All Blogs
Results 1 - 10 are shown.
August 30, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Bella Coola, Historic & Heritage Sites Bella Coola, Historic & Heritage Sites
View a larger image on flickr.com
While attending the 73rd Annual Anahim Lake Stampede, as members of the group who had ridden horseback from Titetown Lake, led by Dale and Yvonne Dunn of the Blackwater Spruce Ranch, four of our number decided to take advantage of our proximity to visit Bella Coola. As students of the history of the Cariboo Chilcotin region know, Bella Coola played a major role in the early development of the area. All manner of goods, from foodstuffs, to cookstoves, to farm machinery, were brought in to Bella Coola by boat and packed inland by horse and mule. When they established the Frontier Cattle Company in 1937, Rich Hobson and Pan Phillips made extensive use of this route to supply their ranch needs. Anyone who has driven down "The Hill" into Bella Coola will appreciate just what a daunting undertaking it must have been to lead a heavily laden pack string up from the coast onto the interior plateau; anyone who hasn't should avail themselves of the earliest possible opportunity of doing so. What is equally amazing is the history of the construction of the "Freedom Road" from Bella Coola inland. Undertaken by the citizens of Bella Coola, it was only taken over by the provincial government after its completion in the late-1950s, a task which provincial engineers had predicted could not be accomplished. As one wanders around Bella Coola, the history of the area comes alive, and a good place for any visitor to start is the Bella Coola Museum. Located in one of the first permanent dwellings built by white settlers to the area, its construction obviously borrowing heavily from the Scandinavian maritime tradition, the museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts and covers the the whole period from prehistoric to modern times. An interesting sidebar to our trip was a visit to the Bella Coola United Church. The grandfather of one of our number was the resident preacher at this church around 1927. During his tenure, the church was located on the opposite side of the river to its present location. Due to chronic flooding on that side of the river, the townsite was moved across the river in 1929 and the church was floated across during the move. Lunch and a tall thick milkshake rounded out our visit, and we made it back to Anahim Lake in time to enjoy the afternoon's events.
August 9, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Burnaby, Historic & Heritage Sites
View a larger image on flickr.com
This will probably appeal to the resident of Metro Vancouver who is looking at doing something different this coming weekend.
What better way of spending a Saturday morning than visiting an oasis, the Four Seasons Oasis Car Wash – near Metrotown in Burnaby. Even if you don’t have a car but you love the 50’s era coupled with Florida styling it is worth a trip. Located on Kingsway the car wash seems like an oasis nestled in a predominant Asian landscape. It’s styling as you can see in the image above is a classic, and so is every detail of the car wash experience.
August 1, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Wells, Historic & Heritage Sites Wells, Historic & Heritage Sites
View a larger image on flickr.com
Leave yourself lots of time to explore Barkerville. There are many things to do in this historic town none of which will make you feel cheated. For example you can walk up to many of the buildings and read information on what they housed. You can go into the St. Saviour’s Anglican Church and take in a service. Go to the candy stores and stock up on the snacks that Barkerville offers. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Goldfield Bakery where the Fat Johns are fresh and very tasty. If you are feeling thirsty then stop in one of the many saloons to enjoy a refreshing root beer or any other beverage of choice. Make your way to Chinatown to eat at the Lung Duck Tong Restaurant. There are a couple of things that you can not miss when you are in Barkerville: the courthouse sessions in Richfield Richfield Richfield
August 1, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Wells, Historic & Heritage Sites Wells, Historic & Heritage Sites
View a larger image on flickr.com
On your way to the artistic community of Wells or the historic town of Barkerville be sure to stop along the way at Cottonwood house. It was an old roadhouse for weary travellers on their way to Barkerville to strike it rich. There is a restaurant on site as well as comfortable bunkhouses for you to stay in which are perfect for large groups. When it is in season, pick up some fresh produce from the gardens that is sold on site. The interpreters lead tours that allow you to explore the buildings and get a feel for what it was like to stay at Cottonwood house. There are many activities that are available to you while you are visiting so be sure to stop in and ask the helpful staff. If you continue towards Wells and you want to see another roadhouse then turn right onto Stanley Rd Stanley
July 31, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Wells, Historic & Heritage Sites Wells, Historic & Heritage Sites
View a larger image on flickr.com
Barkerville is a historic gold rush town at the foothills of the Cariboo Mountains in BC. Today, one can walk down the street meandering through museums, general stores, and hotels alongside “characters” from the past who are dressed in 1800’s attire.
