August 13, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Arts, Culture & History Tours
This year was the 100th Anniversary of the Prince George Exhibition (PGX) and it has been getting better and better each and every year leading up to this monumental anniversary. Like always, it was a huge success with numerous midway rides, 4-H competitions, bully riding, Bull Rider's Ball, number amazing food stalls with so many different amazing tastes, live music and shows on the Community Stage throughout the day, Home Arts and Horticulture competitions, Prince George Heritage Lane, logger sports competitions, and one of everyone's (including myself) favourites the pig and duck races. The fair has something for everyone! People come from all over the place to compete in different areas of the fair, and to come enjoy the amazing opportunities for fun with friends and family. With this years event being the 100th Anniversary, they made the fair bigger and better than ever before; with this years fair being topped off with an INCREDIBLE display of fireworks!
Next year the fair will be back yet again, but this time with a name change - the British Columbia Northern Exhibition (BCNE). So even with a name change I will be back next year yet again for another incredible year at the fair! Hope to see you all there!
August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Science, Nature or Animals
Heading down south the other day on Highway 97, I was continuing my waterfall search for this summer and decided to make my way down to Hixon Falls. Located a short distance off Highway 97 heading south from Prince George, and just before arriving in Hixon, is located the turn off for Hixon Creek Road. After driving down the road you will come to three different forks in the road, and you will take the left turn option every single time. Eventually after about a 5-10 minute drive you will arrive at the parking lot where you can leave your car and make the short hike into the waterfall. The falls are incredible for being such a hidden gem off the highway, as most people driving past Hixon would not stop at them, or even know that they were there. The falls are not the biggest in the area or the most magnificent, but definitely worth the stop to see. The day was made even better as it was a nice warm day and I went for a cool dip in the falls. Whichever direction you are coming from, take a break at Hixon Falls and enjoy the cool mist of the falls in the daily sun.
August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Food or Wine
Found right along the Highway 16, right through New Hazelton, is a restaurant with a rustic ski lodge feel that serves some really amazing homestyle meals. The restaurant, Rob's Restaurant Comfort & Style, is a great little restaurant that cooks some really great meals at an affordable price. The building is a log house with a great atmosphere for everyone and their families. While I was there the restaurant was very busy with many different groups of people. It seemed like a perfect little local restaurant where people came and met for an evening meal. From talking to a few of the locals, it seemed like a great meeting spot and had a line waiting to be seated. Rob's Restaurant has the perfect feeling of the local restaurant and watering hole that you only read about in books or see in the movies. Make a stop into Rob's Restaurant for a great quality meal and you won't be disappointed.
August 06, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Food or Wine
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The long awaited return of The Keg Steakhouse and Bar to Prince George could not have come soon enough! After being closed for 2.5 years and nearly five million dollars spent on renovations, The Keg is back and busier than ever. I have been there on a couple occasions now, and each time I leave wanting to return soon for another amazing meal with friends and family. The food has been so good and the atmosphere even better. Just from being there on the occasions I have, I have met some really amazing people and made some great friends with some of the people that work there. It is a very relaxed restaurant for a nice casual-to-fine dining style meal, and then the lounge is busier and has the music, food, and drink going later into the evening. It is one of the best hang out spots in town now and I often go there with friends.
When it comes to the food, there are so many amazing steak options to choose from including sirloins, filet mignons, new york, and an incredible 20oz rib eye steak. To go along with an incredible selection of seafood from crab cakes, king crab, lobster, scallops, and shrimp options of various different styles and sauces.
The new decorations and layout of the restaurant is a little bit to get used to as it seems like a big maze. There are many sharp corners which surprise many people as they go throughout the restaurant. They have some separate party rooms which can be reserved for larger groups and celebrations, which I've seen wedding parties, birthday, and anniversaries celebrated when I was there. It is a great restaurant in Prince George for any occasion.
Maybe I'll see you tonight, at The Keg Steakhouse & Bar!
