July 08, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Burns Lake, Outdoor Activity Tours
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Burns Lake is the northern gateway to the untamed wilderness of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, accessible by floatplane fron Burns Lake, jet-boat from Ootsa landing, or by foot or horseback via the Alexander Mackenzie Trail. Most of the huge, unpopulated norther half of the Tweedsmuir is encircled by the lakes that comprise the Nechako Reservior. Wilderness guides are available for horseback, canoe and backpack trips through the region. I traveled to the Tweedmuir park by boat with the Rotary Trek. It was such an amazing trip and I would love to do it again. We climbed uo Chikamen Mountain and swam in Surel falls. It is an excperience that can only happen there and it is so wonderful! Every part of the park is amazing and definately worth the trip!
July 08, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Houston, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
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BIG BIG BEAR!!!
Weighing 975 pounds and eleven feet in height, ranchers in the Hungary hill area had complained for many years about the live stock going missing. Everyone knew the culprit was a grizzly bear though how large the bear was, was a huge shock to locals and officers.
The Grizzly bear is on a display at the Houston BC local visitor information center just on highway 16. With a salmon in his mouth (we all know what the bear likes to eat). The bear had been shot by Control officers who work for the BC cattleman's association, about 17km west of Houston on Hungary hill. The bear age is to be beileved somewhere between 18-22 and the father of a similar bear on display at the Smithers airport.
To gain a full apprecaiation for the size and how powerful the bear looks, stop in Houston BC at the Visitor Information centre and have a close-up of the bear.
July 08, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
The wet weather didn’t dampen the spirits of anyone in Pouce Coupe last week for their annual Canada Day celebration.
Hundreds of people streamed from the village’s Canada Day parade (complete with classic cars, dressed-up pooches and resplendently-dressed horses) to Pouce Park for games, musical entertainment, and the biggest BBQ in the Peace region.
There was plenty to do and see; including a train taking children on rides around the park, a large inflatable jungle gym, vendors selling jewelry and giving away flags, stickers and washable tattoos, and a face-painting booth. Music featured local artists and a variety of songs, and when the weather did take a turn for the worst, some chose to brave it and huddle under tents while some opted for cover in their vehicles. The rain finally passed, the sun prevailed, and so did the fun!
July 08, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Anahim Lake, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
The Itcha Ilgachuz mountains are absolutely spectacular! Especially when you travel on horseback. I went on a Pack Trip last weekend based out of Escott Bay Resort on Anahim Lake. We took three riding horses and four pack horses up to camp which we got set up for the summer. The trail really was good, I've seen it a lot worse this time of year. Except for a couple of the swamps and creeks we had to cross it was very nice and dry.
It took a good part of the day to get up to the camp and once everything was set up we cooked some chili over the campfire.
The next day we got a chance to go for a beautiful ride up high into the alpine. It was the most gorgeous day and besides getting to see the most incredible scenery we were lucky enough to come across a large herd of caribou! It was absolutely beautiful. We watched them for quite a while, not trying to disturb them, but it was them coming closer to us. They really are very curious animals and didn't mind us there at all.
What is so special about the Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial Park is that there is no road access at all, except for hiking/ horse trails. So you're definitely off the beaten paths, just like a lot of places in the West Chilcotin backcountry.
It was a great trip, hopefully will get a chance to get up into those mountains again this summer!
July 07, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Golf
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Tin Cup Greens Golf Course in the Cariboo is located just 13 km from 70 Mile House towards Green Lake on Bonaparte Rd.
Tin Cup Greens is a par 3-9 hole family owned course in beautiful ranch country. The setting is rustic but the course is well cared for. You can camp or stay in a cabin right on the fairway! Golf for as low as $15.
July 07, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Williams Lake, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
Stampede time in Williams Lake, absolutely spectacular!
The 83rd Williams Lake Stampede was held last weekend and the whole town was celebrating the rodeo. Besides some great rodeo fun with lots and lots of action I had to attend one of the pancake breakfasts which is an absolute must! What I really enjoy is that almost every store and business in town is decorating with the stampede theme, besides seeing cowboy hats where ever you look! Had a great time and will for sure watch it again next year, although I won't even have to wait quite as long as Williams Lake is hosting the Canadian High School Rodeo Finals this August.
