July 08, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Whale Watching
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Take a walk around Victoria, you never know what you'll see...
Whale watching and wildlife tours departing from Victoria's Inner Harbour can be great fun, but here's a cool tip: head out on the trails and paths around Victoria and you might be surprised by what you find!
The Coast Trail in East Sooke Regional Park is an absolute beauty of a hike - a true "west coast" experience. Well, on a recent hike there, the west coast experience just got a little wilder!
Right below the trail, a killer whale (Orca) had herded a seal into a tiny cove. The seal had thrown itself onto the rocky shoreline, and the killer whale was trying its best to dislodge it - and almost beaching itself in the process. The whale would reach its tail onto the rocks and try to "flip" the seal into the water. Of course, it couldn't see exactly where the seal was, so this cat-and-mouse (or whale-and-seal) game went on for about half and hour...
In the end, the whale gave up and and the seal lived to swim another day. It was a crazy, unbelievable thing to watch - nature at its awe-inspiring, glorious best.
So when you're in Victoria or Sooke, take a walk or go for a hike; head off the beaten path and you never know what you might see!
July 07, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Outdoor Activity Tours
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What is a Thunder Run? It is a roar of 200-300 motorcycles. It is a blinding sunlight bouncing of the shiny metal. It is a smell of heated leather. It is a cool wind in your face. It is a freshness of the morning air. It is a love for speed and freedom. It is a unity of people, who choose motorcycle seat over comfort of their couch. It is endless fun and loud laughter. It is an adventure in your blood, no matter what your age is. It is for the great cost. It makes you feel young, it makes you feel proud, and it makes you feel a part of something extraordinary. I will do it again next year, and as many years as I will be able to. It became a family tradition, and it brings joy and excitement into our life.
Fort St. John Annual Thunder Run is a great way to experience incredible Alaska Highway and Peace Country scenery on the way to Mile 0 in Dawson Creek and back, meet old and new friends, participate in the different events such as Poker Run, Show’N Shine, Bike Rodeo, camp under the stars around the fire, and listen to amazing stories.
But even if you missed this event, jump on your motorcycle, and cruse along countless beautiful roads surrounding Fort St. John for the breathtaking experience.
And if you do not own a bike, any car will do it too! Have a safe drive!
July 07, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Last year I was very fortunate to participate in a tour of the Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Park volcano cone tour. This was a very interesting and worth while tour to take part in with very knowledgable guides who are familiar with the surrounding area of the Nass Valley.
You will hike through well maintained trails and see lots of beautiful sites. The guides will show you many things along the way that was beneficial to the history of the Nisga'a people and when you get to the cone viewpoint you will hear the story of the historical eruption that took place a couple hundred years ago!
July 07, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Professional & Spectator Sports
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I admit to being a horse enthusiast. When I heard that we were having another Wild and Lawless Horse Show at the Lakota Equestrian Center, I was thrilled!
I couldn't believe how much the show had grown in one year. There were over 120 riders of all ages and all disciplines.
Horses were everywhere! In stalls, aisles, pens, in the huge bathing room and in the arena. The atmosphere was pure energy, the sound was a symphony of whinnies and laughter and the smell was pure horse.
I got a chance to visit with old friends and new friends from as far away as 100 Mile House and White Court. I even met some tourists up from Omaha, Nebraska, who although they were here for their grandson's graduation, couldn't resist sneaking out for a few hours to watch the show! Horses bring people together!
Several disciplines were represented: English Equitation, Pleasure & Jumping, Western Equitation, Trail, Pleasure, Barrel Racing and Pole Bending.
The equestrian center is a great venue for a show of this size, and more than capable of handling even more growth. What a top-notch center! I couldn't count how many times I heard out of town competitors praise the riding center and the organization.
Sometimes a person just knows that an event has taken root and will just get better and better year after year... well, that's the feeling with the Wild and Lawless! I'm putting it on my calendar for next year! And I know I won't be the only one!
July 06, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Hudson's Hope, Sightseeing Tours
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The first time I went to Hudson’s Hope to quad I had a blast! There is a wide variety of things to do on a quad. There are also lots of trails to ride. Everything I wanted to do on the quad I could. I have gone to Hudson’s Hope more than once to quad or dirt bike. I like to go in the spring for the mud, and if I get tired of that I can ride some trails and if that gets tiring I can go up to the moraine. This is a big sand dune with lots of hills. Lots of fun to do hill climbs and stunts.
Sometimes the family and I will go to Hudson’s Hope for the day and just do a day ride, we never run out of things to do. In the spring and early summer is a real treat. Along the shore of Williston lake there is a beach that stretches down the shore line for as long as you can see.
