May 11, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Historic & Heritage Sites
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We took a break from driving and stopped off the highway at the 108 Historic Site.
Unfortunately it wasn’t open yet for the season but we did have a great walk around the grounds, looking at the old historic buildings that sit on the edge of 108 Lake.
Many are original to the site including a huge log
Clydesdale Barn.
We'd heard from some locals about stories/rumors about the site, specifically about the famous Angus Mcvee, a Scottish woman who owned and operated the hotel in the area in the 1800s. Rumors say that she used to kidnap girls who were running from home on their way to the Cariboo gold fields and then sell them to traveling men. She also supposedly murdered a large amount of passing merchants, miners and other prospective buyers of her young girls who visited the isolated hotel and in the course of the following years, more than fifty-nine bodies were found in the small lakes of the area. Agnes Mcvee always buried her ill gotten booty near the hotel and in following years after her death, visitors continued to find buried gold and coin in the surrounding areas.
The hotel was ripped down in 1892 and the wood was used to build a post house and telegraph/store that still stand at the 108 Historical site.
Other highlights of the site that we saw included old farming equipment, logging equipment, a one room school house, trappers cabin and blacksmith shop. The grassy shores of the lake offer a great place for a picnic lunch stop and there is a large area for parking off of the highway which also features washrooms and area information.
May 11, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Spas & Wellness
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I treated my feet in the afternoon to a spa pedicure as they needed some TLC after being trapped inside shoes and socks all winter. The spa area at the ranch is very clean and the charming country decor encourage relaxation and comfort. The esthetician was extremely friendly and professional, answering my questions about what she was doing, product she was using etc. After a lovely foot soak, massage and nail care, my tootsies are soft and supple and ready to take sandal season head on!
May 11, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Spas & Wellness
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At first I was apprehensive of trying a fitness class at the ranch but forced myself out of my comfort zone and thought I'd give one a try. Pilates sounded like a good option, something I’d never tried before and it ended up being a great experience! The instructor Cathy was friendly and funny and was great at providing a wide array of options for each exercise depending on skill/fitness level. There was a range of ages and experience levels within the others in the class but Cathy was awesome at giving us newbies tips and advice to ensure we were getting the most out of the moves. The studio is a great space as the large windows allow a ton of light to stream in and brighten up the room. The 50 minute class went by as quick and snappy as Cathy’s jokes and we left feeling strong and able.
May 11, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Clearwater, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
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I have gone on trail rides before, but I was amazed to find our guide, Dominique, had no intention of taking us riding - at least not right away. Her approach to riding is to actually spend time with the horses and familiarize riders with the methods she uses to work with her horses. I really appreciated being taught something about how to handle a horse and not just plopped up on a dusty old mare to go for a trail ride. Each of us in our little group was asked to select a horse and I liked the light brown one called ‘Roper’.
We then walked over to an open area with our horses and we were instructed on how to make the horse back up, how to get them to move their hind quarters away from you and then the front quarters, and then how to get them to walk in a circle around you on a long lead. I realize these are trained horses, but there is a knack to getting them to do these things as they read your every move and look and interpret it accordingly so it took several attempts to get it it all right.
One of the most interesting tricks we were taught was that if we wanted the horse to stop walking in a circle or to get their attention you had to make a very serious or angry face and stare pointedly at their hind quarters. It was amazing to do this and watch as the horse did exactly as she said it would and immediately came to a complete standstill, looking at you expectantly and waiting to see what you wanted next. This was so very cool to see! It was like being a horse whisperer for real. It was this same circling technique that we used to load the horses into a trailer which was much easier to do than I would have thought. Roper of course was the youngest horse there so was harder to manage and the instructor had to help me out a bit. No matter, I actually learned something and I loved it.
May 11, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Clearwater, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
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Anyone traveling to this location had better double check the directions before leaving as there are two Chezacuts to look out for - one at the very end of a 30 kilometer stretch of road and the other only about 7.3 kilometers along the way. Both have Chezacut in the name so we of course got it wrong and went to the very end and had to turn around and go all the way back. There is currently no sign to mark the entrance to the ranch but the applications have been sent in and they expect to have proper signage up early summer 2009.
The drive is worth it though as the Chezacut Wilderness Adventure Ranch is amazing. You have to drive up this very long winding driveway, but go slow as it is quite rocky - though they are working on it and making some improvements. There is certainly a gardener in the group as the grounds are impressive even this early in the season. The best time to visit is around middle of may to the end of August and even into September as the trees will have leafed out.
The views at the ranch are panoramic and the main house has an absolutely huge kitchen where you can kick back and relax. I’ll go back to the garden though for a moment as there is a huge pond they’ve created right off the kitchen with surrounding decks and lounge chairs. It’s a bit cold right now, but in a couple more weeks it will be warmer and I can so see myself with some coffee and snacks and a good book out on the deck. That would be my favorite spot and you get the added bonus of humming birds flitting around while you relax. Apparently, they have several varieties that frequent the little feeders and they’ve counted as many as twenty-four at one time. I tried to get a picture of a little one with blueish wings but he flitted away before I could get set up. I couldn't help but attach a picture of the resident mutt whose bed was an old half water barrel with a big old horse blanket to lay down on - too funny!
