August 31, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Sechelt, Dining
Find more information about Sechelt - Dining
Like many, I'm a sucker for fish & chips, and more often than not, I'm disappointed. You know what happens... about halfway through you've got that old bloated feeling and you're wondering "how did I get sucked in again"
So I wasn't too impressed when somebody told me about the great fish & chips at the Lighthouse Pub. Well a few days later, on a sunny Friday afternoon, I decided to treat myself to lunch on the outside deck at the Lighthouse Pub. This is the perfect place to enjoy a cool one, while watching the boats and float planes coming in and out of the marina. There's not a better location on the Sunshine Coast.
And, I decided to take a chance on the fish & chips. Well, they were good... a perfectly cooked piece of battered cod, just the right amount of fries and some tasty cole slaw. It was so good, that I'm already thinking about my next lunch on the deck at the Lighthouse, and I think I already know what I'm going to order.
August 30, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Nakusp, Beaches & Swimming
Find more information about Nakusp - Beaches & Swimming
View a larger image on flickr.com
Nakusp, this is where its at. Isolated in the west kootenays, Nakusp is a breath taking get-away. Hot springs, Hiking, History, and great camping. Every service you need is within walking distance, it's a small, quiet and beautiful town filled with friendly people.
The public beach great place to relax, and is perfect to just lay back and absorb the sun. Nakusp's beach is small but it seems as if you have endless space around you compared to some crowded beaches. The sand here is soft and the water warm. Many are surprised by the little amount of boats on the water, its so peaceful and calm! In the water floats a raft with a small waterslide, which the kids love to play on. And if the sun gets too hot for you, at the top of the beach is a soft grass area under the shade of trees. From there you can still see the water, so its a great spot to read a book on the grass, and still be able to see your kids playing in the water.
Hope you can make it next summer!
Rowan-VIC
August 30, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Bella Coola, Historic & Heritage Sites
Find more information about Bella Coola - Historic & Heritage Sites
View a larger image on flickr.com
While attending the 73rd Annual Anahim Lake Stampede, as members of the group who had ridden horseback from Titetown Lake, led by Dale and Yvonne Dunn of the Blackwater Spruce Ranch, four of our number decided to take advantage of our proximity to visit Bella Coola. As students of the history of the Cariboo Chilcotin region know, Bella Coola played a major role in the early development of the area. All manner of goods, from foodstuffs, to cookstoves, to farm machinery, were brought in to Bella Coola by boat and packed inland by horse and mule. When they established the Frontier Cattle Company in 1937, Rich Hobson and Pan Phillips made extensive use of this route to supply their ranch needs. Anyone who has driven down "The Hill" into Bella Coola will appreciate just what a daunting undertaking it must have been to lead a heavily laden pack string up from the coast onto the interior plateau; anyone who hasn't should avail themselves of the earliest possible opportunity of doing so. What is equally amazing is the history of the construction of the "Freedom Road" from Bella Coola inland. Undertaken by the citizens of Bella Coola, it was only taken over by the provincial government after its completion in the late-1950s, a task which provincial engineers had predicted could not be accomplished. As one wanders around Bella Coola, the history of the area comes alive, and a good place for any visitor to start is the Bella Coola Museum. Located in one of the first permanent dwellings built by white settlers to the area, its construction obviously borrowing heavily from the Scandinavian maritime tradition, the museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts and covers the the whole period from prehistoric to modern times. An interesting sidebar to our trip was a visit to the Bella Coola United Church. The grandfather of one of our number was the resident preacher at this church around 1927. During his tenure, the church was located on the opposite side of the river to its present location. Due to chronic flooding on that side of the river, the townsite was moved across the river in 1929 and the church was floated across during the move. Lunch and a tall thick milkshake rounded out our visit, and we made it back to Anahim Lake in time to enjoy the afternoon's events.
