June 20, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Biking
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It was a hot sunny Sunday afternoon in Prince George BC. I woke up wondering how I should occupy my time on this beautiful day. Me and my girlfriend brainstormed for a few minutes and finally decided on Heritage River Trails. We are both avid bike riders and this would be and excellent way to get some exercise and enjoy some scenery. The 11 km trail which starts almost in my backyard is one of the most scenic trails I have ever been on.
We started our adventure just off of Queensway avenue and already we were enjoying a secluded bike ride. The greeness of the trees and the ducks in the slough made this part of our adventure well worth it already.
Once we passed through Hudson Bay slough we skipped across Queensway (being very careful of course because it is a busy street) and we were on on way through another secluded trail. This trail took us into beautiful Fort George Park. Living in Prince George I was familar with this park because it was the main park in town. Going on this day gave me a new perspective on how lucky we really are to live here.
As soon as we crossed the bridge we saw two beavers and more ducks. We stopped had a water break and admired the mighty Fraser River and then we were off. Through Fort George down and around we came to another amazingly scenic view. Cotton Wood Island Park. I have been to this park before but today it had a different effect on me. I could appreciate its value as my gratitude for my community grew stronger.
We stopped again for a water break and lunch. As we chatted about the view I looked up and quickly realized we weren't alone. Two Bald Eagles soared high above us. I wondered for a moment if the view up there was as spectacular as the view down here. I finished my water and sandwich and off we went again. We zipped through the well maintained trail smiling and waving to people as we passed them by. The people in Prince George are among the friendlest I have come across in my journeys.
We enjoyed the scenery as we pedaled our past the bridges that had been knocked down by the flood a couple years earlier. That flood was bad but our community was strong and we have bounced back. There are still reminders of the danger of the river in this section of the trail.
Our next stop was our last stop at the very end of the river trail. We enjoyed the view one last time and watched traffic go by on the cameron street bridge. I remembered how things can change. I had been on the old cameron street bridge and now I was able to enjoy the new one.
As the traffic whizzed by I was once again reminded of how lucky I am to live in Prince George. It is a hustling bustling city but it is very easy to get away and take a stroll through nature.
I would suggest this trail to anyone who is passing through or who lives here. It is a great way to enjoy some scenery for the first time or remind yourself of the scenery that we who live here sometimes take for granted.