Located to the northwest of Vancouver, Horseshoe Bay is best known for its BC Ferry terminal, serving Snug Cove on Bowen Island, Langdale on the Sunshine Coast, and Departure Bay in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

Ferries glide in and out of Horseshoe Bay, and the wake from the larger boats creates surf as they hit the shoreline. Modest though these waves are, it’s an unusual sight in these sheltered waters.

The bedroom community of Horseshoe Bay is also the starting point of the intensely scenic Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99), which winds through the Coast Mountains, from coastal rain forest at Horseshoe Bay, through Squamish, alongside Garibaldi Provincial Park, through the Resort town of Whistler and on to Pemberton and Lillooet.

Journeys began and ended in Horseshoe Bay long before the arrival of the first Europeans.

For Native people, Horseshoe Bay was a traditional meeting place, used both as a seasonal fishing encampment and a place to spend a night when travelling between villages on the Squamish River and Burrard Inlet.

The sheltered bay was called ch’xay or Chai-hai, after the swishing sound made by schools of little fish stirring up the waters of Horseshoe Bay. In 1991, it was discovered that Horseshoe Bay Park stands atop an ancient shell midden

The pleasant waterfront of Horseshoe Bay offers quaint cafés, a wide variety of restaurants, shops and boutiques, with great views of the surrounding mountains, islands and scenic Howe Sound.

Recreation in and around secluded Horseshoe Bay includes sea kayaking, scuba diving, boating, hiking, skiing and cross-country skiing.

Location: The Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal is located on Highway 99, on Howe Sound, 12.5 miles (20 km) northwest of Vancouver.

North of Horseshoe Bay is the community of Lions Bay.

• Information on the BC Ferries’ Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal and other ferry routes is available in our Transportation section. •

The magnificent front doors of the Boathouse Restaurant, a large wooden-sided building on the far side of Sewell’s Marina, are well worth a look. Carved by Nisga’a artist Norman Tait in traditional West Coast style, the two large panels rival those at the entrance of the University of BC’s Museum of Anthropology. •

Journey from the bustling urban centre of Vancouver, north along the serene magical coastline of British Columbia, across the majestic waters of the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island.

Then travel south along its east coast of coves and bays, tasting the unique island lifestyle before returning to BC’s south coast.

For more information on our Coastal Circle Tour.

• Boaters can launch from the federal dock next to the park – beside the BC Ferries Terminal.

Fishing is excellent off Horseshoe Bay, and the waters around the mouth of Howe Sound are usually dotted with salmon fishermen and their boats.

• Paddlers can take guided kayak tours around a nest of islands at the mouth of Howe Sound, which is Flat-calm and an inviting place to paddle, or explore Bowen Island’s extensive shoreline and the nearby Gambier and Keats islands. • •

Boat Rentals, guided fishing charters, sea safaris and marine dockage facilities are available at Sewell’s Marina in Horseshoe Bay.

If you want to join the throng, you can rent a boat from Sewell’s Marina for fishing, sightseeing or wildlife viewing.

Bring a few friends and explore the islands and inlets of Howe Sound.

The family-owned marina has operated at Horseshoe Bay since the 1930s.

• One of Vancouver’s oldest golf courses (1927), Gleneagles Golf Course, is located in Horseshoe Bay, surrounded by the ocean and mountains. •

By far the longest hiking route on the North Shore is the almost 30-mile (48-km) Baden-Powell Trail, the thread that knits the North Shore together into one continuous strand.

The trail runs between its western terminus at Horseshoe Bay and Deep Cove on North Vancouver’s eastern perimeter.

Along the way, it climbs and descends a well-trodden route that passes through both Cypress and Mount Seymour Provincial Parks.

Altogether there are 12 entrances to the Baden-Powell Trail, most of which are located conveniently close to public transportation.

The varied terrain of the Vancouver, Coast and Mountains region of BC accommodates every outdoor recreation known to man.

• Hollyburn Ridge in Cypress Provincial Park is the domain of cross-country skiers. Hollyburn’s 10 miles (16 km) of groomed and track-set trails, as well as skating lanes, are cut through some of the most challenging terrain in Western Canada.

The tradition of skiing is an old one here, dating well back into the 1920s.

Evidence of this can be seen in the many rustic cabins that dot the woods.

There are trails here to suit all skill levels.

• Intermediate and advanced Downhill skiers and snowboarders gravitate to Cypress Mountain (25 groomed runs, 1,750 feet/537 m vertical, 3 chairlifts) in Cypress Provincial Park which is literally up the road. World-class skiing is also available at Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour in North Vancouver.

