July 30, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Fishing
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One of my favourite adventures my family did while visiting Haida Gwaii was clam digging on North Beach in Naikoon Provincial Park, just outside of Old Masset.
We went out early morning, when the tide was low and brought along shovels, buckets, and big rubber boots. The trick we discovered was to look around on the sand for quarter sized depressions. My family was taught to stomp your feet a few times around these depressions, and if the sand moves that means a clam is burrowed underneath. The next step is to dig with your shovel, and reach your hand in fast enough to grab the head of the clam. It's exciting and a little exhilarating to do the whole thing as fast as you can to try and grab the clam. Even if you don't have much luck catching them (like myself!), it is still a lot of fun to stomp around trying to find the locations of the clams.
No license is required for clam digging and you are allowed to catch 12 clams per person. I highly recommend clam digging as a fun, unique family activity to do while visiting the beautiful Haida Gwaii.
July 28, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Sightseeing Tours
Twin Spruce Trail is located on the site of Lakelse Lake Provincial Park, just 18 km south of Terrace on Highway 37. It is a beautiful 2 km trail that takes you through an old growth forest, full of ancient trees, culturally modified trees, creeks, and over boardwalks and bridges. It is an easy trail, and a perfect walk for a mix of nature and relaxation.
July 28, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Hiking
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We took a trip up to the Nass Valley up Hwy 113 and got to participate in a guided tour up to the volcano cone. It started at the Visitors Centre and then we drove part ways up a mountain, and then continued to hike the rest of the way to the cone.
It was a beautiful trail, and an interesting experience, as our guide shared stories of his ancestors and what they used certain trees and berries for. When we reached the top of the cone, we were graced with a legend told by the guide, as well as a 'Taste of the Nass', which featured samples of food from the Nass Valley such as oolichan, dried salmon, fried bread, blueberry jam, salmon hash, and smoked sea lion.
It was a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend taking the tour. The tour leaves every morning at 10am from the Visitors Centre and be sure to phone at least 24 hours in advance for the 'Taste of the Nass'.
July 24, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Queen Charlotte City, Hiking
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One of my most fondest memories of travelling Haida Gwaii was hiking the Cape Fife Trail and walking out towards Rose Spit and back towards Tow Hill on the north end of the island. Now don't get me wrong, it was long and grueling. We tried to do it in one day but ended up cutting off going all the way to the end of Rose Spit. It took us 11 hours and we ended up walking about 30km.
It was fun, dirty, and challenging, with the trail being full of fallen logs, mud swamps, thick forest, ocean viewpoints, and sandy beaches. It is beautifully scenic to be completely surrounded by green - trees, moss, ferns, grass and old growth. Then to walk on the completely open beach is a whole new experience, as you trudge through the thick sand. What a journey and an experience of a lifetime.
I would suggest doing just the Cape Fife Trail, or going all the way out to Rose Spit in two days, in order to be able to thoroughly enjoy one of the most serene locations in beautiful British Columbia.
Editor's note: Learn more about hiking on Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) here.
July 22, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Sightseeing Tours
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When heading from Terrace to Prince Rupert, if I could recommend a "must see", it would be the Butze Rapids Interpretive Trail.
Located directly before Prince Rupert off Highway 16, it is a beautiful 1.5 hour walk (4.5 kiometres) to stretch your legs, go on an adventure with the children, or walk the dogs. It takes about 30 minutes (1.9 kilometres) to reach a viewing platform that looks out over the Butze Rapids. What makes these rapids unique is during tide changes between high and low water, the river can be seen reversing directions.
My family once went out with a picnic and watched the tide come in, and saw the rapids begin to change directions. It is a fascinating natural feature not frequently seen. The walk itself is very striking. It is such an experience to walk through a path completely surrounded by moss, ferns and other greenery.
This is a must when visiting the north coast in order to get full immersion into the beautiful rainforests of British Columbia.
Editor's note: Learn more about things to do in Prince Rupert here.
July 20, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Historic & Heritage Sites
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If you're interested in historic buildings, the Usk Pioneer Chapel, just outside of Terrace B.C. on Highway 16, is one to stop at. I've lived in Terrace most of my life, but I never took the opportunity to visit the small church until just last week. It was a blast!
Even though it's such a small church, it is full of rich history. The church originally was in use at Usk during the early 1900's but was replicated and moved in the 1960's to be east of Terrace on Highway 16. The church contains four small pews and a table full of small bibles and a guest book, signed by hundreds of people from all over the world. There is also a picture on the wall explaining the story behind The Untouched Bible, a bible that survived the 1936 flood that destroyed the Usk village.
It's an unique, worthwhile stop for a brief glimpse into the history of the pioneers of the Terrace area.
July 16, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Sightseeing Tours
I was lucky enough to take a helicopter ride with White River Helicopters Inc. piloted by Sid Peltier. It was a beautiful ride over Sleeping Beauty Mountain just on the outskirts of Terrace, British Columbia. This video shows some of the breathtaking scenery.
July 15, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Stewart, Sightseeing Tours
This is a short video of my trip up Highway 37, across Highway 37A to Stewart, British Columbia. We took the time to see Bear Glacier,walk around the Estuary Boardwalk, explore the main street, drive to Fish Creek in Hyder, and drive halfway up the road to Salmon Glacier to Premier Mine Viewpoint. This video gives you a glimpse of the beauty surrounding the Stewart area.
July 13, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Vanderhoof, Sightseeing Tours
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This weekend I drove from Terrace, BC to Vanderhoof, BC (about 480km) to visit a friend. On the way I picked up a Vanderhoof information guide at a visitors centre.
My friend and I thought it would be a fun way to explore the town by going through the guide and trying to see as many things as we could.
We started off at their Welcome to Vanderhoof sign and proceeded to check out the local stores and eateries, the Vanderhoof Public Library (home of a giant reading worm), the Vanderhoof Community Museum, Riverside Park and Campground, Nechako River, wheat and canola fields, and lastly but certainly not least, Greer Creek Falls. It was a great weekend of sightseeing and exploration.
I encourage you when you visit a new community, or even when you're in your own, pick up a local community guide and go for a day of new discoveries and adventure.
July 02, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Kitimat, Festivals & Events
Yesterday my family headed down to Kitimat, British Columbia to take in their Canada Day celebrations. It was a beautiful drive and the weather was perfect. We watched the parade for an hour and then headed to the food market for a taste of Indian, American, Chinese, Greek and First Nations food, as well as local vendors selling art. It was a fun afternoon full of community spirit.
I've attached a video showing pictures of the parade with the Canadian anthem in the background. Enjoy!