I wasn't feeling that adventurous that day, so I decided to avoid the steep climb. While there, some friends and myself brought a soccer ball and a frisbee with us, as the abundance of trees around made for the perfect soccer goals, and a few more obstacles as well. The afternoon spent on Connaught Hill was well worth it, and the view of Prince George was a bonus as well.
June 26, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Houston, Parks
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Steelhead Park, a breath taking park right along Highway 16 in Houston that should not be missed. Hard work is put into the park everyday and it shows. From June to September the flowers are in bloom and the park looks amazing.
Every Summer I take the time to stroll through the area to look at the new flowers. With a playground for children and the calming sound of the Steelhead Fountain it is the perfect place to go with the family or by yourself.
At the end of the park, near the visitor center, the world’s largest free standing fly rod can be found. The Fly rod is definitely picture worthy and everyone can walk right up and pose with it. If you continue to the Visitor Center you can see the massive grizzly, caught only minutes outside of the Houston town limits.
If you are passing through Houston I highly encourage a stroll through the Park to stretch cramped legs and breathe fresh air. If you live in Houston come enjoy what your town offers. It's worth your time, every time.
June 26, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Aboriginal Experiences
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The rugged roads, and endless wilderness of Northern British Columbia has won the hearts of many locals and is a welcome get away for visitors, but today I explored a particularly special corner of the Smithers area on my trip to the Wetzin’Kwa Community forest. Wetzin’Kwa is the Wet’suwet’en word for “flowing blue green or clear waters,” referring to the pristine Morice and Bulkley Rivers that are the adorning jewels of this mountainous region. Today’s event featured an opening welcome from the hereditary chief for the Wet’suwet’en house of the Bear clan that owns these traditional territories. Core to her address was the importance of sharing and protecting the area, with its diverse wildlife and precious history.
After enjoying a BBQ lunch, David de Witt, a director for the Community Forest took us on a guided nature walk through the area. All along the trail we spotted evidence of past inhabitants of this land, including Aboriginal trail blazes, mining claim stakes, and over grown horse pastures. We learned how to spot Culturally Modified Trees, as these were key sign posts on the Wet’suwet’en trail networks. David explained that the trees were marked with an axe strike on both sides in order to point travelers in the right direction and were placed high enough to allow clear visibility even in the winter. Today, the trees that bare these markings are known as Culturally Modified Trees and are protected and enjoyed by many visitors and Smithers locals. The Wetzin’Kwa Community Forest is also prime habitat for an array of wildlife, including moose calving grounds, a mountain goat transit corridor and of course plenty of pesky mosquitoes.
If you make your way up to Smithers BC and are looking for a little back-road driving, excellent lake fishing, a rewarding day hike or a picturesque picnic place the Wetzin’Kwa Community Forest would be the perfect place for you. A drive 12 km up Hudson Bay Mountain Road and then a left on to MacDonnell Lake Forest Service Road for 9.5 km will take you to a beautiful new wood beam shelter, where you can read about the area’s fantastic flora, fauna and First Nations history. The shelter also stands at the head of the Silvern Lakes trail and only 3.5 km from the Dennis Lake Recreation Site. In order to ensure that you have a successful back country experience, remember to respect the Community Forest and the animals that live there, pack some bug spray, drop by the Smithers Visitor Center to get any extra info and get ready for a wonderful wilderness adventure!
June 25, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Quesnel, Historic & Heritage Sites
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There is gold in the hills! Come on out to try your luck at striking it rich in Barkerville!
While it may be 150 years since Barkerville became a town, named after the now famed gold miner named Billy Barker, people still flock from all over the world to try their luck at finding gold. But while this gold may only be a few small fragments in your pan as you try your luck in Barkerville, the thril is still just the same when you get to go home with a little vial to show for your efforts. Barkerville is a town of so much history since 1862 when there were, in today's standards, millions of dollars taken out of the hills surrounding the area. The gold rush was a magnificent boom for the region which brought many people and their families to the area.