Skiing and Winter Recreation on the North Shore. •

• The North Shore is rightfully renowned for some of the most challenging offroad mountain biking trails in the world.

One of the attractions of the North Shore slopes, particularly at lower elevations, is that trails stay snow-free throughout most of the winter.

This is a prime reason why many of Canada’s elite mountain-bike riders live and train in North Vancouver.

• Cypress Provincial Park in the snow capped North Shore Mountains is a haven for all outdoor recreationists, and is one of the most popular year-round parks in B.C. Located just north of Horseshoe bay on Highway 99, the park encompasses several pristine mountain lakes, rugged snow capped peaks and forests of fir, hemlock and yellow cypress.

Cypress provides excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities, and as always in wilderness areas, hikers should be alert for wild animals, especially bears. •

Sightseers make their way into Cypress Provincial Park from the Upper Levels Hwy in West Vancouver along a 5-mile (8-km) paved highway.

Although most visitors ride up on four wheels, others make do with two.

There are four major switchbacks on the way to the top where the road ends at Cypress Bowl.

The Cypress Park Viewpoint is at the second of the switchbacks.

This is one of the most frequently visited locations in the park.

• Visit Porteau Cove Provincial Park for the day, and park beside the jetty.

This is a wonderful place to enjoy the spectacular views of Howe Sound while watching wet-suited divers enter or emerge from the cold waters of the Sound.

Eat your picnic at one of the numerous tables spread around the broad, driftwood-littered beaches on both sides of the jetty.

Take a walk to the viewpoint on the trail that leads west from the walk-in campsites and up onto the forested bluff. Porteau Cove Provincial Park provides vehicle camping spots and walk-in sites, and as this is the only provincial campground on Howe Sound, campsites are in constant demand. •

Whytecliff Marine Park’s rugged shoreline and cobble beach in Horseshoe Bay became Canada’s first Marine Protected Area.

Upwards of 200 marine animal species, with exotic names such as the speckled sanddab or the sunflower seastar call these waters home.

Beside the beach, interpretive signs explain in words and pictures the variety of marine life to be found beneath the waves. • Whytecliff Marine Park has become a magnet for local divers.

After a day at the office, scuba divers come to experience a little weightlessness as they float off into the nether world just offshore, where temperatures matter little year-round, provided you dress appropriately.

• A 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay lands you on Bowen Island. Bowen is a paradise of trails, from relatively easy loops around Killarney Lake in Crippen Regional Park to the burning climb up Mount Gardner.

The island is a world unto itself, so take the time to explore and revel in Bowen’s sedated pace. Although the tempo may be relaxed, mountain bikers will find the roads that ring the island demanding, with few level stretches and even fewer beach-access points for well-deserved breaks.

For a map of Bowen Island, stop at the island’s gas station near the ferry dock.

• See the best of the area on a driving Circle Tour.

Head north out of Vancouver for a scenic tour of the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island, or stay on the intensely scenic Sea to Sky Highway, passing through the magical winter resort town of Whistler and looping through the Coast Mountains.

To explore the rural farmlands and forests of the fertile Fraser Valley, travel outbound on the scenic route north of the historic Fraser River, returning westwards along the Trans Canada Highway 1 to Vancouver.

Circle Tours in BC.

i have doubled up on the last two days of the Olympicf Torch Relay because I have so many free venues and exciting thing that will be taking place at the olympics, incl the RCMP Musical ride

The Leonard DaVinci exhibit at the art gallery.

and not to forget the free ziptrek ride you can take downtown Vancouver and I am going to start tomorrow, so make sure you bookmark me so you don’t miss out on anything

CHERYL YOUNG, REALTOR,

SAANICH PENINSULA REALTY

SIDNEY BC   www.cherylyoung.ca

www.facebook.com/cherylcyoung

www.twitter.com/CherylCYoung

To see this and more of my fine Semi precious gemstone jewelery

www.cherylyoung.ca

 rivers and mountain scenery within its boundaries

 the community of Burnaby is nestled around the high peak of

solitary Burnaby Mountain.

As private secretary to Colonel Richard Moody, the Colony’s

 land commissioner, Robert Burnaby displayed notable talents

 as an explorer, legislator and speaker.

In 1859, when Moody received word from local natives that a

fresh water lake existed north of New Westminster, Burnaby

immediately volunteered for the survey party.

Moody would later name his discovery Burnaby Lake, a name

that pioneer citizens would unanimously choose for the

thriving municipality of Burnaby in 1892.

Burnaby is blessed with a remarkable number of

interconnected parks and trails of different sizes and

features.

