August 05, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Hiking
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The new sea walk was installed during the time I was off in university...and I've just been too busy to walk the new route to work!
The other day I managed to spare an extra 10 minutes to take the sea walk to work and now I've fallen in love! It wraps around the Queen Charlotte Community Hall, childrens park, and baseball diamond, and on the opposite side is just a great view of the ocean! Sometimes there will be boats passing by, even some friendly kayakers.
I passed by some mother's pushing strollers, families finished playing in the park, and locals walking their dogs. This new route allows for the quick discovery of the 2012 Haida Gwaii Mural, painted by a graffitti artist, with the assistance of other local artists! Check out the video attached - I did a quick video of it for everyone to see! It's painted on the concrete slabs right outside the public library - they have wifi internet access there if you need it!
Along this route, you'll also find 2 of the signs that are a part of the QC Heritage Walking Tour. One provides information about the old Sawmill equipment you can see on the beach during the walk, and the other provides information on the street that extends further and what it looked like years ago! For more info on the walking tour, you can buy the supplemental book at the Visitor Centre for $3.95 plus tax - I have one, it's super helpful. It shows exactly where each post is located so I don't have to run around looking for them!
So if you're just going on a stroll through town during the day, or evening, the sea walk is a great addition! Much nicer views than walking adjacent to the grocery store, and lots to explore as well!
August 04, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Science, Nature or Animals
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What a gorgeous day here on Haida Gwaii!
Many locals are taking advantag of the sun and are headed to the beach for some swimming. Others, such as my friend Sarah and I, decided to stick close to home. We grabbed an ice cream and headed for Spirit Square, located in downtown Queen Charlotte City.
Spirit Square is newly built, and is a place to hangout on a sunny day for both tourists and locals! It's located right next to the QC Visitor Centre if you need washrooms or questions answered! There are giant concrete slabs that you can lounge on, picnic tables for lunch with your family, and a gazebo where there are performances during special events! Even the water fountain has an area that fills up for water for your pet! Don't forget to stay hydrated in the summer heat!
As we tanned in our shorts on the concrete slabs, lots of people passed by us to walk with their families or pets through the small garden. It's a very central area, with a great view of the ocean. When we finished our ice cream cones, we climbed down the rocks to the beach infront and put our feet in the water. If it wasn't so central, we probably would have swam around! The best beaches for that are located outside of Queen Charlotte City and Skidegate, however, so we saved it for another day!
The beautiful garden and awesome view of the ocean will make for a great spot to head to if you're munching on treats like us, or if you're looking for a lunch venue! I had a caesar salad with prawns from Howler's Bistro today as well and mmmmm! Grab one of those and head to Spirit Square's picnic tables!
July 15, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Beaches & Swimming
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If you're not local, Tlell is a difficult name to roll off the tongue! It's pronounced "Tull-ell" and is a small community on Haida Gwaii. When I say small...I mean no hospital or bank, a couple of restaurants, and houses spread here and there. If you're looking for a peaceful place to stay or to hangout, it's perfect!
Environment Canada has kept true to its promising forecast, and Haida Gwaii has just been blessed with copious amounts of sunshine, with more on it's way! Last week my friends and I ventured up north to Tlell for the day...the coastline presents many beach options, the perfect choices for suntanning and swimming!
To drive there it takes about an hour. We had the windows down, the music cranked up and we drove the highway along the coastline - it really is a beautiful drive! You can see eagles and deers commonly, but sometimes will you see a black bear! We drove past Balance Rock, St. Mary's Spring, and continued until we came to the Crow's Nest. It's a small grocery store and restaurant. We stopped for lunch, and I had the beef samosa with a garden salad - it was very tasty! We grabbed a few drinks and snacks when we finished, and drove a bit further to the beach.
Most of the beaches on Haida Gwaii are covered in rocks and pebbles. However, in Tlell you can find a few with sand or sandy areas. We laid out our towels and soaked up the rays for a few hours. The ocean waters are quite cold, and my friends decided to swim...I decided not to, but that didn't matter to them. I ended up in the water and swam around for a little while. Nothing perks you up better than a dunk in freezing, salty water!
On the beach we found some really neat agates and shells. At the Visitor Centre we sell small books about how to identify pebbles and shells - I thought they would have been quite useful for our beachcombing!
With the car filled with tanned and wet bodies, as well as the unavoidable amounts of sand on the carpeted flooring, we called the day a success and headed back home to Queen Charlotte City. So if you're thinking of visiting the islands one day, don't forget about Tlell's beaches!