Today, Barkerville remains open as a historical site for thousands of people to visit each year to pan for gold, take a horse-drawn carriage ride throughout the town, watch some incredible live theatre, singers in the streets, dressing up in period clothing and taking a black-and-white photo home as a souvenir, and numerous other great activities. One of the best bakeries of any period definitely must be Goldfield's Bakery located right on main street where they have some of the best baked goods that I can remember. Along with the House Hotel Coffee Saloon, Lung Duck Tong Restaurant, and Wake Up Jakes, nobody will go hungry in this old gold mining town.
Louis Blanc Photography is very neat photography shop where you can dress up in period clothing, grab yourself a gold pan, a rifle, or an assortment of other props, and have a great memorable photo taken of your group so you won't soon forget the day. The Mason and Daly General Store provides you with some of the best sweets that anyone can be pleasured to enjoy; often causing me to stock up on multiple different candies, fudge and treats to last me a very long time. After all these sweets, you may need to stop into the local dentist to have some work done; so it's wise to watch how many sweets you do consume because the gentleman sitting in the chair getting his tooth pulled out doesn't look like he is having much fun.
One of the best adventures of the day definitely must be the stop at the school house where the old schoolmarm with teach you the proper way to write your cursive writing; and if you don't follow the rules, you may find yourself scolded by the teacher or a slap on the wrist, which will teach you to listen. This day at school gets you thinking that we don't have it too bad today or anything to complain about when we go to school; might as well enjoy it a little.
For the brave and adventurous at heart you can spend the night right in Barkerville at the Kelly and King House or the St. George Hotel. Make your stay in Barkerville perfectly unique and give yourself something to talk about for quite some time by staying over-night and taking advantage of the full experience. The steep narrow stairs in all of these buildings really gets you to enjoy the houses we have today. These owners will make your stay so pleasant and maybe evening convincing you to spend a few nights.
While in Barkerville, don't hesitate to stray off main street a little and check out the adjacent streets with all the other buildings, the water wheel, and shops. Just off main street I found a wonderful little woodwork shop and bought myself an old wooden top, that even provides someone like myself well past my childhood years to a long enjoyable time. Go and visit the amazing church, and if you have the time, go and visit the old graveyard up on the hill where Billy Barker himself and many other fellow miners rest today.
Barkerville provides endless opportunities for fun and adventure for any age and I hope to return again this year. Perhaps I will try to get down to enjoy the full festivities of Dominion Day in Barkerville, celebrating on July 1st. Make your way down there and strike gold - in the form of endless memories.
June 25, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Recreation Sports
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Lately, the weather sure has put a damper on my outside plans so I ended up asking myself the age old question, “what to do on a rainy day?” After my fishing and outside jogging plans literally got rained out the last few days, I found another recreational activity to do indoors. A wonderful indoor, heated, walking track was the solution to get me out of the house, but still dry from the rain. Fort St. John’s newest sport’s facility, the Pomeroy Sport Centre truly is a state-of-the-art building! This three level recreational centre houses two NHL-sized hockey arenas, a long track speed skating oval, and an indoor walking/ running track. I truly was stunned how enormous of a building it really is when I finally got inside. The countless windows provided so much natural light and a rarely seen birds-eye view of the city.
I had a great warm up by climbing several sets of stairs to reach Northern Vac walking track at the top level of the building. I surprised myself that I could actually jog for a solid hour in a circle, as I easily get bored with these types of activities. It was really nice to see the abundance of people of all ages taking advantage of a FREE way to stay fit! Additionally, I found the artwork displayed beside the walking track and the edible landscaping outside the building to add a little extra character to this stunning building. I left the Pomeroy Sport Centre feeling sweaty and tired…exactly what I wanted! After my wonderful experience at the Northern Vac Track last night, I’ll be sure to revisit the Pomeroy Sport Centre the next time Mother Nature provides nice weather for the ducks.
