August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Chetwynd, Attractions
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On a recent trip from Chetwynd to Prince George, I finally had the time to take the detour into Mackenzie and see the sights there. Was I surprised to see this massive piece of machinery right at the entrance to the town!
I asked around and learned that the tree crushers were used to prepare the reservoir that is now Williston Lake, before the W.A.C. Bennett Dam was built. I sure would like to try driving it!
August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Chetwynd, Boating & Sailing
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Summer weekends are the time for catching some sun and relaxing by the water for most people. When you've got three year old boys, however, weekends are the time to find fun stuff to do!
Last weekend, we headed out with the extended family to nearby Moberly Lake, where we spent a wonderful day boating and tubing.
I even got the chance to take a "time out" for myself and spend a peaceful half hour floating in the breeze on the tube while the boys watched the big boys go kneeboarding!
Editor's note: Learn more about boating in Moberly Lake and other areas near Chetwynd here.
August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Attractions
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Last weekend, me and a few friends headed to Bubba Baloo's here in Prince George to play some laser tag! For $14, we played three games (and yeah, I even won one!) and had a blast doing it! The course is pretty big, and there are lots of obstacles to jump over, hide behind, and summersault out from.
After we'd had our fill of lasers, we played some of the games and earned ourselves enough prize tickets to trade in for a couple of sticky hands (remember those? The gummy hands that your mom would never let you play with on the furniture?)
Bubba Baloo's is a great place to be active and have fun - whether rain or shine!
August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Sightseeing Tours
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Earlier this summer I visited Prince Rupert. There were tons of fun things to do there, but one of my favourites was a walk around Moresby Park. A small network of trails went around and over a creek, and the sound of rushing water along with the nice shady, forested trail made our short time in the park really enjoyable.
Due to the major moisture in the park, the plant life around the trail is awesome - moss covers many of the tree and ground surfaces and there are different kinds of ferns and other unique plants everywhere you look. I especially enjoyed the way the trees grow right out of the hillside next to the trail, displaying their impressive root systems.
If you're visiting Prince Rupert and looking for a great walking trail, be sure to check out Moresby Park!
August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Mackenzie, Sightseeing Tours
I never posted to this blog before but I have had so many tourists stop on their way out saying that they could not get over how wonderful their stay was and one tourist today asked me to post something on Mackenzie.
Not only home of the World's Largest Tree Crusher, Mackenzie is a very friendly community. I work at the junction of Hwy 39 & 97 tourism booth and been told several times by tourists that Mackenzie is a gold mine and that we have it all from enjoying home made soup at the fantastic Sweder's Bakery (everyone loves a bakery). I even had a tourist stop to compliment how great it was, and another tourist was listening in and they ending up staying in Mackenzie for 2 days just because they enjoyed what Mackenzie had to offer from the hiking trail to having a game of golf on the local golf course.
I should mention our town has a local campground, which is in walking distance to everything, and if you do not need hookups the first 3 nights are free - now you can't beat that can you.
Editor's note: Learn more about all the things to do in Mackenzie here.
August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Fishing
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In Hazelton, a great place for families to go is Anderson Flatts. Anderson Flatts is a sandy beach that is a great spot for fishing, and having gathering for barbeques as well.
My family and I took a day off to spend some quality time down at Anderson Flatts. We caught fish and had a wonderful lunch together that day. Unfortunately, I have never had much luck in catching fish but my family, on the other hand, does. Having the thrill of catching a salmon is great fun. Watching everyone else catch one while you do not . . . is also fun and exciting. I was able to catch a salmon that day, only to watch it set loose right before I was able to grab it. It was a great laugh for us all that day.
The river that you'll be fishing at by Anderson Flatts is the Skeena river. A majestic river that flows through a large proportion of the Hazeltons. After spending a glorious day fishing, we all settled down by the fire to roast some good old fashioned s'mores. A great way to end a great day.
August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Attractions
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On a sunny day, some friends and I gathered around to have a lovely hike to down under the Hagwilget Suspension Bridge. The Hagwilget Suspension bridge is 262 feet above the water, and is a great view from below.
Taking about 15 minutes, we arrived at the rocky beach underneath the bridge. There is a fire pit and a picnic table there for families to enjoy a wonderful lunch or snack. Taking our time with lunch and such, we wandered around by the river. The Bulkley river flows through the Hagwilget canyon to later meet up with the Skeena river down by 'Ksan.
My friends and I enjoyed sticking our feet in the water and finding interesting rocks, while all the time just having a really nice day all together. The hike to under the bridge is very easy, and is well-kept making it a good adventure for the whole family.
Stop by the
Hazelton Visitor Centre for directions.
August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Beaches & Swimming
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In mid July the North Peace Leisure Pool located in
Fort St.
John, reopened its doors after extensive
renovations were completed. I headed over to the pool to check out the
reno’s but to also
experience the public swim and hot tub!
I was amazed to find that the pool
offers many features such as a large waterslide, a multi-lane pool and a kid
pool which has the ability to change the sloped, beach-like pool into a wave
pool!
After the fun public swim and hanging out in the hot tub we headed out to
leave but were pleasantly surprised to learn of a great opportunity for
travelers and locals alike – the pool offers a cardio room with lots of work
out equipment! I know I will be there to workout when I don’t need to buy an
expensive gym membership.
August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Chetwynd, Art Galleries & Artists
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While walking around Chetwynd and enjoying the beautiful chainsaw carvings, I couldn't help but notice some magnificent murals. I had to go over to the Visitor Centre and ask for more information about these lovely paintings!
Many local businesses have been decorated with paintings depicting variations on the town's mural theme - "Historically where we come from". There are wild animals, trains, trucks, and even some dinosaurs depicted in the various images. Most are painted, but a few are made of broken tile mosaic - the Visitor Centre staff told me they were made by local high school art students.
My favourite is this one, which is on the side of the Peace FM building along the North Access Road. It depicts the history of the area right back to the dinosaur times! I really liked the blue people in the paintings.
August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Beaches & Swimming
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After a day of sunny, 30 degree weather, it is nice to sit outside and enjoy the warm evening breeze. The hot weather also heats up some the lakes in the Hazelton area, including Ross Lake.
The other night, a friend and I spontaneously took a drive to the Provincial Park, hoping that it was not going to be too windy to swim. We threw on our swim suits and ran along the grassy beach until we reached the water. It was a lovely sight. The lake was silent and everyone had gone home for the day. The clear sky up above made a scenic view for taking pictures of both the mountains and the lake.
When we finally got the courage to walk in, we were surprised as to how warm it was! The lake was crystal clear, warm and had not a single wave. It was almost as if we were looking at a massive sheet of glass, 33 hectares in size! The water was smooth as we swam almost half way across the lake. The extended summertime daylight crept into the night, making it possible to think we had hours to swim! When we got out, we were surprised to find out that we had swam for 40 minutes and that the park would be closing soon. Talk about great timing!
A night swim at Ross Lake is the perfect activity for anyone to relax in a peaceful, serene environment.
Editor's note: Learn more about Ross Lake Provincial Park here.