June 23, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Enderby, Museums
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Traveling through BC I have seen communities proudly display a large (okay, make that HUGE) hockey stick, mining truck, tree crusher and cross-country skis. But, have you ever seen the world's largest lawnmower? I didn't think so.
Well, if you are in the neighbourhood, stop by the Deep Creek Tool Museum in Enderby and meet Herb and Linda - the proud owners and collectors of hundreds of neat, old tools and gadgets. The garage, spare room and yard are jammed with stuff and Herb can tell you whatever you wish to know about all the items - including the ones you can't even begin to guess what they might have been used for! In our fast-paced world of hand-held mobile devices, it was a pleasure to slow down for awhile and look back in time.
June 23, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Armstrong, Arts, Culture & History Tours
During a recent whirlwind trip through Armstrong I was fortunate enough to have two great food experiences thanks to a chocolatier and a grain mill.
The Chocoliro shop on the aptly-named Pleasant Valley Boulevard was not only a retreat from the mid-morning summer sun, but also a chocolate-lover's delight. The owners create tons of great designs out of chocolate making gift shopping easy whether you are buying for kids or adults. Try out the orange pepper chocolate at the tasting table!
Then it was off to Rogers Foods - BC's only flour and cereal mill. Nestled beside the large factory and semi-trailers delivering Canadian wheat, sits the original home of the company's founders. There are tours of the modern facility available but I preferred to hear about the history of the company from its early beginnings in the 1950s as a family-run operation to how it has grown today - all the while maintaining their commitment to Canadian wheat products. The retail store on-site offers all the Rogers products including the opportunity to learn more about using the variety of grain products available. I enjoy learning more about the sources of my food products and having the chance to visit the facility allowed me to connect to a commonly used local food source. Check it out if you are in Armstrong or Vernon - it is not far from either spot.
June 23, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Dining
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I went with a friend to lunch at this new restaurant in town. From the topiaries at the front and the hostess opening the door to welcome the guests, we had a great time!
The restaurant is big and tastefully decorated with several TVs, a great sound system with music and a Sports Bar in the center. On the day I was there, the place was full of people laughing and enjoying lunch.
The menu has a lot of fresh food dishes and I was especially pleased to have a choice of very healthy items to choose from. I had chicken with braised cabbage & feta instead rice with my lunch.
The service was excellent as well.
My prediction is this place will be around and popular for a long time. I know it will be a favorite for me.
June 21, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Nelson, Sightseeing Tours
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Given the chance to stretch my legs and to see a great view I would say “yes, please!” Roughly five miles north of Coal River on the Alaska Highway there is a great little place called Whirlpool Canyon. If you don’t have the Milepost with you, there is a very good chance that you will miss this opportunity to not only stretch but to take some beautiful pictures as well.
Whirlpool Canyon can be accessed via a pullout that looks like your average rest stop with a green litter bin—very inconspicuous. Even I didn’t know that there was more to this little spot until someone told me.
In June, we parked in the pullout and made the roughly 300-metre walk over to the canyon. The trail (about the width of a vehicle) was easy to see and opened up into a great expansive bed of shale. Being that it was shale, we had to walk carefully on it, but it made for an adventurous walk both to the river side and up the cliff side. What a view from the heights of the cliff (although not recommended for those who are afraid of heights)!
In general, this area makes for an ideal pit stop for those who need to pull over and take a break, walk the dog or even have a picnic. And at the very least, this spot is a must-see for those who want to experience all that the north has to offer them. Happy canyon-ing!
June 21, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Nelson, Camping
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If you asked me at the age of 7
where my favorite place on earth was, I would have told you Muncho Lake. Even
13 years later I would tell you the exact same answer.
My parents began bringing me
here since before I could walk. Muncho Lake is 4 hours north of Fort Nelson,
BC. It is a site only believed after you have seen it yourself. Measuring at
approximately 12kms long, and the deepest depth being measured at 800m, it is
also a glacier fed lake. So the waters are very chilly most days.
On the drive along the lake,
you have water on one side and a mountain side on the other. Stretching up,
further than can be imagined. A likely site along this highway is stone
mountain sheep, on of the many animals that live around Muncho Lake.
There are five different accommodations
choices at Muncho Lake. The two provincial campgrounds are Strawberry Flats and
MacDonald campground. Strawberry Flats is on one of the many beautiful spots on
the lake, with shallow jade green waters. MacDonald Campground is tucked away
in the trees, its sites offer privacy and also it offers a boat launch.
The privately owned Muncho Lake
RV Park is located on the mid section of the lake, with trees and private
sites. Also they offer power, water and many other hook up options.
Not the camping type? There is
a lodge, actually the only year round full service lodge on the Alaska Highway.
The Northern Rockies Lodge; family owned and a great facility. Offering home
cooked food in their restaurant, showers and the choice between three different
types of accommodation. The lodge itself has hotel rooms, well kept and clean.
Also they offer you cabins, and RV sites!
My absolute favorite thing to
do at Muncho Lake is to sit on the dock, take pictures, read or just take in
the sights. With mountains wrapping all around me, how could I not stare? At
night sitting on the shore, the sky is beautifully decorated with the northern
stars. If you are lucky, maybe even the Northern Lights. Muncho Lake actually
stands for “big water” in Kaska language.
Muncho Lake is a must see for
anybody who is passing by, so stop and enjoy the beauty that Muncho Lake, and
the surrounding mountains have to offer!
June 21, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Historic & Heritage Sites
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After recently becoming employed at Terrace BC's local Visitor Center for the summer, I had recently been hearing a lot of tourists telling us about the amazing things to be found up North towards the Nass Valley and Gingolx. I actually had not been up there since I was kid, almost 12 years ago so I decided to take my day off and be productive.
