March 19, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Museums
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I've been reading about the history of the Alaska Highway. You probably know someone who helped build this "16th wonder of the engineering world".
How would you like to eat 3 meals a day out of a can for 9 months?
How would you like to wash your army issue, green wool underwear in ice-cold water and hang them on a line to freeze-dry?
How would you like to sleep in a tent on a cot without a mattress night after night?
How would you like to be eaten alive by mosquitoes and flies for months on end?
Not much of a recruitment poster is it? But that is exactly what the thousands of troops and civilians signed up for when they came to Dawson Creek to lend their skills and strength to the enormous task punching a road through some of the north's most rugged landscapes in extreme temperatures.
When you come to Dawson Creek, make sure you take an afternoon to visit the Alaska Highway House Interpretive Center and immerse yourself in the history of this project that brought so many thousands together in very adverse conditions.
See for yourself what that green wool underwear looks like, check out the actual Willy Jeep on display and imagine bouncing around in it for 18 hours a day over corduroy roads... take a close look at the cans of 'food'... check out the pictures of what being eaten alive by mosquitoes or incapacitated by frost bite actually looks like...
Then... say a big thank you to anyone you know who worked on the Alaska Highway... I know I do...
March 17, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
Find more information about Vancouver - Professional & Spectator Sports
Just returned from the Paralympic Games in Vancouver. I felt a need to comment on the amazing hospitality of both the volunteers and paid staff at all venues. Extremely helpful and accommodating and always went the extra mile. Congratulations to all of you and Thanks!!!
March 17, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Parks
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When you are ready to take a break from driving and want to spend some time hiking, fishing or wildlife viewing, Dawson Creek has several great provincial parks just for you.
Swan Lake Provincial Park: 35 km/22 miles south of Dawson Creek on Highway #2 towards the Alberta border. There is a short drive off the highway on a gravel road. Swan Lake is open from early May to early September and has 42 vehicle-accessible campsites, a boat launch and dock. A great place for boating, hiking, walking, and bird watching.
One Island Lake Provincial Park: One Island Lake is an hour and a half or so south of Dawson Creek on Highway #2 (for 30km /18 miles) and then a right turn off the highway for the rest of the way with some gravel. This park is noted for its trout fishing, so make sure you bring your fishing gear. One Island has picnicking, boating and swimming. This is a favorite getaway for locals.
Kiskatinaw Provincial Park: Open mid May to the end of September each year, this beautiful park is tucked below the world famous curved wooden bridge over the Kiskatenaw River (a historical piece of the Alaska Highway). The bridge has been bypassed so it is quiet and a great place to stop. You'll want fresh batteries in your camera.
If you are looking for more information on camping and RV sites/services available in Dawson Creek, make sure you check out the Visitors Information Center located in the N.A.R. Park on Alaska Avenue.
Depending on your needs (power water, sani-dumps, showers etc), the folks there can point you in the right direction. Time to relax...
March 16, 2010 | Field Reports >
Victoria, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
The Paralympic Torch Relay arrives in BC! Torch Relay Reporter
Chris Wheeler joins the Norwegian Wheelchair Curling Team to learn more
about the sport before he sees the flame travel from Esquimalt to
Victoria where he speaks with Rick Hansen the "Man in Motion"!
March 15, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
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Geocaching is alive and strong in Dawson Creek! If you like exploring historic and natural sites you've come to the right place!
Also known as GPS Stash-Hunting, Geocaching is a high-tech version of hide 'n' seek where you explore the outdoors in search of hidden locations, treasures and adventure. All you need to find the cache is a sense of adventure and Global Positioning System (GPS) devise.
A typical cache consists of a small, weatherproof container that holds such items as: a logbook, stickers, an information sheet about the area and some inexpensive trinkets.
As the finder, you are encouraged to write a short note in the log book (including such details the weather that day, thoughts on how easy or hard the cache was to find), take a trinket, leave a little something in it's place and re-hide the cache for future geocachers to find.
When you get home, make sure you send a note to your geocaching website and describe your experience.
Our local geocaching enthusiasts have hidden treasures in a variety of locations around the region.