When I got to Barkerville, I was happy to find a lot of really great, unexpected things to do –like panning for gold, buying a cold Root Beer at the Confectionary Store and eating ginger beef and chicken balls at the Chinese Restaurant. You can also take guided tours of the town given by the “characters” or go for an authentic stagecoach ride.
A great find was to spend a night at Carol’s Kelly House Bed & Breakfast located right in the Historic Town of Barkerville. With a promise of a fluffy duvet and a homemade breakfast in the morning –how could I turn it down? After a solid night sleep in a comfortable bed, I woke up to women from the “1800s” making me breakfast! Apricot scones were baking in the oven, while preserves, a cheese omelette and fruit salad were ready and waiting on the china-set table.
Check it out… and stay a while.
July 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Fort St. James, Historic & Heritage Sites Fort St. James, Historic & Heritage Sites
View a larger image on flickr.com
You might think that taking an energetic three year old to a National Historic Site would be a disaster, but not if it's Fort St. James National Historic Site!
On a sunny Sunday, the hubby and I packed up 3 year old Jacob, and headed out. After the scenic hour and a half drive (from Prince George), we found ourselves in 1896! Following the simple self-guided tour, we happily discovered that it is a HANDS-ON attraction, staffed by interested and interesting costumed interpreters.
In the Warehouse and Fur Storage building, we were able to touch the furs, barrels and supplies, smell the wood of the building, and sense the bustling activity of the past.
In the Men's House, we couldn't resist the photo op, sitting in the precursor to the La-Z-Boy, wearing a felt hat and holding a bottle of Irish Whiskey. (So what if he's three?)
The Trade Store and Office was a hit with Jacob, where he got to trade his fur (after haggling with the staff) for a "gold" chocolate coin.
We got to feed the chickens and the cat at the Officer's House, swung on the swing, and played pioneer games out on the lawn with another one of the staff.
Lastly, we built the walls of a house with the ingenious "Piece on Piece" playhouse. A cool drink in the shady house rounded out our afternoon.
We ended up spending over three hours on the site, and Jacob was happy every minute of it! For us grownups, the setting was simply beautiful, the history was interesting, and we'd definitely go again!
July 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
View a larger image on flickr.com
Stories of Hazelton’s history flow as plentiful as the water that runs through the rivers that surround the Hazeltons. One story, which I find particularly fascinating, is the story of the arrival of the first car to Hazelton. In mid- 1911 the rumours of motorized vehicles being used, elsewhere in North America, ignited an excitement and curiosity throughout Hazelton! Soon after, the folks of Hazelton decided that they too would like to see a car drive the dusty streets of Hazelton. Anticipation grew around the idea and finally a hefty $1000 dollar reward was offered to the first person who could bring a car to Hazelton on its own power. “A fairly large number of enthusiasts entered the race but most of them withdrew after coming to know that there was no roadway.” In the end Mr. P.E Sands, the president of Seattle’s Studebaker automobile agencies, decided that he would brave the difficult terrain and desolate wilderness of British Columbia. Sands had a Flanders 20 with a three speed transmission. On August 28, he left Seattle and took a route over the Snoqualmie Pass to Ellensburg, Washington, then to Kamloops through the Nicola Valley and on to Ashcroft. Next he travelled via the Cariboo Wagon Road to Quesnel and then headed northwest following the Yukon Telegraph Line. He was on a challenging mission. There were no proper roads to speak of; rugged terrain, forests, steep mountains and swamps added to his obstacles. He drove through rain, made bridges on creeks, cut down trees, made roads, and sometimes had to haul the car by ropes. When they reached Quesnel, ‘men and women flocked about to view the novel vehicle – the first motor car many of them had ever seen.” At Aldermere near Smithers, they were given a warm reception, good food and entertained by dance. Most unforgettable was the party arranged for Sands when he finally reached Hazelton. He was given the reward the next day and started back to Seattle with his car on a sternwheeler to Prince Rupert.”
