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.
September 07, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Fernie, Sightseeing Tours
The discovery of coal brought development and wealth to some of the most remote parts of the Canadian Rockies (Fernie, Sparwood & Elkford) - and fueled the locomotives of the Canadian Pacific Railway for more than half a century. Coal mining continued in the Elk Valley today, but it co-exists with mountain biking, fly-fishing, river rafting and world-class winter recreation.
September 05, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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Just outside of Dawson Creek in the hamlet of Rolla, a yearly Music & Arts Festival is held each September. The talented artists come from all over western Canada to participate in this jewel of an event.
I've gone every year as an enthusiastic supporter and am continually amazed at how far people travel to enjoy this festival. A field of campers and tents attest to the numbers and dedication.
The festival is held on a private working farm and the artistry of the owners is apparent with each building and garden. All the stalls in the farm's two barns have been turned into individual art galleries, there are films offered in Albert's Loft, the loft performing art center, butter churning and ice-cream making, stock dog-sheep demonstration and pony rides for the kids.
I also took a tour of the farm on a wagon pulled by a beautiful team of Fjord horses as an extra treat.
On Friday night, after a short but intense storm, we were rewarded with the most spectacular triple rainbows I have ever seen. We gathered around bonfires well into the night visiting, listening and dancing to great music.
Sitting on a bench near a flower garden, I especially enjoyed the Saturday morning offerings in the main yard. A group of women poets who have recently published a book graced an enthusiastic audience with selected readings.
If you are looking for something extra-ordinary, this 3-day event is not to be missed!
September 03, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Lytton, Sightseeing Tours
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Lytton, British Columbia, Canada sits at the confluence of the Fraser and Thompson Rivers. (The Thompson is the darker blue river in the image, the Fraser, the lighter grey colour)
I wanted to walk through some deeper history of British Columbia, and follow the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail
.
With such fantastic names like Horsefly, Likely, Gold Bridge and Cache Creek, I knew this would be an area that would not only be a trip through British Columbia's history, but quite possibly, a trip further back in geological time.
It draws on your spirit and sense of awe that such wild, rugged areas were merely hindrances to overcome in their drive to find wealth and riches. I wonder if the prospectors took the time to experience such incredible beauty that the whole area has to offer.
Today, there are several driving routes you can take to tour the paths and adventures that the gold miners and hope filled entrepreneurs experienced from bygone days.
Lytton is along the Cariboo Gold Rush Trail, and was a stopping place for prospectors to replenish both their supplies and waning spirits.
There was originally a First Nations village here called Camchin, the meeting place, and Lytton is one of the oldest continually settled communities in North America. She's a truly beautiful and wild area of British Columbia.
Peregrine Falcons abound here. At the junction of #12 and #1 highways (across from the old hospital, you can park here and walk across #12 just before the bridge, look for 3 poles that have been erected), the hydro company has erected a utility pole for a nesting pair of falcons.
I was told by a native woman that the falcons come back every year, and have for many decades. They are part of the heritage here, and their haunting cries can be heard echoing along the canyons walls and city streets of Lytton. The city inhabitants know these falcons, know how many chicks have been laid, how they are progressing and when they fledge from their nest. Their lives are somehow intertwined with the rhythms of nature.
It's all so perfect.
September 02, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Burns Lake, Accommodation
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Wanting to explore the wilderness there is this fantastic Vacation
rental home called the
Wistaira Manor.
It is on Ootsa lake south of
Burns Lake by 80km that will meet every expectation for a fabulous
place to stay in the wilderness. It is literally at the the end of the
pavement at 16.5km on the Ootsa-Nadina road just before the Wistaira
Community Hall.
The home is a fully furnished log home with all the
needed amenity's supplied. We just needed to bring food and our toothbrush. It is as well equipped or above any condo rental we have stayed
at. There was wildlife to see in the yard and mountain views that will
be remembered forever.
Ootsa lake has huge rainbow trout that tempted us
to go on a fishing trip and then there was the lure to go to
Eutsuk lake in
Tweedsmuir
park across the portage west of the Wistaira Manor. A good sized boat
is required for this. There are lots of smaller lakes that are within .5
hour drive that will satisfy any need to have trout on the breakfast
menu.
There is lots to see and record with the camera or time to paint a
picture or read a book. A professional guide service is close by that
could take us on any desired exploration. There is access to a float
plane tour company that we could charter for the extra special view of
the area. This is a come back to location.
September 01, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Dining
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For Canada's most amazing bowl of the country's best lobster bisque (yes, east coasters, she bested you) you must try Chef Suzi's in Bastian Square downtown Victoria. I came by during my few days at the end of my West Coast Trail hike and was blown away. It's a small intimate restaurant but when you pair the bisque with the homemade cornbread, it doesn't get any better. Loved the ambiance but most of all the fabulous food. I'll be back!!!
Editor's note: Learn more about dining options in Victoria here.