August 30, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Chetwynd, Sightseeing Tours
View a larger image on flickr.com
The Chetwynd Visitor Centre offers FREE tours of some of the many chainsaw carvings in town. The walking tour is offered daily at 1:00 pm but earlier times can be arranged if necessary; they are always happy to accommodate bus tours or large groups. Call ahead or stop in to make arrangements to have your own personal tour guide while exploring Chetwynd's magnificent chainsaw carvings!
August 28, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Radium Hot Springs, Outdoor Activity Tours
Find more information about Radium Hot Springs - Outdoor Activity Tours
View a larger image on flickr.com
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park is located in British Columbia Canada.Mount Assiniboine at 11870 feet is the highest peak in the Southern Continental Ranges of the Canadian Rockies.The park has no roads and thus can be reached only by hiking into the park.It was in the summer that my son Rory Howard Scott Campbell and I decided to drive from Vancouver British Columbia to Spray Lake Alberta to begin the backpack into Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park.The trail head is approximately six kilometers beyond the dam at Bryant Creek Warden Cabin.The first portion of the hike is very easy.At eleven kilometers the hiker will find a sign for Assiniboine.Reaching a trail junction at the edge of Bryant Creek the trail splits.The high route follows the Allenby Pass Trail.Descending the pass the hiker reaches O'Brien Meadows.From this point it is three kilometers to the tenting sites east of Lake Magog.
August 27, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Rossland, Spas & Wellness
View a larger image on flickr.com
Rossland, BC is known for its incredible and numerous outdoor activities in both summer and winter; biking, hiking, golfing, downhill, cross country and cat skiing, festivals, events, dining and nightlife. With all these things to do, sometimes on a vacation you just need to relax. There are two great spas in Rossland, DandiLion Wellness Centre & Spa and Rossland Medical Aesthetics and Day Spa. I thoroughly enjoyed the ultimate facial and manicure at the Rossland Medical Aesthetics and Day Spa. The treatments, products and staff were all wonderful. The combination of a vacation with rejuvenation and relaxation is an unbeatable experience and Rossland was the ideal location, with its small town charm, relaxed lifestyle and beautiful scenery. There are, blissfully, no traffic lights or malls in town, just friendly owner-operated shops and boutiques that help contribute to Rossland's charm. It was wonderful to be pampered in this beautiful alpine city, whether it is after a long day riding the epic Seven Summits, golfing Redstone’s championship course or simply visiting Rossland for the sole purpose of relaxing you won’t be disappointed.
August 27, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Rossland, Hiking
Find more information about Rossland - Hiking
View a larger image on flickr.com
Strolling around Rossland this summer, you can’t help but notice the mountain ash trees loaded with berries, signifying an excellent upcoming snow season for Rossland.
The legend of the mountain ash berries, states that many years ago, a severe and terrible winter set in Canada. Snowdrifts formed in great heights and temperatures dropped to extraordinary degrees below zero. While in search of food, the Indian hunters became terrified when they came upon hundreds of birds and small animals lying dead on the frozen snowbanks. Immediately they banded together in great numbers and offered prayers' to the Great Manitou, as they were frightened that the same evil spirits would destroy them also.
The Great-Spirit answered them by instructing them to take one drop of blood from every dead bird and small animal and smear it on the tree that meant life and death to their people. As the Mountain Ash was the tree whence they fashioned bows and arrows, their only means of survival, they chose it and set about as Manitou had made them do. The following morning every tree they had smeared bore thousands of berries. The birds and small animals that had survived were perched on the mountain Ash branches eating the life-giving food.
The happy Indians danced late into the night, giving thanks to Manitou, who in return gave his promise that whenever a cold winter was approaching again, he would cover these trees with food.
It will be a great winter season at Red Mountain Resort and Rossland, come see for yourself!
