May 27, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Burns Lake, Hiking
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My family hikes China Nose as a yearly routine; it is a magnificant mountain. The scenery at the peak of the mountain is one of the most beautiful sights and it is right in Burns Lake's back yard. More so it is right in my back yard as my family has a cabin on elwin lake, which has China Nose as the central sight; as seen in the photo that is taken during a sunset. Although this is something my family does from our backyard; it can easily be reached by anyone. The mountain and the hike make me proud to live in Burns Lake; it is such an amazing place!
May 27, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Burns Lake, Farms & Markets
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I have worked on a farm in Burns Lake since I was 10 years old. It is amazing the amount that you can learn from working in this industry. Farming can be a very tiring and physical job as the bales way at least 50 lbs and as a ten year old that seems pretty heavy! In Burns Lake our weather does not always cooperate with the haying season as it rains many days during the summer, but this rain allows us to have a day of fun. I remember on one rainy day we played poker and instead of money we created dares. This would be why my cousin is wearing the big pink hat. Although the job can be demanding, the vast amount of land that comes with the job and the fun we have makes up for it! This great amount of land that surrounds Burns Lake allowed me to learn how to drive on my own when I was 10 years old; of course I drove on my parents lap before that age. It is such a great place to grow up and I seriously recommend living here!
May 26, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Hiking
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Claire led us on an afternoon guided hike through beautiful pine and birch forests which then opened up into a vast grassy meadow where the blue skies seemed to stretch for miles. The marsh areas house various bird species that are monitored by Ducks Unlimited Canada. We passed by Sucre Lake where a Red-Tailed Hawk screeched then gracefully glided through the sky and disappeared amongst the pine trees. This unique ecosystem is perfect for bird watching.
May 26, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Anahim Lake, Outdoor Activity Tours
Finally I got a chance to see them – the Wheelchair Accessible Wilderness Trails that everyone is talking about. The Tatlayoko Valley is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen and I just love the idea of those new trails providing access to people with disabilities.
The surface of the trails is mining belting which was donated by one of the local mines. It makes a very smooth trail surface and is also great for jogging or inline skating.
The existing trails are right on the lake – a super spectacular setting with the surrounding mountains, the Niut Range and Potato Ranges.
I also love the idea of the Tatlayoko Community Association who would like to see the completion of 210km of wheelchair accessible trails throughout the Cariboo Chilcotin region by 2010.
A very cool project! And I already know I will be back to spend more time in the valley, sooo much to see and do!
May 26, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Queen Charlotte City, Attractions
Looking for a unique travel experience? Vounteer with the Laskeek Bay Conservation Society - Doing wildlife research on East Limestone Island: Ancient Murrelet research, marine birds, mammal surveys and more. Tourists have managed to hook up with the society and have had a fantastic time! www.laskeekbay.org
May 25, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Williams Lake, Sightseeing Tours
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I have been to some stellar places across this province, and even across the country, and I am constantly amazed by the dramatic diversity of the BC landscape. The drive along Highway 20 through the Chilcotin Coast area of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region of BC has yet again exceeded my expectations. The rolling hills entwined with the grasslands and almost desert like foliage create scenery I have never experienced before. If you can imagine this view as you drive down the rustic highway:
You are driving down the road that if you are lucky you will see a car every 10 minutes. On either side of the highway you can see miles of farm land with gorgeous western style houses, thousands of cattle grazing and one small town miles apart from the other. Small to the scale of if you blink on the drive you might miss it so keep a keen eye open. Behind the farm land you can see the rolling hills and the beginning of the mountainous ridges. The mountains, unlike the grassy hills, are covered with lush forest and you can only imagine the wildlife that calls this area home. As you continue your drive, the road begins to bend and turn and wind up the hill and you are welcomed by the Cariboo Mountains to the north and the Fraser River Valley to the south. Low in the valley you can see more farm land but be sure to watch for cattle on the road as they are free roaming herds in this area. Just when you begin to feel as though you have experienced highway 20 and the beauty of the Chilcotin region you drive over another hill and the coastal mountains come into sight; majestic, stunning, and a reminder that your Chilcotin Coastal experience has just begun!
