June 19, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Food or Wine
While visiting Prince George, I chose to explore the downtown area and much to my delight I found numerous options for having a hot or cool drink at one of the many downtown cafes. One of my now favourite options is a place called Zoe's Javahouse! I have been there numerous times since my first visit and the place just seems to drag me back each time. It is located right downtown on 4th Avenue amongst many local shops and stores that are locally owned and operated. Zoe's is nothing different, as the owners are very friendly and make it easy for me to return time and time again.
One of my favourites that I seem to get quite regularly is a wonderful turkey sandwich with all the vegetable toppings of your choice, plus to top it all off is a friendly serving of real cranberry jelly. The fresh made bread of your choice make this an easy selection each and every time I go there. This is by far my favourite choice, even though you cannot forget any of the other great options either. To finish off the combo, I usually add a bowl of the freshly made daily soup. I try to drag myself out of there without buying too many little treats for later too, but that normally doesn't go too well as I tend to buy something else for the road.
The cafe has a wonderful chill atmosphere as everyone always seems so relaxed and friendly; making this quite easy to spend a lot of time here. On days when it is nice and sunny, they open up the great big windows at the front and it feels like the tables seated nearest to the front of the cafe are almost on a patio as it just completely opens up the space. Bring a nice book or relax in the cafe with friends and you will find yourself staying for a lengthy period of time, just like myself.
If you find yourself in Prince George and wanting freshly made local food for a great price, Zoe's is always near the top of my list.
June 19, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Vanderhoof, Outdoor Activity Tours
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Northern British Columbia has an abundance of mountains, lakes, rivers, and many incredible waterfalls. The region is full of so many picturesque and secluded areas that the outdoor enthusiast in me never seems to get bored by so many new adventures that are available. Throughout my travels, I always try to search out and explore as many waterfalls as possible. I enjoy the power that the waterfalls create and the chance to explore and discover them.
One of my favourite waterfalls in the Vanderhoof area is Greer Creek Falls. After a short drive heading south from Vanderhoof on Kenny Dam Road, just around the 37km mark on the road is located the parking lot for the trail leading to the falls. I found myself here by accident one day but was pleasantly surprised by what I found. The trail is quite steep with many trees, flowers and other plants leading the trail down the path to where the falls are located at the bottom. The falls disappear into a nice pool at the bottom which is great place for a quick swim to cool off after the hike down. There is a great little picnic area with a few tables to enjoy a meal on while you enjoy the mist from the pool. The adventure seeker in me decided to climb the hill beside the waterfall, which may or many not have been the best idea, but it turned out well and I enjoyed doing it. It definitely gave a much different perspective of everything from on top of the falls.
This waterfall is definitely worth the drive in and the hike down to it and I would recommend it to anyone. There are so many great waterfalls in Northern British Columbia, so this little gem just south of Vanderhoof is a great adventure for anyone.
June 17, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Arts, Culture & History Tours
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Long ago, when the small pox was introduced by European settlers on Haida Gwaii, the Haida population decreased by almost 80 percent. The remaining Haida people moved from the southern region of the islands, up north on Graham Island, to the villages that are known today as Masset and Skidegate.
I went with a friend up to Skidegate for the day. It's about a ten minute drive from Queen Charlotte City. We thought we'd spend the day venturing around leisurely and checking out different places!
First off, we stopped at the Haida Heritage Centre & Museum. We spent 4 hours there, walking through the museum and joining in on some tours. The first tour that we went on was the totem pole tour. When the museum was built, totem poles representing the villages of Haida Gwaii were erected, and on the tour, the guide explained the history behind each one, and how to distinguish different designs on each pole! It was very informative; for example, an animal, such as a mouse with a long tongue, indicates communication! The second tour that we went on was about the canoes that are in the canoe/carving shed at the centre. We learned lots about the traditional and more moden ways that the Haida carved canoes! Between the tours we had lunch at Kaay's Kitchen in the centre...I had a nice big bowl of clam chowder!
After the museum, we hopped into the car and drove around the village. In front of the SHIP (Skidegate Haida Immersion Program) building, Bill Reid's pole stands. When it was raised in 1978, it was the first to be raised in Skidegate in over 100 years. The building itself is in the longhouse style, and the pole is on the front. It's quite a beautiful building!