Deer Lake Park, Burnaby’s hub of arts, culture and heritage,

is the crowning jewel of this park system.

 High atop Burnaby Mountain sits Simon Fraser University,

designed by celebrated architect Arthur Erickson, and

 named after one of British Columbia’s foremost explorers.

Not long ago, it used to be easy to distinguish Vancouver from

its neighbours.

 Bridges spanned Burrard Inlet and the Fraser River to

connect with communities to the north and south, while

buffer zones of undeveloped land defined where the

 Big Smoke left off and all else to the east began.

 By the 1970s, such distinctions had blurred to the point

where one hardly noticed a transition from one city to the

next, particularly between Vancouver, Burnaby, New

Westminster, and Port Moody.

Although mainly a residential area of Vancouver,

Burnaby’s diverse sights and attractions are yours

to discover.

 Burnaby has the largest retail and entertainment complex

 in British Columbia and outstanding sports and recreation f

acilities.

The Metrotown area, a 15 minute SkyTrain ride from

downtown Vancouver, is where you’ll find over 500 stores –

enough to keep even the most dedicated shopper happy.

Population: 205,477

Location: Burnaby is located in east Vancouver, 10 miles

(16 km) east of downtown Vancouver.

Access is by Highway 7 and 7A, and the Trans-Canada

Highway 1.

Take a trip down memory lane at the Burnaby Village

 Museum, a 10-acre open-air museum circa 1925.

Made up of more than 30 shops and homes depicting the

1890s through to the mid-1920s, the village includes a

Chinese herbalist, a rural area, a blacksmith and an

Ice Cream Parlour.

 Ride on the vintage C.W. Parker Carousel, wander amidst

costumed townspeople, view demonstrations and displays,

 and take part in the hands-on activities and self-guided

tours.

Playland Amusement Park at PNE Fairgrounds on East

Hastings Street is a seasonal amusement park offering a

collection of 28 rides and attractions, midway games, and

a variety of food venues.

Popular attractions include the historic wooden roller

coaster, a spectacular woodie that has been operating since

1958, the Corkscrew upside down roller coaster, the Wild

 Mouse, and the 90-foot-tall giant Westcoast Wheel.

Visitors can also take a spin on one of a number of flat rides.

The Museum of Archeology and Ethnology at Simon Fraser

University is home to displays of Northwest Coast Native

art and culture.

Extensive and detailed, these exhibits allow visitors a

 glimpse into the natural and harmonious way of life

 pursued by the First Nations people of the West Coast before

 the arrival of Europeans.

The Museum is located in the Academic Quadrangle on the

 Concourse Level.

Set in the natural splendour of Deer Lake, Deer Lake Avenue

recreates the turn-of-the-century era with over 30 buildings

 and outdoor displays.

In addition to the Burnaby Village Museum, visitors will

find the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and the Gallery at

Ceperley House, presented by Visual Arts Burnaby.

Naturalists will be amazed by Century Gardens, where

 hundreds of Rhododendrons, Burnaby’s official flower, burst

into bloom each spring during the annual Rhododendron

Festival.

While on Burnaby Mountain, visit the astonishing

Playground of the Gods, a home away from home for 50 or

 so totem poles carved by Japanese artist Nubuo Toko and

his son Shusheo.

 The Tokos are members of the Ainu culture, Japan’s first

 inhabitants. Installed on the top of an open slope looking

 west over Coal Harbour, the poles honour the ties between

Burnaby and its Japanese sister city, Kushiro.

The spectacular setting inspired Toko to imagine it as Kamui

Mintara, or Playground of the Gods.

The poles represent the story of the gods who descended to

 earth to give birth to the Ainu.

Animal spirits such as whale, bear, and owl adorn the tops

 of the slender poles that are bunched together in groups of

twos and threes.

A killer whale and a brooding raven stand apart from the

rest, looking west across the Strait of Georgia towards

Vancouver Island (and Japan).

This is a stunningly beautiful setting, one of the best examples

of art in a public place in the Lower Mainland.

You’ll want to photograph it, especially at sunrise or sunset,

to take away with you as a memory of Vancouver.

Enjoy a fascinating ride aboard the miniature railway, or

discover trails, tennis courts, a skateboard park, and a

spray pool at Confederation Park.

 From the park, a 5.5-km network of trails wind along the

 picturesque Burrard Inlet.

Vancouver and Burnaby both have beaches on the Fraser

River’s North Arm, and both are named Fraser River Park.

Watching activity on the Fraser is the main attraction from

both beaches.

The beach at Burnaby’s Fraser River Park lies at the south

end of Byrne Road off Marine Drive in Burnaby.

