August 04, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Farms & Markets
View a larger image on flickr.com
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
View a larger image on flickr.com
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.
August 03, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Kitimat, Beaches & Swimming
View a larger image on flickr.com
Here's a photo of myself at Hospital Beach (also known as Alcan Beach). This ocean side beach (the original site of Kitimat's first hospital) is located just past Rio Tinto Alcan. It is equipped with barbeque pits, picnic tables, and public washrooms. This beach is a popular gathering spot for visitors and locals during the summer months. At low tide, you can explore and find seashells and many small sea creatures. Hospital Beach is a great place to view the large ocean freighters that import Kitimat's industries raw materials and export finished products.
August 03, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Chetwynd, Museums
View a larger image on flickr.com
Recently I had the opportunity to go on a field trip to the Little Prairie Heritage Museum, located just west of Chetwynd on Westgate Road. While I was there I asked about a million questions and learned a lot about the history of the area!
I had a great time looking through the old buildings and checking out the farm equipment and marveling at the flowers along the gazebo - I think this would be a lovely spot for wedding photos! My favourite part of the museum's collection was the BC Rail car, which is full of locally collected fossils.
August 03, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Chetwynd, Art Galleries & Artists
View a larger image on flickr.com
Late this June, I had the great good fortune to be at the Chetwynd Visitor Centre when the new carvings from the 2010 Chetwynd International Chainsaw Carving Championship were delivered to their new homes!
Each year, the Visitor Centre changes the carvings displayed along the walkway on both sides of the building. I had noticed that the gardens looked a bit empty, and boy was I excited to see this truck and trailer rolling in with several brand new carvings on board!
With a "beep beep beep" came the loader, the straps went around the carvings and they were skillfully maneuvered into their new homes. These 12 new pieces will stay at the Chetwynd Visitor Centre until next year, when they will find new homes around town and make room for the 2011 carvings to be displayed at the Visitor Centre.
August 03, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Chetwynd, Art Galleries & Artists
View a larger image on flickr.com
Some friends of mine were visiting from southern BC, and I wanted them to have an authentic Chetwynd experience! So we all piled into the car and headed down to the Chetwynd Visitor Centre, where we signed up for a free guided walking tour of some of the local chainsaw carvings.
Our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. She told us all about the history of the carving project and answered all of our questions about the chainsaw carving championship. I was very excited to learn that almost all of Chetwynd's chainsaw carvings are made of cedar, but a few are made of lodgepole pine which had been attacked by mountain pine beetles - what a great way to showcase local forest products!
I thoroughly enjoyed the guided tour and would recommend it to anyone. My friends loved it too! Here's a photo of their favourite carving - my dad says it reminds him of an old cartoon character, Sgt. Preston.
August 03, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
View a larger image on flickr.com
Last night I went out to
Charlie Lake
with some friends to spend the night next to the water and relaxing on the deck
of a great little cabin. We decided to have a BBQ but made it gourmet! It was a
great night next to the lake with the calm setting of the sun and of course
delectable food!
August 02, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Kitimat, Sightseeing Tours
Located on Haisla Blvd, Coghlin Park is an amazing spot for a photo opportunity that should not be missed! This spot has a scenic lookout, picnic and garden area that looks onto the Douglas Channel. Kitamaat Village to the left, industrial sites to the right and coastal mountains in the background, a breathtaking view! The newest edition to this park includes shrubs and plants from the former Kemano town site.
August 01, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Farms & Markets
View a larger image on flickr.com
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...