August 02, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Food or Wine
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While recently making a trip out to Prince Rupert, I did what every person should do when visiting the ocean; I ate fresh seafood right from the ocean. I have been to Prince Rupert on a couple different occasions now, and each and every time I return, I always make sure that I eat at Smiles Seafood Café. Located right down in the harbour on Cow Bay Road, in the Cow Bay shopping area, this neat little place makes eating an adventure and fun for everyone that goes there. It is an amazing little seafood restaurant with little booths that allow you to enjoy an incredible seafood meal surround by the sea, with decorations of fishing nets, fish, old Prince Rupert photos that document life on the sea. By far my favourite place to sit in the restaurant is the back room area where there is a great big window which makes it feel like you are eating right on the boat, looking out a port-hole to the ocean beyond the window. There are so many incredible seafood dishes to choose from, so there is enough to please any seafood lover. If you are anything like me, I get multiple different options to try various types of seafood and eat way too much and leave filled beyond necessary, but extremely content about the amazing meal I just ate. One dish that I get every time I go there is a great big bowl of clam chowder soup! It is so good and so full of amazing seafood flavour! But if you are someone who doesn't enjoy seafood, firstly you are definitely missing out; but secondly, don't worry as there are many other options to choose from off the menu to enjoy while everyone else enjoys their seafood. So gather your group together and make Smiles Seafood Café your first stop for a great seafood meal in Prince Rupert!
August 02, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Mackenzie, Science, Nature or Animals
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Located on Highway 97 North in the Pine Pass of Northern British Columbia, Bijoux Falls roars powerfully like the jewel it is in the Pine Pass. The falls can be located about 30-45 minutes passed the community of Mackenzie and are a nice rest stop off the highway, and a short distance to the falls from the road. These falls are very powerful and the water that runs through this area is tremendous because of the high snow pact in the winter, which melts in the spring and brings down lots of water into the rivers in the surrounding area. Because there was so much snow the last couple winters, the waterfall is that much more powerful to see. Bijoux Falls Park is an excellent stop along the way, sitting halfway between Mackenzie and Chetwynd and can easily be accessed with a short drive from either of these communities. Northern British Columbia seems to have endless waterfalls to discover, and with my desire to find and explore even more and more of them, I'm sure that I will visit many more to come.
August 01, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Food or Wine
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Walking downtown Prince George a few weeks ago I discovered a surprisingly addictive little café called Ohh Chocolat Café. It is surprisingly addictive because I normally frequent little shops like this because I can't afford to keep eating or having a drink out as I'm on a tight budget; but I have found myself back at this particular one multiple times since my first visit despite this. I am not a coffee drinker at all, so I always find myself drinking the hot chocolate where I go. When I arrive at Ohh Chocolat, the first thing I discovered was a hot chocolate called "Mayan Hot Chocolate," and boy was it good! Made from a selection of multiple different spices and chocolate, the Mayan Hot Chocolate is something not to be missed. It is definitely in my Top 5 hot chocolate for sure, if not even higher than that. I found myself drinking it much too quickly and it was gone before I knew it, and left me wanting another. I am also a fan of scones as well, and the ham and cheese scone and then the blueberry scone are two of my favourites that I have had there as well. They are a very good size and full of great flavour. I have had some really great things there so far, to go along with endless chocolates that I have yet to try every one, as there are so many to choose from. Along with many other healthier options like soups, sandwiches, and some great ice cream and gelato (I know this last one isn't that healthy, but it is my guilty pleasure), it is a great location to relax on the patio or inside for an afternoon. Ohh Chocolat Café is definitely one of my favourites in Prince George, and with a name like that, who wouldn't want to return time and time again for so many great and tasty treats!?
