June 26, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Dining
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On the eve of June 25th, my boyfriend and I were interested in finding a classy restaurant in Fort St. John to celebrate my 21st Birthday. We decided to return to Uptown Grill, as I had visited and thoroughly enjoyed their delicious food during the “Be a Tourist in Your Own Town Week”. Since it was my Birthday, I had given myself permission to eat anything and everything in sight, so I was more than prepared to enjoy a delicious meal.
We started the evening out by selecting a wine from their wine list. Our waitress was very helpful and informative as she assisted us in selecting a fantastic wine. Afterwards, we decided to split the oriental spring rolls as an appetizer. They were absolutely incredible! We most certainly did not need them however, as our meals included a complimentary salad. I decided to try the teriyaki sirloin as a main course, which proved to be nine ounces of deliciousness! Unfortunately, since I had been such a birthday pig for most of the day, I could barely get through half of it. I am a carnivore and definitely love my meat but for those who are not, Uptown Grill marks all of their vegetarian meals with a small symbol in order to appropriately inform the customer. In addition, they have specials for each day of the week. Each day is a different theme and the daily features include an appetizer, main course, and a dessert.
During the meal, my boyfriend did the usual sneak off to the “bathroom” in order to inform our waitress that it was my birthday. The restaurant was so great that they allowed me to select a dessert and of course, it was on the house.
The general atmosphere in Uptown Grill provides for a relaxing and classy night out in Fort St. John. The outstanding cuisine and friendly service are sure to make the evening a success. I had a fantastic birthday and I will most certainly be returning there soon for our next festive event.
June 26, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Golf
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Hello, my name is Scott Schilds and I am a terrible golfer. After many years of failure, I have grown accustomed to this fact, and have been able to lead a healthy life despite my shortcomings on the links. So you can understand my trepidation as I learned that my first experience with my new co-workers at the DC Visitor Info Center was a trip to the Lone Wolf Golf Club. This was before I realised that this is a club that's about so much more than golf.
This, of coures, isn't to say that the golf facilities aren't incredible. It's a 18 hole, par 72, championship course complete with 86 sand bunkers and a CPGA pro on staff. The course is located in the picturesque Peace River valley, which keeps the winds low, and also allows the opportunity to see many kinds of wildlife along your way, including moose, deer, eagles and elk.
After our collective golfing adventure, me and the other counsellors headed into the licensed clubhouse to experience some of the hospitality offered by the friendly staff. Now, I may not be the next PGA star, but I do know good food. And the full restaurant on site served up some good food. For my money, there is no better day than one spent outdoors, capped off with a delicious meal and a playoff hockey game on TV at a local restaurant, and that is exactly what we were provided by our welcoming hosts at the Lone Wolf Golf Club.
And if it helps, that day held the best golf I'd ever played.
June 26, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Burns Lake, Hiking
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The hike took us about 2.5 hours round trip. In this photo it shows Tesinkuit Lake, with a small strip of Francious Lake behind. I would think the mountains in the background are the tweedsmuir mountains. The trail there is mostly up hill. The rock formation is very interesting on the hike. If you like a little more of a difficult hike this is the hike for you!
June 26, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Burns Lake, Hiking
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This photo was taken last year during the winter on Long Lake Trail, which is near Kager Lake. This picture was a snowshoe trip and it was a beautiful trip. This trail is very different during the summer with completely different scenery. It is a wonderful trail for anytime of the year!!
June 26, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Burns Lake, Hiking
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My family hikes China Nose as a yearly routine; it is a magnificant mountain. The scenery at the peak of the mountain is one of the most beautiful sights and it is right in Burns Lake's back yard. More so it is right in my back yard as my family has a cabin on elwin lake, which has China Nose as the central sight; as seen in the photo that is taken during winter. The mountain and the hike make me proud to live in Burns Lake; it is such an amazing place!
June 26, 2009 | Field Reports >
Nanaimo, Ziplining & Bungee Jumping
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The Harbour City Nanaimo in the Vancouver Island region is home
to the first bungee jumping operation - WildPlay Element Park - in
North America. BC Field Reporter Chris Wheeler hits the zipline and
throws himself off a 140 foot bridge during his first time Bungee
Jump... what a rush!
Share your secrets about Nanaimo by submitting your Youtube videos & Photos for a shot at getting some great prizes: http://www.secretnanaimo.com
June 26, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Festivals & Events
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Just this past Friday I had the pleasure of helping out with the Fort St John Visitor Centre’s “Share the Excitement” event for local school children. The event brought local children out to experience the excitement of the coming Olympic Games.
Children became athletes as they played Olympic inspired games (‘curling’ with beanbags and the house draw onto the sidewalk with chalk, for example) and decorated their own personal gold medals. They met the mascots via a selection of colouring sheets (unfortunately Northern communities do not always have the funds to fly the actual mascots up for events). Lastly the kids learned about all the fantastic things that are entailed in B.C. Tourism as they toured the Visitor Centre and watched the “Share the Excitement” promotional video which shows many of the amazing experiences that British Columbia offers. In the closing ceremonies the children were given “Share the Excitement” flags as keepsakes to remind them that the 2010 Olympics are as much for them as for the hundred of athletes from all around the world.
Local enthusiasm was staggering as teachers snapped up the six spaces that were made available for classes within mere hours and students eagerly cheered ‘Go Canada’ while Visitor Information Counsellor, Samantha Gibeault, explained the day’s significance to them. The day itself was a great success with marvellous weather and over a hundred happy children learning just how exciting Vancouver’s Olympics truly are!
Here in Fort St John, we may be hundreds of miles from the home of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics but the excitement was shared and the children of the North could not be more enthusiastic.
