January 19, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Cross-Country Skiing
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I put my cross-country skis on for the first time this year on a beautiful, sunny Sunday. We went up to Radar Lake to the
Bear Mountain Nordic Ski Trails.
Being a confirmed beginner skier, I have yet to move beyond the beginner trails, but my more accomplished friends tell me that the intermediate and advanced trails are superb.
There are over 20 kilometers (12 miles) of trails and they are kept well groomed by the Nordic Ski Club.
Cross-country skiing is such an awesome cardio workout and lots of fun!
I enjoy the smell of the trees and the sound of the skis and the many wildlife sightings. It's common to see deer, moose, squirrels and an abundance of birds.
It's also great to stop for hot chocolate and lunch at one of the warming huts. The hut on the beginner trail is called the Grizzly Den, where we build a fire and warm up. I haven't been to the other warming huts because they are on more advanced trails.
There are trail maps posted along the trail, but it's recommended to have a paper one for the many intermediate and advanced trails.
January 14, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Merritt, Outdoor Activity Tours
Lakeside motorcycle ride.
Nicola Lake is located alongside Highway 5A between Merritt and Kamloops. This stretch of highway is loaded with lakes, windy roads, and incredible scenery with a number of roadside points of interest, and rest areas. While shooting this video we were fortunate to capture footage of an Osprey feeding her young in their nest.
January 11, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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December 30 was a cold winter day in Dawson Creek, the temperatures plunged to -32 celcius.
Our holiday company had been up for a week and we were all feeling a bit house bound. Our 2 nephews were getting bored and we needed something different to do.
The 3rd annual Christmas Extravaganza was being held at the Lakota Equestrian Center in the new Multiplex.
We have gone every year so far, so decided to brave the cold and check it out. The place was packed! People had come out in droves to watch all the different horse clubs that use the facility put on a demonstration.
The show started with a Grand Entry of Flags, then came the jumping horses, dressage horses, a rodeo drill team, barrel racing, western pleasure horses, team roping, reining, and cow penning.
There was a young woman riding without a bridle, and a young man who had taught his miniature donkey to jump over rails. but the best were the little kids just learning to ride and those on ponies tying goats and riding around obstacles while trying to stay on. What fun!
There are a lot of thriving horse clubs in Dawson Creek and the equestrian center is in constant use. There are 110 indoor stalls and each one is rented all year round.
We will definitely go again next year. If you are visiting over the holidays, I really recommend you check it out. It's free and open to the public. Even if you miss the showcase, a trip to the Lakota Center is a great way to spend an hour or so.
January 09, 2011 | Field Reports >
Clearwater, Hiking
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Explore Wells Gray and Clearwater BC in the Thompson Okanagan Region
with BC Field Reporter Chris Wheeler. Wells Gray is about pure
wilderness and open spaces! It's the quintessential Canadian
experience! North America's largest canoe only lake, Canada's most
beautiful waterfalls, classic whitewater rafting, endless hiking and
much more.
http://www.wellsgray.ca
January 05, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Attractions
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One of the prettiest sights in the Peace River Country is hoarfrost in the winter.
It happens when it's really cold and still overnight and there is a lot of moisture in the air. A thick layer of crystals forms on all the trees and when the sun hits the frost, the whole landscape sparkles like diamonds.
Any air movement causes the frost to drift off the trees, and it looks and feels like light snow is falling, even if the skies are clear and blue.
A hoarfrost morning is the perfect time for a walk, stand under a tree and shake it or a drive down a country road lined with trees and bushes.
The thing about this special frost is as mysteriously as it appears; it just as quietly disappears so make sure you take time to enjoy it.
January 04, 2011 | Tips from Us >
Galiano Island, Art Galleries & Artists
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On a recent trip to Galiano Island, I stopped by the Galiano Inn & Spa to check out the Kunamokst Mural Mosaic on display in their lobby.
It's impressive! The mural combines the work of nearly 200 artists (including some big-time names, such as Robert Bateman and Roy Vickers), and spans the width of the lobby. Up close, each panel is an individual work of art, but take a few steps back and it melds into a large Orca mural.
I had convinced a couple of friends that it was worth checking it out, and they both ended up being quite impressed by the detail and illusion created by the artwork.
This mural is a must-see for Galiano visitors... and the Sturdies Bay bakery is just down the street for a post-mural snack.
January 04, 2011 | Tips from Us >
Galiano Island, Art Galleries & Artists
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While browsing HelloBC.com for ideas of what to see on Galiano Island during our weekend cabin getaway, I found out about Stoneworld, and knew we had to visit. As an added bonus, the cabin we’d rented at was right next door (ie. a five minute walk) to Stoneworld – fantastic!
From our cabin, we strolled along the dirt road to Stoneworld’s entrance… only to find a “closed” sign on the gate. However, there was a phone number on the fence post, so we called and were pleasantly informed we could open the gate and wander about Stoneworld.
So what is Stoneworld? It’s a wonderfully quirky outdoor art display. Massive stones (they must weigh tons) stand on end, some randomly placed, some in a huge circle, some painted and some carved. We spent about an hour walking through the fields, while the resident sheep warily gazed at us in between bites of grass.
We followed wide paths that swooped upwards to the peak of Stoneworld, which held a solitary vertical rock (how do they get them to stand on end?) and well-placed benches to take in the view of the fields, stones, water and surrounding Gulf Islands.
It looked like there was a gift shop (near the owner’s house) with some rock carvings and artwork on-site, but unfortunately it wasn’t open during our visit. If you’re looking for a fun, non-gallery approach to artwork, I’d recommend popping by Stoneworld on northern Galiano Island near Bodega Ridge.
January 04, 2011 | Tips from Us >
Galiano Island, Hiking
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On New Year’s Day, five of us packed up sandwiches and headed to the Mount Galiano trailhead on the south end of Galiano Island.
The trail was mainly gentle switchbacks with lots of ferns and mossy trees lining the route. We were a little surprised that we didn’t see more hikers on our trip, but we did end up seeing two locals walking their horse down from the viewpoint – a unique trail companion!
A little under an hour from the trailhead, we reached the top (we missed a turn in one spot, but it all worked out). Once at the peak, we were treated to an amazing view: blue sky and sparkling water stretched between dark green forested islands – there were even snowy peaks in the distance. Soft, thick moss made the ultimate seat for our picnic lunch.
We spent almost an hour relaxing and watching Gulf Island life from the peak – bald eagles soaring below, and a BC Ferry navigating through the tight channels – before packing up our bags and trekking back down to our car. The view from the top of Mount Galiano (along with the good company) made this my most memorable New Year’s Day to date.