January 03, 2008 | Tips from Us >
100 Mile House, Farms & Markets
There is something about buffalo that is absolutely mesmerizing. Their massive heads, shaggy coats or maybe the way the earth shakes when they run en masse across a meadow. Whatever it is, they are fascinating creatures and the tour at XH Buffalo Ranch lets you get as up close and personal with the buffalo as you would ever want to get!
Located at Green Lake, 20km east of 70 Mile House, XH Buffalo Ranch is a labour of love for the Karlen family who operate the ranch, tours and retail operation.
Hans Karlen takes visitors to the centre of buffalo action on a large open wagon pulled by a tractor, driving close to the herds and stopping in the middle of grazing buffalo. From this vantage point, Hans provides a wealth of information about the buffalo, most of which he can call by name!
It's hard to understand the sheer size of these animals unless you can get this close! And there is no sensation quite like the thunderous rumble and shaking sensation when a group of adults take off for a far corner of the meadow!
The tour lasts about an hour and is suitable for all ages. Call ahead for reservations as the tours book up quickly.
And stop by their retail outlet for some of their amazing farm gate buffalo. The buffalo jerky is to die for as are the sausages and ground buffalo. Heck, if you want, you can order a whole side of buffalo!
January 03, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Mackenzie, Bird Watching
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How often do you get the opportunity to see scientists checking the fat content of tiny songbirds no bigger than a tennis ball?
This was the experience I had visiting the Mackenzie Nature Observatory.
The Observatory engages in the Mackenzie Migration Monitoring Project in cooperation with the Canadian Wildlife Service.
A system of fine nets are strung through Mugaha Marsh ( about 15 km from Mackenzie) which harmlessly catch migrating birds and hold them until volunteers can bag them and transport them to the banding station in soft, cuddly fabric bags.
At the banding station, the birds are identified, weighed, measured, checked for fat content (identifies where they are in their migratory cycle) and general health. After their "check-up", the birds are released back into the marsh area.
The station is staffed by a combination of paid staff and volunteers who staff the observatory from mid-July to mid-September. Results are sent to Bird Studies Canada for inclusion in national data.
Volunteers check the nets every half hour from 6am until noon daily. To reach the nets further away from the banding station, volunteers jump on the resident bicycles and return to the station with the cheerful bird bags bobbing from their handlebars.
Once inside the banding station, the bags are hung on pegs to keep the squirming birds safe until they can be examined.
One by one, the bags are opened and a tiny feathered jewel is removed. While they seem a little bewildered, the birds are handled with such care and gentleness that they don't seem upset.
A tiny band with a unique code is tamped around the bird's leg and recorded for future reference.
Volunteers are needed to staff the station, but visitors can also drop in to see how the station works. There is an observation platform near the banding station as well.
January 03, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Hudson's Hope, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
Tucked into the hillside 15 minutes from the picturesque town of Hudson's Hope is the Williston Lake Resort.
Named after the massive man-made lake created when the Peace River was dammed with the W.A.C. Bennett Dam , the Williston Lake Resort is a stunning log cabin style lodge with incredible views.
Hand-hewn pine logs were used to construct the building, with interesting branches and features left intact. The picnic table on the immense deck has been sculpted from one enormous log that juts from the wall of the building to form an enormous table and benches!
The lodge houses a range of accommodation, a bar and restaurant. As well, there are tons of activities that can be arranged with the help of the lodge staff.
The surrounding woodlands are full of trails perfect for horseback riding, ATV'ing and -- in the wintertime -- cross country skiing.
Our horseback tour guide, Heidi, was amazing. She helped us choose the right kind of horse for our riding level, saddled our horses and even provided a much-needed boost to get us up into our saddles!
Our horses were great -- perfectly suited to our personalities and comfort with riding. It didn't take long to sort out the pecking order -- who HAD to go first, who was a slow poke, who needed a firm hand. Heidi was a great teacher, encouraging us when we needed it and helping out when the horses decided they were in charge.
Our ride took us through serene wooded landscapes heavy with the scent of late fall. As my trusty steed swayed through the hot afternoon, I closed my eyes and pretended that it was still summer. But when I opened them, the bright mosaic of gold, green and red reminded me that summer was on the run and winter was just around the corner!
My companions and I were mightily surprised when Heidi started clear across a knee-deep stream tumbling swiftly down the valley. Fortunately, the horses weren't surprised and followed obediently across the ford (with the exception of one who needed to be reminded who the boss was!).
We stopped for lunch at a pictureque bluff overlooking a sparkling creek wandering through the valley. I was surprised at how good it felt to get off and stretch but not at how hungry I was! Riding is hard work! After a short doze in the sunshine, we were back in the saddle again, heading back to the Williston Lake Resort.
I'm not a regular rider but I have to say that this was one of the most pleasant afternoons I have spent in a long while.
January 03, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Hudson's Hope, Attractions
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Near the town of Hudson's Hope, the W.A.C. Bennett Dam is one of the largest hydro-electric dams in the world. Incredibly, it's constructed from earth!
Known as an "earth-fill" dam, this type of dam is composed of an embankment of highly compacted earth.
This embankment is HUGE! It's more than 180 metres high and 2 kilmetres wide, harnessing the turbulent waters of the Peace River.
The creation of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam resulted in one of the world's largest man-made lakes, Williston Lake.
Touring the dam is an amazing adventure! Visitors are bussed underground to the massive generating station located 150 metres below ground. Tour guides provide historical, scientific and technical tidbits to help visitors understand the inner workings of this fascinating structure.
Take a few minutes after the tour to drive the 2km ridge of the dam and REALLY understand just how big it is!
January 03, 2008 | Tips from Us >
New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
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In March of this year I had the pleasure of travelling east from Prince Rupert to Smithers. We made a too-brief stop at the 'Ksan Historical Village in Hazelton and, while much of the site was closed for the season, we were able to have a good look around at the amazing houses and totem poles, as well as the Museum. To have a more thorough look around would be well worth a trip back up North!
The 'Ksan Historical Village and Museum stands where the village of Gitanmaax has existed for centuries. There has a museum of sorts on the site for decades but the current one has over 600 items from the area including bent boxes, button blankets, jewellery, hunting utensils. Outside, a row of 7 Gitxsan houses line up for a great photo op, and if you are a totem pole fan, there is lots to see and capture on film.