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!?
August 01, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Has it really been 70 years since the Alaska Highway was built? I guess it must be since a celebration for the 70th Anniversary of the Alaska Highway is taking place in Fort St. John today. The Western Command Military Vehicle Historical Society are driving the entire Alaska Highway in historic military vehicles! The convoy expects their trip to take the whole month of August with several planned stops in several communities between Dawson Creek (Mile 0) and Fairbanks, Alaska to show off all of their authentic and classic vehicles. Since the military vehicles were on display for several hours this afternoon at the Fort St. John North Peace Museum, I dropped by to see the various vehicles that contributed to various military efforts. After talking to a few people, I was amazed that the vehicles I was seeing with my own eyes assisted in the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and even World War II. I could feel the pride and passion the individual vehicle owner’s had for their motorized piece of history, the military, and for their country. There we many Fort St. John residents taking pictures, asking questions, and taking a temporary seat while pretending to drive an old military vehicle. The owners of the vehicles put in the extra effort while dressing in army green uniforms. They were also very friendly and chatty, which allowed me to ask many questions and learn about their convoy even more. This evening, a banquet complete with 1940’s era music is being put on at the Fort St. John Legion to conclude today’s celebrations. If you’re located along the Alaska Highway, be on the lookout for the Western Command Military Vehicle Convoy! Make sure you find out when and where the group will be stopping by in your community and help celebrate the Alaska Highway’s 70th Anniversary.
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 30, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Valemount, River Rafting
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I went white water rafting the other day. In fact, all of us at the visitor centre did. I had never been rafting before, and I was unsure what to expect. I guess I hadn't been expecting much, because I arrived in the location not far from Valemount on Highway 16 thinking we would just pop into an inflatable raft and take a ride down some rough water. Then the guides lined us up to get wetsuits and helmets. Then we went through the 15 minute safety briefing where they mentioned the waterfall.
"Oh", I thought as we sat on the ancient school bus ferrying us to the launch point, "this might be worth blogging about after all!"
It certainly was. The river was framed by beautiful forest, beyond which the Rocky Mountains scraped the sky like so many sharp flint tools. As we drifted down the calm first section of the river, Mount Robson made a magnificent photo opportunity as it stood framed by trees and rushing water. I didn't have long to lament having left my camera behind though, as we started getting into the first set of rapids. Paddling like mad, the raft burst over the waves and we were splashed by the fresh mountain water. We portaged around a waterfall and shot through more rapids. at the end we hit calm water, and we all went for a swim in the cold river until we hauled each other back into the raft to paddle in to shore. It was an exhilarating experience, and I am very glad I had the opportunity to do it. It was so good, in fact, that I may want to go again soon. If you are headed out that way, plan for a few hours of extra time and check out white water rafting in the Robson Valley. Make sure you bring a waterproof camera though!
July 30, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Professional & Spectator Sports
With a title like this, you can probably imagine what this post is about. No, it isn't about how to cook meals on your exhaust manifold. On Friday I went to the Northland Dodge Motorsport Park. I picked up my friend, we grabbed some cheap pizza, and drove out to the long ribbon of arrow-straight asphalt northwest of town. I have never been out to an automotive race before, and it was an amazing treat. We saw a vast array of vehicles tearing down the 1/4 mile during the night, from a stock Ford Fusion to a blisteringly fast AMC Gremlin to a few motorcycles and a snowmobile that could top 200 kilometres per hour. The atmosphere was relaxed as we sat on the bleachers with our greasy pizza and laughed when some engine piece shot through the hood of a Mustang or plugged our ears while the top fuel drag cars shot off the line. It is a great price for a few hours of entertainment, and if you like the sight of a classic muscle car doing burnouts, take an evening and go check it out!
July 30, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Cultural, Community or Seasonal
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When my friend asked me if I wanted to go along with her to water her garden, I was very intrigued by the garden she could possibly have since she lives in an apartment building. After explaining that she had a plot at the Community Gardens that needed watering and weeding, I happily agreed to join her. I was aware that City of Fort St. John was planting many edible plants around the City buildings to promote renewable landscaping, but I didn’t know too many details on the Community Gardens. After stopping to grab a couple of slushies, she drove right past the downtown cemetery and parked. I was a bit skeptable of where exactly she was taking me; however, I followed her lead to numerous raised beds. It looked like quite an enchanted place to me with rows and rows of individual gardening plots. After snooping at other gardener’s sprouting plants, we started pulling all of the pesky weeds that were growing in between the thriving vegetables. Even though each plot only measures 5 x 8 feet, many potatoes, peas, beans, carrots, and radishes exploded from the dark soil. It is still a bit early in the growing season so I was unable to take any fresh produce home this time, but I’m sure the veggies will be fully grown in a few more weeks. It was also very nice that the Community Gardens are supplied with several gardening tools, watering cans, hoses, and water on-site so everything we needed was at our fingertips. I learned for myself that these gardens truly are community orientated through the countless friendly people who were offering their advice and assistance while we were there. Also, I found it very charming that a small red stick on the corner of the plots signaled that the plot needed watering by anyone who had a couple minutes to spare. Visitors, as well as local residents can stop by the Community Gardens at any point during the summer to see the growing progress and lend a helping hand while digging around in the dirt. As I was walking back to our car, I couldn’t stop commenting on how great of an idea the Community Gardens are! For those who are just starting out gardening, don’t have a backyard of their own, or simply don't have the time to tend to a large area, the Community Gardens in Fort St. John are spectacular!
July 29, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Attractions
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On Friday July 27, 2012, some fellow co-workers and I had taken a drive up the Nass Valley to check out the beautiful scenery. It was a nice day for the drive, wasn't too hot or too cold. This is most definately one of my favorite road trips to take as there is so much to see. I would recommend everyone to take a trip up the Nass Valley. Vetter Falls is just one of the many beautiful stops to rest and have lunch.