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Oh dear

November 23, 2007 | Tips from Us > Invermere, Hot Springs
Find more information about Invermere - Hot Springs

Six years ago I drove through the Kootenay Rockies during an extended vacation, stopping at hot, hot springs along the way. Soaking my way to Saskatchewan, I liked to say. Well, I finally found my way back to the east Kootenays and once again found myself slipping into bliss at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

This was the view from my room just after I checked into the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

Need I say more?

I will anyways! Here is the little tip. I didn't know this six years ago, but if you actually stay at the resort, you get access to a smaller, more private pool that you can access via a "tunnel" from the hallways in the lodge. Peaceful and relaxing...

 

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Posted by Susan Rybar, Vancouver at 03:56 PM

Best deal this side of the Rockies

November 23, 2007 | Tips from Us > Radium Hot Springs, Hot Springs
Find more information about Radium Hot Springs - Hot Springs

Okay, really, it's the best deal IN the Rockies, literally.

I was recently in Radium Hot Springs (the hot water, not the resort) and managed to sneak a dip with one of the staff. As she walked out of the changeroom, I was thrown back in time. She was wearing an old fashioned bathing suit! Which I think looks pretty hip, even now.

For only $1.95 anyone can rent a bathing suit, which makes the excuse of leaving your suit behind, history.

(I think you can buy them too, but at a price a bit more than $1.95.)

 

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Posted by Susan Rybar, Vancouver at 03:46 PM

Bean there, done that

November 23, 2007 | Tips from Us > Kimberley, Dining
Find more information about Kimberley - Dining

I love my chai! And wherever I travel, I love to find the best cup there is to be had. Turns out, if you climb the steps of The Bean Tree, a local cafe in Kimberly, you can get the best cup of chai and a cozy, funky, friendly place to chill out, or warm up, from a day of skiing or shopping the platzl.  

Ok, I admit it, I was shopping... so here's another tip - The Perfect Present, a kitchen shop in the platzl, sells a wicked pumpkin fudge!

 

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Posted by Susan Rybar, Vancouver at 03:37 PM

Basa & Frites

November 23, 2007 | Tips from Us > Invermere, Culinary Tours & Schools

I love this! While eating at the new restaurant at the Eagle Ranch Golf Resort in Invermere I was immediately drawn to this menu item: Crusted Basa, Tarragon Lemon Aioli & Frites - or, as us regular folks might call it, fish & chips with a dallop of tarter sauce. Whatever you call it, my tummy was more than happy at the end of the meal.

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Posted by Susan Rybar, Vancouver at 03:29 PM

Head Banger Tour

November 23, 2007 | Tips from Us > Radium Hot Springs, Wildlife Tours
Find more information about Radium Hot Springs - Wildlife Tours

Every fall the city of Radium Hot Springs host Head Banger Tours. And no, you don’t have to be a groupie of Iron Maiden, Metallica, or Cinderella to join! This tour consists of getting in a car, finding the bighorn sheep, and watching them bash their heads and horns together.

Unfortunately, the tour wasn’t being offered the night I was in town, but after my stay at Bighorn Meadows Resort (see the blog entry), I imagine the evening would be educational and exciting. For more information contact info@RadiumHotSprings.com.

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Posted by Susan Rybar, Vancouver at 03:26 PM

Springs, Sheep, Spa

November 23, 2007 | Tips from Us > Radium Hot Springs, Wildlife Tours
Find more information about Radium Hot Springs - Wildlife Tours

 

After a sweet soak beside the rock cliff splattered with fabulous fall colours, and after Misty’s fantastic deep-tissue m"aaaaaaaah"ssage at the new Radium Hot Springs spa, I packed up my newly mineralized bathing suit and headed back to our van. As we drove away slowly, a group of bighorn sheep stopped us on the street, wandered aimlessly across the highway to the hot springs, jumped onto the concrete wall by the sidewalk and literally jumped over into the pool. Or so it looked to us.

Actually, there is a grassy patch between the wall and the pool, and after eating their fill, the sheep peaked their heads back over the wall, hopped over, and then scampered away back across the highway. I loved it!

That night, we stayed at Bighorn Meadows Resort, where we were greeted by a herd of about 70 bighorn sheep, with some of them having very, very big horns, and none of them looking like they just had a relaxing spa experience! And even though it seemed a bit unnatural to see the sheep grazing on the golf fairway, it was an incredible experience to see them so close up, just hanging out, doing what sheep do – EAT.

Every year, many sheep are killed by travellers travelling too fast. Please drive slowly through Kootenay National Park and all wildlife areas.

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Posted by Susan Rybar, Vancouver at 03:23 PM

President, The Navigators of Canada

November 21, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Ladysmith, Farms & Markets
Find more information about Ladysmith - Farms & Markets

Kiwi Cove Lodge in Ladysmith is an absolutely excellent place with wonderful service.  Peggy Kolosoff met our every need and was a pleasure to work with.  She also provided us with meals that were a culinary delight.  I was hosting 15 people from the U.S., the U.K. and Canada for a retreat and planning session for our organization.  I'd go back in a heartbeat, either with my wife or again as a group.  I also became very well acquainted with the Kiwi!  So, if you haven't been there, be sure not to miss staying there.  I'd give it a five star rating!

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Posted by NavND, London at 11:04 AM

Wine Country

November 20, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Kelowna, Wineries & Vineyards
Find more information about Kelowna - Wineries & Vineyards

 A great time to visit the Okanogan valley and miss all the crowds is early October. We were holidaying with or motorhome and made many stops along the way, touring the valley from Osoyoos, Oliver, Penticton, Summerland, Peachland, Kelowna, and Vernon, taste testing as many different wines as we could along the way. The crowds were small, and most campgrounds that were open were almost deserted. We sat on the shores of Lake Osoyoos, and Lake Okanogan, sipping wine and just relaxing, while enjoying the view.

Elkhunter

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Posted by Elk Hunter, Sherwood Park at 06:27 PM

The Symphony Bowl at Whistler-Blackcomb

November 07, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Whistler, Skiing & Snowboarding
Find more information about Whistler - Skiing & Snowboarding

The Symphony lift is a new one recently put in on Whistler Mountain, where skiiers of any level can experience an amazing day of sunshine powder, and a beautiful view. Although on some days skiier and boarders may suffer from harsh weather, for the most part it is sunny and guaruntees an amazing powder day.

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Posted by aj_brown_99, Vancouver at 12:48 PM

All Points West Podcast for November 2, 2007

November 06, 2007 | Podcasts > Nanaimo, Festivals & Events

Podcast for November 2, 2007.

Arts and Crafts Events throughout the province this weekend:

• 105 Mile House Baptist Church
• Clinton
• Lac la Hache Community Craft Fair
• Cranbrook at the Golf Clubhouse
• Jaffrey/Bains Lake Community Hall
• Nanaimo Bevan Park Centre
• Campbell River at the Community Centre

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Posted by Susan Friesen, Abbotsford at 03:54 AM