We drove on Front Street, up to the main highway, and took a right. On our left hand side we saw All About U Arts, a gallery owned by Ben Davidson. It was open at the time, and so we went in and saw all of his beautiful carvings. If you're looking to see traditional art, it's a great place to check out.
We continued further down the highway, about 10 minutes out of Skidegate, where we stopped at a pull off on the right hand side of the road. There is a very special boulder on the beach there...yes a boulder! It's known as Balance Rock, and it was deposited on the beach just outside of Skidegate by a glacier. It is believed that it moved it from Alliford Bay, 16 miles away, and many people tell a story about it. There are some Haida legends about it, but the story I heard growing up was that a man attempted to move the rock, with horses, pries, and more, and even contemplated blowing it up with dynamite (but was persuaded not to). We went to balance rock, climbed on top of it (like many do) and beachcombed for a little while!
Before we headed home, we stopped at Jags Beanstalk. It's a little coffee shop/restaurant in Skidegate, that makes great lattes. We grabbed two to-go, and left Skidegate feeling satisfied.
June 17, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Burns Lake, Fishing
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Stretching across the Northwest region of Northern British Columbia is the enormous lake called Francois Lake. It is a very chilly lake for swimming, even in the summer; but this lake is an amazing lake for some fishing. Access to Francois Lake can be made through multiple locations with access from Fraser Lake and Burns Lake being both common access points to the lake.
A great opportunity for fishing on the lake can be found via Nithi Lake Resort, through access via Fraser Lake. There can be Nothing Like Nithi when it comes to a great resort on Francois Lake. It is a great location for some of the best fishing in the region, with numerous possibilities for accommodation. You are able to rent out one of the twelve cabins that they have available, with various different sizes and prices. If staying in a cabin is not your thing, then there are full service hook-up sites available as well. The convenience store at Nithi is stocked with lots of useful things like live bait, tackle and fishing supplies, canned foods, ice, pop, water and various other treats. If you don't have your own fishing gear and boat available, they were able to rent one out to me to use.
Fishing on Francois Lake and making a stop at Nithi Lake Resort should be on anyone's list, especially all the fishing enthusiasts.
June 17, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
McBride, Art Galleries & Artists
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Nestled in the heart of the Robson Valley is a little community called McBride. It is a beautiful area surrounded by many mountains on all sides, with an abundance of outdoor adventure activities for everyone to enjoy. Whether you drive or decide to take the Via Rail train to the stop at the Heritage Train Station from either Jasper or Edmonton, it is a great place to stop. The Heritage Train station is a wonderful little rustic train station with the Whistle Stop Gallery and The Beanery coffee shop to share the building.
Surrounded by parks and playground equipment, this train stop is the perfect place to stop and visit as a family. The Whistle Stop Gallery is an amazing little gallery, full of work from many local and area artists. It is easy to spend quite a bit a time here relaxing and looking at all of the wonderful artwork; and if you so choose to, you are able to purchase some of it to take home with you.
The Beanery coffee shop is a nice little quaint cafe with many great options for coffee, treats, homestyle meals, and various other hot and cool beverages. Whether you are just passing through or choose to stay and explore the adventures in the region, the Heritage Train Staion, Whistle Stop Gallery, and the Beanery are three perfect places to stop and visit while you are in McBride.
June 17, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Food or Wine
Tucked away in the sheer size of one of the newest hotels in Prince George, the Sandman Signatures, is located a hidden gem of a restaurant in Prince George. I had not heard many of my friends talk about the Rockford Grill as a prime destination for eating out, so this is when I became confused. I had myself an excellent lunch here in the very modern and relaxed restaurant. The huge bar is located right in the middle of the restaurant, so you are able to sit at all four sides of the bar and enjoy your meal, while also watching one of the many tv's they have on display. I was particularly pleased with some of the decorations they have used, an example being the coat rack that looks like multiple sets of antlers. I found this very interesting and helped bring a unique connection to Prince George and the north. I enjoyed a wonderful dish of Salmon Pesto Penne, with a side of garlic toast, and it was wonderfully cooked and a great meal to have with friends. I will definitely be going out again sometime soon to see what else this restaurant has to offer.
