August 06, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Kitimat, Attractions
Located across from Rio Tinto Alcan, Moore Creek Falls are a photographer's delight. As you climb the rugged staircase carved into the hillside, the sound of snowmelt water rushing down the banks leaves you anticipating what's ahead. From the top of the stairs you get your first glimpse of the falls pouring into a rock lined pool. Following the path to your right will lead you to a full viewing area of the falls.
August 06, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Hiking
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This is one of my favourite trails in the Hazelton Area as the view is
outstanding and the access is quick and easy!
Skilokis Trail is located on the northwest
spine of Blunt Mountain. On this trail, depending on the speed that you travel,
you will be at tree line and viewing incredible scenery after hiking between
thirty and forty-five minutes. Not only will you be treated to spectacular
views of the surrounding mountains, but you will also see interesting mountain
vegetation and wildflowers.
The hiking trail starts at 1250 meters and travels
to 1950 meters. Throughout this trail you will need to pay close attention to
the flagging tape, as this is a primitive trail.
To access the trail one must travel east from New Hazelton on
Highway 16 for 10.5 kilometres, at this point you will turn left onto the
Suskwa Forest Service Road. After 6 kilometres on the Suskwa Forest Service
Road you will turn right onto the Skilokis Forest Service Road. This road is
slightly over grown and fairly steep therefore a four-wheel drive vehicle is
recommended.
While you are travelling up Skilokis Forest Service Road you should
always stay to the right when you encounter forks in the road. After 9.1
Kilometres, at the highest point of the road, which is about 300 meters before
the end of the road, you can pull
over, park, and look for the flagging tape that marks the trail.
August 06, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Ucluelet, Attractions
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My four year old nephew’s face scrunched up as the sea cucumber was placed in his little wet hands over the touch tank. He stared at its slimy body, fascinated and disgusted. “I’ve never held a sea cucumber before!” He smiled. After the staff help him put it back into the tank he led his two year old sister around to get a better look... and to tell her all about sea cucumbers, since he is now the official expert.
We’re from Alberta and up until that day none of us really knew that such creatures exist in our oceans, let alone how they move, eat, and protect themselves from predators.
The Ucluelet Aquarium offers visitors and locals a truly up close and personal encounter with the local Pacific marine life. All the animals are collected in the spring, just 5km from the aquariums location in the Ucluelet Harbour. Most of the tanks are open so kids and adult kids too, can reach in and touch the wild life. Sea urchins, anemones, several species of star fish, clams, snails, and sea cucumbers are just a few of the animals to discover in these tanks.
The staff and volunteers at the aquarium are extremely friendly and very knowledgeable about the local biodiversity! Each hour they give a predator and prey demonstration to show visitors how life truly is in tidal pools.
“That clam jumped right off the star fish!” exclaimed my nephew. “It’s like he had a foot in there or something.”
Displays also include salmon hatchlings from the nearby Thornton Creek Hatchery, colourful rock fish, crabs, jelly fish, kelp fish, local plant life, and even a baby Giant Pacific Octopus!
The most amazing thing about the Ucluelet Aquarium is that they release all their creatures, even the plants, rocks and sand, back into the ocean at the end of the season.
This little non-profit aquarium is a must-see when visiting Ucluelet on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. It was fun and engaging for both children and adults. It’s been a month since our visit and my nephew and niece tell everybody they meet all they know about sea cucumbers... which is actually quite a lot.
Editor's note: Learn more about the Ucluelet aquarium here.
August 05, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Kayaking & Canoeing
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Moose Valley Provincial Park is a gem nestled in BC’s Interior. From 100 Mile House we drove about one hour west, on a gravel road that gradually thins and becomes rougher along the way. We travelled in an SUV (with kayaks on top), and there are several signs along the way that vehicles other than high-clearance 4x4s should avoid the road, so come prepared.
When we arrived at the parking area in the park, we could see the first of the lakes right away. Moose Valley contains a canoe chain of 12 lakes, ranging from small to medium in size. If you plan to travel the whole circuit you should plan about two days, but we only went on a day trip. We noticed one other vehicle in the parking lot, but didn’t actually see anyone on our stay in the park.
After launching our kayaks we paddled around the first lake and saw many birds and fish along the way, before arriving at the well-marked portage where we carried the kayaks into the next, larger lake. Off we went again through the marsh and across the lake (this one being a ‘dead-end’ in the circuit), at the end of which we stopped for a picnic at the little shelter hut. On our way back we saw deer along the shore, but seeing bears and moose is not uncommon in the park either.
Moose Valley is not even an hour away from civilization, but it feels like you’re in a separate world. It’s a beautiful, peaceful park, and well worth a visit no matter if you go for one or several days.
