June 30, 2011 | Tips from Us >
Prince George, Festivals & Events
View a larger image on flickr.com
KISS is rolling through British Columbia on their Lost Cities Tour and I had the chance to check out the show last night in Prince George. Even though this tour is taking them to smaller cities around the province, the band still brings the full show set and does deliver the "Hottest Show on Earth". It was awesome to get to see such a large act in a great venue like the CN Centre, which hosts it's fair share of great shows throughout the year and holds about 6500 people. These types of concerts are a welcome addition to the already existing festivals that take place throughout the region. I am sure as the band travels even further north to Dawson Creek and the Encana Events Centre that they will be inspired by the great beauty of the province and I am sure that will assist them in putting on a great show there - not that they need it!
June 30, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
McBride, River Rafting
View a larger image on flickr.com
Located approximately 270 km out of Prince George is the beginning point of an awesome adventure through rapids with Mount Robson Whitewater Rafting Company. As part of a familiarization tour, myself and a a few coworkers headed out for a day of whitewater rafting and took the Fraser River Whitewater Raft tour, which is about 14 km long. At the beginning, we had an easy float, class 1 rapids that were the main grounds for testing out paddling and learning the techniques to being the most effective float on the river! We then entered some class 2 rapids that started to get the rafters wet and prepared for the class 3 rapids that we would encounter after the portage over rearguard falls. We stopped in at the edge before Rearguard Falls to portage the raft over, as the falls are too steep to raft over. After riding over (and through) several more rapids, there is a section of water in which our guide allowed us to jump out of the raft and go for a swim in the freezing temperatures!!
The trip was definitely worth the drive from Prince George, even if it is out of the way! The guides were great, the waters were exciting and you were provided with all the gear you would need for a safe and fun day on the river!
June 30, 2011 | Tips from Us >
Abbotsford, Festivals & Events
View a larger image on flickr.com
Travelling in BC this long weekend July 1-3rd? Staying close to home? No
matter what corner of the province you find yourself in on Friday,
there are lots of opportunities to celebrate Canada's 144th birthday!
Here are some of our insider tips for fun events:
Vancouver, Coast & MountainsAbbotsfordStart
the day off with a pancake breakfast at the Abbotsford Exhibition Park,
then check out the parade through downtown. Festivities continue all
day at the Exhibition Park, including live music from Charlotte Diamond
and others. 8am-10pm.
GibsonsBe at Winegarden Park from 12-6pm for live music, and food. Also check out paddling demonstrations by the Gibsons Paddle Club.
LangleyFree
concerts, mini golf, bike demos, a craft fair, a food fair, vendors,
magicians, face painting, and fireworks! 11am-11pm, McLeod Park.
MissionHead
to Fraser River Heritage Park for a pancake breakfast, Superdawgs
performance, extreme biking, gladiator jousting, loggers and fireworks!
8am-11pm.
North VancouverThe
parade starts at 10am at 13th Street and Grand Boulevard and proceeds
down 13th Street to Lonsdale, turning north on Lonsdale. Then head to
Waterfront Park from 12-4pm for live performances, with everything from
bagpiping to juggling to martial arts.
PembertonParade and family events at Pemberton Cottonwood Community Centre.
More infoPowell RiverOpen
Air Market 10:30-2:30 for live music and farmers' market, then on to
Willingdon Beach from 4-10pm with cake and a bonfire on the beach.
RichmondSteveston
Village in Richmond closes the streets and and festivities abound near
the Steveston Community Centre, including the famous salmon BBQ and
Japanese martial arts, bonsai, and ikebana demonstrations. 10am-5pm.
SecheltLions
Club Pancake Breakfast - 8-11am. Bicycle decorating contest to be ready
for the big parade at 11. Live entertainment, kids games, bike clinics
and craft festival in Hackett Park and on Cowrie Street.
SurreyWestern
Canada's largest Canada Day celebration includes live entertainment,
fireworks and a kid zone. All concerts are free, and there are
attractions and rides.
More infoVancouverArt,
entertainment and activities at the Waterfront Party from 10 am - 6 pm,
featuring over 30 bands on five stages. The Canada Day Parade is at 7
pm followed by the Canada Day Burrard Inlet Fireworks at 10:30 pm.
More info
WhistlerStarting
at 8am in the village with yoga, pancake breakfast, parade,
entertainment, live music and fireworks! Events continue all weekend and
into July 4, to celebrate our American friends' Independence Day.
More infoVancouver IslandCowichan LakeAnnual
Canada Day Multicultural Storytelling Festival: multicultural music,
theatre, dancing, storytelling, artists in dialogue, arts, crafts and
foods. Face painting, childrens' crafts, games, and local folklore.
