June 06, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Culinary Tours & Schools
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If you're into good food and in Victoria BC, I recommend checking out
Abigail's Hotel - not only for the great breakfasts they serve their hotel guests but also for the periodic cooking classes they offer - check out the video of our recent visit.
June 06, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Sechelt, Wildlife Tours
We've seen lots of wildlife around Sechelt in the last little while.
A herd of 8-10 harbour seals travelling together will often appear for a few moments just off our dock - first one head will pop up, then another, and finally the whole herd, only to gracefully slide back under the water.
The last few days, just before sunset, we've seen a Hooded Merganzer with a flock of six chicks riding atop her back - it's really quite entertaining as it appears there's only space on her back for five of the chicks. So, as the one trailing chick attempts to climb on, one or two others fall off, with this scene repeating itself several times. Undaunted, the mother steadfastly paddles to her evening resting site.
Naturally, our resident family of eagles is very interested in all of this action. This year there are four who have returned to our cove - two juveniles and two adults. The juveniles are quite active early in the morning, whirling and chasing each other through the sky.
It's a great time of the year, watching this timeless saga of wildlife passing through the various phases of their annual reproductive cycles.
June 05, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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How lucky was I to get to see opening night of the
Bard on the Beach presentation of Othello at Vanier Park. It had been years since I enjoyed one of the company's first class theatrical presentations in the big red and white tents which command such a spectacular presence in behind the Museum of Vancouver and the HR MacMillan Space Centre. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy the Othello story line, the fantastic costumes and the unforgettable setting, but I was very taken with the whole tent set up - the boardwalks that lead from the mainstage tent to the snack counter, gift shop and to the wine bar...I loved to that birds flew through the mainstage tent while we were watching the play and that the lighting changed so dramatically as the sun sank into the Georgia Straight. We are so lucky to have Bard on the Beach....and they are celebrating their 20th anniversary. I may just join the many number of regulars that I met last night and come see the company's other summer 2009 performance, A Comedy of Errors. Their season runs until September 26, 2009.
June 05, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Gardens
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Located just 30 minutes north of Prince George is a botanical surprise that would impress everyone from the most educated botanist to the energetic 5 year old. Jim Good, owner of the Goodsir Nature Park has spent a lifetime travelling the country, collecting interesting and rare plant specimen and bringing them back to his 100+ acre property to replant and nurture them. He then offers guided tours throughout his property, telling the stories of his plants, including what they are, where they came from and extensive information about the plant. What is even more impressive than his knowledge is his pride of his collection, which is obvious as he fondly talks about his journeys and his plants.
After taking a walk with Jim though out the park, go to one of his newly installed picnic areas that are over looking a small beaver pond. While sitting her it is common to see beavers, muskrats, ducks, geese and an abundance of other wildlife. There is also a little museum that boasts probably over a 1000 plant specimens that Jim himself has collected.
All in all, if you are travelling north to Alaska, or just spending a few days in the Prince George area, I highly recommend the Goodsir Nature Park. It is amazing to see what one man's hobby can produce.
June 01, 2009 | Field Reports >
Port Moody, Hiking
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I hiked the permetre of this lake on the Buntzen Lake trail and loved every minute!
Although this lake is man-made and maintained by BC Hydro, I couldn't tell for a second this beautiful site was crafted by anyone other than Mother Nature, herself.
The four-hour hike starts near South Beach where you're welcomed by a large parking lot and clean bathrooms. Going counter-clockwise around the lake, you travel along a very wide, easy well-beaten path. There are many opportunities to pop off the trail onto a dock you can enjoy all to yourself. In other places, you can right up to the water and even take a dip. The lake is certainly warm enough for it in the summer but keep your eyes open for the signs. BCHydro has signs indicating where it is unsafe to swim and warnings where there is a strong undercurrent.
Part of the hike goes out of the forest and onto a trail for about 10 minutes. Though you're more exposed to the hot sun here, it's also an opportunity to see the vegetation along the side of the mountain.
But before long, you've reached North Beach where there are more washrooms, picnic tables and benches. This was a great picnic spot before heading along the suspension brige and back to South Beach.
The last half of the hike has more up and down and is slightly more demanding. The paths are still very hiker friendly and well taken care of. The private nooks to take a dip are still ample along this side.
Finally, the trail takes you across a floating bridge and back to where you started. Each stage of this hike offers a slightly different terrain - from rainforest to rock face to bog.
It was a great four-hours spent on a beautiful day!
June 01, 2009 | Field Reports >
Squamish, Hiking
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In the two years I've lived in the area, I've done a lot of hiking. I kept hearing about the Chief. I decided the time was right and I'd give it a try. I drove up to Squamish from Vancouver (about 60km) with some friends. We went past the Shannon Falls parking lot entrance to the next parking lot just off the highway on the right.
This parking lot leads into two more that have bathrooms and trail maps. We walked straight into the rock face following some small trails and found a bunch of hardcore rock face climbers. It was really cool to watch, but clearly we were in the wrong place. We followed the wide path past some camp sites and to the trail head.
The trail head is a HUGE boulder and is a true indication of what's to come. Up we went... The first part of the hike follows a water path (fall?) that runs from the top of the mountain. It's a great view as you climb the steps. The steps are really well taken care of and look fairly new.
If there are no wooden steps, rocks serve the same purpose as you climb, climb, climb. The tall trees shelter you from the sun but you're plenty warm with the workout you get.
The climb up is challenging but so rewarding. We chose to go to the second peak and near the top there are several rope or chain-assisted climbs. Although I'm a hiker and not a rock climber, I felt like I took a step toward being one.
And when you reach the top, the view is amazing. It's well worth the last hour-and-a-half of a literal up-hill battle. The snowy peaks seem within reach and the wide expanse of nature is breathtaking.
Although it was a very challenging hike for me physically, I would do it again in a second!
June 01, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Abbotsford, Historic & Heritage Sites
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I recently went on a circle farm tour in abbotsford, it exceeded my expectations it is a fantastic day activity for families. Birchwood dairy had so many wonderful flavours of icecream and clayburn comfort soap and Body Works was a wonderful fragrant escape it had so many cool products to buy. I would recommend this tour to anyone i know!!