The two classes that were unable to make it were sent goodie bags filled with mascot stickers, Olympic tattoos, flags, magnets, and a “Share the Excitement” decal for the class to share. Any other children who missed the festivities can also stop by the Fort St John Visitor Centre for complimentary flags and stickers!
June 25, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Hiking
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Sometimes you don’t have to wander very far off the beaten path to find a treasure!
One of the best things about summer is that an abundance of activities await you outdoors. Hiking trails, provincial parks, and campsites are all just a stone’s throw away from a good time.
No one appreciates these endless possibilities quite like an energetic pair of dogs! Feeling invigorated, inspired (and never one to turn down a chance to spend time with my puppies), I loaded my car with leashes (it always gives the appearance to outsiders that I am in control of my animals, though I haven’t, and never have had any intention of using them), a water bottle and DEET-free, dog-friendly bug spray and headed to Fort St. John’s Fish Creek Community Forest.
The forest is a family favorite. Ever since I can remember, we walked the trails throughout the year; walking in everything from shorts and t-shirts to stuffy snowsuits and sorrels. Having dogs to bring with you only increases the potential for memories.
There are three trails in this forest nestled behind Northern Lights College. I’m sure many families scope out the maps provided at the entrance to the trails to decide on the best fit for their group. I like to take a more organic approach, which entails letting the pooches loose and follow their lead! There are three main trails, the Anatomy, the Siviculture and the Multi-Purpose Trail. The one my sheltie and border collie-cross prefer is called the Adventure Trail. We made it up. A combination of off-roading, gravel and paved trails, thorny patches (not good for humans but my dogs don’t really take my legs into consideration!) and dark, leafy, mysterious coves of trees…this is my favorite place to go for a walk.
I watch my dogs frolic and play, running full speed ahead into the creek and out again, grabbing tree branches and playing tug-of-war. Oliver trots through a cluster of ferns so feather-like they appear to be nothing more than an emerald fog suspended above the ground. Through their frenzy, I still feel peaceful. The occasional jogger, training marathon-runner or power-walker greets me as we stroll. The forest is breathtaking; green and shining; ablaze with sunlight and constant creature-chatter. A gaggle of teenage boys cruise on bikes through the BMX trails, and suddenly, as we enter an archway of birch, a small sound startles my dogs into looking up and standing stoically; tails up and focused. Two moose: a cow and calf, moseying around the bushes, their quiet munching the only sound in the stillness, reminds me once again that we don’t have to venture very far to find a summer treasure.
June 24, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Hiking
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If you’re looking to experience a magnificent sight in Northern British Columbia, there is a forest in Fort St. John called Fish Creek Community Forest. With trails that are gravelled and partly paved, it’s easy to go mountain biking or take a stroll. The forest is a great way to get active in the city of Fort St. John because it is on the out skirts of the city but never too far away to experience some beautiful!
The great features of the forest are ones that set it apart. There are 3 main trails in the forest, ranging from 15 minutes in walking time to 1 hour in length. The forest is a great place to get active for all ages. Once in the forest there are many varieties of wild flowers, types of trees and of course wildlife, if you’re lucky!
When you are exploring the forest on the gravelled trails, all trails lead to and/or near the Fish Creek. Depending what time of year you go you can observe the beavers build and repair their dam.
Fish Creek is also a great place for mountain bikers, as there are some smaller, less travelled paths that can offer many different skill levels some fun and adventure. Also, during the winter the area around Fish Creek and the paved flat sections are great for cross country skiing and other winter fun.
A trail map is available through the Fort St. John website
June 24, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Sightseeing Tours
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I woke up this morning to lovely weather and a dog bouncing merrily off of the walls with excess energy. It was clearly time to find somewhere to walk. I took off on the sidewalk but soon stumbled across the Fort St. John Community Walking Trails.
The trails loop around the north half of town through forest and field, and even into a few of the local parks. Eventually the city hopes to wrap the trails around the entire city and perhaps even add a section leading out to Charlie Lake (a small community built around a lake just northwest of Fort St. John). Being pet and bike friendly, the trails encourage healthy, green living and save walkers from the trauma of being driven off a walking trail by some madman on a dirt bike as motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trails.
Today we found ourselves jogging through mature stands of poplar on paths lined with bluebells and wild roses. It was like running through a perfumery! Though the trails are often quite busy we had them almost entirely to ourselves. The only thing we ran into was a healthy young moose.
He was stripping branches of new leaves just off the path as we jogged by and I will admit that I was quite startled and not a little frightened by his sudden appearance. Fortunately my dog decided against barking and getting us trampled and we were able to walk by without incident. At a mere 2 meters away it was the closest I had been to a moose in years! He watched us as we walked by, all the while munching on the trees.
By the time we got back home, my dog and I were both hot and tired but somehow exhilarated from our brush with the wild on Fort St. John’s Community Walking Trails. So if you happen to be in Fort St. John and in need of some fresh air and exercise, be sure to check out the community walking trails, you might even meet some locals whether they are wild or just walkers.
Tips for Meeting Moose:
- Don’t take dogs out on the trails unless they are used to wild animals and know better than to bark
- If you don’t want to run into any animals, make lots of noise while walking, but if you do encounter one remain quiet and do not make any sudden or loud noises
- Walk by the animal calmly and don’t make any sudden movements
- If you are as close as I was, don’t take pictures, a loud camera noise or a flash may startle the animal
Moose are generally quite docile but if you startle them you may run into trouble, so proceed with caution (be quiet and calm: don’t ever run and scream when you stumble across one) and try not to make any impact on the animal.