Now Sands had a secret, he had deceived the Hazelton folks and a man named Bob Montgomery knew it! “Apparently, Sands didn’t make it to Hazelton entirely on his own. He hired a pack team, dismantled the car and carted it for quite a distance. This was discovered by Montgomery”, an ex-convict and one time bank robber, “as he met the contestants on their way to Hazelton.” Sands paid Montgomery half of his winnings in order to keep his mouth shut; therefore, as Sands “waved goodbye to Hazelton” he was “in fact not as happy as he may have appeared.” Somewhere along the line the secret seeped out and is now a legend that locals love to talk about, laugh about, and even re-enact the story of the first car to Hazelton in theatrical performances!
This summer, I had the pleasure of meeting the daughter and granddaughter of one of the men hired to pack the car by donkey. The pair came into the Information Centre with their father’s story and pictures to prove it. I was delighted to have the opportunity to see a photo album filled with hundred-year-old photos in it, one of which was a picture of a donkey bearing the weight of a recognizable, disassembled car. True evidence of Sands deception!
Stop by at the Visitor’s Centre in New Hazelton, located at the junction of Highway 16 and 62 to learn more about the car and other legends, and pictures of the pioneer days in Hazelton!
July 14, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > 100 Mile House, Historic & Heritage Sites 100 Mile House, Historic & Heritage Sites
View a larger image on flickr.com
We really liked the quaint rest stop located in the quiet village of Lone Butte—right on hwy 24 (the fishing highway). Just a few restaurants, a general store (with a gas station), an art gallery and a few other amenities make up this charming log village, just southeast of 100 Mile House. We saw the historic water tower beside the railroad; as well the playground for our kids was a nice break. The ancient, volcanic butte was an incredible geographic feature that was only about a ½ a kilometre away. Best when viewed at sunset. Great rest stop!
June 22, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > 100 Mile House, Historic & Heritage Sites 100 Mile House, Historic & Heritage Sites
View a larger image on flickr.com
We loved the 108 Heritage site! A cluster of old buildings curved around the edge of the 108 Lake , near a rancher’s field. We were greeted by costumed guides that looked like they stepped out of the late 1800s, when the gold rush brought thousands of gold seekers in quest for a fortune, ranchers, and road houses (hence the name 108 Mile) The heritage site boasts a general store, post house, barn, church, black smith shop, school house, ice house, trappers cabin, collection of sawmill machinery and a HUGE Clydesdale barn… we were so surprised at how much there was to do and see. We could’ve spent hours wandering the Victorian styled ranch house admiring the restored parlour, kitchen, bed rooms and much more. We went for a long walk around the well maintained 108 Lake and Sepa Lake
May 26, 2009 | Tips from Us > Burnaby, Historic & Heritage Sites
View a larger image on flickr.com
My 9 year old daughter and I look forward to the re-opening each year of the Burnaby Village Museum and even though we have been through the outdoor museum countless times, we still find new discoveries on each visit. For me, it is browsing at all the implements, food stuffs, tools and toys in the General Store, or imagining what it must have been like to live in the Love Farmhouse where life wasn't quite as simple as it is today. For my daughter, the fun comes through the independence of being able to run and explore this little town moreless on her own. She delights in learning about what school was like in the early 1900s from the period school teacher/interpetter. He explains the school lessons for her age group and mentions too what happened when homework wasn't complete or when children talked back. We also enjoy the beautifully preserved Interurban car in the large barn and interpretive centre - again enjoying the stories as told by the costumed train conductor. As always, our 2 hour visit flies by and we conclude that, yet again, we didn't give ourselves enough time.
Results 1 - 10 are shown.
Search
>
November, 2009
>
October, 2009
>
September, 2009
>
August, 2009
>
July, 2009
>
June, 2009
>
May, 2009
>
April, 2009
>
March, 2009
>
February, 2009
>
January, 2009
>
December, 2008
>
November, 2008
>
October, 2008
>
September, 2008
>
August, 2008
>
July, 2008
>
June, 2008
>
May, 2008
>
April, 2008
>
March, 2008
>
February, 2008
>
January, 2008
>
December, 2007
>
November, 2007
>
October, 2007
>
September, 2007
>
August, 2007
>
July, 2007
>
June, 2007
>
May, 2007
>
April, 2007
>
March, 2007
>
February, 2007
>
January, 2007
>
December, 2006
>
November, 2006
>
October, 2006
>
September, 2006
>
August, 2006
>
July, 2006
>
June, 2006
>
May, 2006
>
April, 2006
>
March, 2006
>
February, 2006
>
January, 2006
>
December, 2005
>
November, 2005
>
October, 2005
>
September, 2005
>
August, 2005