May 23, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Nelson, Fishing
Check out some fresh fishing photos and fishing videos from Nelson, BC and Kootenay Lake. http://www.kootenayangler.com/ . There are lots of trout fishing photos and videos.
May 21, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Williams Lake, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
Rodeos year round! This is the great thing about Williams Lake and the Cariboo - there are rodeos almost every time of the year. There is the world famous Williams Lake Stampede which is held every year during the July 1st long weekend. Just like last year Williams Lake will host the Canadian High School Rodeo Finals in August. And of course after such a long break during the winter months I had to check out the Indoor Rodeo.
They had Bareback and Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing, Team Roping and Bull Riding. Was great to watch and I am so looking forward to the big Stampede this summer!
May 20, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
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For years my wife has been trying to convince me to go on a horse riding vacation, but I was always more than a little reluctant to agree because of a couple of bad experiences I had when I was younger. Finally after some coaxing she convinced me to try it out.
I've always had a fondness for the Cariboo after spending a few years as a youth growing up at 92 mile on highway 97. So we did a little research and found Free Rein Guestranch at Bridge Lake, it looked perfect, and it was! When we arrived we received a very warm welcome from our hosts Kathy and Finlay (and of course little Benny their pet dog)and were shown our accomodation for the week, a great little log cabin that was just right for the four of us. I love log cabins and this was perfect, located nicely right in front of the lake with a great porch for just sitting and taking in the view.
If you like birds and bird watching the amount of different birds on the property is unbelievable. Once we were settled in, Debbie (the owner/host/wrangler) and Mervin (the wrangler) wasted no time in getting us familiar with the horses. They carefully chose horses for us that would be compatible with our riding skills (mine being zero!), and had us enter the corral, and approach and harness our own horses. Letting me do this on my own quickly made me realize that horses aren't big scary monsters that are out to kill me, but really amazing animals. Although I wasn't successful at actually catching the horse they had chosen for me, just being among them did me a world of good in getting over my anxieties. They then had us groom the horses to get us comfortable around them and letting them get to know us.
In the evening we all sat together for a homecooked meal and discussed the days events and what we wanted to do during our stay. After dinner we played some snooker and darts and enjoyed getting to know our hosts. The following days and nights were fantastic, consisting of training and horsemanship and some trail rides, some trails were easy and relaxing others were more challenging with steep hills and water crossings. We also tried our hand at barrel racing in the riding arena. Mealtimes and evenings were very enjoyable with great conversation and enjoyable activities. My wife and two children 12 and 14 had an excellent time and didn't want to leave, we actually ended up staying an extra night. All in all I found this trip to be very therapeutic, the best vacation I've ever had and I would highly recommend Free Rein Guest Ranch to everyone! And this is coming from someone who wasn't very fond of horses. The hosts are excellent and make you feel right at home and the surroundings are spectacular. I wish we had had more time to enjoy all of the activities that were available, maybe next time.
May 19, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Dining
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I'm usually a bagged lunch sort of girl, but I hadn't seen a friend in a good long time so we decided to hit up a local coffee shop for lunch.
After a somewhat brisk walk through our unseasonable weather (blowing snow and below zero in MAY!) we entered the spacious confines of Whole Wheat & Honey. I had been there many times in the evening for local music events but never had I eaten there.
The coffee is fairly average, as good as anywhere but nothing stellar, but today I fell in love with their Souvlaki Wrap and Spiced Chai Latte. Having just had my wisdom teeth out I've been banned from crispy breads and the like, fortunately the souvlaki wrap was contained in a soft warm pita. I also found the filling delicious, fresh vegetables, from olives to cucumbers, to a variety of greens layered over warm sliced chicken (not processed!).
The chai was hot and aromatic though perhaps a bit sweet. I forgave the slight excess of sugar for the presence of an actual porcelain mug! I cannot begin to express how much I prefer the aesthetic of a real mug to a paper cup.
The atmosphere is pleasant and light. We sat in comfy leather armchairs near the little gas stove and the collection of instruments donated to the venue for impromptu musical endeavours. Though perhaps warmer than it needed to be, the place offered a cozy reprieve from the snowy May afternoon outside.