July 09, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Campbell River, Beaches & Swimming
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Bring the kids and stay for the day... or the week. If you find yourself in the Campbell River area looking for a good camping spot this one is perfect for the whole crew. Located 25 mins south of Campbell River on Hwy 19a, Miracle Beach is easy to find and has everything you'll need for a camping stay(no power) or even just the perfect day at the beach. The park is forested and on the beach, sandcastle building, sunning, swimming, exploring tide pools, are just a few of the great options at this beautiful park. We found this great little nature hut which had a guided tour was and was great for the kids. We finished our day with a sunset walk along the beach trail and would recommend this spot to any family wanting a getaway from the world.
July 09, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Tumbler Ridge, Camping
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Just off the wide curves and rollercoaster dips of Highway 29, north of Tumbler Ridge rests peaceful Gwillim Lake. Set amongst the treed foothills of the Rocky Mountains and the ploughed landscapes of the Peace River Country, Gwillim offers family and friends alike a list of amenities including kid’s playground, day-use area, boat launch, fishing, great swimming and snorkeling, hiking and a scenic lookout with excellent mountain views. Other activities like horseback riding and winter recreation often takes place on nearby Elephant Ridge.
The lake lies just north of the continental divide, making it part of the Arctic drainage basin, with populations of grayling, whitefish, trout and burbot swimming beneath the blue waters. Gwillim Lake is great for even a short weekend stay, the campground is open from May 1st- September 28th and campsites are available at a first-come first-served basis. Although the sites are gravel and well-drained, there are grass sections easier for both pegging and sleeping on most sites. Bring your fishing rod, bathing suit and towel and look forward to a relaxing change from the busier campgrounds in the area as there are only 49 sites to choose from!
July 09, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Penticton, Theatre & Performing Arts
Last night I had the pleasure to attend the VIP opening night of the 5th season of SS Sicamous Follies (Five). It was spectacular! The talent they have brought in for this musical montage is truly impressive. They performed non-stop for more than two hours to a packed house. As if the talent wasn't enough, the venue, on the historic SS Sicamous paddlewheeler steam ship, added an abundance of flair to the show.
The show consisted of brief excerpts from classic musicals from the early 20th century right up to some of today's most famous songs. The range of the cast was tested thoroughly and they came through with flying colours. A bonus was the intermittent sketches performed by Glen Cairnes, manager of the SS Sicamous, who displayed a comic talent I didn't know he possessed.
Very impressive show and an absolute must-see!
For more details go to:
http://www.tourismpenticton.com/events/
July 09, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Burns Lake, Museums
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The Lakes District Museum is located on the Yellowhead Highway right beside the Burns Lake Visitor Information Centre; often people get the buildings confused. The Museum is also the "Old Foresrty Home", which was built in 1919, and is part of the in-town Heritage Walking Tour. As you are walking the grounds outside the Museum, you will come to an old building known as the "Bucket of Blood". This old building was originally owned by Barney Mulvaney who was a packer, trapper, and an adventurer who later became a Magistrate. Originally this building was a gambling den and then later served as a home to a number of families in the past. If you go on into the Museum you can learn about why the building is now known as the "Bucket of Blood" and other interesting facts about Burns Lake from the 1940's era and prior. If you are looking for something to fill an afternoon or more, visit the Burns Lake Museum.
July 09, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Hiking
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My name is Brenna, and I am a rather lazy hiker. BUT since my hiking experience three hours south of Dawson Creek near the Belcourt River I am starting to change my mind. My family’s plan was just to reach the summit for the afternoon but when we saw the view from the top of the mountain we just had to go further! We were hiking in Northern B.C. so my expectations were high for the view, however, I was still shocked at the beauty! It took two hours to climb from the valley floor up to the top. Then ‘we’ decided to drop down through a saddle and climb up to an even higher peak. This idea took us another hour, now we were a total of 4,5000ft in elevation. I figured that the view from the first peak was beautiful enough, but tagged along anyway – they say hiking is good exercise! Well calorie counting was the last thing on my mind when we reached the summit of the second peak – the view was perfect. I could see snow on the distant mountains and water running in the stream below. Unfortunately there was a rather large storm looming in the distance, so any further plans of going on were squashed. From the top of this peak we spotted across the valley a small herd of caribou. They were moving along the wide grassy slope, grazing as they went. On our way back down the mountain we came upon a very young kid goat. The mother must have tried to hide it when she heard us coming along, as it was too small to keep up with her as she fled the scene. It was so quiet and small. We didn’t dare touch it because then the mother might not want it back with a human scent on it. So we carried on down the trail while the baby went back into hiding. When we were nearing the bottom my foot got caught in some buck-brush and I did a flying nose dive into the moss, it was world class, I assure you. I am glad that nobody had the camera ready! When we got back into the vehicle we were all tired but felt extremely satisfied with what we had seen. I was also very happy with the distance that we had travelled over the rugged terrain.
