January 07, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Wells, Historic & Heritage Sites
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I can’t even begin to describe the disappointment I felt when I realized just how much there was to see and do in Barkerville, and I only had 3 hours to do it in. I usually research my travel plans thoroughly, but this summer I was on a bit of a “yahoo, let’s hit the road, come what may” kind of trip, and I was unprepared for, well, almost everything about Barkerville.
I have been to many heritage sights around B.C., but none quite as engaging as Barkerville, and none requiring so much time. So I missed staying over in the King George Hotel, right there on the main street. (While other travelers leave the gold rush town, you can sleep in a restored hotel and explore the town in the quiet of the night, or dew-drop morning, virtually alone). I missed eating tempting dim sum at Lung Duck Tong’s. I missed the theatre show, the stagecoach ride, and the cemetery tour.
However, I did manage to squeeze in an educational lesson on panning for gold, as well as the comedic skit on how to operate a water wheel. I also managed to sneak into a few candy shops before they closed. Which reminds me, I have never met anyone more friendly than the candy shop clerks in Barkerville; when my son only had $1 to buy his mini-jawbreakers, the clerk “accidentally” slipped a bit and spilled too many tiny balls of sweetness into the handmade bag. Oops, he said with a wink. Another candy store clerk (yes – there are more than one!) re-opened the store for me after she had already closed for the night. She wouldn’t dream of letting me leave without seeing her shop, despite the fact I told her I wouldn’t be buying anything.
Next time, I will leave at least a day in my itinerary for Barkerville, and a night as well, if not two.
January 07, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Queen Charlotte City, Fishing
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While travelling on the ferry from Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii / Queen Charlotte Islands this summer, a local halibut fisherman told my son the best dock fishing was to be found right off the main wharf in Masset.
Three days and three fish later (admittedly, not the kind you would pay $600 a day of sport fishing for, but big enough for my eager six-year-old) we were happily packing the tackle box up and silently thanking the local for the tip.
While Haida Gwaii may be best known for the high-end fishing lodges, there are many local fishing spots that are worth stopping at, for the scenery alone if not for the fish.
A few of our favourites include the Masset dock, the wharf at Alliford Bay, and Mayer Lake, a lily-pad filled oasis in the middle of Graham Island.
November 23, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Invermere, Hot Springs
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Six years ago I drove through the Kootenay Rockies during an extended vacation, stopping at hot, hot springs along the way. Soaking my way to Saskatchewan, I liked to say. Well, I finally found my way back to the east Kootenays and once again found myself slipping into bliss at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.
This was the view from my room just after I checked into the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.
Need I say more?
I will anyways! Here is the little tip. I didn't know this six years ago, but if you actually stay at the resort, you get access to a smaller, more private pool that you can access via a "tunnel" from the hallways in the lodge. Peaceful and relaxing...
November 23, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Radium Hot Springs, Hot Springs
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Okay, really, it's the best deal IN the Rockies, literally.
I was recently in Radium Hot Springs (the hot water, not the resort) and managed to sneak a dip with one of the staff. As she walked out of the changeroom, I was thrown back in time. She was wearing an old fashioned bathing suit! Which I think looks pretty hip, even now.
For only $1.95 anyone can rent a bathing suit, which makes the excuse of leaving your suit behind, history.
(I think you can buy them too, but at a price a bit more than $1.95.)
November 23, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Kimberley, Dining
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I love my chai! And wherever I travel, I love to find the best cup there is to be had. Turns out, if you climb the steps of The Bean Tree, a local cafe in Kimberly, you can get the best cup of chai and a cozy, funky, friendly place to chill out, or warm up, from a day of skiing or shopping the platzl.
Ok, I admit it, I was shopping... so here's another tip - The Perfect Present, a kitchen shop in the platzl, sells a wicked pumpkin fudge!
November 23, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Invermere, Culinary Tours & Schools
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I love this! While eating at the new restaurant at the Eagle Ranch Golf Resort in Invermere I was immediately drawn to this menu item: Crusted Basa, Tarragon Lemon Aioli & Frites - or, as us regular folks might call it, fish & chips with a dallop of tarter sauce. Whatever you call it, my tummy was more than happy at the end of the meal.
November 23, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Radium Hot Springs, Wildlife Tours
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Every fall the city of Radium Hot Springs host Head Banger Tours. And no, you don’t have to be a groupie of Iron Maiden, Metallica, or Cinderella to join! This tour consists of getting in a car, finding the bighorn sheep, and watching them bash their heads and horns together.
Unfortunately, the tour wasn’t being offered the night I was in town, but after my stay at Bighorn Meadows Resort (see the blog entry), I imagine the evening would be educational and exciting. For more information contact info@RadiumHotSprings.com.
November 23, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Radium Hot Springs, Wildlife Tours
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After a sweet soak beside the rock cliff splattered with fabulous fall colours, and after Misty’s fantastic deep-tissue m"aaaaaaaah"ssage at the new Radium Hot Springs spa, I packed up my newly mineralized bathing suit and headed back to our van. As we drove away slowly, a group of bighorn sheep stopped us on the street, wandered aimlessly across the highway to the hot springs, jumped onto the concrete wall by the sidewalk and literally jumped over into the pool. Or so it looked to us.
Actually, there is a grassy patch between the wall and the pool, and after eating their fill, the sheep peaked their heads back over the wall, hopped over, and then scampered away back across the highway. I loved it!
That night, we stayed at Bighorn Meadows Resort, where we were greeted by a herd of about 70 bighorn sheep, with some of them having very, very big horns, and none of them looking like they just had a relaxing spa experience! And even though it seemed a bit unnatural to see the sheep grazing on the golf fairway, it was an incredible experience to see them so close up, just hanging out, doing what sheep do – EAT.
Every year, many sheep are killed by travellers travelling too fast. Please drive slowly through Kootenay National Park and all wildlife areas.
September 25, 2007 | Tips from Us >
White Rock, Sightseeing Tours
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With fall upon us, I thought you might like to read an article on the top 10 things to do in White Rock on a rainy day, written by British Columbia Magazine editor Anita Willis.
My favourite is #10 - Pudgy Fudgy at Notti Biscotti Bakery, but maybe you should read it for yourself and pick your own favourite - there might not be enough biscotti for me to share!
Check out the full article at www.bcmag.ca.
September 25, 2007 | Tips from Us >
Gibsons, Sightseeing Tours
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In her 2002 article, British Columbia Magazine editor Anita Willis describes Gibsons - "It's a pleasing balance of access and isolation that defines Gibsons' character: salty, small-town authenticity lightly peppered with urban sensibilities."
She further writes, "a tide of entrepreneurs, artists, and retirees has washed ashore here, bringing their taste for music, arts, and culture, varied restaurants, and espresso-based beverages. The result is an unpretentious, untrammelled small town that supports a mix of bookstores and galleries, its own small theatre house, even a fine French restaurant."
As an frequent traveller to Gibsons, I couldn't have said it better!
Read the full article at www.bcmag.ca.