March 31, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
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I spent a great time at the Red Willow Ranch close to Lone Butte, B.C.
These horses are all friendly and so nice, and the weather was, even in March, sunny and mild - perfect for a horseback ride! The ranch is surrounded by wonderful pine trees and large fields, just the best to try a canter!
The food here is made with so much love, you can taste it, and it's twice as good after a day out in the fresh air. I recommend this place to everybody who likes horseback riding, combined with the possibility to just let your soul relax fully!
March 30, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Attractions
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We take our seasons seriously here in Dawson Creek. Summer is Summer, Fall is Fall, Winter is Winter and here comes Spring!
We love spring! It is so obvious here. We can almost feel the earth warm up. We hope for a gradual melt so that the earth absorbs as much moisture as it can for the upcoming yearly crops.
I keep a journal of the heralds of spring. The first Canada Geese, the first robins, pussy willows, the first bright green blades of grass and of course the first green leaves and the first tractor working up a field for planting.
If you come to Dawson Creek in the spring months, you will see us cleaning up the debris from winter, sweeping our streets and planting flowers in our beautiful city baskets. And you'll see a lot of smiles.
I love the way the city shakes off our winter coat. Friends who visit often comment on what an attractive place this is. Even as a resident, I appreciate how clean and welcoming it is.
I never get tired of the huge flocks of geese flying overhead, or the newborn animals kicking up their heels in the fields.
Spring has sprung in the Peace River Country.
March 26, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Historic & Heritage Sites
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My mother always said the best things in life are free.
Dawson Creek, the Mile "O" City, has a many ways to have fun without having to spend a lot of money.
Here are my personal favorite free things to do in Dawson Creek
all while you are parked at the N.A.R. ParkSelf-Guided Historic Walking TourPick up a copy of the complimentary walking tour brochure while you are at the Visitor's Center in the N.A.R. Park. Put on your comfortable shoes, grab your camera and stretch your legs while checking out Dawson Creek's Pioneer and World War II history. Follow the map and enjoy the murals and original photos posted all around town.
Art GalleryA visit to our city isn't complete without a stroll up, up, up inside an actual grain elevator annex that has been renovated to a unique Art Gallery. Dawson Creek has a strong art community and there are year round exhibitions. Make sure you check out the gift shop and the many original photos of the building of the Alaska Highway in the back stairwell.
Railway Station MuseumI take all our visitors to the museum. It's in the original Northern Alberta Railway Station, which played an important role in the history of Dawson Creek. It's filled with artifacts and memorabilia and a great way to spend an hour or so of time.
Alaska Highway House Interpretive CenterThis is my favorite place to take our visitors. I learn something new each time I go. This is a top-drawer adventure. A real WWII Willy Jeep, scale models and artifacts from the building of the Alaska Highway, original photos from the period and a kiosk in an RV to record video messages.
Hope you enjoy these adventures when you come!
March 24, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Snowmobiling
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I remember our first snowmobile when I was a kid. We would argue over who's turn it was to drive. The little kids had to settle for being the passenger.
We used to tie the hood of an old car on a long rope and hook it behind the snowmobile and go for rides on the frozen lake. The younger kids in the back, my older brother driving. He would slow down going into a corner and then speed up as the hood entered, whipping us around and often shooting us out and into the snow banks.
Snowmobiling is part of the winter culture here in Dawson Creek. In the winter, regardless of where you drive, you will see tracks along the road. Swooping up and down ditches and snow blanketed fields.
Pick-up trucks sporting snowmobile racks are a common sight on our roads.
It's wonderful to be outside on a beautiful blue-sky winter day, together with family and friends breathing fresh air and flying across the snow. It's an opportunity to get up close and personal with Mother Nature and see some beautiful countryside.
Then there is the wiener roast and hot chocolate by the campfire for lunch, followed by more sledding and at the end of it all... a hot tub.
If you visit Dawson Creek in the winter, hopefully you know someone with a snowmobile, or bring your own, there are lots of beautiful places to ride.
The Visitors Center in the N.A.R. park can give you all the local information.
March 23, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
North Vancouver, Outdoor Activity Tours
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Motorcycle Riding into the sunset on the Sea to Sky Highway between Porteau Cove and Lions Bay, British Columbia, Canada. Highway 99 is one of the most scenic roads in BC, especially from Vancouver to Whistler, portions of this stretch of road were redone for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and now the Sea to Sky corridor is a motorcyclist's dream filled with spectacular scenery.
Video by Jeff Pennock of Virtual Riding TV
March 22, 2010 | Field Reports >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
During its final day, The Paralympic Torch Relay travels from
Robson Square celebrations in downtown Vancouver to BC Place for the
Opening Ceremony! Torch Reporter Chris Wheeler follows the flame around
Vancouver, stops in for a coffee at Cafe Artigiano and visits the
Vancouver Art Gallery before viewing some sledge hockey at Robson
Square. He then follows the flame as it journeys on a Sea King
helicopter, two naval ships and a Zodiac boat to the Opening Ceremony!
The
10-day inspirational journey of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch
Relay began on March 3, 2010 in Ottawa and visited several Canadian
Celebration Sites along its route to Vancouver, BC.
More Torch Videos at: http://www.youtube.com/2010torch
March 22, 2010 | Field Reports >
Vancouver, Historic & Heritage Sites
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The Paralympic Torch Relay starts its last 24 hours with a First
Nation blessing on Musqueam Territory before travelling around downtown
Vancouver. Torch Reporter Chris Wheeler follows the flame and visits
the Museum of Anthropology and the Granville Room before seeing Roberto
Luongo carry the torch and light the cauldron at Robson Square!
March 22, 2010 | Field Reports >
Whistler, Skiing & Snowboarding
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The Paralympic Torch Relay comes through Whistler, British
Columbia! Torch Reporter Chris Wheeler follows the flame to the top of
Whistler Blackcomb. There he learns about the Whistler Adaptive Sports
Program with Wheelchair Basketball star Naoki Yasu. He then skis to the
village with Paralympian Ski Racer Phil Chew to join in on the
Paralympic Torch Relay celebration!
March 22, 2010 | Field Reports >
Squamish, Historic & Heritage Sites
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The Paralympic
Torch Relay arrives in Squamish, British Columbia, the outdoor
recreation capital of Canada! Torch Reporter Chris Wheeler journeys
with the flame around Squamish and hits up a single track mountain bike
ride before hearing torchbearer stories of determination, inspiration,
courage and equality.
March 22, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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We were so lucky to have our out-of-town company come to visit at the same time the Royal Lipizzaner Stallions were in town at the EnCana Events Center!
We were able to get seats on the floor in the first row. The stallions passed so close I could see the veins in their necks and hear them breathing. It was amazing! And when the National Anthem was played, one beautiful white stallion stood completely still while his rider held the flag. It was a powerful moment.
The horses performed their centuries old ballet to an enthralled audience. The highlight was the spectacular "Airs Above the Ground" maneuvers. I learned that these moves were born on the battlefields of old when the horses were used in combat. I remember my mom telling me how the Lipizzaners were almost lost during World War II and that General Patton helped save them.
It was an amazing and entertaining experience. We didn't have to know a lot about horses to know we were in the presence of greatness. I was interested to see that all but one rider were women and that many were quite young.
It was a wonderful event in a wonderful facility and of course, I bought a hoodie with a picture of a dancing stallion as a souvenir.
Make sure you check out the coming attractions at the EnCana Events Center when you come to visit. We get some big names!