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Williams Lake Stampede

July 7, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Williams Lake, Cattle Drives & Rodeos
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Stampede time in Williams Lake, absolutely spectacular!
The 83rd Williams Lake Stampede was held last weekend and the whole town was celebrating the rodeo. Besides some great rodeo fun with lots and lots of action I had to attend one of the pancake breakfasts which is an absolute must! What I really enjoy is that almost every store and business in town is decorating with the stampede theme, besides seeing cowboy hats where ever you look! Had a great time and will for sure watch it again next year, although I won't even have to wait quite as long as Williams Lake is hosting the Canadian High School Rodeo Finals this August.

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Posted by Miriam, Williams Lake at 04:14 PM

Discover the Discovery Centre!

July 2, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Williams Lake, Interpretive Centres

Often times, Visitor Information Centres (VICs) fall within the trap of being a quick, unmemorable stop off for visitors who either need directions or a toilet break.  Thankfully, the Williams Lake Discovery Centre (which holds the city's VIC) exceeds these usual expectations and offers visitors an interactive experience that will certainly be memorable.  The building, which can't be missed when driving through town as it is strikingly beautiful with huge wood architecture.  The centre is chalked full of information of the city, region and province, all within an extraordinary building that will have flashes snapping and necks stretching to look up and around, most likely at the humongous tree that rises through the centre of the building.  Whether you chose to have your picture atop a mountain bike with peaks in the background, watch a quick movie in their cozy cabin or just have  a chat with the friendly staff, you won't be disappointed with this rest-stop.   

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Posted by amber, at 05:34 PM

Driving Highway 20

June 18, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Williams Lake, Cemeteries

If you travel through the Chilcotin, highway 20 will take you to many of the areas you'll want to visit.  There is so much along the road: there are endless stops to make for photo opportunities or just sightseeing.  One of these stops was close to Alexis Creek, a little cemetary on the side of the road.  The beauty of the mountains in the area really adds to the stop, and the golden grass growing around the plots made it a very calming resting place, even though its along a major roadway.  Be sure to keep your eyes open all along this highway as there is so much to see!

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Posted by kamloopstraveller, Kamloops at 07:57 PM

Ghost Town of Quesnelle Forks

June 15, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Williams Lake, Ghost Towns

  In its prime over ten thousand people inhabited the riverside area of Quesnelle Forks but through the progression of the gold rush, it slowly became the ghost town it is today.  Buildings still remain but the dynamic weather patterns have obviously taken their toll and most show . Luckily though, involved community members are investing the time and money to slowly restore the buildings, erect interpretive signage and preserve the historical site.  A stroll through the cemetery invokes mixed feelings of sadness for those who obviously died young in various mining accidents while at the same time, adhering an air of peacefulness seated on the banks of the Quesnel and Cariboo river junctions.  The scenery surrounding the site is absolutely beautiful and there are day picnic areas as well as overnight camping available.  A visit to this site is worth the detour as it is an integral part of the gold rush history of the region and province.

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Posted by amber, at 01:38 PM

Miss the Museum? Not Likely!!

May 31, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Williams Lake, Museums

  A visit to the Likely Museum exceeded expectations as we were warmly greeted and received by the involved community member who graciously showed us around.  The museum has a fantastic set up which leads visitors chronologically through the history of Likely and the surrounding areas.  From old mining gear and equipment to abandoned personal possessions from the now ghost town of Quesnelle Forks, the museum offers a personal glimpse into the lives, stories, triumphs and losses of a hidden corner of the Cariboo.  A recent expansion includes a new wing and a beautiful little theatre which showcases old videos and testimonials of the area and its previous residents.

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Posted by amber, at 07:08 PM

Highway 20 Drive!

