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 18, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Anahim Lake, Sightseeing Tours
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Tatlayoko Valley is about a 45 minute drive from Clearwater Lake Lodge. On our second day at the lodge Bernward took us to do some sightseeing. The drive is mostly on dirt-gravel road so drive safely and take a vehicle that can handle it…small cars will probably have troubles. Our first stop was at Tatlayoko Lake which is a long skinny lake that hugs the eastern boarder of the Homathko River–Tatlayoko Protected Area. The park was created by the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Land Use Plan and is a wonderful destination for the rugged wilderness adventurers. The strong thermal winds on the lake create the perfect location for windsurfing aficionados. The lake is also a beautiful location for sightseeing and capturing that picture perfect moment. With the spectacular mountains surrounding the lake on one-side and the grassy rolling hills on the other the spot is surely to take your breath away.
Our Tatlayoko Valley experience continued on to Horn Lake and Bluff Lake were we stopped for lunch at a reclusive provincial park picnic and camping area on Bluff Lake. Although the water was a bit chilly in early May I can just imagine the swimming in this glacier clear lake on a hot summer day would be superb.
A trip to the Valley would not be complete without a stop at the famous rock face. Tatlayoko Valley is somewhat famous for being one of the many locations for the film ‘Seven Years in Tibet’ with Brad Pitt. If you are lucky Bernward will show you the rocks Brad himself climbed during the film!
May 18, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Williams Lake, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
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Chezacut Wilderness Adventures Guest Ranch is a must stop when travelling on Highway 20. This guest ranch retreat is the perfect place to ‘Get Away’…literally. Located 7.5 km off the main highway and 150 km west of Williams Lake, when you are here you are really away. The western accommodations and unique organic food is a great way to experience living off the land. I definitely tried some unique foods during my short stay…ask about the juice it is like something I have never seen!
The horsemanship lessons are really what the whole experience is about. Dominique is absolutely amazing with the horses and with us silly humans. She is very patient and descriptive when trying to explain the lessons. Our few hours spent with the horses were very interesting. We learned how to communicate with the horses; how to get them to back up, come forward, pivot on their back and front legs, how to run in a circle around you, and how to load them into a trailer. The most amazing thing I found was the simplicity in the ways to communicate with them. Dominique has trained them so well that when I simply stared at his rear end my horse would stop what he was doing and stand right in front of me, just amazing!
This is a great time for anyone, horse lovers and those who have never even touched a horse. Dominique is a superb teacher and will help you master the skills needed in your own time!
May 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Spas & Wellness
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The Hills Health Ranch was an incredible first stop on my Cariboo Chilcotin Coast road trip! I was instantly impressed with the ambiance and friendliness of the Ranch, not to mention the absolutely stunning scenic location! My favourite room of the entire ranch (which is quick large) is the cardio room. As an avid runner (well a most of the time runner!) I quite enjoyed the view, as I stood on the treadmill I looked out through the large bay windows and was greeted by the measureless acres of pristine forest, rolling hills and stunning mountains in the distance, giving the illusion of running outdoors through the native wilderness of British Columbia. If anything could make exercising and running fun and enjoyable, this room was it!
May 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Anahim Lake, Accommodation
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My time spent at the Clearwater Lake Lodge was unforgettable. Bernward and Giesla, the owners and operators, are hands down the most hospitable people I have ever met. From the moment we arrived at the Lodge we were treated like royalty, but also part of the family.
This place gets even better when we walked around to the dock area behind the lodge that is 500 feet from Clearwater Lake (hence the name!) and we were confronted with a view that can only be described as breathtaking. The lake is beautiful blue crystal clear glacier water surrounded by lush forest with the majestic coastal mountain standing tall in the background, creating the perfect landscape that even the most hardcore city goers would stop and contemplated living here for. Bernward refers to the region (Clearwater Lake and the Tatlayoko Valley south of the lake) as ‘God’s Country’ and he is right, I can’t imagine a more stunning, awe-inspiring place on earth.
To top off the entire Clearwater Lake experience, I will certainly remember Giesla’s cooking the most; probably because we all left a few pounds heavier! I highly recommend leaving your diets at home because for one you will be missing out on the greatest cooking the province has to off and no one can resist her unique blend of German-western cooking, the elegant presentation and most of all her home cooked bread.