July 08, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Sightseeing Tours
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Last week, Inland Air Floatplane Tours invited 3 of our Visitor Centre Staff, along with 2 girls from the Northern Haida Gwaii Visitor Centre in Masset on an hour long sightseeing tour of Skidegate Channel, the Narrows, and the West Coast!
Their floatplane dock is located in downtown Queen Charlotte City, across from the Premier Creek Hotel. It's very easy to find and the office is open daily for anyone looking to book tours this summer. They provide customized tours all over Gwaii Haanas National Park to sites such as the ancient Haida Village known as Ninstints, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. They also provide shorter, more affordable tours such as the one we went on to the West Coast; even a shorter flight was worth it! It's very hard to get out to the West Coast, as the only access is via old logging roads. And to see it from an aerial view was amazing!
We flew next to the tops of still snow-covered mountains, up the narrows, and over many little islands scattered within. Even though it wasn't the clearest of days, the views were still breathtaking. We made sure to get lots of pictures, and you can check them out on the Queen Charlotte Visitior Centre facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/QueenCharlotteVisitorCentre
From the Staff at the Queen Charlotte Visitor Centre, we'd like to send out a HUGE Thank You to Inland Air for the free flight tour - we definitely cherish having had the opportunity and we are able to say a trip to the West Coast is well worth it!
Other methods of travelling to the Gwaii Haanas National Park, other than floatplane, are zodiac and motor boat tours, kayaking, and other mothership tours! Full listings can be found on our website (www.qcinfo.ca) and having been on a boat tour once prior, those are well worth it too!
Nothing beats coming to Haida Gwaii and experiencing the beautiful sights. It's an amazing place to visit and the boat and floatplane tours are essential for seeing most of the hidden beauty!
July 01, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Attractions
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The annual Canada Day celebration took place this weekend in Port Clements! It began at 10am on Saturday with a community parade. Lots of booths were open selling kettle corn, burgers, and more. Local bands performed throughout the day and a 5 on 5 soccer tournament brought out a crowd, as did the softball tournament. But while Saturday was a lot of fun...everyone looks forward to Sunday and the mudbog races!
I went to the events yesterday and today and had a great time with my friend. He and I sat and watched some more of the soccer tournament today and went to watch the mudbog races! The mudbog is always a hit with locals and tourists alike, and involves jacked up trucks, mud, and a lot of adrenaline! My dad has a bronco he wants to enter next year as it's seen the last of its years! Locals enter their "beasts" each year for a chance to win cash prizes...so if you feel like entering or coming out to watch, be prepared to get dirty!
I'm sure we will be seeing some celebratory fireworks this evening...Cheers to you all, Happy Canada Day everyone!
June 28, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Beaches & Swimming
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We have many beaches on Haida Gwaii...many rocky ones, and a few sandy ones. If you're looking to go swimming or beachcombing this summer, but you don't want to venture too far from Queen Charlotte City, then Miller Creek might be a great option for you!
I went there recently with my family. I didn't get any photos this last time, but I did find one from last year! The photo shows a little girl heading into the water with her giant turtle floatie...fun for the whole family!
Miller Creek beach does not have signage, so you must look for the Miller Creek sign when you cross a small bridge on the highway. On the right side of the highway, you will see insets into the forest where you can park and go on the beach. When you see one after the bridge, stop there and head out onto the beach! It's a great place to check out intertidal life at low tide. We go there often to get starfish and nudibranchs for our salt water fish tank in the Visitor Centre!
But this beach offers even more! You can fish, hunt octopus, explore the tide pools, go swimming, and even crab fishing! At low tide, check out the sand strip for the sand dollars; everyone loves those! It's not as well known for its crab fishing as North Beach is in Masset, but locals have been seen out there! So if you're in the area, bring your swimsuits and your dip nets! Make a small contained fire on the beach too and have a hot dog roast!
This beach is nothing short of entertaining!
June 27, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Fishing
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Haida Gwaii is known for its fishing. With many fishing lodges lining the rugged West Coast and the vast number of fishing charters operating in season, everyone has a chance to catch some of those 70lb salmon hiding in the water!
Some friends and I recently went out to the West Coast via Skidegate Channel. It took about 2 hours to get to the West Coast, and they stayed near the Rennell Sound area while they fished! The waves out there are not always forgiving, so be sure to check the weather forecast and do not attempt to go there in high winds if you're on a small personal boat.
If you have your own boat and wish to get to the West Coast, you can skip boating through the channel and can tow your boat to the Rennell Sound boat launch. Be aware that you will be driving through backroads to get there and that nearing the Sound, there is a very steep hill that requires cautious driving. Logging is occurring on Queen Charlotte Main logging road this summer, so call the Ministry of Natural Resources & Operations for updates on logging areas or stop by the Visitor Centre in Queen Charlotte City prior to your departure for more information! Better safe than sorry!