May 11, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Clearwater, Sightseeing Tours
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This part of the drive is actually pretty straight forward. It reminds me of the Alaska Highway only a bit less winding. The valleys are huge with mountain views go miles off into the distance. It’s breathtaking to be on the side of the highway and the pictures don’t really do it justice. There are miles and miles of fences and we couldn’t possibly have counted the cattle and sheep in the pastures and fields we passed. It’s a bit early in the season still and the trees haven’t leafed out quite yet so its a bit grey looking in places. Soon though the leaves will come out and it will be a stunning. I would think the best time to drive this part of the world would be the middle of May to the end of June when it’s not too hot yet.
We stopped at a little garage station to get gas. There was a big old red dog lying in the sun on the porch that allowed us to wander over and scratch his ears. He liked that a lot. The next little community was Alexis Creek and it’s quite nice. The houses overlook the valley and we stopped to take pictures of this quaint little house on the hill with a beautiful garden just starting to send up new green shoots. It’s fun to be on the highway with the girlies - so many miles to go and we’re just kicking back listening to some great music. This is my idea of a good time!
May 11, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Anahim Lake, Outdoor Activity Tours
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During our stay in the Anahim Lake area we stayed at the Escott Bay Resort this is an amazing retreat with spectacular views from every window. The resort offers fishing, canoe trips, trail rides, outback adventures and it even has a Hot Tub overlooking the lake. There are many birds in the area making this an ideal spot for bird watching.
My trail ride was an experience to remember, I woke up early in the morning to watch the sun come up over the lake. Near the beginning of the journey we spotted a Moose on the Iced over lake. As a first time rider I found the one hour trail ride to be the perfect start, DUSTY the horse was very friendly and calm.
I would suggest staying at least two nights to get a full feel for what the area and resort has to offer. With hearty cowboy breakfasts and great guides this resort is the perfect destination for those that want to have a true Cariboo experience.
May 11, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Culinary Tours & Schools
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It gets dark here in the evening and by the time we unpacked it was time to get something to eat. I was hungry after the long drive to get here. The dining room is called the 1871 Room, named after the year the Cariboo Region made the decision to join Canada on the promise a railway would be built to bring people and supplies to the gold fields of the day. The dining room is spacious and the windows look out over the valley and mountains to the east. There is only one waitress but she was very nice and helpful with our questions.
The white wine she suggested was great and went well with the fondu that was served. The meal was fat free and we skewered thin strips of beef and shrimp into a pot of boiling broth to cook. It was delicious and not too filling. I appreciate the low fat, healthful approach to cooking and sharing of food. Loosing weight is a lot of work and its frustrating when you go out for a nice meal and there are no good choices on the menu. Their menu features the number of calories and fat for each item which is helpful. Dessert was a fruit fondue dipped in a little bit of dark chocolate. Before we knew it almost three hours had flown by - not sure where the time went. It was a wonderfully relaxed dinner and I enjoyed the service and ambiance of our first evening at the spa.
May 11, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Bella Coola, Outdoor Activity Tours
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We stayed at the Coast Mountain Lodge located in Hagensborg just ten minutes from Bella Coola. The lodge offers Grizzly Bear & Wildlife Viewing tours, Salmon Snorkelling, Hiking Trips, Eco-Rafting and Zodiac Boat Tours. The lodge is very comfortable and bright with kitchenettes should you choose to stay in for dinner. The accommodations include Mountain View Rooms and Beautiful Gardens. If you love fishing, hiking, paddling, wildlife viewing, climbing, heli-skiing and or snowboarding this is the ideal place to stay.
May 11, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Spas & Wellness
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Hills Health Ranch
This ranch is located at 108 Mile House on the #1 Highway headed north. It’s just off the beaten track and easy to find. The drive up to the main house passes by huge horse pens and an impressive red barn to the right - it was so big we all thought that's where we were supposed to being staying. The main lodge is a log building and parking is easy and plentiful. We were greeted at the main hall entrance by the owner and provided a brief tour of the before heading to our rooms. I was surprised to find they had the cutest little wedding chapel and Pat, the owner, told us a couple stories of people who have been married there and ceremonies held in the winter with snow candles lighting the pathways.
They have 16 spa and therapy rooms and each has a different specialty - I’m liking the massage and mud rooms myself. They sell Rose Hip Oil that they produce themselves and even sell to other high end spas and resorts around the world. If it’s not too expensive I’m thinking of taking some home with me. The rooms are softly lit and darker in color and look very relaxing. The chalet I’m in overlooks the valley and the deck off the main room is the full length of the building. Coffee on the deck early tomorrow is where I’ll be for sure. Great spot to work and just enjoy the view and watch the horses wander by.