May 25, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Williams Lake, Scenic Drives
Find more information about Williams Lake, Scenic Drives

I have been to some stellar places across this province, and even across the country, and I am constantly amazed by the dramatic diversity of the BC landscape. The drive along Highway 20 through the Chilcotin Coast area of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region of BC has yet again exceeded my expectations. The rolling hills entwined with the grasslands and almost desert like foliage create scenery I have never experienced before. If you can imagine this view as you drive down the rustic highway:

You are driving down the road that if you are lucky you will see a car every 10 minutes. On either side of the highway you can see miles of farm land with gorgeous western style houses, thousands of cattle grazing and one small town miles apart from the other. Small to the scale of if you blink on the drive you might miss it so keep a keen eye open. Behind the farm land you can see the rolling hills and the beginning of the mountainous ridges. The mountains, unlike the grassy hills, are covered with lush forest and you can only imagine the wildlife that calls this area home. As you continue your drive, the road begins to bend and turn and wind up the hill and you are welcomed by the Cariboo Mountains to the north and the Fraser River Valley to the south. Low in the valley you can see more farm land but be sure to watch for cattle on the road as they are free roaming herds in this area. Just when you begin to feel as though you have experienced highway 20 and the beauty of the Chilcotin region you drive over another hill and the coastal mountains come into sight; majestic, stunning, and a reminder that your Chilcotin Coastal experience has just begun! 

 

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Posted by TSimpson, Nanaimo at 04:21 PM

Williams Lake Indoor Rodeo

May 21, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Williams Lake, Cattle Drives & Rodeos
Find more information about Williams Lake, Cattle Drives & Rodeos

Rodeos year round! This is the great thing about Williams Lake and the Cariboo - there are rodeos almost every time of the year. There is the world famous Williams Lake Stampede which is held every year during the July 1st long weekend. Just like last year Williams Lake will host the Canadian High School Rodeo Finals in August. And of course after such a long break during the winter months I had to check out the Indoor Rodeo.
They had Bareback and Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing, Team Roping and Bull Riding. Was great to watch and I am so looking forward to the big Stampede this summer!

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Posted by Miriam, Williams Lake at 04:34 PM

Horsemanship Lessons at Chezacut Wilderness Adventures!

May 18, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Williams Lake, Horseback Riding

Chezacut Wilderness Adventures Guest Ranch is a must stop when travelling on Highway 20. This guest ranch retreat is the perfect place to ‘Get Away’…literally. Located 7.5 km off the main highway and 150 km west of Williams Lake, when you are here you are really away. The western accommodations and unique organic food is a great way to experience living off the land. I definitely tried some unique foods during my short stay…ask about the juice it is like something I have never seen!

The horsemanship lessons are really what the whole experience is about. Dominique is absolutely amazing with the horses and with us silly humans. She is very patient and descriptive when trying to explain the lessons. Our few hours spent with the horses were very interesting. We learned how to communicate with the horses; how to get them to back up, come forward, pivot on their back and front legs, how to run in a circle around you, and how to load them into a trailer. The most amazing thing I found was the simplicity in the ways to communicate with them. Dominique has trained them so well that when I simply stared at his rear end my horse would stop what he was doing and stand right in front of me, just amazing!

This is a great time for anyone, horse lovers and those who have never even touched a horse. Dominique is a superb teacher and will help you master the skills needed in your own time!

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Posted by TSimpson, Nanaimo at 01:37 PM

Chezacut Wilderness Adventures - Horsemanship Lessons

May 12, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Williams Lake, Horseback Riding

We took a short horsemanship lesson at Chezacut, which turned out to be probably one of my favorite moments of the trip.  Dominique, the owner, taught us how to become more in tune with a horse, demonstrating how to get the horse to move forwards and backwards, sidestep and around in a circle.  The lesson culminated with all the members of our group managing to load our respective horse into a horse trailer. 

I had never experienced something like this before.  It was a level of connection and higher learning I've never had working with horses or going on typical trail rides (which I've done plenty of!).  Dominique was great too, not letting us back down from the challenge of working with the horses.  And to top it off, beautiful scenery!

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Posted by kamloopstraveller, Kamloops at 07:15 PM

Trail Running in Williams Lake - "Destressing" with the dogs

January 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Williams Lake, Hiking
Find more information about Williams Lake, Hiking

 Williams Lake is surrounded by mountains/hills with fantastic trails for mountain biking, hiking, running, etc.  This is a fun video of a Friday after-work "Destressing" trail run on Fox Mountain with my two Aussie Shepherds, "Molly" and "Chase".  Beautiful trails with great views over the City.  Check it out !!

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Posted by SteveH, Williams Lake at 10:47 AM