A day in the city or an out of town jaunt will reveal coordinates with exciting highlights such as an historic train trestle, an original Alaska Highway bridge, and inner-city nature walking trail, some of nature's best rural scenery and much more!
March 12, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Sechelt, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
In April 2007 we took our family to an area of BC that is a treasure trove of hidden gems woven along the highway that reaches from Gibson's to Earl's Cove. I am speaking of the Sunshine Coast and while it was our first visit it certainly won't be our last. During our stay we stayed in the Roberts Creek neighbourhood (tucked half-way between Gibson's and Sechelt) as well as Daniel Point in the area of Pender Harbour.
Reaching Pender Harbour requires a good 30 minute drive from Gibsons and a bit longer than that if you stop at Halfmoon Bay General Store and other quirky stops which are a must! During your stay stop in at Malaspina Ranch - a few kilometres north of Madeira Park which is the hub of Pender Harbour community life. Tucked away off the Sunshine Coast Hwy is a ranch with well groomed and cared for horses that will happily carry you away on a relaxing 2 hour trail ride where you will enjoy views of the Caren Mountain Range as well as the Pacific ocean. Stunning scenery is part and parcel of this largely unsung area of the BC coast and certainly makes the time to drive worthwhile!
March 12, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Sechelt, Hiking
Find more information about Sechelt - Hiking
In April 2007 our family had the pleasure of spending a week visiting the Sunshine Coast for the first time. Undaunted by the lack of hotel chain type of accomodations in this area we easily scored two great vacation rentals that were both affordable, comfortable and well outfitted. Here is my suggestion for a cost free, family-friendly activity near Roberts Creek (a neighborhood just south of Sechelt):
Cliff Gilker Park. A must-see for first time visitors to the Sunshine Coast. Just a very short walk from the parking lot will find you at the foot of a hiking trail that winds through lush forest of old growth cedars with lots of fallen trees that our teens scrambled over and under like mountain goats. Such an enjoyable, rejuvenating hike - not too long or difficult with the right balance of beautiful trees, streams, bridges and rocky ledges. Bring your camera and your dogs - they'll love it.
March 12, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
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Dawson Creek has 4 distinct seasons. Regardless of the season, you will need your sunglasses! We have
big skies and lots of sunshine!Spring is right around the corner and you can expect cool mornings, warm days and chilly nights. You'll want to have a jacket, gloves, and sturdy footwear.
Summer is very sunny with long days and warm nights. For the most part, summer is hot and dry, making tees and shorts the most comfortable choice. It does rain, so carry a sweater/sweatshirt and a light (possibly fleece lined) weather proof jacket to layer (an umbrella is optional).
Pack the footwear you are most comfortable in, sandals for the hot days and sneakers/walking shoes for the rest of your adventure.
Fall is cool and usually dry, you will want to be outside well into the evenings to soak up the beautiful evening skies.
Make sure you have that cozy jacket to wrap around you as you sit around a fire, watching the stars.
Winter comes in all shades of cold and all depths of snow. Make sure you have warm boots, coats, hats and gloves.
A winter walk on a moonlit night when you are all bundled up is an adventure you will enjoy.
Whatever the season, remember to bring your sunglasses!
March 10, 2010 | Field Reports >
Squamish, Historic & Heritage Sites
Find more information about Squamish - Historic & Heritage Sites
I live in Squamish and so I was was very thankful to hear that the Paralympic torch relay was going to come through town on Sunday, March 7th.
The flame was lit by members of the Squamish Nation and then brought by
canoe across the water to the downtown celebration. The Paralympic
torch was ignited and then brought through the streets by individuals
each having a personal story of overcoming obstacles and finding
inspiration. An incredibly memorable day for Squamish!
March 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Whale Watching
Find more information about Victoria - Whale Watching
I can still not say enough about the whale watching experience, with Wild Cat Adventure Tours, we had several years ago.
If you want to go whale watching, this company launches right from the inner harbour, and guarantees whale sightings (if there are no whales in the area, the boats don't go out and you are not charged).
I have had various friends who have gone whale watching in various other parts of North America only to be dissapointed.
We used this company and saw many whales and porpoises, not to mention the friendly, no hassle service from the tour staff.