February 23, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Snowmobiling
View a larger image on flickr.com
We try to spend as much time outside as we can in the winter and since we get so much sunshine here in the Peace River Country, the cold doesn't seem to bother us.
Our friends invited us to go snowmobiling with them. I hadn't been on a snowmobile since I was in elementary school. The machines certainly have changed since then.
We met up at the entrance to the Bear Mountain Wind Park and spent the whole day exploring back trails.
I couldn't believe how fast we went. It was very exciting! There are a lot of places to ride around here. In addition to the oil and gas pipelines and back trails, the ditches along the highway are really wide in a lot of areas and you can go for miles and miles with ease. You have to have your own machines because there is not a business that rents them.
We weren't the only ones on the ridge that day, we heard and saw several other groups of people.
Our friend packed some kindling and small firewood along and we stopped along a trail that had a panoramic view of the valley to the east of Dawson Creek, built a small fire and roasted hot dogs. Thermos' of hot coffee and chocolate made the day perfect.
We had one problem right near the end when we crossed a field and were met by a farmer who was out plowing snow on his tractor.
We stopped and he told us that being on the fields was not allowed unless we asked permission and then it depended on the crop. Apparently it packs the snow down and can damage the crops. He said our two little trails wouldn't do much damage, but groups roaring around on a field can really affect it.
If you are visiting our area with your snowmobiles, make sure you have permission to be on private property.
February 22, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Ucluelet, Accommodation
View a larger image on flickr.com
I could hear the ocean. I couldn’t sleep because I was excited to be able to hear the waves crashing into the rugged shoreline. They were so close. They were just outside my window. I was staying at the Blackrock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet, BC, and to say I had a ‘room with a view’ would be an understatement.
My two bedroom suite was modern, comfortable, with vaulted ceilings. It showcased a west coast flavour with its decor and design. The full length windows in both bedrooms and the living and dining areas showed off nature’s masterpiece with breathtaking views of the open Pacific Ocean and the entrance to Big Beach in Ucluelet.
We had friends for dinner, and were able to cook our meal in the fully stocked kitchen (including a dishwasher!), and each other’s company as the sun set behind the ocean vista before us. They stayed to drink wine by the fireplace before saying goodnight.
I walked into the bathroom and was forced to choose between a luxurious bath and a luxurious shower. The bathtub, which might be the deepest I’ve ever seen in my life, had a sliding window on the wall near it, so you could have a bath and watch the ocean through the bedroom windows. Then I noticed the shower had a giant pie-plate sized shower head coming out from the middle it's huge tiled stall.
They call it a “Rainforest Shower.” If you’ve seen those shampoo commercials where warm water is cascading from the ceiling, mysteriously, and the actress in the commercial looks like she’s died and gone to heaven... then you might have an idea of my experience in Blackrock’s rainforest shower.
I set my alarm so I wouldn’t miss the sun rising over the tree tops of the temperate rainforest that surrounds the Blackrock Oceanfront Resort. As the sky lit up I could see the ocean I’d been listening to all night, and watched it from my bed until the sun shone into the room. I walked out on the wrap around balcony in my stocking feet, breathed in the crisp salty air, and started to plan another gorgeous day on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island.
February 21, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Breweries, Distilleries & Cideries
Find more information about Victoria - Breweries, Distilleries & Cideries
If you were in Victoria last weekend, then you know how exciting it was to finally see the sun! Although it was a bit chilly, I (and half the city, it seems) headed out for a much-need stroll around the sunny harbour. The faux-summer feel, combined with my first cherry blossom sighting of the year, gave me the hankering for a true summer tradition: lunch at
Swans.
I made a beeline for their sunny, glassed-in patio. After enjoying seafood chowder with a side caesar salad, I topped off my day with a pint of cold Raspberry Ale. Swan’s makes their own brews in their award-winning Buckerfields Brewery, and the Raspberry Ale is my favourite. It’s calm, refreshing and reminds me of those glorious months when my rain jacket collects dust.
I always find it amazing how certain activities can transport me to warmer months, whether it’s lunch at Swan’s, a scooter ride along the ocean or a walk around Beacon Hill park. It’s supposed to snow again this week, but I’m not worried. This taste of summer will get me through to the next sunny day!
February 20, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Ucluelet, Sightseeing Tours
View a larger image on flickr.com
This morning the sun rose at 7:21AM. That's the best part about waking up early in Ucluelet, being a part of such a beautiful world as it starts a new day. I drove out to Amphitrite Point and climbed out to a rocky perch near the Amphitrite Lighthouse. I watched its giant bulb spin, flashing light into the open ocean, and then I turned by gaze east towards Barkley Sound and the silhouettes of the Broken Group Islands.
The sky slowly turned from a faded blue grey to light pink, then purple and darker pink along the clouds that streaked across the sky. As the sun started to rise over the mountains in the far distance I noticed the rocks around me light up. They were under that special golden spotlight that only happens early in the morning under the first rays of sunshine.
