July 14, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Food or Wine
I have, as a rule, been woefully inexperienced when it comes to tasting food from local restaurants. I am, in fact, one of those people who consider instant macaroni and cheese to be a food group in itself. While those reading this who are more experienced in food tasting are probably horrified at that thought, I do count myself to be a fairly good judge of restaurants despite this. As a treat for my recent birthday, I went first to the local lunch spot Sassafras Savouries, then to Hummus Brothers for fine dining, and finally to CIMO a few days later.
Three restaurants in one week?!? I was in heaven.
Sassarfas, to begin with, is the kind of place that you could walk past four or five times without even bothering to look into. However, if you have heard the name from anyone who has been there, your interest may be piqued instantly. Its reputation precedes like it, and what a reputation it is. Tucked under the Travelodge downtown, the place is absolutely spotless and the service fantastic. I had a chicken curry hot pot, and my friend had a panino (panini is plural, according to their menu). It was so amazing that I couldn't even carry a conversation because I was lost in the throes of gastronomic delight. And the prices were very reasonable, to boot.
Hummus Brothers was not to dissapoint either. I was determined to get some hummus the moment I walked in the door, and I was expecting it to be nothing short of amazing since it was part of the posh downtown restaurant's name. Perhaps it was a bad idea to order it, in fact, because it ended up being so good that I kept eating hummus instead of the beautifully prepared salmon and tender artichoke hearts.
Cimo, a Mediterranean place also downtown, kept up the delicious trend. I would launch into further analysis of the decor, the pairing of main courses and sides, and great service in each establishment, but this is not a food critic blog and I am not entirely sure how to spell some of the things I ordered.
Besides, the water is already boiling for my maceroni.
So, next time you are downtown, stop wherever your nose leads you. The local restaurants of Prince George are sure to satisfy your hunger for great food.
July 14, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Bear Watching
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In Prince George, one of the most common questions visitors ask is "where do we go to view the wildlife?" Unlike in some parts of the world, where such a question is important to ask because wildlife may be isolated to pockets of protected areas, in northern BC it is a difficult one to answer. "Everywhere" is a bit of an oversimplified answer, but it is hard to think of anything else in a place so wild and open. To illustrate how common wildlife sightings are, this week I encountered a bear while bicycling, and just before that I saw two moose along the side of the road. Both incidents were very close to the city. In the newspaper it was even reported that a lost moose calf curled up for the night on a local doorstep right in town! For the purposes of most travellers, the best place to look is on the side of the road, along the ditches. Dusk is when moose are most active, so they are commonly seen then. Many visitors have been very pleasantly surprised by what they have seen. Some families have reported seeing a half dozen bear in one day alone! That said, it is largely a case of luck, and it is possible that on a whole roadtrip you may see a deer and some cows in a field (not that cows aren't bad, but something about them standing there chewing grass just doesn't scream "majestic").
The downside of all these wonders of nature surrounding us? Be careful. Wildlife are truly wild animals, and should be treated with care. Never approach a bear or moose, make lots of noise while hiking to announce yourself to animals, and be vigilant while driving in case anything darts out anto the road. For additional information about how to keep safe while viewing wildlife, visit a visitor centre or ask at guide outfitting stores.
Hopefully, armed with information, you too can have a safe and exciting trip viewing some of the beautiful animals of our province!
July 13, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Houston, Hiking
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I went searching the other day for the elusive Byman (Perow) Falls and boy are they hard to find!
After turning off Highway 16 onto Perow Loop we went a short distance and turned onto Jarman Road. We had to follow Jarman road up a hill until it turned into the Perow FSR. Once on the Perow FSR we travelled passed the 5km marker and found the falls not far passed it on the right.
The first time we drove by I missed the markers entirely so keep your eyes open for two orange ribbons tied around two trees. The trail itself was overgrown and had many fallen trees along the path. If you keep your eyes open and walk carefully you can maneuver through the trail. It does get steep in spots and you can look out above the waterfall. If you have a fear of heights I wouldn't recommend going too close to the edge since it is quite a ways down.
After going along the trail you are brought to the rocky creek shore. If you travel back along the creek you will be standing at the base of Byman Falls. In total there are two falls. The first major fall comes into a small pool that then overflows into a second very small waterfall. The second waterfall flows into Byman Creek.
The sight was beautiful and definitely worth the bug bites. However, for those that want to explore the falls I highly recommend bringing bug repellent and bear spray. For those going to see the falls, Good Luck!
July 13, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Hudson's Hope, Water Activity Tours
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It has been 10 years since the two hydroelectric dams in Hudson’s Hope have been spilled, so when it was announced that they were going to spill off some water, I hopped in my car to view this rarity for myself. The drive from Fort St. John to Hudson’s Hope truly is stunning! The highway winds through the vibrant green peace valley hills, which offers a great view for travellers. On my journey, I stopped at a designated viewpoint to stretch my legs and enjoy a birds-eye-view of the picturesque flowing Peace River.
After about an hour and a half drive, I arrived at the Hudson’s Hope Visitor Centre and signed up for a tour of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam. Since I had a bit of time to spare before the tour began, I explored the Visitor Centre and illuminated a light bulb by creating my own electricity while riding a bicycle. The W.A.C. Bennett Dam Visitor Centre also gave me the perfect spot to marvel at the enormous spillway. While on the underground tour of the dam, I learned so much! Were you aware that Williston Lake is the largest body of water in British Columbia? Or, that it is the 9th largest hydroelectric reservoir in the world? I really can’t explain just how large the turbines and generators are! You will have to go for yourself to compare your individual size to the massive machinery. My $6 for the underground bus tour of the dam was defiantly worth the money! Our personal tour guide was very friendly and informative on all of the scientific and historical information behind the W.A.C. Bennett Dam.
