August 22, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Dining
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Arrived in the morning we stopped at first at the Tourist Info to get the sticker for our BC Parks Booklet. Further we got information for fuel prices and some internet cafes. The handed brochure is great. Loads of useful information in a modern style. We saw a lot of brochures, but this one is one of the best with Salmon Arm and Grand Prairie. Unfortunately Grand Prairie couldn't proof all the nice infos in the brochures. We were totally unhappy there. The better we feel now in the Whole wheat and honey cafe at the city center of FSJ with a Mint Brownie and a small double shoot Latte. Yummie...
August 20, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Nelson, Guide Outfitting
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The rest of our evening at the Northern Rockies Lodge was spectacular; we walked up and down the shore, watching little birds hop along. We saw animals, across the lake on the far shore. The smells of campfire, pine trees and the lake are something only believed once you experience it yourself.
Among all the great things that the Northern Rockies Lodge offers, they also offer some very cool tours, including Flight seeing Tours; Fly in fishing trips, Outpost Cabins, and the Nahanni National Park Flight seeing tour. They always have daily deals on seats for the Local flight seeing tours and also have Hotel/Flight deals offered to anyone coming to spend a few days at the lodge.
The Nahanni National Park is Canada’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is located in the Northwest Territories. They offer reasonable group rates on all flights, and also offer guided tours for those wanting the full experience.
These tours are perfect for anyone who wants to experience the untouched beauty of Canada’s North. The staff at the Northern Rockies Lodge are helpful, kind and always accommodating.
Muncho Lake is a perfect stop on your Alaska Highway adventure because; there are so many options for adventure for all age groups. There is hiking, great fishing, five accommodation choices and so many places to explore.
Reluctantly we packed up our truck and hit the highway once more, we stopped at Toad River Lodge again and enjoyed some home made cream of broccoli soup and home made bread straight from the oven.
We also stopped at the Erosion Pillars and did the short 1km hike to them, they were spectacular and beautiful. A great way to stretch your legs on the long journey, they are located 149 kms north of Fort Nelson, BC.
Although we only had the chance to explore a small piece of the vast Alaska Highway, we had a great time. Leaving us with only a hunger to explore more of it!
August 20, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Nelson, Accommodation
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After a nice long sleep in our tent, sheltered from the rain. Clifford and I arose and started to take down our tent. The park was peaceful even in the late morning. We returned our rented towels, and headed for the Liard Hot Springs Lodge once more for breakfast, which was delicious!
We jumped back into the truck to make the short drive back to Muncho Lake, and begin our back tracking home. We arrived around lunch time; we checked in at the Northern Rockies Lodge (Muncho Lake) and went to go check out our Rustic Cabin. The Rustic Cabins are their older cabins, hence the “rustic” although older they were cozy and quite big! It was very clean, and the beds were comfy, we had our own full bathroom, desk and a furnace that worked like magic! We took to the lazy-ness and lounged around our little cabin, reading books and playing cards.
Later on, we took off exploring the campground, lodge and the shore. The grounds have a really northern outdoors feeling, lots of trees, small critters scooting from camp site to trees and back to the forest. The Northern Rockies Lodge offers so much; they have a full service restaurant, laundry, sauna, gas station and even some float plane tours!
We enjoyed a home cooked Swedish style, pork snitzel for dinner. The service was quick; the food was amazing and fresh. The waitresses were great hostess’ making great conversation and always smiling.
August 17, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Festivals & Events
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If you are looking for something to do in Northern BC on sunny day, the Prince George Exhibition just celebrated its 99th annual exhibition and fair. There are midway rides open and specialized days for seniors, kids and many special events planned for the week long event! In 2011, the main events included performances by Trooper (a great rock and roll band) and several local talents on stage! Tourism Prince George Visitors Information Centers were lucky enough to have tickets to give away for more than not only the events, but also free admission coupons!
There are several sponsors and booths at the Prince George Exhibition for food, fresh lemonade and of course the mini donuts that everyone looks for at the fair! If you are interested in seeing prize livestock and bull riding, the PGX is the place for you to be - with several events and showings going on throughout the entire week of exhibitions! Prior to the event, there is submission openings for photography from all ages with themes prevailing, as well as several other competitions for you to get involved in!
