August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Kitimat, Beaches & Swimming
Kitimat's Olympic-size pool is the centerpiece of the aquatic centre that has been retrofitted and re-opened in March 2009. Relax in the hot tub or sauna, experience the rush of the waterslide or play in the lazy river and water fountains. The Aquatic Centre is part of the Tamitik Jubilee Sports Complex that is also home to one of the Northern British Columbia's largest ice arenas, squash courts, boxing ring, and an outdoor playground.
August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Bird Watching
Cottonwood Island Park in Prince George is a great spot to check out some of BC's best birds - bald eagles!
While walking through the park the other day, I spotted two nests within the park itself and a large one across the river as well. Keep your eyes on the skies, because at least one of the resident eagles was soaring above looking for fish in the shallow river.
Don't miss this opportunity to see some great wildlife right within the city!
August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Sightseeing Tours
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In mid July I celebrated my birthday by heading out to a
friend’s piece of property near
Cecil Lake which is just outside of
Fort
St. John on
Cecil Lake Rd which turns into highway 64
once in
Alberta.
When we started the drive I expected a short drive consisting of some scenery
and highway but once we turned onto
Cecil
Lake Road I was astounded at the scenery one gets
to experience with a simple drive through the countryside. Once on the road you
follow the
Beatton
River but the greatest
part is the landscape and how quickly it changes from flat to climbing the side
of a mountain!
Being from Ontario this kind of drive is one of my favorites due
to the fact I get to see some amazing
views
like being on top of the grade and looking down over the river with a lush
forest all around!
Editor's note: Learn more about driving routes near Fort St. John here.
August 09, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Art Galleries & Artists
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The other night, I attended the opening reception for Nigel Fox's showing of "Milestone: A Fox Year in Painting". It was a great show of colorful paintings that everyone at the event thoroughly enjoyed.
The Smithers art gallery tends to always have an opening night for a new exhibit, and I encourage everyone to attend if they have the chance. With the catalyst of refreshments and a healthy appreciation of art, you can strike up a conversation with your neighbour and get to know the community. One can experience a warm Smithers welcome, and enjoy the exhibit surrounded by (old or new) friends.
August 09, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Museums
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Full of local artefacts and history, the Bulkley Valley Museum has it all. A great place to stop if you're interested in the history of the Bulkley Valley and of Canadian pioneers, the knowledgeable staff will tell you about the history of our area.
I received a tour from one of the staff through the museum, which was great - I had always been to the museum on school trips, and as a kid with my parents, but I saw it from a completely different perspective being older (and perhaps wiser).
Seeing what my home town used to look like, and to see how it's grown in the last 100 years is amazing. I couldn't imagine how difficult it would have been to explore this vast, and beautiful, country.
There's so much to see - and learn - from our local museum. They'll show you through the exhibits - one especially that is a surprise to people is an invention from Smithers that no one can actually believe at first because it affects so many people world wide. I won't tell you what it is (you'll have to see it for yourself!) but it is simply (HINT) "eggceptional"!
The building itself is something to explore- built in 1925, it was the original courthouse for Smithers. So drop by if you're going through Smithers - you won't regret it!
August 09, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Hiking
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One of my favorite regular hikes is Call Lake Provincial Park. The other day, we ventured out for an adventure. We hiked the 3 kilometer loop, that brings you from the trail head, sort of past Call Lake (if you squint through the trees), up to "the bench" (an actual bench) and then back again.
This makes for a nice after-dinner hike that isn't too strenuous but long enough that you are satisfied. My favorite part is making it up to the bench, and looking down over the valley, especially if the sun is setting. It creates a beautiful glow that I can't really describe.
The other loop is 5 kilometers, for those who want a bit longer of a trek. I like how small the park is, and how the people living in the area of it are somewhat of a community. Go see this local favorite - either if you're hiking or biking!
August 09, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Festivals & Events
This year I decided to attend the events happening in Terrace during Riverboat days. It was a phenomenal experience and I encourage everyone to participate next year.
I have attached a picture video of the parade I enjoyed, what a great way to start off the day! I then went to the farmers market which was very successful, a variety of arts and crafts along with many cultures of food for sale. Yummy!
Nearby was a live band, different sporting events, and a whole lot of fun! To top off the day at night I was amazed by the fireworks. Enjoy!
Editor's note: Riverboat Days is an annual event in Terrace. Learn more about it here.
August 09, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Sightseeing Tours
Trapline Mountain is one of Terrace's top secret spots to view beautiful glacier lakes and walk around at an altitude of 4,700 feet among the peaks of mountain tops. I was lucky enough to head up last weekend with some family friends and took some photographs of the beauty around this mountain.
To get to Trapline Mountain head up Copper River Forestry Road for 22.6 km and then the road forks, follow the right up the mountain until you come to the top. It is a beautiful easy walk, and a chance to see the top of a mountain without a vigorous hike. This is also a prime snowmobile location as well as mountain biking.
Trapline Mountain is a breathtaking experience and a wonderful trip for a relaxing adventure.
August 09, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Whistler, Ziplining & Bungee Jumping
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When my friend told me we were going to Wild Play in Whistler, I honestly had no idea what she was talking about. As I pressed her for details she told me it was Monkido, an aerial adventure course. Hmmm, sounds intriguing.
We drove the short distance from the village to Cougar Mountain and checked in at the reception. We were suited up in a safety harness and introduced to the group we would be with and our guide, Jono. "Who has ever ziplined before?" he asks. I am one of a few who raises a hand. "Who is afraid of heights?" I am the only one to raise my hand. Uh oh.
We receive our 30 minute lesson that outlines how we will have not one, but two, safety clips and we demonstrate our ability to climb the ladder, not fall off the tree platforms and how to zip across a taut wire between two trees. Seems easy enough.
The adventure course begins easily enough (and low enough) but steadily gets harder and higher until I am giddy with adrenalin and literally hugging the trees on each platform. A friend recently told me that it is important to occasionally remind yourself how good it is to be alive. Check! This adventure is certainly accomplishing that. Each time I think it can't be harder, the next "element" as they call it gets trickier, and higher, although I am not looking down!
I pride myself on completing the entire course while only taking the "chicken route" a few times as recommended by Jono. He has the ability to read our body language and know when to joke with us, when to encourage us and when to zip over and give us a helping hand.
We are thrilled to reach the end and feel an immense sense of accomplishment and a heaviness in every upper body muscle we have (and didn't realize we had). Being up in the trees, overlooking the streams and forests of Cougar Mountain while challenging yourself and having a ton of fun. Jono, I will be back.
Editor's note: Learn more about Wildplay Whistler here.
August 09, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Whistler, Spas & Wellness
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So perhaps being decadent in Whistler is nothing new. But I just experienced one of the newest ways - Scandinave Spa.
For $61 my best friend and I spent over 3 hours lounging in hammocks, soaking in hot tubs, breathing deeply in the eucalyptus steam room and baking in the sauna. The idea of the Scandinave spa is to first warm your body in one of the hot spots (sauna, steam room or hot tub), then cool yourself down quickly in the cool pool or glacier-fed waterfall, then relax for a minimum of 10-15 minutes. Then repeat. And repeat and repeat.
I must admit that I am not one to fully immerse myself in cold water, so other than a foot dip, I skipped that but more than made up for it with the hammocks, magazines and warm solariums with comfy chairs. The sun was shining and the sound of the running water was very peaceful on a glorious August afternoon, but I could also really imagine myself here in the winter recovering from a ski day. Gee, just I am just going to have to come back...