March 02, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Kaslo, Hot Springs
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Ainsworth Hot Springs is my favourite hot spot when I head to the Kootenay Rockies. While the outdoor pools and views of Kootenay Lake and the Purcell Mountains are spectacular enough, the reason I visit is the horseshoe-shaped cave where the water comes in. At the back of the cave, the water is the hottest (42C, 114F) and highest. Don't stay too long - it is really, really hot! Forget the horseshoe, I just keep going in circles - hot - cold - hot - cold.
These days, hot springs and spas are luxurious escapes. Ainsworth's cave reminds me that raw nature is still the source for the water that soothes.
March 02, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Cache Creek, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Last September, my family and I stopped at the Historic Hat Creek Ranch after a trip to 100 Mile House. We took a stagecoach ride on the Cariboo Waggon Road, which is the original road from the Cariboo gold rush. After speaking with our horse wrangler, we discovered he is a blood relation to Don McLean, who was the Hudson Bay Company Chief Trader for the area and the original founder of the Hat Creek Roadhouse.
It was fascinating to not only tour the heritage site, but to feel that a part of the history is still alive.
March 02, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Dining
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My husband and I recently returned from a winter getaway in Victoria to escape the Alberta snow for a little while. We soon discovered that we couldn't have picked a better time for our little getaway. From February 5 - March 4th this year, Victoria had their annual Dine Around and Stay in Town promotion on.
http://www.tourismvictoria.com/dine/ This promotion offers 3 course meals from participating Victoria, BC restaurants for $15, $25, or $35 Canadian. Each menu suggest a great wine paring from a BC VQA winery. We tried several of these restaurants during our stay and found each one wonderful and a very good value. We had so much fun after each meal going through the menus and to decide where to try next. We only had a few "supper" times to take advantage of this promotion so we found that in order to go to all of the restaurants we wanted to try, we had to visit some of them at lunch time. I have read that "
Victoria boasts the second highest number of restaurants per capita in North America" and they aren't kidding. Every place we tried was great and I would go back to in a heartbeat! This Dine Around and Stay in Town Promotion that is offered in Victoria was our 'Great Find' for our winter getaway.
March 02, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Courtenay, Dining
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George's Combo Deluxe. Three magic words. This is hands-down THEE hamburger of all hamburgers and you can try it for yourself the next time you're in Courtenay, BC. George and his wife have been running their take-out restaurant for years. And they are quite the novelty too. You literally holler your order through their window and though barely acknowleged and with nothing written down, no matter how many items or how complicated, you'll recieve it just as you ordered. It's amazing! So next time you're in the Comox Valley, check out the local's favorite take out spot. And if you're not into hamburgers, they make the BEST chinese food too!
George's Food Bar 540 Comox Rd Courtenay, BC V9N 3P6
250.334.2557
March 02, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Princeton, Hiking
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In August I spent four days at Cathedral Lakes, hiking. After a "white knuckle" ride up to the lodge, we had a short walk to our campsite called Lake of the Woods. The area was beautiful and pristine and the outhouses were the cleanest and the best kept that I had ever seen! I am not a "hard core" hiker, but anyone who is reasonably fit, can do the hikes without much trouble.
The first day, we hiked Rim Trail and some of the highlights were the Devils Woodpile and Stone City. The first big mountain we climbed was Red Mountain with an elevation of 2469 metres. There was some "bouldering" at the beginning of the hike and we even saw a couple of marmots lying out enjoying the warm summer sun. The view at the top was magnificent—you could see for miles.
Our second day of hiking was longer--about seven hours. We began by traipsing through the forest and proceeded to climb Lakeview Mountain with an elevation of 2628 metres. At the top, there were young children about seven or eight years old and also a very pregnant woman! There are shorter hikes up to the different peaks--it just depends on the route you take.
Although I was tired at the end of each day, this trip definitely got me hooked! By the end of the trip I was nicknamed “Mountain Mary” and I can’t wait for my next hiking excursion!
March 02, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Revelstoke, Hiking
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Mt. McCrae has a BC forestry campsite located high up in the alpine. The best part is that you drive most of the way up the mountain, so it is perfect for those just beginning to backpack.
After reaching the 'end of the road' a nice short hike (couple of hours) finds you in paradise. One large glacial lake, and a couple of smaller ones can be found. There are a couple of tent pads with great views, and fire rings as well. And the outhouse (complete with venting, and a nice high platform with steps - to allow access in summer and winter) overlooks the main lake. I almost chose a photo of that, but there aren't as many people out there who love a good outhouse with a spectacular view.
The photo I chose is simply my tent on it's tentpad, and the view I got to wake to.
March 02, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Revelstoke, Kayaking & Canoeing
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Some girlfriends and I decided that we wanted to go "tripping". So we planned meals, got organized and got out in our canoes for the weekend. We decided to paddle a section of Lake Revelstoke, as some of the girls only had flatwater experience.
We put in at the Goldstream and pulled out at the Downie Loop. We had two days of seeing nothing but wild places and wildlife. It was easily one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
I had a really hard time choosing just one photo, but the one I selected was a nice little lunch stop we made along the way.
March 01, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Tofino, Hiking
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We have been here three or four times but every time, every hour, it is different. It has been discovered by thousands but each time it is a "Great Find"! It is well worth the time and effort to get there. Make a reservation at the National park and you will not be disappointed. We hike but the surfing, whale watching and many other activities are fantastic.
March 01, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Sooke, Dining
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My new favourite sushi restaurant is actually aboard a boat. Moored on a private dock, the 80 ft Rolano offers a unique and authentic ambience of westcoast dining. Reservations are recommended as seating is limited to 6-8, there are only two seatings per night, and only on Fridays and Saturdays.
Captain Ralph is your host, and is quite a character. He'll entertain you with stories of the Rolano's history, as well as his own colourful history. Not to worry though, if it's a romantic evening you're looking for, that's what you'll have.
The menu offers an abundance of creative choices - - my favourite is the Sweet Pepper and Prawn Roll, a touch of honey makes it a standout. If it's too hard to decide though, just leave it up to the sushi chef. She'll surprise you with one of her favourites.