September 30, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Wildlife Tours
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Anyone traveling the main or back roads here in the Peace River Country is bound to see wildlife near the roads.
Just this last week alone, we have seen two bears, several moose, countless deer, 4 hawks, thousands of Canada Geese and a grey owl on our way to town. It's harvest season and the animals are taking advantage of the easy food left by the machinery in the fields.
Bears are intent on putting on weight to get ready for hibernation, moose, deer and elk are taking advantage of the ripe grains being left behind by the combines and the birds of prey are having a field day with the mice in the swaths and stubble.
The animals are in peak condition with shiny coats and healthy weight.
We need to be watchful on the roads. Dusk is a favorite time for wildlife to be close to the roads and they can be hard to see.
I keep my camera handy in my car. There are so many great photo opportunities.
September 29, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Summerland, Wineries & Vineyards
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Well, the sun is shining, the sky is blue, the kids are back at school. Summerland was such a joy yesterday. Lunch at Local (right on the waterfront, looking over to Naramata) was delicious. The menu is seasonal, fresh and full of "green" dishes.
Then went for a walk all the way to the boat launch at Peach Orchard Park. Felt so refreshed!
Had a few sips of wine on the Bottleneck Drive... heaven. Lots of new releases, award winning wines. Everyone seemed really excited about the upcoming wine festival.
Editor's note: Learn more about things to do in Summerland.
September 26, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Tumbler Ridge, Historic & Heritage Sites
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We looked forward to going to the Dinosaur Museum in Tumbler Ridge all summer. It was well worth the drive. It is only an hour and a half or so from Dawson Creek.
The museum is located in a refurbished elementary school and contains a full-scale model of a 100 million year old dinosaur track environment, including impressive life sized replicas of the dinosaurs that made the tracks and lived in the region.
We sat in a small dark theater and watched a big screen movie of how all the dinosaur tracks were found. Apparently 2 young boys found a track-way in the bedrock along Flatbed Creek while playing. Their discovery led to the confirmation of Tumbler Ridge as the dinosaur capital of BC.
I bought a cast of an actual dinosaur footprint to keep as a souvenir.
Later in the evening, at dusk, we took a lantern tour of the Wolverine Creek track-way. In the dark with only the lights from our lanterns, we wound our way through the forest down to the river and saw the depressions made by the dinosaurs all those million years ago. The sound of the river in the background and the shadows in the night made the experience almost eerie and very exciting.
September 22, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Parks
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When we travel, we take picnic lunches with us so that we can stop, stretch our legs and let the dog out for a walk.
We were told that Heart Lake is a beautiful place to stop in the Pine Pass between Dawson Creek and Prince George. It's on the Hart Highway about 230 km (142 miles) northeast of Prince George. We had never been there so decided to check it out.
A simple sign on the side of the highway says "Heart Lake." A short winding, well-maintained road took us to a pretty little lake in the actual shape of a heart. Beautiful indeed. What a hidden treasure.
We stopped, let our dog take a swim and sat on a picnic table beside the lake, spread our tablecloth and enjoyed the beautiful alpine surroundings while we are our lunch. There were people out in a canoe enjoying the water.
There is a nice looking campground in the trees winding along the banks of the lake. There is a sign that says the lake itself is regularly stocked with Rainbow Trout. We didn't have time to fish, but we have plans to go back with our kayaks and fishing gear. We will leave the dog at home.
September 17, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Ucluelet, Accommodation
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My room had a view of the small craft harbour in Ucluelet, BC. I could see the recreational fishing boats, and the commercial ones, sail boats, yachts and in the foreground, shining white in the morning sunshine there was the Canadian Princess.
The Canadian Princess, formerly the William J. Stewart, a hydrographic vessel, was built in 1932 in Collingwood Ontario. The ship was named after the first ever Canadian Hydrographer, William J. Stewart. The vessel worked up and down the entire British Columbia coast out of the port in Victoria, carrying a crew of 55 with 7 officers.
The Royal Canadian Navy gave her top-secret assignments during World War II, placed defence booms and made surroundings for suitable anchorages for other navy ships.
In 1944 she hit Ripple Rock in Seymour Narrows near Campbell River. She was breached in Plumber Bay, 3 miles away, to avoid sinking but the damage was done. With a major rip on the bottom of the ship she lay imbedded on her side in the mud until salvagers could restore her. When they finally got her to float, over a month later, she returned to work as a surveyor until 1975. Her last assignment was in Barkley Sound, outside of Ucluelet.