June 25, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Art Galleries & Artists
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I was so excited that this past week marked the official beginning of summer with the Summer Solstice. Around this time of year, the North Peace Potters’ Guild in Fort St. John has an annual fundraising Summer Solstice Chili Bowl Bash. Saturday June 23rd marked the 5th annual Chili Bowl Bash which took place at the local Artspost. After pre-purchasing my $30.00 ticket, my mom and I stopped by to support the local potters and enjoy a tasty bowl of chili.
As I approached the Artspost, I could hear the chatter, feel the excitement, and see the countless pottery enthusiasts. We were invited to choose one of the many hand-made pottery bowls. I was astonished at the abundance of bowls to pick from! Since these bowls were made from hands of various skill levels, each one was unique in it’s size, shape, style, finish, and the techniques used. Next, we were invited to taste six different chilies, vote on our favourite, and then fill our new bowls to the brim with a delicious chili dinner. Also included in the event was entertainment, 50/50 draw, a door prize for free pottery classes, and a piñata for the children.
This event was a great way to show off the talent of local artists and to explore the facility where the Guild resides year-round. Furthermore, this fundraising event has contributed to the success of the local Potters’ Guild by assisting in operational costs and purchasing new equipment, such as the new kiln that was bought last year with the funds. I had such an awesome time at the Chili Bowl Bash that I’m already marking my calendar for next year! In the meantime, the North Peace Potters’ Guild is open to the public every Saturday from 10am-1pm where they feature a mug wall with new pieces each week. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind, hand-made piece of local pottery, I highly recommend stopping by the Artspost, located at 10320-94th Ave.
June 24, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Camping
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Growing up, many kids including myself began to form a love for outdoors adventures and camping. One of the many great thrills of looking forward to summer was to attending the Ness Lake Bible Camp. The fun of outdoor adventures on the lake with various water sports, boating, swimming, and hiking. With all of these activities it made for the quickest week out at camp. You always wanted to keep going and never wanted the week and activities to end. With all of these day activities, you cannot forget the evening campfires. These made for some of the best memories for camp growing up.
Recently, I went back out to Ness Lake, and while I may be a few years older now, I still enjoy the camp just as much as before. I didn't do the whole camp experience as I'm a little old for it now, but I went back for a conference. I took advantage of the food made by the wonderful kitchen, stayed in the rustic cabins on the lake, and enjoyed the overall great amenities. The camp is able to be booked out for a conference by any group and allow you to take advantage of all of their services that they offer.
Whether you are looking for a great summer getaway for fun at the lake, or you are in need of an amazing place to hold your conference, Ness Lake Bible Camp & Conference Centre is a good option to suit the many needs you may have. The staff here make the camp completely worth the experience and you will be wanting to never leave, and if you must, then return time and time again.
June 24, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Sightseeing Tours
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During our local Fam Tour on June 6, we enjoyed the road less traveled. The Telkwa High road is a back road with amazing views; it was once our area's old wagon road, and it stretches from Moricetown to Telkwa. We started our back road adventure in Moricetown, the site of the oldest Wet'suwet'en settlement in the Bulkley Valley. As we passed the Moricetown Canyon I watched the roaring river flow over the many jagged rocks below. I kept an eye out for any of the plethora of animals in the area as we drove on, because there is a good chance of seeing wildlife on the Telkwa High Road... and, sure enough, we spotted a bear! Past country bakeries and farms, I continued to enjoy these backroad wonders. Towards the end of our tour we turned onto a dirt road up to the Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park, a world-renowned fossil bed and the site of the world's earliest known salmonid fossil. We continued on our way past the beautiful Tyhee Lake Provincial campgrounds and swimming area, which lead us onto the highway in Telkwa, where we were on our way back to our Alpine themed town of Smithers. The Circle Tour, as it is known, led us from Moricetown to Telkwa, then back to our hometown, a simple trip turned into a wonder, because it's not the destination, but rather the journey to it, that is the real adventure. Stop staring at the yellow line and enjoy the road less traveled!