When you go out fishing, you never know what you'll catch...or what you'll see! My friends have reported seeing whales and sea lions while fishing, saying that humpbacks will breach almost adjacent to your boat. It's as if they're putting on a show!
Salmon, halibut, red snapper and more are a common catch here! Every so often you might catch yourself a wolf eel too...they are not as pretty as wolves may seem I warn you! It's difficult to find a place to buy a fishing license in Queen Charlotte City, so I advise you to purchase one online. I've done it many times and all you need is a credit card and personal information. And if you lose your license at any time, you can go back onto your account and reprint it! Very handy for the forgetful fisherman (we all have our moments!).
Here's the link! http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/licence-permis/index-eng.htm
We saw whales, we caught some salmon, and had a great day on the water. Whether you go out with guides from the fishing lodges, with a local charter, or with family/friends on your own personal boat, the experience is always memorable.
June 24, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Wildlife Tours
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It was a beautiful day yesterday, with a high of 18 degrees nearing lunch! Perfect weather for the annual Hosptial Day celebration! Since 1908, islanders gather in Queen Charlotte City to host an event that raises funds for equipment that the government won't pay for for the island hospitals! It began yesterday with a parade, followed by food booths, activities, live music and more! The night ended with a country-themed adult dance, packed full of happy people and more live music!I had a smokey and piece of chocolate cheesecake for lunch...delicious!
The celebration is located at the ball park and community hall in Queen Charlotte City, oceanfront. I was hanging out, eating some cotton candy, when I spotted these eagles (see picture) on the beach! While I'm a little bit too old for potato sack races and tug-of-war, I won't ever be too old or too young to watch the wildlife of Haida Gwaii!
So keep your eyes and ears open...you never know when an animal will show up at any moment! Whether you're in the backroads driving and spot a black bear and cubs, or down in Gwaii Haanas National Park on a four day boat tour and spot a pod of orcas or white-sided dolphins, you will surely realize just how close to nature we all are here.
June 22, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Shopping
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In downtown Queen Charlotte City, there are quite a few shops that have some pretty neat stuff! I went with my friend to Funk It Gallery and Morgan's Store. Morgan's Store used to be owned by the same people, but situated elsewhere. They've now combined the two into one location!
Funk It showcases local artwork, furniture, jewellery, and more! It's a great place to venture to if you're looking for souvenirs or other items. Morgan's Store is a used clothing store. Clothes are brought back to life and sold at affordable prices, and there are some really fun pieces! In the photo to the left, my friend and I tried on our favourite pieces...something out of the ordinary!
Downstairs from Funk It is Queen B's Cafe. After you're done shopping, or just browsing as we were, you can head downstairs for lattes, italian sodas, bread pudding and more! They have great lunches varying daily from black bean enchiladas to artichoke, spinach, and prawn pesto pizzas! The cafe has a very warm and relaxed feel to it. All of July there is a 'Chasing the Light photography' art show featured in Queen B's and Funk it, so be sure to check it out! My friend and I sat down for some warm bread pudding, topped with whipped cream, and two italian sodas. It really helps when the staff at Funk It and Morgan's and Queen B's are all so fun and inviting! What a great day!
June 21, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Kayaking & Canoeing
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Summer solstice has arrived and we can officially call it summer now! What better way to enjoy the waters here on a calm day then to launch a canoe or kayak.
The photo on the left is of the most common area in Queen Charlotte City where kayaks and canoes are launched. Located right next to Spruce Point Lodge on the beach, this area allows for tourists and locals to hop in and explore the inlet. With many islands littered throughout, you can stop and have lunch, dinner or enjoy that sunset at any of the beaches!
I went out on a small river kayak that my parents own with my friend yesterday. It was quite calm and it was very light rain, so I was able to just throw on a sweater. We kayaked around Robertson Island, and landed on the beach there near a couple of tourists. They were planning a trip further down Skidegate Channel, out to the west coast. My friend, being very knowledgable about kayaking and the dangers of the area, gave them pointers and showed them where open cabins were located. I was able to tell them the 7 day forecast that we print daily at the Visitor Centre!
We spent the rest of the afternoon travelling to different beaches. Most were the same, but the further we got, the more isolated we were. It really was a great experience! We were able to sit and watch the sunset when we got back onto Robertson Island, with a little bit of daylight left to allow us to paddle back to the launch!
I highly recommend kayaking on Haida Gwaii if you can. If you have no vehicle to transport kayaks, this launch is great! The kayaks can be rented right there and carried easily to the beach. Happy kayaking!