Then the sky burst into golden as the sun finally appeared over the horizon. Sea gulls were flying overhead, heads bobbing down to the rock pools looking for breakfast. I noticed a sea otter close to the shore on his back, anxiously gnawing on whatever breakfast he had already found. The sun hung in the sky like a perfect circle of light, shining bright on my face.
As I walked back to the Wild Pacific Trail I saw two bald eagles take flight off of a tree. They flew in complete unison, swooping and circling the top of the Amphitrite Lighthouse, around and around, over and over until finally leaving together and disappear far over the tree tops.
It's such a special place, Ucluelet, and such a privilege to be amongst nature in its rawest and truest form. It's hard to think of anything that could come close to beating this morning's sunrise over the Broken Group Islands, except for maybe the sunset on the other side... tonight.
February 18, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Rossland, Heli-Skiing & Cat-Skiing
Find more information about Rossland - Heli-Skiing & Cat-Skiing
Big Red Catskiing Adventures in Rossland, British Columbia is where you
find powder! With 18,900 acres of some of the best tree skiing and
glades in the world, you are in for some fun. Fresh tracks, deep
powder, and no lines… need I say more? Check out
Big Red Cats for more powder info!
The town of
Rossland, in the Kootenay Rockies of BC, is all about lifestyle. You can hit
Red Mountain and
Big Red Cats
for amazing skiing and riding. No lines at these places, just powder
and smiling faces. The area is rich with history and you really start
to feel a connection with mountains when you spend some time here. The
locals say “a big mountain with a small town feel” and I agree. Oh, and
did I mention they like to have a good time? See this video that shows
Winter Carnival in Rossland and some others about hitting the
Kootenay Rockies Region.
Full blog post at:
February 16, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
West Vancouver, Kayaking & Canoeing
Find more information about West Vancouver - Kayaking & Canoeing
I have had some great adventures kayaking in Vancouver. What I really like about the city is that you can actually kayak in the city and explore Vancouver by water. Kayaking around Stanley Park is a great way to see the park from a whole new perspective.
If you are in Vancouver for more than a couple of days it's definitely worth taking a trip to Vancouver Island. Kayaking around the island is incredible and you really do get the opportunity to escape into nature. Since you can bring cars on the Ferry it's easy to take your kayaks with you to the island if you have your own.
Even after a dozen kayaking trips I still have a lot more spots to explore. Kayaking is a passion for me and I am so thankful to have discovered what an incredible kayaking destination Vancouver is!
February 16, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
View a larger image on flickr.com
The Spirit Art Festival has transformed Dawson Creek streets into a city-wide art gallery for the month of February. Many of the downtown businesses have turned their street front windows into display cases for our local artists.
Last Sunday, I bundled up, parked my car at the corner of 102nd Ave & 10th Street, by the Mile O Post and went for a walkabout with my camera and a friend.
I stopped at Café Europa for my favorite specialty coffee to sip and walked up and down the streets looking at the awesome local art. It was great to have the time to stop and really look at all the work.
There are displays from potters, printmakers, painters, photographers and quilters.
My absolute favorite is the display inside the Alaska Highway House that features the work of a local potter who just recently lost her life. She was an avid potter and her family put her latest work on display for the community and visitors to enjoy.
Projects like this really enhance the city. We are bursting at the seams with talent and I am looking forward to taking into many other performances and displays. My congratulations to the planners who chose the winter month of February to put on this festival.
Grab a hot drink and check out the art!
February 13, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Hornby Island, Beaches & Swimming
View a larger image on flickr.com
Best beach in BC, no need to go to Mexico or somewhere else far away.
February 09, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Art Galleries & Artists
Find more information about Dawson Creek - Art Galleries & Artists
View a larger image on flickr.com
I was one of the many enthusiastic art lovers at the progressive opening for the Spirit Art Festival in Dawson Creek.
It was pretty exciting to see the flyers for the month long city wide festival. The line up includes visual art displays, live performances, workshops and lectures
Many of the businesses downtown are sharing their street front window space with local artists. Several venues will be hosting events. The whole city is alive with art!
The opening began at the local bookstore and made its way to the Alaska Café where we were treated to several readings of poetry by celebrated Canadian Poet Ms. Lorna Crozier. Ms Crozier read several pieces of her work and was accompanied by local musician Andrew Ho on the piano. Her poem "Snow" was especially powerful and evocative for us northern folk.
It was awesome to be back in the Alaska Café, which is now only opened on special occasions.
This promises to be a great month of art!
February 08, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
Find more information about 100 Mile House - Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
View a larger image on flickr.com
It's amazing! On Red Willow Guest Ranch you are allowed to ride the whole day, if you want you can go on your own.
I took part at the gymkhana near Green Lake - perfect for all riders.
Very friendly people there and I met lots of other nice guests! Hope to see you again!