More info
DuncanLive
entertainment, crafts, face painting and ol' time sports day. Island
Savings and Peter Baljet provide the admission and train rides.
More infoGulf IslandsFireworks, car show and music on Saltspring Island. BBQ, music, vendors, kids games and beer garden on Saturna Island.
LadysmithFamily activities and fun, sun and music at Transfer Beach.
More infoNanaimoRoving entertainment, cultural food, farmer's market, parade and more. 11am-3pm, Maffeo Sutton Park.
ParksvilleCanada Day parade, kite flying demonstration, go karts, live music and vendors from 10am-11pm.
Port HardyParade, craft booths, live music, food and more at at Storey's Beach.
More infoTofino/UclueletFace painting, music, arts and crafts. 12-3pm at the Village Greens in both communities.
VictoriaVictoria
Celebrates Canada Day 2011 will include family-frienddly events, music
performances, fireworks, and 'A Flavour of Canada' July 1-3, 2011, at
Victoria's Inner Harbour!
More infoAre there any big Canada Day events going on in your BC community that we missed? Feel free to post a comment!
June 30, 2011 | Tips from Us >
100 Mile House, Festivals & Events
View a larger image on flickr.com
Travelling in BC this long weekend July 1-3rd? Staying close to home?
No matter what corner of the province you find yourself in on Friday,
there are lots of opportunities to celebrate Canada's 144th birthday!
Here are some of our insider tips for fun events:
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
100 Mile House
Watson Barn area in the 108 Mile Heritage Site, from 11-4:30 July 1st. Music, entertainment, petting zoo, food and more.
Barkerville
Tug
o' war, funny face contest, greasy pole climb, children’s races and
family fun. And PBS travel documentary series Travelscope will also be
joining the festivities, apparently. More info
Bella Coola
The
Bella Coola Rodeo, one of the largest amateur rodeos in Western Canada,
takes place annually during this weekend. Cowhands show their skills
and there’s bronco riding, barrel racing, calf tie-down, team roping,
bull riding and the infamous cow patty bingo (July 2-3rd). More info
Williams Lake
Celebrate
at Boitanio Park - entertainment, clowns, games, displays, prizes, plus
a Great Big Canada Cake! 1-4pm July 1st. The 85th annual Williams Lake
Stampede also starts on Friday. Yeeha! More info
Kootenay Rockies
Cranbrook
Birthday cake and fireworks at Moir Centennial Athletic Park. More info
Fernie
Check
out a mountain market with artisans and family games. There’ll also be a
cake cutting ceremony, playground unveiling, luminary workshop and a
Samba band. More info
Fort Steele
Kimberley
Community Band start the celebrations, followed by birthday cake,
family games, wagon and steam train rides, living history street dramas
and more. More info
Nakusp
Celebrations
begin with a Pancake Breakfast by the volunteer firefighters, a parade,
plus a variety of family activities, music and games at the community. More info
Revelstoke
Pancake
breakfast, parade, flag raising, cake cutting, live music, children's
games, slow pitch tournament and a bocce tournament. More info
Trail
Pancake
breakfast followed by the official opening ceremonies including the
raising of the flag, cutting of the cake and speeches. Face painting,
games and races and more.
Are there any big Canada Day e
June 29, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Dining
Find more information about Prince Rupert - Dining
View a larger image on flickr.com
After the Inside Passage tour of bears and whales, we docked around 7 and decided to check out some local cuisine. One of the guides on the boat directed us to a local pub with some great food. We ordered a mix of seafood and more traditional food, and every bit of it was delicious. They're well known for their battered halibut and cod which I was told was delicious. I can give you a first hand account that the Breaker's Club sandwich was amazing. The meal was accompanied by an awesome view of the harbour and great service!
June 29, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Bear Watching
Find more information about Prince Rupert - Bear Watching
View a larger image on flickr.com
I was lucky enough to get to be aboard the very luxurious vessel The Inside Passage on Prince Rupert's Adventure Tours Whale and Bear tour this past Monday, June 27th, 2011. And by lucky, I mean it by every definition of the word.
There could not have been a more perfect day to be out on this amazing boat. It was clear blue skies and calm water all the way out to the beautiful
Khutzeymateen passage where the expert crew of the Inside Passage begin their eagle eye spotting of the bears from the boat deck. It only took a few loops of the passage before one of the crew spotted a gorgeous mother Grizzly bear and 2 cubs on the shore. We were able to approach the shore without startling the bears and get within a mere stone's throw of the beautiful creatures. The mother ate her grass while the 2 cubs frolicked and played on the water's edge creating one of the coolest scenes I'd ever seen.
