May 29, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Beaches & Swimming
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We may be known for our wet climate, but we do still have beautiful sunny days! A few of us recently went out to jungle beach for a hotdog roast. It isn't quite warm enough yet for swimming, especially with the wind. However, in mid-July and August, more local families will be headed there for beach days! We spent the afternoon walking along the beach, wandering amongst the driftwood logs, and enjoying our hotdogs near the shelter and outhouses provided. Quite recently someone built a small lookout post at the entrance to the beach, as you can see in the picture!
According to the Katherine Dalzell book "The Queen Charlotte Islands of Places and Names: Book 2", Jungle Beach is the local name for the picnic site located at Halibut Bight. It is noted that Mr. Mackenzie, a taxi driver in 1930, promoted the area for picnics in order to promote trips there and help his business. During the stormy winter months, driftwood logs are deposited near the entrace of the beach, in a "jungle-like" fashion.
From swimming to beachcombing, or just looking for a place to have a picnic with the family, Jungle Beach is a favourite spot for locals and tourists to hangout in the summer sun!
May 23, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Hiking
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The Pesuta, a shipwrecked log carrier, washed ashore on the East Coast of Haida Gwaii in 1928. The weathered bow remains today, jutting from the sand, and can be seen if one hikes out there....
...I decided to join with two of my friends to hike to the Pesuta. It was a sunny day, but the exposure on the East Coast means the wind gives quite a chill! The hike takes about four hours to complete, and that includes having lunch when you get there. We choose to hike further about twenty minutes to Gold Creek, where we travelled back towards the Pesuta through the sandy dunes. In one area there are moss beds in the dunes, where we stopped to sit and have lunch.
Some debris from the Japanese Tsunami can be found on East Beach as well. Some of the things you can find are so neat! This is the same beach that the Harley Davidson motorcycle washed up on!
The Pesuta is less than I remember from when I was a child. Pieces of it have fallen off and have been swept away by the ocean. All over it are carved in signatures of people who have visited it over the years. It really is a piece to be treasured, and the hike to it is always fun, so long as you ensure that the tide remains low enough to walk the beach!
May 08, 2012 | Tips from Us >
Whistler, Spas & Wellness
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The tulips and daffodils made all the difference on my latest visit to the wonderful Scandinave Spa in Whistler. I have had the good fortune of visiting this unique outdoor hot/cold pool oasis a few times since it opened in 2009, but never in Spring. The experience is always truly remarkable. So relaxing and stimulating at the same time....but I have to say that the flowers and spring buds made it even more memorable. As soon as I left after 2 hours of bliss, I wanted to return. And I will....