January 07, 2008 | Tips from Us >
New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Hazelton has become my favourite small town in B.C. The town lives on the convergence of two rivers, the Skeena and the Bulkley. It is also a place where the First Nation and the Pioneer cultures converge, creating a beautiful little town with a lot of history. Here are my two tips from Hazelton.
1. The tour of the ‘Ksan Heritage Village is a must. You can not access the longhouses unless you are on a guided tour. Although you can wander the grounds on your own, you can only “experience the experience” with a guide. My guide was warm, inviting, and open to discussing her culture. She made me want to spend the rest of the summer with her and her family attending their traditional potlatches and ceremonies, learning their unique crafts, and lying on the vibrant green grass in front of the river.
2. In Old Hazelton, go to Mercedes Beans and Model Teas for an organic cup of goodness. It is located in Triangle Square, a colourful tea garden to hang out in. I sat beside a jug of sun-kissed tea and slurped my iced chai latte. Yum!
January 07, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Queen Charlotte City, Museums
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While my son was fishing on the Masset wharf, I wandered over to the Dixon Entrance Museum to indulge in a little history. The tiny museum is filled with intriguing gems of life on the northern end of Haida Gwaii/ Queen Charlotte Islands, including glass Japanese floats, sea shells, a collection of canned salmon (the Dixon Entrance is well known for its salmon, halibut and crab) and an old recipe book that includes instructions for cooking moose.
Turns out my museum host was an elderly gentleman who retired from Saskatchewan to live up on the coast in northern B.C. He had always wanted to live by the ocean and now he volunteers at a maritime museum. I love that! He was a great character and made the museum come alive, despite (possibly because of) his prairie-town background.
January 07, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Wells, Historic & Heritage Sites
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I can’t even begin to describe the disappointment I felt when I realized just how much there was to see and do in Barkerville, and I only had 3 hours to do it in. I usually research my travel plans thoroughly, but this summer I was on a bit of a “yahoo, let’s hit the road, come what may” kind of trip, and I was unprepared for, well, almost everything about Barkerville.
I have been to many heritage sights around B.C., but none quite as engaging as Barkerville, and none requiring so much time. So I missed staying over in the King George Hotel, right there on the main street. (While other travelers leave the gold rush town, you can sleep in a restored hotel and explore the town in the quiet of the night, or dew-drop morning, virtually alone). I missed eating tempting dim sum at Lung Duck Tong’s. I missed the theatre show, the stagecoach ride, and the cemetery tour.
However, I did manage to squeeze in an educational lesson on panning for gold, as well as the comedic skit on how to operate a water wheel. I also managed to sneak into a few candy shops before they closed. Which reminds me, I have never met anyone more friendly than the candy shop clerks in Barkerville; when my son only had $1 to buy his mini-jawbreakers, the clerk “accidentally” slipped a bit and spilled too many tiny balls of sweetness into the handmade bag. Oops, he said with a wink. Another candy store clerk (yes – there are more than one!) re-opened the store for me after she had already closed for the night. She wouldn’t dream of letting me leave without seeing her shop, despite the fact I told her I wouldn’t be buying anything.
Next time, I will leave at least a day in my itinerary for Barkerville, and a night as well, if not two.
January 07, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Queen Charlotte City, Fishing
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While travelling on the ferry from Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii / Queen Charlotte Islands this summer, a local halibut fisherman told my son the best dock fishing was to be found right off the main wharf in Masset.
Three days and three fish later (admittedly, not the kind you would pay $600 a day of sport fishing for, but big enough for my eager six-year-old) we were happily packing the tackle box up and silently thanking the local for the tip.
While Haida Gwaii may be best known for the high-end fishing lodges, there are many local fishing spots that are worth stopping at, for the scenery alone if not for the fish.
A few of our favourites include the Masset dock, the wharf at Alliford Bay, and Mayer Lake, a lily-pad filled oasis in the middle of Graham Island.
January 04, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Rossland, Dining
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Clancey's is on the main drag in Rossland and is one of those cool, laid back kind of coffee shops that you instantly feel at home in.
High tables with stools, a comfort food menu and friendly staff make it a welcome stop for any visitor.
The food is home-made, hearty and absolutely delicious. Try the omlettes for breakfast or break open one of their fresh muffins to go along with their amazing brew.
January 04, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Nelson, Art Galleries & Artists
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I think you can learn a lot about a community by seeing what it's local artists are doing. Somehow, local artists and artisans reflect and interpret the environment, culture and values of the place they live in through their art.
To that end, I am always on the lookout for craft cooperatives -- organizations of artists and artisans who band together to sell their products. Coming from the prairies, the notion of the cooperative is near and dear to me, as is the notion of mutual support and kinship through art.
