August 05, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Oliver, Wineries & Vineyards
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A trip to the Southern Okanagan this August long weekend resulted in the discovery of a new (to me anyway) winery. Burrowing Owl will always be a classic and one of my all time favourites - the wine is consistently spectacular and the winery top class but a new kid on the block has the potential to add to my 'must stop list'.
Open only a year to the public although making wine since 2005, Le Vieux Pin positions themselves as making wine in the french tradition but with the latest equipment.
A wonderful welcome along a farm path alive with lavender and organic apples (the owner offers both for free picking!) , the winery also has a bocci court and pleasant patio.
Once inside, its the wine that is the star. On this visit we were offered by some very knowledgable and gracious staff, the 2007 Vaila Pinot Noir Rose - nectar of the gods was the description that came to my tongue and my rather uneducated but very happy palette. After quickly snapping up a bottle to purchase, we found out its an award winner scoring 97 points! And a very cool label to boot! Check out Le Vieux next time you are in Oliver - they say tastings by appointment but if the Open sign is out - go in - you won't be dissapointed!!!
August 05, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Nakusp, Festivals & Events
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It was my second year at the Nakusp Music Fest, an awesome event in an incredible setting on the shores of the Upper Arrow Lake in the ‘Kootenays’.
The festival had a fantastic line-up of classic rock genre including Paul Rodgers; Kenny Shields & Streetheart and Honeymoon Suite and remarkable, iconic tribute bands like AC/DC (local area band BC/DC rocked the festival Saturday afternoon)! A returning favourite Skavenjah, a SKA/rock group from Regina, sent sheet music to a local high school; and selected horn players joined the group on stage and performed in front of a very enthusiastic audience on Friday night.
Except for the 8:00 am sound checks, an annoying drawl of ‘yeah’, ‘check’ and ‘owh’ to wake you from your slumbers; it was an excellent weekend!
www.NakuspMusicFest.ca
August 01, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Kimberley, Shopping
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What do yodelling and woodcarving have in common?
Usually not much, but in Kimberley, yodelling and woodcarving are happily intertwined at a small shop owned by Adi Unterberger, also known as the “Yodelling Woodcarver”.
I was part of a group that recently visited Kimberley. We were lucky enough to get an impromptu yodelling performance from Adi. During our visit, Kimberley’s famous yodelling cuckoo clock was on the fritz. Adi stepped in to fill the yodelling void. He popped on a feathered hat, put on his accordion, and yodelled away.
I was smiling the whole time he was yodelling – it was a lot of fun! I even ended up buying one of Adi’s CDs (“When it’s Springtime in the Rockies”).
Adi’s store is located in Kimberley on the platzl near the cuckoo clock. Drop by to check out his original woodcarvings or maybe even pick up a yodelling CD of your own.
For more information, visit www.yodellingwoodcarver.com
August 01, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
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I had a free Sunday afternoon and a few toonies jingling in my pocket. After weighing my options (going out for a scoop of gelato was a delicious contender) I grabbed the biggest hat I could find and decided on a day at Hastings Racecourse.
While not as glamorous as the horse-racing you see on TV (I scanned the crowd and I was the only one in a Kentucky Derby-esque enormous hat), Hastings Racecourse has a charm of its own – especially for a novice horse gambler like me.
When my friends and I arrived at the track, the races were already underway. We spent the first twenty minutes deciphering the text-heavy racing program, placed our $2 bets (using scientific betting methods such as “I like gray coloured horses” and “Mister La Rock is an awesome name”) and sidled up to the white fence near the finish line.
There is a lot of racing lingo, but the racecourse staff was patient (and thankfully not condescending) as we stumbled our way through Trifectas and asked questions about Lasix. We picked up a free How-to guide to make things easier.
I started my afternoon as a quiet race-watcher, but by the end of the day, I was on my feet, pumping my fist and cheering on the ponies by name: “C’MON Krazy Koffee!” What can I say? The crowd’s excitement is contagious.
The afternoon flew by in a blur of toonies and sweaty thoroughbreds. At the end of the race day, I was only down about $0.90 overall (thanks to my scientific betting methods, no doubt) – not bad for a few hours of entertainment, and much more exciting than a scoop of gelato.
A few Hastings Racecourse tips:
- General admission to the racetrack is free (except during PNE Fair time).
- Live racing happens on the weekend (from April to November) and on Friday nights (from June to September).
- Parking costs $8, but you get a special voucher you can exchange for a free program and $5 off food or beverage purchases. Hastings Racecourse offers a shuttle service from various locations, and Translink has bus service to the racecourse.
- Check out www.hastingsracecourse.com for race schedules and shuttle bus information.
- Before the race begins, get a closer look at the horses as they walk around a small paddock off to the side.