October 21, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Whistler, Sightseeing Tours
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Whistler is my favourite place to vacation because walking is encouraged. Many kilometres of marked trails are readily available for the hiker. And in the evening, one can enjoy a myriad of dining experiences. Shopping seems to be a pass-time of many of Whistler's visitors, and there are countless spas to ensure you relax and enjoy.
October 20, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Princeton, River Rafting
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The Similkameen River between Bromley Rock Provincial Park (near Princeton) and Pickard Creek Provincial Park (10 km to the south) offers some good Class II - III wave trains from mid-May to late-June. You can camp right at Bromley and could even shuttle with a bike if needed.
Beware the wind and have some rain gear as the wind gusts can make you cold after taking a face shot from some of the bigger waves. This is a good stretch for rafters that want an easy shuttle and a good 2-hour stretch. To add a couple more hours, you can start in Princeton at the confluence of the Similkameen and Tulameen rivers at high flow for a great meandering ride with a few interesting wave sections.
October 18, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Langley, Historic & Heritage Sites
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I’m not saying I believe or I don’t believe but either way I am scared of ghosts. And just in case and because you never know, I randomly put out into the universe “Ghosts… you are not welcome in my house.” You are not supposed to invite them in. That being said, I was strangely SO EXCITED to go on Fort Langley National Historic Sites Grave Tales - a tour through the ‘haunted’ locations in the village of Fort Langley.
The night was perfect, clear and cold with a big bright moon and the appropriate amount of mist that danced on the water of the Bedford Channel and twisted and turned through the grave stones at the Fort Langley Cemetery. Guiding us by lantern, our guide Aman began by telling us that the stories they had chosen to tell were the best and most validated by the people who live and work in Fort Langley. What we would learn is that Aman himself had a little first-hand experience of his own.
In general the history of Fort Langley is very interesting. People visit the area to see the Historic Site where the Hudson’s Bay Company once served as a trading post in the 1800’s. Fort Langley was also the location of the proclamation of British Columbia as a Crown Colony in 1858. People came to the area to seek their fortune. These historical events do provide the framework of the Grave Tales stories, but the spine-chilling tales involving people from this time will haunt you.
As we wandered through the village the stories got better and better and I was sufficiently spooked by the end of the tour and we were left to explore the deserted Fort Langley National Historic Site. Now, I’m not going to share the stories I heard – you will have to find out for yourself – but I will let you know that I will be looking over my shoulder for unsettled spirits on my next visit to Fort Langley.
Grave Tales geared toward an adult audience and begins and ends at Fort Langley National Historic Site October 21, 22 & 23: 7pm, 8pm & 9pm October 28, 29 & 30: 7pm, 8pm & 9pm and runs in all weather. Tickets are $12.70 per person and it is recommended by purchasing well in advance. For more information or for tickets please call 604.513.4777.
October 18, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Richmond, Attractions
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This week, in the spirit of Halloween, I ventured out with my two and a half year old neighbour Hudson to the pumpkin patch! The pumpkin patch is a fun destination packed full of activities and entertainment for the whole family! Located on Steveston Highway between No.5 and N0. 6, you will find everything there from mud, music, wagon rides, live shows, animals, a corn maze… and of course pumpkins!
I have fond memories as a child coming here and utterly caking myself in mud, finding the biggest and best pumpkin in the patch, and dragging it home for carving! I’m happy to say it’s exactly as I remember it, only this time, everything seems just a bit smaller. :)
Upon arriving I met up with Hudson, his father Doug, his mom Teresa, and their newborn, Finnegan. Hudson was very excited to get going!
Before starting we visited the small petting zoo near the entrance, complete with chickens, roosters, goats, and cows… or as Hudson called them ‘Moo Moos.’ We bought our tickets and headed in towards the famous wagon ride!
To get to the pumpkin patch, you must first hop on a hay wagon and enjoy a nice five minute ride through the farm and surrounding orchard. As you pass the serene sights of the dew filled fields and farm, you are sung to by a banjo wielding musician on the wagon! He does a good job at getting the kids going, as well as explaining the sights as they pass by. Soon, we were at the patch!
Beautiful! Pumpkins everywhere!!! Hudson and I were soon venturing out into the fields, with mud everywhere, hunting down the perfect pumpkin! After quite an extensive search over two different pumpkin fields Hudson located his pumpkin, as well as mine. It was a lot of fun watching Hudson romp around searching high and low for that perfect pumpkin. It brought back memories of when I was a child and I’m happy he got to experience it.
A short wagon ride later we were back at the farm, and in front of a giant box of delicious red apples. It’s tradition that after your hay ride and pumpkin search you reward yourself with a crunchy red apple! We watched a stage show with life-size characters dancing on the stage all to live music and soon were ready to head home with our prizes. What a great morning!
If you are in need of a pumpkin for Halloween, definitely head down to the pumpkin patch on Steveston Highway and get the full experience! It’s really a lot of fun for the whole family!
Thanks to Hudson and family for coming out and spending the day with me! Happy Halloween!
October 14, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
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I had the
great pleasure of spending from October 7
th to the 12
th 2011
at Free Rein Guest Ranch. It was the best vacation I have ever had in my 52
years. The Owner Debbie and her parents welcomed me as if we were long lost friends
or part of the family. The home cooked style meals were fantastic. Never left
the table hungry, and the conversation and laughter during the meals and
anytime we were together was very warming of the soul. Each new guest that
joined in was made to feel welcomed and part of the growing Free Rein Family.
This was actually one of the conversations we all had one night. It was started
by a couple from
Edmonton
that had arrived 2 hours before dinner.
The Ranch
house and cabins are beautiful as are the surroundings. Everything is well kept
and spotless. Games room with pool table, darts and foosball, board games and a
reading room. Every window had a fantastic breath taking view.
The horses
were all great, and Debbie matched each person with a horse that suited them
perfectly. My horse was “Boo”; he was a good big gentle boy. Debbie taught us
how to go into the coral and bring our horse in, and prepare them for the ride.
She also gave us a horse whispering lesson. The feeling of having Boo come to
me and follow me where ever I walked, by his choice with out a lead, is beyond
words.
I did not
want to leave and driving back home I almost turned around a few times and went
back. I will be returning as soon as I can. And will hopefully take my daughter
with me.
Debbie is
an Angel, and Free Rein Guest Ranch is a little piece of Heaven.
Dave, Surrey, B.C.
October 06, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Richmond, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Finn Slough is an old fishing village situated along the banks of the
Fraser River in the southern parts of Richmond, British Columbia.
Despite its blighted appearance; Finn Slough has become a popular
tourist destination among artists, photographers, and the curious.