One such cooperative is the Craft Connection in Nelson -- a cooperative of Kootenay artists.
The shop is located in downtown Nelson. Walking through the door is like opening a jewel box full of sparkly, richly coloured things.
The Craft Connection displays a wide range of media, everything from wood and metal to glass, baskety and bookbinding.
Staff in the shop are knowledgeable about the artists and the media they are working in.
So when you're considering that t-shirt or ashtray as a souvenier from your visit to Nelson or any other part of British Columbia, think about a piece of local art.
January 04, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Nelson, Culinary Tours & Schools
Nelson is known as a funky little town with quirky shops and great dining. But who would have guessed that it now has its very own fabulous specialty food store AND cooking school?
Culinary Conspiracy Specialty Food Store was opening in the summer of 2006 by Barb Williams and Chris Dawson. The objective of the shop was to provide the best selection of specialty food products combined with product knowledge that would ultimately empower the buyer to make correct choices.
I put that lofty goal to the test when I visited the shop and asked Chris about the shop's philosophy. He told me about their quest for products that not only taste good and perform well, but that are esthetically pleasing to look at. He walked me through some of their new product lines, including seasoned skewers that impart flavour into the food skewered onto them, spice rub papers which allow foods to absorb the spice mixtures simply by sitting on the paper, and novelties such a backpackers chocolate-- premium chocolate blends encased in gorgeous wax casings to preserve it for long periods of time.
Beyond the incredibly diverse product lines in the shop, it's the demonstration kitchen right in the shop that is the showstopper.
Chris and Barb envisioned that having local chefs conduct cooking classes and demonstrations right in the shop was an integral part of the culinary experience. They have partnered with chefs from 57 restaurants and eateries in the Nelson area with weekly classes covering everything from Thai and Chinese cooking to desserts and chocolate.
For me, the shop was a gold mine of new and exciting specialty food products perfect for tucking into Christmas stockings.
January 04, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Prince George, Dining
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If you're looking for a little up-scale lunching in Prince George that doesn't break the bank, consider the White Goose Bistro, a friendly but elegant little corner noshery in downtown PG.
Nab a window-side table if you can to watch the world go by while you wait for your food.
I had the Grilled Veggie Sandwich with basil mayo, goat cheese and balsamic reduction and mixed greens. All served with a cone of thin, ultra crisp sweet potato fries. My companion had the Chicken and Chorizo Pizza. Both were beautifully plated, fresh, hot and absolutely delicious.
The rest of the menu contains traditional favourites with some exciting novelties like roast beet salad with mixed greens, goat cheese, walntus in a sherry vinaigrette, or mussels in a saffron and dijon broth.
I can't wait to go back to try the dinner menu!
January 03, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Dawson Creek, Museums
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Dawson Creek is Mile "0" of the Alaska Highway, constructed in 1942 to move men and materiel into position to defend the Alaska coastline -- if required-- during World War 2.
A new attraction, the Alaska Highway House, opened this summer with a new approach to telling the story of this amazing feat -- building 2400 km of road in 8 months and 12 days.
The attraction focusses on the people who built the road -- US troops transplanted into the BC wilderness with whatever equipment, vehicles and supplies could be mustered on short notice. The story of these troops and what they endured is fascinating. Everything from freezing cold to extreme heat, black flies, sickness and limited supplies.
In conjunction with the Royal BC Museum, research was done to find and interview troop members to get their personal perspective of the adventure. This living history is incorporated into the exhibits with quotes and audio.
In addition, you can make a video postcard to send to friends or leave behind at the attraction for others to view.
Alaska Highway House is a tremendous accomplishment and a fascinating place to visit. Complete your visit with the well-laid-out walking tour of the downtown and its amazing murals.
January 03, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Mackenzie, Fishing
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Williston Lake is a doozy as lakes go. Created when the W.A.C. Bennett dam harnessed the ornery Peace River, Williston Lake is arguably the largest man-made lake in the world.
And talk about fish! I come from a long line of anglers and have fished in northern areas where the fish practically jumped into the boat when you whistled.
But I have never seen the likes of the lake trout we pulled out of Williston Lake.
To call it "fishing" is an exaggeration. We basically threw our lines in the water. Nothing more. In no time flat, we had fish on the line. And not scrawny, hungry little wannabe's looking for some adventure! We're talking 15 pound lake trout!
Now to be fair, we did have some expert help! My companions and I were in the very capable hands of the Rocky Mountain Trench Adventures folks who clealy knew where the best fishing holes were.
And when we got tired of pulling fish out of the water (and then returning them...this is catch and release), we took a spin up the lake to look at some of the amazing waterfalls in the area in our super-fun slippy-slidey jet boat.
A tasty tailgate barbeque rounded out the day perfectly. A great day all round for fishers and non-fishers alike!