August 13, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Hudson's Hope, Museums
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The first thing I have to say about is Hudson’s Hope is wow! Hudson’s Hope is old! I grew up in Tumbler Ridge, the youngest town in British Columbia. Tumbler Ridge just had its 30th birthday, while Hudson Hope reached the rip old age of 106 this year. The town has only been incorporated since 1965, but the trading post was established in 1805, making it the third OLDEST town in British Columbia. However, age hasn’t phased this community even one bit. Hudson’s Hope is a beautiful community situated on the edge of the peace river and is decorated with updated infrastructure and plenty of flowers. The visitor centre is a unique log cabin definitely worth noting, and has a quiet park and gazebo located behind it.
You can’t actually tell that Hudson’s Hope is as old as it is until you start looking at the history of the town. The museum is a great place to start, and is exactly where my friend and I decided to begin digging (although the information wasn’t hard to find in the least).
The Hudson’s Hope museum had quite a few displays ranging from first nations artifacts to some of the belongings of the first settlers in the area, but the history of Hudson’s Hope extends past the human history. Hudson’s Hope has dinosaurs!!! Well... at least they used to millions of years ago. Actually, Hudson’s Hope even has it’s own dinosaur, the Hudsonelpidia. This was probably my favourite exhibit in the museum.
After we were finished looking inside there was even more to see outdoors. We took our time goofing around and taking pictures of the old pioneer cabins and machinery, with the Peace River Canyon as our backdrop.
The Hudson’s Hope museum is definitely a worthwhile stop, whether you are going for the pictures, the history, the experience, or all of it!
August 13, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Nelson, Sightseeing Tours
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We all have long days, don't we? Whether it be after a long day at work or on the road, we all need to take some time out afterwards to stretch, refresh and recharge!
Well, you will be pleasantly surprised to hear that I found a really great way to do that here in Fort Nelson...and the secret is found in the great outdoors.
What?
What's that you say?
The great outdoors as a way to relax is not a secret? That in fact, exercising outdoors has been scientifically proven to help people unwind?
Ohhh poo.
You know what? It doesn't really matter that it is - or is not - a secret...what really matters is that I found a great place in town to get out there and have fun!
It is called the community walking trail. A beautiful 4.7km trail that winds its way through the trees around the town perimeter and through the downtown core.
Summertime in Fort Nelson often times can be very hot! On one particular week there was sunshine for days, not a cloud in the sky, I had worked my tukas off in the heat and thought to myself "This is it! I need to chill out!"
And I meant this both figuratively and literally.
So at 8 pm, I leashed up the dogs, put some bug spray on my ankles and behind my ears and hit the trail. And boy was that ever the best thing I had done for myself all week!
The sun combed through the tree canopy, filtering ever so slightly onto me and the pups. There was a warm breeze blowing the sweet smell of clovers all around. In essence, it was pure bliss!
The trail was slow, not another soul out there, but I was okay with that! More open road for the three of us! We did almost half of the trail and called it a day. We cut through town and lolly-gagged back home.
We were refreshed yet tuckered out; ready for bed when the sun decided to set. The trail had melted away everything from the long day...everything but the slight scent of bug spray :)
Zzzzz....until next time!
August 12, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Mount Robson, Hiking
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For anyone out there that loves a great hike, then I would seriously recommend hiking Mount Robson just on the border of British Columbia and Alberta. This great hike can be done by the easier of beginner hikers all the way to the well advanced. The first section of the trail up to Kinny Lake is quite easy and wheelchair accessible so that anyone can do it. Because it is always open to the elements though, the trails can sometimes get a bit dirty and muddy and make wheelchair travel a bit more difficult, but not impossible. Beyond Kinny Lake, the trail goes all the way up the mountain to the top to Berg Lake, some amazing cakes, and of course a giant glacier. The well advanced hikers can make it all the way up to the top and back down to the bottom again in one day, but for those more willing to take their time, you can camp at various locations along the way up the mountain at many different campsites. There are some incredible waterfalls along the way at Emperor Falls, and some amazing scenery as well. Some of the scenery I swear could be used to film a dinosaur or Jurassic Park movie. Mount Robson is the highest mountain in the Rocky Mountains and I definitely recommend this hike to anyone out there, either a nice day hike or a couple day hike to the top.