July 20, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Outdoor Activity Tours
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King Pacific Lodge in the Great Bear Rainforest would be a great place to go, kick back and relax - IF there wasn't so much cool stuff to do!!!
I'm not usually one of those people with FOMO - you know, "Fear Of Missing Out"! On vacation, I can usually kick back with a book and be perfectly happy for at least a day or two, but not at KPL... there are too many things worth doing (and once you're there, it's all-inclusive!) So, when our plane belly-landed in Barnard Harbour, I arrived at a floating adventure playland, and had to make some tough decisions:
Why spend time with a book when I can go kayaking at low tide, and see seastars, anenomes, sun stars and eagles?
Why take a long bath when there's a Rainforest hike, or cultural tour to Hartley Bay First Nation to go on?
Why spend time on the internet when there are humpback whales bubblenet feeding nearby, just waiting to have their picture snapped?
Why sleep late when I can go visit Cetacealab, an independent whale research station?
Why diet on vacation? There are no mere meals at King Pacific Lodge, there are amazing gastronomic experiences! Pacific Northwest cuisine, paired with BC wines, healthy BC-sourced fresh food, lovingly prepared by lodge's chefs. Executive Chef Maxim Ridorossi's creations are sublime. (Did I mention there are only 28 guests at a time - with a staff of 24 - 30 to take care of them?)
So, the answer to all of the questions was - PARTAKE and ENJOY. It's a once in a lifetime experience, and has to be experienced fully to be truly appreciated!
July 20, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Sightseeing Tours
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The Prince George Railway & Forestry Museum is one of my favourite (kid-friendly) activities in Prince George. Driving by, it may not look like there's much there, but once you're inside the fence, and climbing aboard locamotives - you'll be surprized.
One of the great things is that it's HANDS ON - you can climb aboard all the engines, cars and cabooses with orange steps. Once inside, you won't find ropes holding you back from touching things! You can climb up into the back seats of a caboose, relax in the "Nechako" coach - used as a VIP reception centre at Expo '86, or, on some days, help operate a 1913 steam crane.
The miniature Cottonwood Railway is a hit with the kids. (Okay, I like it, too). The railway runs around the perimeter of the property, through a tunnel, an old beehive burner (picture a large, inverted badminton shuttlecock) and over a small bridge. It's an extra $2.00 for a train ride, and worth it.
It's not all for kids, either! There's many an adult visitor who dreams of riding the rails. And considering that you can sit in the conductor's seat and operate the controls, it's about as close as most of us will get!
For those with the "other kind" of kids, the museum is dog-friendly, too!
July 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. James, Historic & Heritage Sites
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You might think that taking an energetic three year old to a National Historic Site would be a disaster, but not if it's Fort St. James National Historic Site!
On a sunny Sunday, the hubby and I packed up 3 year old Jacob, and headed out. After the scenic hour and a half drive (from Prince George), we found ourselves in 1896! Following the simple self-guided tour, we happily discovered that it is a HANDS-ON attraction, staffed by interested and interesting costumed interpreters.
In the Warehouse and Fur Storage building, we were able to touch the furs, barrels and supplies, smell the wood of the building, and sense the bustling activity of the past.
In the Men's House, we couldn't resist the photo op, sitting in the precursor to the La-Z-Boy, wearing a felt hat and holding a bottle of Irish Whiskey. (So what if he's three?)
The Trade Store and Office was a hit with Jacob, where he got to trade his fur (after haggling with the staff) for a "gold" chocolate coin.
We got to feed the chickens and the cat at the Officer's House, swung on the swing, and played pioneer games out on the lawn with another one of the staff.
Lastly, we built the walls of a house with the ingenious "Piece on Piece" playhouse. A cool drink in the shady house rounded out our afternoon.
We ended up spending over three hours on the site, and Jacob was happy every minute of it! For us grownups, the setting was simply beautiful, the history was interesting, and we'd definitely go again!