July 23, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Chetwynd, Sightseeing Tours
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It's been years since I have stopped at the look-out point at the Gwillim Lake Provincial Park; so, naturally I had to stop there to eat my lunch on the way to Tumbler Ridge. I had completely forgotten just how breath-taking the landscape in this part of BC really is; I love this valley so very much!
It is a marvelous experience to gaze out at the roling hills, with snow capped mountains hiding off in the distance - we are in the foothills of the rockies after all - and lose yourself in the scenery. The look-out is far enough off the highway that the quiet stillness just consumes you and your can enjoy the sights without distraction; definitely made the right choice to stop there, and I will most certainly be making the drive out there a few more times before the summer is over - though seeing the glorious fall colours grace the hillsides would be just as breath-taking!
July 15, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Hudson's Hope, Sightseeing Tours
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For the first time in 10 years the WAC Bennett Dam in Hudson's Hope BC had its spillway open, and what a sight it was to see.
Apparently since the dam's opening in the late 60's it has only spilled 9 times, so those of us who were lucky enough to see all that water gushing from the side of a hill this year can count ourselves as special people.
I remember the very first time I got to see the dam spill, it was in the late 1990's and I was barely 8 or 9 years old - the excitement definitely has not been lost at all.
When I first heard that the gates were open, not only at the WAC Bennett Dam but also as the smaller Peace Canyon Dam, I felt like a child again.
There is nothing like seeing a man made dam, made from natural materials, and nothing at all compares to that sight of thousands of gallons of water gushing from a hole in the side of the hill. Naturally, given my love for the extreme, I had to make a trip back up Highway 29 to see!
So it was set, I headed up there with some wonderful ladies from work and we made sure to spend all the necessary time getting perfect pictures capturing the spill gates and of course we HAD to do the tour!!!!!!
Oh my goodness, I know I may have a nerdy side but the tour is AMAZING! I have never learnt so much in such a short period of time! The entirety of the tour makes you gaze in wonder at all that was accomplished in such a short period of time - relevant to the time period - and of course the amount of water that really courses through all of those turbines!!!
If you have an hour to spare, the tour is so worth it and if not the visitor center up at the dam site has some really neat displays of pieces from the dam!!
July 15, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Hudson's Hope, Science, Nature or Animals
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It's taken a while for me to start my adventuring around the Peace area this year, but nevertheless the time has come!
Took a leisurely drive up to Hudson's Hope the other day, from Chetwynd, and was yet again thankful to be back in the beautiful Peace Region.
Having waited as long as I did, the summer rain, and the recent heat, made the hills and ditches flourish in green leaves and gorgeous wildflowers - definitely one of my favorite things about this area in the summertime.
On my way up to Hudson's Hope I of course passed by Moberly Lake and Cameron Lake; which are both back in full swing this year after the horrible floods last June. The water was so calm, and with the sun heating up everything, I wanted nothing more than to stop, run, and jump in the lake - would have made an interesting addition to my trip. Nevertheless, being a stickler of plans and time constraints I kept on moving towards my destination.
All in all I saw some amazing natural settings, just out my own back door, and some adorable wildlife as well!!! Bears, and Deer, and Moose OH MY!