One of my favorite times to go to the beach which is called Geddes bay is during May long weekend. During this weekend I bring my dirt bike to Hudson’s Hope. Usually there is a drag stretch which everyone races on. The beach is really close to the moraine too. So last year we raced on the beach for a good chunk of the day then a bunch of us rode the bikes and quads over to the moraine to hit jumps and do some hill climb races.
When it comes to riding in Hudson’s Hope, there’s pretty much everything except for a race track. Out of all the places I have ever went riding Hudson’s Hope has to be one of my favorites.
July 06, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Chetwynd, Attractions
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Last week I celebrated Canada Day by travelling southwest along highway 97. I started out with my family in Chetwynd, B.C. and travelled to Bijoux Falls Provincial Park, a scenic tour of just 129 km. My three year old twins were very excited to see the waterfall ("Lots of water, Mommy!") and feel the cold spray off the rocks. We loved the easy access into the park and the numerous picnic spots and views of the river. We saw a few squirrels and birds, too!
July 06, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Ucluelet, Hiking
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We pulled into He-Tin-Kis Park, on the southern end of Ucluelet, near Terrace Beach. The trail to the water was wide with gnarled trees bending to create a canopy over our heads. The ferns grew up the mossy banks beside the trail. We felt like we were in Jurassic Park.
At Terrace Beach we walked along the headlands on the left hand side of the bay. The waves lapping into rock pools, home to purple starfish and florescent green anenomes.
At the mouth of the cove we found a set of wooden steps. After a steep climb we found ourselves looking over Terrace Beach on the right and the open Pacific Ocean in front. We had arrived on the Wild Pacific Trail.
“I’ve seen humpback whales breach off of this trail,” I told my hiking companion. The trail, carefully cut through old grown rainforest, ran along the rugged cliffs that make up that part of Ucluelet’s shoreline. From benches and look outs you can watch the waves rage against the black rocks, catch a glimpse of the Broken Group Islands in Barkley Sound, and look out forever into the open ocean.
We came around the bend to the Amphitrite Lighthouse. Visitors were on the park benches, the steps of the lighthouse, the rocks, the trail, the beach, swarming to take in their wild pacific surroundings.
That day the water was calm and the sun had come out. It shone its late morning light on the ancient spruce and cedars, and glistened off the wet black rocks. The Wild Pacific Trail truly was “hiking on the edge” ...of something amazing.
July 05, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Golden, River Rafting
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We are nearing the end of the spring run off and the Kicking Horse River's famous Lower Canyon should now stay open for the rest of the summer. We are talking 3 km of continuous whitewater in a beautiful tight canyon. Have a look at the video to see what the beginning of those rapids is all about.
July 04, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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Everyone loves a parade! Everyone loves a party and everyone looks great in red and white.
I have been going to watch the Canada Day parade in the little village of Pouce Coupe near Dawson Creek for more years than I can remember. The best part of it for me is how a small community has created such an important cultural event that brings people together year after year.
The parade itself is not large, but the crowd is loyal and appreciative and you never know what you are going to see.
My all time favorite was a small woman who thought it was a great idea to bring a very uncooperative miniature donkey; they stole the act, and many hearts that day.This year I noticed the variety of license plates on the parked vehicles: Montana, Wisconsin, Texas and one from Georgia were mixed in with the locals.
Right after the parade, everyone makes a beeline for Pouce Coupe Park for a big community barbecue. There is entertainment and craft booths and lots and lots of families.
This year we had lots of sun too! What a great way to relax, have fun and celebrate being Canadian eh?!
July 03, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Festivals & Events
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How
did you spend our nation’s 143
rd birthday? I spent Canada Day
in
Fort St. John’s Centennial Park taking in a vast array of celebratory
festivities.
The annual parade ran through town, showcasing many of
Fort St. John’s sports groups, clubs,
businesses and community groups. The fun and games then moved into the
park, where blow up toys, a dunk tank, face painting, and a petting zoo entertained
the children.
Adults also kept busy with the Farmer's Market showcase. At the market you can find fresh
produce, home baked goods, and crafts.
The Canada Day festivities also
gave an opportunity for locals to show off their prized possessions. The
Classic Cruiser Show & Shine blocked off the street to display
different types of impressive and antique vehicles.
Singers and dancers also had the chance to show
off; they performed on stage and showcased the amazing talent found in
Fort St. John. Many of the singers are
regular performers at local pubs’ "open mic" nights.
Although Canada Day is
over, most spectators found themselves enlightened by the extensive
opportunities offered in Fort St. John
.