August 05, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Historic & Heritage Sites
Fort St.
John recently unveiled 29
new heritage panels throughout their downtown and are now calling it the
“Pioneer Pathway”. It’s great! The bright orange panels tell the stories of
the early pioneers and interesting tales about how the city grew in to what it
is today.
Most of the panels have really
cool black and white photographs on them to show you what the old buildings
look like. Many of the panels are right
downtown, which is great – you can shop at the same time or duck in to a
restaurant when you need a break.
August 05, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Wildlife Tours
The most amazing aspect of the City of Prince George is that there are over 120 parks and green spaces filled with wildlife within city limits. One of the biggest parks is Forests for the World, located behind the University of Northern BC. I have hiked many of these trails and discovered Shane Lake and multiple interpretive loop trails throughout the forest. Around the lake and on the trails, wildlife is abundant. My most memorable experience was stumbling upon a moose only two feet away from us browsing on shrubs and undergrowth. The moose seemed totally undisturbed by our presence, watching us calmly for a few minutes before lumbering off into the brush. What an experience! Deeper into the forest squirrel caches can be found and intricately built birds nests. Beaver have been spotted around Shane Lake as well as many species of birds. You can spend hours in the forest, minutes from civilization, interacting with nature, enjoying wilderness that most of us in the north take for granted, but visitors may see only once in a lifetime.
August 04, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Vanderhoof, Hiking
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Over the past long weekend me and my family went to Cheslatta Falls. The Falls are about 90 km southwest of Vanderhoof and the roads are gravel but in very good condition.
It is about a 3 km hike round trip thats in and out of the falls and they are in good shape and it must be a pretty easy hike because my 70 year old grandfather and 67 year old grandmother can do it.
After the hike there is a beautiful rec site that is in good shape and has picnic tables you can also camp there if you would like to. I dont recommend to take young children there as the water is very dangerous and there are steep cliffs with no fences holding them back.
There also is no swimming there but if you drive 15km East of there you will find Kenny Dam and Knewstub lake which kids and adults can swim in. If you are in the area I srongly recommend to go to this magnificent falls and enjoy a day out in the wilderness.
Editor's note: Learn more about hiking near Vanderhoof here.
August 04, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Festivals & Events
This year I got to experience some of Terrace's fantastic week at their annual Riverboat Days celebrations. It started off with an opening ceremony in the downtown park, followed by the next day with a lively farmers market, parade, live music, sporting activities, and fireworks. It was a super fun week full of events for all age groups and maturity levels! Riverboat Days is at the beginning of August every year so be sure to come to Terrace at next year for a fun week full of exciting activities.
My favourite Riverboat Days event is always the parade, and this year did not disappoint. Attached is a short film full of pictures and videos I took of this years parade. Enjoy!
Editor's note: Riverboat Days is an annual event in Terrace. Learn more here.
August 04, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Farms & Markets
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Ask anyone who lives in Saskatoon Berry country and they'll tell you they have a favorite spot to pick.
Saskatoons are big, blueberry-like berries that grow on bushes along side the many country lanes here in the Peace River Country. They grow in clusters like grapes and are absolutely delicious and very plentiful.
Mine favorite spot north of town is way off the beaten path and I can only reach it if the roads are dry.
The Saskatoon Bushes are twice as tall as I am with berries the size of small cherries. Of course, the size of the berries also depends on the amount of rain we've had, but I have a great spot regardless.
Being a serious picker I go equipped with a great system. A small bucket attached to a belt at my waist for hands free picking and several bigger buckets to empty my full one into. I like to keep the bigger buckets in a cooler in the trunk of my vehicle.
I also take lots of water, my camera, binoculars (my spot has a fantastic view of a valley), some mosquito spray and hand wipes for very sticky hands.
The berries are ready and I had my first picking. Someone else likes my spot and this year they got there before me. I'm ok with that because not only is there more than enough berries, but they made trails through the underbrush.
So, if you are here in Saskatoon Berry season, grab your buckets and your belt and head out of town on any country road. Look for tall dark bushes in the ditches. If you look closely, you can often make out the purple berries.
Saskatoon pie? Mmmmm...
August 03, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Chetwynd, Beaches & Swimming
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There's no need to travel long distances to spend time searching for treasures at the beach if you live in Chetwynd - just head down highway 29 to Twidwell Bend, and explore the shores of the Pine River.
Just 10 km from downtown Chetwynd and accessed by a short gravel road near the bridge, the shores of the Pine River have great opportunities for finding driftwood and unique types of rocks. If you're lucky, you might even find a fossil or two!
The soft, warm sand is a favourite place for my kids to play - we just have to watch them closely as the current is quite strong in the river. We often see beavers swimming about in the water as well as big schools of tiny minnows.