She stayed moored in Victoria until 1979 when she was purchased by Oak Bay Marine Group. The William J. Stewart was refurbished, towed to the Ucluelet Inner Boat Basin and transformed into floating hotel accommodation, a restaurant and lounge, and a sport fishing resort – renamed The Canadian Princess.
I had a tour of the inside of the Canadian Princess. I followed the pipes along the ceiling, ducking through doorways to have a look at the bunk-style rooms. The rooms were clean and cozy, loaded with natural character with neatly made beds and porthole windows looking into Ucluelet’s harbour. Guests were comfortable there, just as a crew would have been almost 70 years ago!
The bathrooms in the ship are shared, separate for men and women. Some had large bathtubs standing on bear claws, most likely the originals.
Guests can stay in the old Captains Quarters, located behind the Bridge of the ship. Inside is a small bedroom, a living area with kitchenette and a separate bathroom complete with what I would consider a historic bathtub!
Inside the Canadian Princess is a full service restaurant: The Stewart Room. That offers west coast cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including an incredibly early fisherman’s buffet breakfast that starts at 4:30AM for the guests departing on fishing charters each morning at 6:00AM.
Upstairs is the Chart Room, a bar and lounge with patio seating on the deck of the ship with a great view of the working harbour. From the deck I could see the Canadian Princess fishing charters lined up for the evening on the dock that surrounds the ship. The resort itself owns 10 cabin cruisers, each take out a morning fishing charter for salmon and halibut, and if the weather is cooperative, an afternoon and evening trip as well.
I stayed in an on-shore room. The Canadian Princess Resort has three hotel-style buildings, with most rooms offering a water view, and all with a walk out deck or patio.
During the summer season the ship is open for anyone to come and have a look. The staff will share the history of this iconic ship, and to give you a tour onboard. Next time you’re in Ucluelet look to the boat basin for the Canadian Princess, you can’t miss it.
The picture is the view from my onshore room.
September 15, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Biking
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There is nothing like a leisurely bike ride on a beautiful winding path on a Sunday morning. We had a beautifully designed walking-biking path through the heart of our city.
It stretches from one end to the other and it gets better each year. The path is almost 5 miles long from one end to the other and winds along the creek, surrounded by park and trees and fields, it is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. It's easy to find and easy to walk or bike.
I have met people from all over the world while on the path.
Riding my bike along the whole path is a gentle way to get some exercise and fresh air. I used to ride along the city streets but after a couple of near misses with vehicles, I decided that the walking path is a much better alternative.
Along with the flowers and shrubs, there is a renga-haiku poem inscribed in pieces on a series of big stones along the path. It was a special project of our late mayor and several artists in town. You have to read each rock to get the whole poem.
The seniors outdoor fitness park is also a point of interest along the path. It is right beside the hospital and it is great to stop and use the equipment.
The path is enjoyed by walkers, joggers and bikers of every age and ability. You are bound to pass strollers and children and dogs on leashes. People are respectful and friendly and everyone is welcome.
September 14, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Ucluelet, Fishing
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I watched the fishing boats come into the harbour and line up, all anxious to tie up to the Ucluelet Salmon Ladder Derby Weigh-In Station dock. They had been fishing for 2 days and the 2:00PM scale closure was just minutes away.
The Ucluelet Salmon Ladder Derby was the first of its kind for the small community of Ucluelet, located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. It was a summer-long derby that ran from May 24th to September 3rd. Locals and out-of-towners have been fishing all summer long to qualify for one of the 50 spots on the ladder. Then this last weekend, September 11th and 12th, the top 50 of the summer fished along with the top 5 of each month in the Ucluelet Salmon Ladder Derby Fish Off.
The winning fish was caught by Colin Campbell, a visitor to the Ucluelet sport fishing grounds, and it weighed 24lbs and 6oz. He was rewarded $8000 cash and a $2000 fishing trip package.
The community really came together for this event. Thanks to donations, sponsorships, and ticket sales nearly $40,000 in cash was rewarded throughout the summer and over $60, 000 in total cash and prizes by the end of the derby. Ucluelet was able to raise funds and awareness for salmon enhancement, specifically for the Thornton Creek Hatchery, with all net proceeds of the derby and the Ucluelet Salmon Festival that followed, going to the cause.