The fair was a great turnout like usual and I hope that everyone can come out and celebrate the 100th annual PGX with Prince George in 2012! We will be in store for some more local entertainment and special events for next year!
August 16, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Comox, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Driving through Comox, BC after dinner one night, we came across a quiet park in the middle of the neighborhood, just minutes away from downtown. It was only after we’d crossed the street and read the nearby bulletin board that we realized we’d had stumbled on an important piece of Comox’s heritage.
Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park was once the home of R.J. (Bob) Filberg, his wife Florence (nee McCormack) and their two children, Mary and Robert (Buddy) Jr. Originally intended to be a summer home when building of the Lodge started in 1929, the Filberg family liked it so much that they made the lodge their permanent residence six years later in 1935.
Family patriarch Bob Filberg was manager and superintendent of the Comox Logging and Railway Company, the largest logging concern on Coastal British Columbia. With 450 employees, six huge steam-powered logging machines, a dozen locomotives, hundreds of miles of track, and sole access to the great Douglas fir forests between Courtenay and Campbell River, Comox Logging boomed and towed billions of board feet of logs from Vancouver Island to Fraser Mills at New Westminster .
The Filberg family developed some very unique outbuildings and beautiful gardens including a rustic teahouse in the middle of grounds. It was closed when we walked by, as it was past dinner time, but it still looked cozy and inviting. The Cutting Garden sitting just below the tea house and adjacent to the Boat House was full of beautiful flowers that you could purchase for a fee. There was also an herb garden, brimming with green and healthy herbs that could be used in a variety of dishes.
The extensive gardens were amazing; nine landscaped acres with a stream running through a natural ravine and nearly every kind of tree and flower imaginable. With oak and pine trees, flower beds full of various annuals and perennials and heather, I thought it was a peaceful place to take an after dinner stroll or have a picnic.
Apparently, we weren’t the only ones that thought so. A doe and her faun walked among the flower beds, nibbling on heather, seemingly unafraid of us as I stopped to snap a few photos of them. Later, as we walked past some trees, another lone doe chewed on blades of grass, stopping momentarily when my camera flashed. It was the first time I’d seen deer up close and personal that were so comfortable around humans and it only added to the tranquility of the park for me.
If I lived locally, Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park would definitely be a summertime picnic spot. But, even as out-of-town visitors, I think we were lucky to have stumbled onto such an important part of Comox’s history.
August 16, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Sooke, Beaches & Swimming
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Having the opportunity to discover hidden gems and trails off the beaten path is one of the many things I love about living in BC. Since moving to Vancouver Island, the chance for new discoveries has only increased. Botanical and China Beaches along the Juan De Fuca Marine Trail are just two of the gems I’ve recently had the chance to experience.
Walking on the rocks during low tide on Botanical Beach, we had a great view of the cliffs carved out of the hillsides majestically overlooking the beach. Just a few feet away from the entrance connecting Botanical Beach to the Juan De Fuca Marine Trail led us to a completely different world. Instead of the dark rocks we saw when we first left the trail, the rock in this section of the beach was sandstone; layers upon layers of rock grains that were compressed to form slabs.
The sandstone rocks also contained several depressions, some of them quite deep, filled with water that the ongoing tide couldn’t displace. These tidal pools are home to some of the most unique ecosystems I’ve ever seen up close and personal. Filled with mussels and other shells, hermit crabs and plant life, it was one of the most unique things I’ve ever had the opportunity to take a photo of.
China Beach, our second stop, was home to the soft sandy beaches and white driftwood that everyone associates with the perfect beach. It was the kind of beach I’d like to set up a clambake and evening bonfire on with a few good friends.
It was a great trip to see some of Vancouver Island’s best beaches and next time, I’d like to go back to China Beach and if possible, have a nice picnic meal with friends and watch the waves crash against the shoreline.
August 16, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Nelson, Camping
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Part #1 –
Finally! My first camping trip of the season, we were headed up to the Liard Hot Springs. It was a beautiful drive, with some rain and some sun as well. We stopped at Testa River Services (120km/75miles from FN) they have a great selection of art work, snacks, and aboriginal crafts. Also be sure to try their cinnamon buns! They are absolutely fabulous! Our next stop was Toad River Lodge (196km/122miles from FN), Toad River was named originally “Towed River” because they used to have to tow supplies on the river. Through the years people assumed it was “Toad” as in the frog. So eventually it was re-named “Toad River.” They offer a full menu of great homemade soups and breads, great food.