July 07, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Gardens
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Fort St John is a city of many parks; we have everything from open fields, to children’s playgrounds to lush gardens. My personal favourite are the gardens.
Just beside the local Visitor Centre (near the North Peace Leisure Pool) there is a lovely raised square garden. Cut into quarters by paths and playing host to eight separate benches (each in its own nook of foliage), this garden is one of my favourite places to eat lunch and take refuge from the busy environment that I work in. I usually sit on the bench underneath a white lilac bush and often am accompanied by various other locals each having staked out his or her own favourite bench in the sun or shade.
The garden is in bloom all summer and is carefully maintained meaning that no matter when you are in Fort St John, so long as the ground is snow free (late April-early October), there will be charming growing things to keep you company as you find solace in the Centennial Park Garden.
July 07, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Chetwynd, Festivals & Events
I had the priviledge of attending many events in Chetwynd, Northern BC, during the month of June. They sure had a busy month! The main event, and a very impressive one I must say, was their International Chainsaw Carving Championship that was held on June 11-14. They had carvers from all over - even as far away as Japan and Wales! It was very interesting to watch these talented gentlemen take a log and in only four days turn it into an amazing work of art. They awarded first, second, third, and fourth place prizes but also allowed the public to vote on their favourite one. They call it the 'People's Choice Award' and it sure wasn't easy picking one favourite! On Sunday the 14th, they then gave their carvers a smaller piece of wood and asked them to create a smaller carving in only one hour. These were then auctioned off to the public so we had an opportunity to take a fabulous carving home with us.
The local Visitor Centre also had some great events to help celebrate "Be a Tourist in Your Own Town" month. They started off by giving their local seniors a bus tour of all the local chainsaw carvings in town. Then they had an event called "Kids Fishing Fun" that gave the kids in town a chance to play some fishing games and learn about the best places to fish in the Chetwynd area. They then had a guided tour of one of their hiking trails and topped off the month with a yummy community BBQ!
Hats off to the community of Chetwynd!!
July 06, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Farms & Markets
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This past weekend was a hot one in Prince George, and I was lucky enough to spend it with my dogs, Oliver and Annie, sun-tanning and enjoying the Forests for the World trails, a mere stone’s throw from my family’s house. The dogs love it because there’s a lake there (recently stocked with fish for those who enjoy the pastime).
On Saturday however, it was time to do something different! The first thing to think about in the morning of course is dinner for later that night, so I got the idea to check out the Farmer’s Market downtown near George Street and see what was up. I was delighted to find organic produce, and the locally grown vegetables are a vegetarian’s dream come true. Although we have a wonderful garden in the front yard which will be bearing its veritable delicacies sooner rather than later, that didn’t stop me from gathering vegetables, honey and of course bread (one can’t expect to peruse the goodies and not invest in some dill cheese loaf). Later, at my aunt’s house, we settled in and began our feast. The fresh carrots, soft white bread, sweet tomatoes and homemade pie was everything that defines summer eating. Farmer’s Markets are one of the great ways to get out and “window shop” locally.
July 05, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Art Galleries & Artists
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One of the unknown facts about Fort St. John is that it has a thriving arts community. There are many events and artist hotspots where numerous talented local artists are anxious to display their creations.
Potter Shannon Butler is one such brilliant artist who opened up her own studio called Kilnhouse Studio and has a variety of pieces for sale. I heard about Shannon Butler from many sources, she has had a few articles written in our local paper, several of my friends know her and have bought work from her, and my brother bought a beautiful mug from her and won’t let anyone use it!
I stopped into her studio a few weeks ago and had a look around at her wares. I was very impressed with her pieces and the great skill she showed. I was especially fond of her necklaces. They are very unique because they have original art attached to a beautiful silk ribbon. I had to buy one. I selected a necklace with a moose on it (since I collect moose things). The necklace is so comfortable! Normally I don’t wear necklaces because they irritate me, but Shannon Butler’s creation is great because the silk ribbon just feels so nice. I loved my moose necklace so much I went back and bought another necklace with some flowers on it. Whenever I wear one of my necklaces I get plenty of compliments and people inquire how to get one. “Kilnhouse Studio” I tell them!