After observing the bears for a good length of time, we pulled away from the shore just as the bears retreated into the woods. On the way back through Paradise Passage and into the Port of Prince Rupert, the crew fed the eagles and we were instantly surrounded by a flock of about 10-12 eagles, all diving the water around us.
It's actually kind of funny. The pamphlets and brochures might say that its a whale and bear trip but as we entered the Khutzeymateen, it honestly didn't even matter if we had seen a bear or a whale. The trip is more than worth your time and money for the scenery alone.
June 29, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Sightseeing Tours
View a larger image on flickr.com
As I mentioned before in one of my blogs, I was recently hired by Kermodei Tourism as a summer student. Since then, I've tried my best to approach the area I live in with the eyes of a tourist and not the eyes of a person who has grown up in this area.
This was my approach to the drive between Terrace and Prince Rupert yesterday. I have made this drive many times with my parents as a child but not nearly as much since I've been old enough to take my eyes off my Gameboy and really appreciate the scenery.
We happened to set out on a beautiful sunny Monday morning around 9am. This is a beautiful time for the drive, as the sun is hitting the mountains and the ocean inlet at just the right angles. Amongst the beautiful green mountains, you'll see scattered waterfalls all along the way.
About 15KM out of Rupert, you'll notice some cool glyphs on the side of one of the mountains (as seen in the picture). These faces have been on the mountain for hundreds of years and were supposed to be the protecting spirits of the channel across the inlet that they face.
The signs along the highway might say 100km/hr but with a mix of the amazing scenery and the high chance to see wildlife (be it bears or eagles or anything else), you might find yourself slowing down to take everything in.
June 29, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Queen Charlotte City, Attractions
View a larger image on flickr.com
Imagine going on a diving adventure in the Southern waters of Haida Gwaii...wondering what might be lurking on the ocean floor. Well now you can stop wondering and come see some for yourself!
The Queen Charlotte Visitor Centre has just recently installed and filled our touch tank aquarium! With an inner aquarium for viewing only and a touch area with starfish surrounding, it's a great addition to our centre! It's filled with critters brought to us from waters near the Haida heritage site Skedans and the Haida Heritage Centre! We've got vermillion stars, bat stars, hermit crabs, a giant sea cucumber, sailfin sculpins, a grunt sculpin, opalescent nudibranchs, a yellow rimmed nudibranch, and more! The bully of the tank, Albert the Kelp Crab, is quite a funny fellow, always on guard! The opalescent nudibranchs have even layed some eggs, we'll see how the babies make out!
Our job description now involves cleaning the protein skimmer, hunting for mussels on the beach to feed the critters, and more...but we're not complaining! I love the tank, and so do all of the children and parents that come through as well. The tank is educational; not everyone has seen sea cucumber, and not everyone has seen a starfish eating a mussel. It's a new adventure for myself, having never seen a majority of the critters before in my lifetime on Haida Gwaii.
For anyone who has never gone diving before, it's a excellent way to find out what really is out in the ocean!
June 28, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Sicamous, Kayaking & Canoeing
2011 Kayak trip to Native American Pictographs site @ Mara Lake, British Columbia.
June 28, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Historic & Heritage Sites
Find more information about Dawson Creek - Historic & Heritage Sites
View a larger image on flickr.com
Well, I have not been able to do too much biking in the Dawson Creek area over the last couple of days, so due to my quest for adventure I decided to take on some attractions that were under roof and were dry. This led me to a venture into a town yet unexplored (by myself) Tumbler Ridge, population of approximately 3300 and only an hour drive south of Dawson Creek.
First stop in Tumbler Ridge was the visitor center. They are a ‘mammoth’ of information on things to see and explore in the area. Unfortunately due to weather restrictions I was not able to partake in any of the outdoor activities that the community of Tumbler Ridge has to offer. Such outdoor-adventures suggested are, the Dinosaur Trackway Tours or one of the 23 developed hiking trails in the area which will escort you to waterfalls (Kinuso Falls), caves, lakes, panoramic views and fascinating historical/geological formations.
By suggestion of the tourist counselor, I headed to the Dinosaur Discovery Gallery which opened its doors to the public in 2007. WOW, did this place ever create a sense of falling back in time. It is hard to believe that the peaks of the mountains in the Tumbler Ridge area were once the bottom of the ocean. Or that dinosaurs once walked this terrain and the evidence is in the Dinosaur Trackway Tour. There really is so much to take in; a guided tour by a paleontology researcher is highly recommended. The museum has many other themes to offer the curious historian, such as railway exploration and mining even local sports hall of fame. Definitely this museum is a must see if you are in the Tumbler Ridge area!
So until next time and sunnier skies ahead, Happy Chains!