July 09, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Attractions
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Marked as the geographical center of British Columbia, Hixon is home to the aptly named Hixon Falls. The falls are tucked in behind the tiny town just a short 4km jaunt off Highway 97 . Don't be discouraged by the lack of signage leading you to the right place, just follow Hixon Creek Rd. (east) down a dirt, and at times, winding road until you reach a parking area. From there, follow a narrow path by foot until you hear the resounding echo of falling water. It is not unusual to enjoy the natural beauty of the cascading falls in solitude, for we did not encounter any other visitors along the way. Pack a lunch and sit by the waters edge, even just wander along the shoreline of the fallen water, or simply revel in slendour of the little falls that could.
Jen
July 08, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Campbell River, Attractions
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How can you not want to stop in for a look when it's only a 15 min walk to see a great view like this at Elk Falls Park near Campbell River. When you get out of your car in the upper parking lot you can feel the energy from this 25 meter water fall. Dont be fooled in to thinking that you have seen it all once you make it to the falls there is much to see. The trail system in the park is well marked and is set up so you can do as much or as little as you like but the full hike should take around 3 1/2 hours. The shorter route i took was only around an hour. The route i followed passes the main falls before a nice walk along the river as you walk up to a smaller falls and a great area for a lunch.
July 08, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Spas & Wellness
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I had the chance to spend a couple days at the Hill’s Health Ranch at 108 Mile House enjoying the variety of services (fitness classes, yummy cuisine, pool/hot tub, spa treatments etc) they provide.
The most relaxing experience was pre-soaking in the hot tub for half an hour then getting a Heated River Stone Massage. I felt absolute euphoria and months of built up stress melt away. The essential oils and heated stones enabled my muscles to relax on a deeper level compared to a conventional massage and sent me into a state of bliss. I’ve never felt so calm and grounded after a massage.
July 08, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Quesnel, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
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After a 20 minute car ride off the beaten track from the heart of Quesnal we arrived at Pine Meadows Guest Ranch.
Here we were greeted with our host Wiley a hospitable, good humored lady she spend the rest of the afternoon showing us around and getting us acquainted with the variety of animals (llamas, cows, horses, sheep, pigs, chickens) she raises on her vast acreage.
The next day we awoke after a good nights’ sleep to the sounds of roosters crowing and the smell of a hearty breakfast sizzling on the grill. Wiley served up a 100 mile breakfast consisting of a variety of exotic, high quality meats from llama, lamb, pork, the finest green egg omelet in town and the most delicious locally crafted amaretto, Grand Maurier honey to grace our toast.
July 08, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Burns Lake, Sightseeing Tours
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After driving for hours one needs to get out and stretch their legs a little bit, I know, I was also the one who posted the information about loving driving around. I found that Burns Lake has just the trails for needing to have a stretch break. With a quick stop into the Burns Lake Visitor Information Centre/Chamber of Commerce one can get the brochure, or just verbal information, about the Eveneshen and Rod Reid Nature Trails. A traveler could walk these trails seperately or together, however long a walk they need.
The Eveneshen Trail is 1.3km and is mostly an uphill stretch that goes along a mini creek. The Rod Reid on the other hand is a 2.1km flat walk that borders the Loch Lomond pond that is also known as Beaver pond for it once housed a large beaver den that is still visible. Taken together the trails offer a nice unity of uphill exercise and then a flat retreat and then a down hill walk back. Seperately they offer quick exercises. The Rod Reid Trail also has informative signs about local wildlife and plantlife as well as viewing platforms and several benches for those needing a brief rest.