Then there was the celebration! The Ucluelet Salmon Festival took place on September 12th to wrap up the derby. Attendees filled their plates with wild pacific salmon, walked through the vendors like the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Thornton Creek Hatchery, and the Ucluelet Aquarium, and enjoyed live music, beer gardens and jovial prize presentations! The kids were busy in the bouncerama, throwing balls at the dunk tank and making crafts.
It was heart warming to see the community support salmon enhancement and the fun they had together... with a little positive competition, and with big celebrations. The level of awareness for our natural resources and environment has grown to a new level in this little town, the sport of fishing with it, and organizers are already planning next years event.
Editor's note: Learn more about fishing in Ucluelet here.
September 13, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Port Alberni, Hiking
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I love a good west coast beach, so visiting three Vancouver Island beaches seemed like an obvious long weekend trip for me and three friends.
After a bumpy drive on a gravel road from Port Alberni to the tiny town of Bamfield, we settled in a campground on Pachena Bay. Wandering the sweeping crescent of sand, we examined mussels and invertebrates hiding in rocky nooks and crannies.
The next morning we braved a very muddy and challenging hike to Keeha Bay. Our reward was a pristine and nearly deserted beach with rich tide pools and plenty of rocks and hidden mini-beaches to explore. We set up camp amongst the driftwood and searched the horizon for whales (none that trip unfortunately!). After some time around the beach fire, we fell asleep in our tents to the sound of crashing waves.
Luckily our hike back was much drier. After a picnic lunch at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (which can be toured!) we took a water taxi across Bamfield Inlet and a short walk down rural roads brought us to Brady’s Beach. Although private properties border on sections, the beach still feels as secluded and wild as Keeha Bay. Amongst rugged rock islands, we saw river otters and bald eagles and a spectacular sunset that turned islands on the horizon into pastel silhouettes. A final beach fire and an attempt at photographing star trails in the clear night sky ended the last leg of our West Coast beach tour.
September 12, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Gardens
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There is Chinese proverb that says "A little fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses" and I'm sure the people who tend the flowers at Pioneer Village's Gardens North have experienced that.
At the entrance to the Village is a memorial rose garden. Beautiful rose bushes greet you as you begin your journey into the lives of our pioneers. The roses have little memorial plaques at their bases.
I found plaques with the names of several former community members I recognize and varieties of roses I had never seen before. It is a touching tribute.
The rest of the themed gardens in Gardens North are beautiful and lovingly cared for. There were many folks from the neighboring RV Park strolling through enjoying the flowers. I chatted with a couple from Texas and talked about the differences in climate and types of plants we grow. They had photos on their camera and showed me their desert garden.
I had a pad of paper with me and wrote down a couple of new rose names and went to the local nursery and was thrilled to find both varieties for sale and hardy to this zone.
September 08, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
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We took a friend from out of town for a sight seeing drive around the area. We started here in Dawson Creek and drove to Fort St. John, (75km/47miles). We took the little side trip that is clearly marked to drive across the famous Kiskatenaw Bridge. I was disappointed because the batteries in my camera were dead and we had to use our cell phone to take some pics of the three of us on the bridge.
In Ft. St. John, we stopped at Cosmic Grounds, a great local coffee shop and picked up a treat of specialty coffees for our journey and of course a store for batteries for the camera.
The next part of our tour around the neighborhood is to Hudson Hope (86km/53miles) and to the W.A.C. Bennett Dam. Because we had plenty of time, we went in and bought tickets for the underground tour.
Our friend was blown away by the sights and sounds under the dam and no matter how many times I go, I am always awed as well.
From Hudson's Hope, we drove to Chetwynd (22km/14miles). I love Chetwynd, it's home to dozens of chainsaw carvings. They are huge and spread out all over town. It's amazing that a chainsaw can do such delicate work. We walked along the main drag and took a close look at the carvings there.
From Chetwynd, it's an hour to get home again (100km/60miles). One of my favorite parts of this jaunt is the railway bridge over the East Pine River. Some brave soul dangled down one of the concrete bridge supports and spray painted "
Dread Pirate Roberts" on it. Much speculation was involved in figuring out how it was accomplished and who did it. I would love to learn who did it.