We continued our drive north, we ended up driving through rain for about an hour. We arrived at Liard Hot Springs in the early afternoon, we had reserved a site there the week before (which is a good idea if you are planning on staying there close to the weekend). It was still raining when we arrived so instead of setting our tent up in the rain we headed across the highway to the Liard Hot Springs Lodge and had lunch. The restaurant is a laid back, comfortable atmosphere. They have a wide selection of homemade meals to choose from, including everything from Hot Turkey Sandwiches to Buffalo Burgers. Our meals we great, with homemade French fries and homemade gravy!
The rain hadn’t decided to let up much, so we decided we may as well set up our tent so we could have a dry place to lay down and wait out the rain. Upon finishing the set up of our tent we were soaked right through our clothes and cold, but what is a good camping trip without some good ol’ toughing it out? We hid away in our tent for awhile, reading books and deciding what we could do that evening. When the rain finally stopped, we rented towels from the office and headed for the springs. When we got there we found that it wasn’t to busy (which was nice) we soaked up the smell of the forest around us and made conversation with a few other visitors. Mostly tourists headed to Alaska, they raved about the beautiful drive and the perfect relaxing springs.
Later on, we started up a fire and cooked our dinner. Cheddar smokies and vegetables! YUM! The park was nice and quiet as soon at 10pm hit (quiet time) the staff present was great they were helpful and made sure everything was nice and clean. The northern sky was break taking, star decorated it and you could here the squirrels racing through the trees. There we a lot of little friends running around checking us out, they would sit on the edge of our campsite and just stare. HAHA! Then dash off as soon as we saw them.
To Be continued…
August 15, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Biking
Prince George is full of beautiful parks and the heritage river trail system takes in a variety of them. This trail is ideal for walking, jogging and biking. A friend and I started out on the trail mid-morning and spent until the mid afternoon happily meandering our way around the loop on our bikes. We stopped along the side of the Hudson Bay Slough and fed the ducks, paused in Fort George Park to skip rocks on the Fraser River and greatly enjoyed the meandering pathway along the Nechako River in Cottonwood Island Park. If you're looking for a gentle scenic bike route this a must do.
August 15, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Nelson, Farms & Markets
The Fort Nelson Farmers Market is on! I hopped on that band-wagon as soon as I could and took full advantage of it!
When I last went, there were tents of homemade goodies, soaps, preserves, children's bibs & hair-things as well as vegetables, jewelry, music and...wait for it....BUNNIES!!!
Naturally, I marched over to the bunnies first (because I was obviously in the market for fuzzy-eyed animals)! The people who were selling them graciously allowed me to snuggle one of them! What a treat!
I then made my way through the tents talked to the local farmers, homemakers and artisans about their items. Oh how hard they work to make the most perfect of things!
I bought myself two jars of jam (locally picked berries!) and a hearty loaf of bread. These goods allowed me to make the most delectable of french toasts for an entire week! Yum yum!
The market continues to grow every week! It only gets bigger and better as the summer progresses and the picking season of locally-grown produce increases. Plus, more and more locals are finding the market to be a great opportunity to sell their items and join in on this community tradition.
Held every Saturday between 9am-2pm until September 24th, the farmers market is available for you to experience Fort Nelsons best products! You will no doubt leave with a bounty of deliciousness too! And maybe a bunny too!
August 14, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Parks
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Whew, temperatures are soaring in the Peace and heaven knows we need a place to cool off. Dawson Creek has just the place for that. A little man-made swimming watering hole that is located on the North end of town. The area is now open to the public and is a great location to have a picnic, or play outdoor activities, in and out of the water!
On this particular ‘hot’ day in Dawson Creek, I took my book and sat beneath a tree for a couple of hours ~ it was quite serene. For the family goers, there are public washrooms and a kid’s playground available. There is also the Walter Wright Pioneer Village just a hop, skip and jump across the way to take a tour through. The village is a wonderful break from the water activities and is a step back in time with a collection of historic artifacts from in and around the Dawson Creek area. This is a definite hot spot to check out (or should I say cool spot) on a warm summer day in Dawson Creek!