Additionally, this dam tour was unlike most tours since we were brought very close to the actual spillway to take in the massive amount of water rapidly being released. The picture above shows you a glimpse, but it really doesn’t do it justice. You need to feel the mist on your face, hear the loud rushing water, and feel how powerful something as simple as water can be. I left feeling much more knowledgeable about hydroelectricity and happy that I was able to experience this monumental spill-off event. Since it is not certain how long the spills will last, hurry down to the W.A.C. Bennett Dam and the Peace Canyon Dam in Hudson’s Hope!
July 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Burns Lake, Hiking
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Since my sister and myself are always up for a little adventure, we decided to get together with a couple of friends and hike into Uncha Mountain Red Hills Provincial Park. Red Hills offers gorgeous views of the lake, plus it is just about ten kilometres down East Francois Lake Road, so it is very easy to access.
The trailhead itself starts off at the end of the road, and a newly installed outhouse is the only facilities along the trail. Although this is a fairly well know path, there is very little signage for its entire length - the only markers are bits of flagging tape strung on trees or else slashes on poplar trees. Don't let this deter you, though, because it is a very rewarding journey following the edge of Francois Lake.
We were able to take a relaxing walk for most of the way, following what is best described as a game trail. We spotted deer, grouse, eagles, osprey, squirrels and a variety of other little animals and wildlife on our hike. After walking a few kilometers, we followed another well used game trail that weaved its way up one of the many bluffs of the Red Hills (this one doesn't have any markings at all, though, so take care when wandering off the original trail not to destroy any plants). It was from this vantage point that we had unparalleled views of nearly the entire length of Francois Lake. The public ferry was also visible - but because of our height it appeared tiny compared to the lake!We packed a picnic lunch for the hike (by "we", I mean the girls did, the boys somehow forgot they would be hungry after hiking in the sun), and after gathering all our garbage up to take back with us, we started our return. What a great way to spend a day!
July 11, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Hiking
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As the snow retreats from the Alpine meadows gushing down icy cool creeks into the swollen Bulkley River it's a perfect time to explore the Hudson Bay Mountain prairie. On Sunday, my family and I drove the scenic switchbacks of Hudson Bay Mountain Road to the top of the ski hill. While this is usually thought of as an ideal location for winter recreation, many people do not know that is also an awesome place for summer adventures. Just past the Ski lodge at the base of the “Cabin Runs” is the trail head for Crater Lake trail. This trail is the fastest way to get above tree line and access alpine hiking. The trail is approximately 1.5 hours each way, and leads to a frigid alpine lake, which on a hot day is definitely a welcom relief. My family found that it was the perfect adventure for a sunny afternoon with an easy grade and a beautiful view, but be sure to bring some bug spray!
July 11, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Cultural, Community or Seasonal
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There’s excitement in the air, the sound of horses neighing and the musty smell of hay as I make my way through the horse barns at the Smithers Fall Fair grounds. Nope it is not quite fair time yet, but the place is buzzing with activity because of the annual 3 in 1 Horse Show. On the weekend of July 6-8 the Bulkley Valley was home to a few more horse lovers, enthusiasts and experts than usual, as participants gathered here from across Northern BC and Alberta for one of the biggest horse shows in the north. The atmosphere was fun filled yet competitive, with many riders vying for major points and prizes. As I stood by the show ring one of the riding coaches nearby offered an explanation of the events. With a great variety of shows including halter, hunter, trail, barrel racing and pole bending and events in both English and Western style there is something for everyone. Also, as I found out, there are always plenty of friendly ring side observers willing to explain the penalties and points to observers who are casually interested or to those hoping to enter their own prized Palomino.
July 09, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Professional & Spectator Sports
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One way I enjoy some time with my family is at the Smithers Dirt Bike track, and I'm always pleased to see many other families doing the same. I love how this track is suitable for all skill levels; though usable by beginners, just adding some speed makes the track a challenge. I like to time myself, then try beat my last lap time by accelerating harder. With many sharp corners and jumps, I always leave the track feeling like I had a good workout. I love to dig my tires into the dirt, but when I get tired I sit on the viewing bleachers to watch the local talent. Smithers also holds CMRC (Canadian Motocross Racing Corporation) races; the next one will be July 28th and 29th. People come from all over to participate and watch these races, and I'll be there racing as Alpine Alice. I am also volunteering my time to make sure everyone has a fun and safe experience.
July 09, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Dining
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In my mind, summer isn’t summer without countless barbeques! My favourite place in Fort St. John to buy meat for sizzling on the grill is from The Butcher Block. This past weekend, we gathered to have a big family BBQ, complete with fresh sirloin steaks from none other than the locally owned and operated family meat packaging business in town. Although I am not a huge meat lover, my steak exceeded my expectations. The quality of the meat is only of the many things The Butcher Block has to brag about. I find the prices to be very reasonable and consistent outstanding service. You sure can tell that this is a local business that truly cares about it’s customers. Even though the beef is delicious, The Butcher Block also offers great turkey, chicken, pork, fish, sausages, and cooked meats. My evening ended up being very enjoyable while connecting with all of my family members over a delicious BBQ dinner and a few energized card games on our patio.
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!