I left Terrace around 10am with a few friends and after a quick stop for some coffee at Cafenara (amazing local/organic coffee), we were on the road. It does not take very long before the drab highway opens up into gorgeous lakes, and waterfalls compliments by beautiful rolling creeks and rustic wooden bridges. The drive is stunning and even if you plan on driving straight through, you are in for a treat.
That being said, if you are willing to make a few stops, you will be rewarded with some AMAZING sights. Such things as Beaupre Falls, Tumbling Creek, Vedder Falls, and many others are all within the first 90KM.
And that is just the road there. Once you start arriving at some of the towns and villages along the way, you can stop at any of the gift stores featuring amazing first nation's art, or even check out some of the new government buildings which features some amazing architecture enhanced by the culture of the first nations.
Towards the end of the road, there is the new 15 million dollar museum in Greenville (as seen in the picture). This is a jaw-dropping gem that absolutely must be seen in person. Featuring re-claimed artifacts of the First Nations culture (now labeled treasures), it is packed with cultural art and a weird glow of a history and beauty.
June 21, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Art Galleries & Artists
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I recently found myself in Dawson Creek and pointedly strolled into the Art Gallery there. I had always wondered what I would find hidden inside the old prairie elevator that contains the gallery, so I had to satisfy my curiosity while I was there.
As it turned out, the art gallery in Dawson Creek is simply amazing! I can assure you that it is no less than a northern treasure.
Inside I found a warm and ambient atmosphere; soft lighting, classical music and an affable feel. On my right I found an open area full of glittering, colourful and even bizarre treasures! Lovely jewelry was laid out everywhere, hand-crafted pottery was displayed and locally made hats and bags were strewn about. I even saw a knitted hat that could hold aluminum cans (for pop, of course)! Truly a treasure chest meant to be adored and all of which were for sale!
My eyes then wandered up the ramp that spiraled all the way up into the rafters, a similar concept to that of the Guggenheim in New York. Here I leisurely wandered up into the ceiling of the old prairie elevator while taking in the beautiful pieces of fine art. As it turns out, Northern British Columbian artists are extremely talented!
Once I made it to the top, there were several narrow staircases leading back down, all of which were lined with either pieces of art from the gallery’s permanent collection or rare photos taken during the construction of the Alaska Highway. Needless to say, it took quite some time before I made it back to the main level of the gallery.
Before leaving the gallery, I perused through the gift shop. I felt as though extra-special attention had been paid to the items for sale in the shop (as there were many things to see, touch and smell). One gorgeous piece that really stood out to me was a walking cane that had a duck masterfully carved into it!
I was pleasantly surprised by this fantastic gallery with its gorgeous display of fine art and carefully chosen items. I absolutely must visit this gallery at least one more time before the end of the summer and I hope you do too! We may even run into each other!
June 20, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Tofino, Surfing & Watersports
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Coastal Cafe News is website and print publication serving the community of Ucluelet and Tofino on the west coast of Canada's Vancouver Island. We’ve recently produced a video about this unique region, our love for the people and local businesses that make it so great. Ucluelet and Tofino are bordered by beautiful rain forest, mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Most of the people residing in these towns are artists, musicians, fisherman, surfers and often all of the above.
If you plan to visit, check out Pacific Rim National Park, the Ucluelet Aquarium, the Hot Springs, or maybe a whale watching tour.... these among many others, are just an example of the breathtaking experiences this region has to offer. Our restaurants offer wonderful cuisine in a region famous for seafood straight from the boat to your table!
If you plan to visit, we would love to give some recommendations, so just ask... or just come on out, it won't be long until you find something incredible!
June 19, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Biking
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Today while I was out venturing the North end of Dawson Creek on my bicycle I could hear singing off in the distance, so I followed the music. The sounds of Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash led me to the Walter Wright Pioneer Village in Dawson Creek; located at Mile 1 on the Alaska Highway. I entered the visitor building and was introduced to a self-guided walking tour of this village.
The village is a unique collection of original buildings in the area that were moved from the surrounding countryside. One building is from 1912, with the furnishings and all. Much of the antique items are donated to this collection from residents in the community. Vehicles, very old ones too, dating back to original fire trucks from 1957.
This place is really a little gem that can be easily missed by tourists passing by. The music I followed was being sung by 2 individuals who were practicing; the music really seemed to set the ‘tone’, if you know what I mean.
If this was not enough there was also a little café in the village which just opened its doors this past week. The ladies who run the café have a great reputation for good food in the area, so needless to say the doors were swinging at the café. I got cup of fresh coffee and a homemade banana muffin and enjoyed it out at the picnic tables in front of the stage watching the practicing performers. The sun was shining, WOW, what a wonderful day, what a wonderful surprise.
Until my next bike adventure/discovery, Happy Chains!
June 18, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Hiking
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Truly, I feel that Terrace BC has some of the most beautiful, and jawdropping sights on this Earth. The trouble is that, sometimes, you have to be willing to put in a bit of effort to find them. That being said, this effort is a small price to pay to see some of the things available in this area.
Hiking has always been a hobby and a passion of mine. I love exploring nature and, even more so, the feeling you get when you come across one of the many natural wonders hiding in Terrace's wilderness. It's an indescribably amazing feeling that I hope everyone can experience in their life.
The Gunsight Waterfalls are a staggering example of this feeling. If a picture says a thousand words, then I can only wonder how many words actually SEEING these waterfalls can account for. Located 18km outside of Terrace is the trailhead for Gunsight Mountain (a rewarding hike in itself, if you dare attempt the entire thing) and right across the highway from Furlong Bay. Heading about 2km into this trail, there is a deviation from the path up the mountain that takes you about 200m down the trail to behold the gorgeous waterfalls and rapids.