July 31, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Recreation Sports
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If you find yourself looking for something to do with a group of people and need an idea, all I have to say is PAINTBALL! It is so much fun! There is a really amazing outdoor course out by the Prince George Airport called Predator Paintball. There are two options for you to choose from once you get out there. There is a contained course where most of the games that take place there are for a capture-the-flag team game with many obstacles scattered throughout the course such as tires, old cars, and barricades which provide you with places to hide behind. The second option is a bush field course which has many forts, buildings, towers and barricades, and not to mention multiple trees scattered around to block and shield you from opponent's paintballs, and to make the shot a little bit more difficult than it already is sometimes. The bush course can get a little muddy and wet if it is raining or has been raining, but then again, that just adds to the fun you will have out there. You can choose to bring your own gear to the course or you can rent theirs for a very reasonable rate. The prices that they have are some of the best I have seen and the fun is endless. I went out there for a friend's bachelor party and we spent the whole day there, leaving with many sores and welts from the paintballs; but each and every one of them were worth it as the day was so much fun. Anyone can play paintball, and since it is such a reasonable rate it makes it easy for you to afford a full day of fun; which is something that not many places can offer.
July 31, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Museums
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Located in downtown Prince Rupert, the Prince Rupert Fire Museum holds an amazing piece of history for Prince Rupert and the area. It is located right next-door to the current fire fall in Prince Rupert and houses some of the extensive history of fire trucks, the fire department, and even sharing part of the museum to hold history of the British Columbia police; which was a predecessor to the current Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The museum's centre-piece is a 1925 fully restored R.E.O. Speedwagon. It was in operation for 25 years from 1924-1950, and in 1985 it was restored and relocated to its current home in this museum. This was the first fire truck to use an electric starter, power lights, and even real inflatable tires! This definitely goes to show how fire trucks have progressed enormously within the last multiple decades! Simply awesome to see how they have changed! The museum is also currently in the process of restoring additional pieces, so that they may add and expand their collection for many more visitors to enjoy. The Fire Museum is a small but very interesting museum that is well worth the visit in Prince Rupert.
July 18, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Cultural, Community or Seasonal
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Last month I had the great fortune of visitng Prince Rupert for the annual festival of Seafest! This years festival was very important for more reasons than one, but was incredible in so many ways. This was the first year that I had ever attended Seafest, but from my first visit I would say that I would be intersted in returning again in future years.
This years version of Seafest was also the 50th Anniversary of the Canadian Coast Guard. Because of this, the Coast Guard played a significant role and their half-century anniversary celebrated. From a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, street hockey games, a scavenger hunt in the streets for free vouchers and coupons for local establishments, incredible sea and air races and competitions on the Sunday, an amazing parade to open up the weekend, and tremendous live music all weekend long...just to name a few of the amazing activities that took place over the weekend.
Saturday was an incredible day for weather, and from talking to various locals and others that had been to other Seafest festivals in the past had told me that this weather was a strange but welcome surprise. But then the Sunday came along and it didn't stop raining all day, so that brought back a little regularity for numerous returnees of the festival. I had been to Prince Rupert a couple times before, and on all prior occasions it had always been sunny and nice, so this rain was the surprise and differ from normal for me.
Seafest helped re-engage my love for the ocean and wish that I lived closer sometimes. Prince Rupert plays such a significant role on the west coast and with the 50th anniversay of the coast guard also being celebrated, helped someone like myself see the importance of the coast guard to the massive shipping and fishing industry that operates out of their port. All of the celebrations over the weekend made someone like myself that much more aware that while it was a fun and incredible festival, the people involved in the jobs, which the festival celebrated, and their location on the west coast made the meaning of the festival that much better. I feel from experiencing this festival, that each community should have a festival celebrating the industries that are important and support them, while also bringing friends and family together to have a good time; which is something I feel Seafest did a great job of accomplishing.
The whole weekend was a big celebration for the Canadian Forces, the Canadian Coast Guard, and Prince Ruperts very important and strategic position it maintains on the Pacific west coast. It was a great weekend, with some really amazing weather, that I am sure to return to again sometime in the near future!