June 15, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Houston, Recreation Sports
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Recently I had the inclination to go for a hike or do something active outside. However, to my dismay, the weather had different plans. My itch for action would not be persuaded by the big rain clouds though, I needed to do something! That was when I decided to pack my sneakers and swimsuit and headed to the Houston Leisure Facility. I had a great time. First I went for a jog on the treadmill then I rode the bike. After I built up a sweat I went and got changed into my bathing suit and relaxed in the lazy river and hot tub. With everything conveniently in the same building and no extra charge to go swimming after the gym I was able to quench my thirst for activeness and I still felt relaxed.
A workout and swim at the Houston Leisure Facility is great for anyone rain OR shine.
June 14, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Kamloops, Cultural, Community or Seasonal
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The Kamloops Visitor Center is located off the Trans Canada Highway at Exit 368 and can provide you with community specific information, as well as information pertaining to the surrounding areas! It is open 7 days a week (summer season) from 9 am – 6 pm. Kamloops is full of variety and has something to suit every travelers needs. The Visitors Center features Kids Maps with discount coupons and games for children, attraction and entertainment information, golf guides and resources for natural attractions. If you are new to Kamloops and looking to get involved with community spirit, drop by to get a copy of the clubs and organizations in Kamloops!
June 14, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Science, Nature or Animals
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Goodsir Nature Park is a well kept secret in Prince George. So well kept, in fact, that many residents have not even heard of it. What a shame. For those who have an interest in botany, the collection of over 200 trees native to climates across Canada are a delight to see while walking through the extensive and quiet trails of the property. Many intriguing smaller plants are also to be found along the trails, from rare orchids to arid cacti to arctic flora. With camping spots available by donation, a beautiful beaver pond, and a botanical museum filled with 50 years of collecting by the creator of this beautiful jewel north of the city. If you have an affinity for your leafy friends, take a trip out or visit Prince George's visitor information centre for more information. You will not be disappointed.
June 12, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Beaches & Swimming
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We waited for low tide, when we knew the River was at its lowest. There was a storm on the way but we really didn't want to have to cancel our trip!
My friends and I got together a few weekends ago. We were the same crew, plus one, who hiked East Beach to the Pesuta shipwreck the week before. This time we weren't going by foot, but instead we were driving through the Tlell River. There are restrictions for driving on this beach. It's always best to talk to the Naikoon Provincial Park Office about doing this prior, or to acknowledge the signage posted. Having knowledge about the area is key and the four of us have been locals since we were babies.
We took two trucks and a dirtbike, and we set off for Cape Ball, a few kilometers past the Pesuta and Gold Creek. One of my friends had a key to his uncle's cabin up there, hidden away in the dunes, and we planned to stay there for a night. As we drove along side the river, and then along side the ocean, we saw lots of debris washed up from the Japanese tsunami. We stopped to take a peek and saw some really interesting things! We drove past the pesuta until my friend saw the entrance to his uncle's cabin. If I had been walking along the beach I would have never even noticed! We drove through the dunes and the forest, which was an incredible experience. When we arrived, we dropped off our stuff and went back out to the beach for some dirt biking and beachcombing.
As the tide came in, we were forced back into the cabin in the dunes. The ocean comes right up to the edge, and as the weather became stormy, the waves were huge. Two of my friends had GoPro cameras, and one was daring enough to stand in the water and film as the waves crashed over the camera. He had to be very careful he didn't get pulled in by the strength of the water though! It was rainy and windy, so we spent the evening in the cabin playing cards and eating homemade deer sausage. The Sitka blacktailed deer here sure look cute, but they're tasty too! The next day we couldn't leave until 8pm, when the tide was low again, so we could cross the river. We embraced the stormy weather and went wandering on the beach and around the dunes in our rain gear and rubber boots. Oh the island life, it's so much fun!
Camping is permitted throughout the Naikoon Provincial Park. If you're looking to hike to the Pesuta, or further, talk to the Park office in Tlell to become more familiar with the area. Bring a small tent, camp in the dunes, and have as much fun as we had!