August 24, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Anahim Lake, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
View a larger image on flickr.com
On Friday, 3 July 2009, three wagon teams, nine riders, two spare saddle horses and two dogs entered Anahim Lake, intent on attending the 73rd Annual Anahim Lake Stampede. And attend we did, enjoying to the fullest all of the rodeo events, and participating enthusiastically in the daily, $10.00, all-you-can-eat, BBQ suppers, and the Saturday night, Stampede dance. Led by Dale and Yvonne Dunn of the Blackwater Spruce Ranch, we rode and drove for 10 days, from Titetown Lake west of Quesnel, via the Alexander Mackenzie Heritage Trail and the old wagon road along which Pan Phillips drove his cattle to the Quesnel stockyards. Enroute we visited the Pan Phillips Fishing Camp, operated now by Robbie and Linda Phillips, and camped overnight at the long-deserted Home Ranch. The adventures that we enjoyed on the trail were surpassed only by the warm welcome and hospitality that we received at Anahim Lake. Our group camped on the property of Frank and Betty Ayres, who very generously hosted us for the three days of our visit. However, members of our support team, who brought much needed supplies for the return trip, found very comfortable accommodation in Anahim Lake motels. Everything written on the Tourism BC website regarding the desirability of the Anahim Lake Stampede as an adventure destination spot can be taken as gospel. It also puts you within easy striking distance of Bella Coola, another location well worth a visit. On Monday, 6 July we turned our horses' noses eastward, and nine days later arrived from whence we came, Titetown Lake. Another great BC adventure!!
August 23, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Tofino, Beaches & Swimming
Honeymoon: Tonifo, B.C.
OMG… I have to include our honeymoon here; we had a wonderful trip. As hubby just started a new job, we couldn’t take a very long vacation… so we went to Tofino… something close-by and yet something remote (a total of 5 hours travel including the ferry ride). We stayed at the Wickaninnish Inn for 6 days and 5 nights; it was just amazing. The ocean was right by our room; we watched the sunset from our bed, looked at the ocean when we were soaking in the tub and listened to the wave before we sleep. Since it was the storm season, the wave actually was very nice. The walk along the beach (which is just 30 seconds away) was just breath-taking. It was so relaxing in the little town of Tonifo (after a “stressful” wedding… we could really use the peace). Couple of restaurants that you might want to visit when you are there; Downtown Tonifo is so small that you will have no problem finding these places 
Breakers Café, Schonner/Upstair, Raincoast Restaurant and, of course, The Pointe Restaurant at the Wickaninnish Inn. Note: there is only 1 little shop for grocery and 1 little pharmacy (a small size Shopper Drug Mart). There is no McDonald or Starbuck. Our whole trip was PERFECT!
August 21, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
North Vancouver, Hiking
Find more information about North Vancouver - Hiking
View a larger image on flickr.com
We decided to climb Crown Mt. on 18.10.2009 in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. It was beautiful, hot summer day. We took Grouse Grind Trail to get to the ski area of the Grouse Mountain. It was like 1 h 15 min of workout. This trail is quite steep and very very crowded even in the middle of the week. We did not enjoyed it at all. We did this trail during winter time (when it was closed to the public) and that was much more fun and we met only few people that time. Anyway, when we reached the ski area we had to pass the Grouse Mountain Peak from the west site and hit toward Little Goat Mountain. We did not see any trail signs until we passed Grouse Mountain. From this point we easily found direction to Crown Mtn, there was sign on every crossroads. The trail to the Little Goat Mtn was partly steep but nice. We walked in the forest in the shadow. After we reached the top the trail start to go dawn. We were very surprised, because we were almost on the Crown Mtn level. The trail goes down straight to the Crown Pass. It was like 30 min steep way down with chains in few places. So when we finally get to Crown Pass we had to go up to the top of Crown Mtn. The trail was very steep, mostly in the forest, 3-4 grade climbing. We had to use our hands on the rocks for the most of the time. It took us over an hour to get there to the top. We were so tired, could feel our legs and there was no shadow on the top, but the view compensated everything. You can see North Shore Mountains 360 degrees panoramic view (Coliseum Mountain, The Lions, etc.) and Vancouver. The way back took us the almost same time except we took a skyride down from the Grouse Mtn. The whole thing took us 7 hours of workout with small breaks. We really recommend this trail, especially if you like nice, quite, unfrequented places.
Let's go explore! :]