Although wading in the Fraser River is refreshing, full

immersion is a dicier proposition and is not recommended.

Two trails take you inland: the western route, surrounded by

wet brushland, leads to the Marine Way pedestrian overpass,

and the eastern route follows Byrne Creek.

 Children can pretend they’re pirates on the riverside pirate

ship, an intriguing play area.

Hiking and Walking: A good stretch with a forested feeling

is the Burnaby River Trail (easy; about 6 miles/10 km return).

This hard-packed, cedar-lined dirt pathway runs east beside

the Fraser River from the south foot of Boundary Road near

Marine Way towards New Westminster.

 An alternate approach to the trail is at Fraser River Park.

 Here in the park, the log booms that line the shoreline

 beside much of the trail give way to a long stretch of

open beach.

 One of the most attractive sights along the trail is Mount

Baker’s snow cone, framed by the spires and guy wires of

two bridges, the Queensboro and the Pattullo.

For more information on the trail and park, contact the

Burnaby Parks and Recreation Department, (604) 294-7450.

The Mountain Biking trails on Burnaby Mountain (elevation

1,200 feet/365 metres) are not open to mountain bikes, but

try telling that to the mountain bikers who regularly make

 their way along one of the dozens of trails that crisscross

the mountain.

Its high usage stems in part from the fact that students

attending Simon Fraser University at the top of Mount

 Burnaby want alternate paths up to and especially down

from school other than the two roads that wend their way

up Mount Burnaby (more often referred to as Burnaby

Mountain).

Golf: The contemporary designed 18-hole layout at Burnaby

Mountain Golf Course has always been a favourite with

 players of all levels.

It requires precise shot making to achieve par, but

 recreational players find it very forgiving.

 The natural tree-lined beauty of its fairway and the gentle

rolling terrain at the foot of Burnaby Mountain offer a blend

 of charm, character and serenity that will enhance your

enjoyment of the game. Par 71, 6,431 yards.

Golf Vacations in an around Vancouver.

Burnaby’s Barnet Marine Park is located on the site of an old

 logging community that flourished in the first half of the

20th century.

All that remains are the massive concrete towers and a

squat scrap burner hunkered on the broad beach.

 Burnaby has replaced the old wharfs with a pier from which

visitors can scan Burrard Inlet for marine and birdlife.

 A large boomed-off swimming section fronts the hard-packed sandy beach.

Picnic tables with barbeque stands are shaded by tall poplars.

There’s also a boat launch here.

A level pathway leads west of the park towards the Ironworkers

emorial Second Narrows Bridge.

 It provides visitors to Barnet with a chance to cycle or stroll

amid the lazy trails on those overcast days when the beach is

not the exclusive reason for visiting this charming site.

 Barnet has a paved driveway that can be used to launch canoes,

kayaks or sailboats in Burrard Inlet.

No motorized boats can be launched from here.

True to its name, Central Park is situated in a key location

on the Burnaby side of Boundary Road, the dividing line

between Vancouver and Burnaby.

The park is a popular place for tennis, jogging, pitch-and-putt,

cycling, picnicking, or just wandering about.

The numerous paths make the 222-acre (90-hectare) green

space seem larger than it actually is.

 A dense stand of towering Douglas fir blocks most of the noise

from the three main thoroughfares that constitute the

park’s north, south, and west borders.

City planners around the Lower Mainland seem to have

deliberately placed parks bordering on major roads, perhaps

 to attract passersby, perhaps to contrast the natural and

the artificial. For instance, Hwy 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway)

runs through Burnaby’s largest green space, formed by Deer

Lake Park, Burnaby Lake Regional Park, and Robert

Burnaby Park.

Deer Lake Park was once a popular swimming destination, but

poor water quality has forced the Burnaby Parks Board to

keep the area closed for nearly a decade.

Still, it is an attractive picnic area or a good place to drift

 about in a canoe, rowboat, or sailboat for a few hours.

A Squamish legend tells of an underground river that runs

from Deer Lake to False Creek.

The Deer Lake area is home to the Burnaby City Hall

(including the Burnaby Parks and Recreation Dept at 101-4946

Canada Way, (604) 294-7450, a good place to pick up maps and

information on municipal parks), the Shadbolt Centre for the

Arts, the Burnaby Village Museum, and the local Royal

Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment.

Deer Lake Park has a pleasant, grassy picnic location: one look

at the lake is enough to cool anyone down.

Too bad there’s no swimming.

Robert Burnaby Park is located about a mile (1.5 km) east of

Deer Lake, a peaceful setting of huge western hemlock, cedar

and Douglas fir.

 This large park is known for its wooded ravine and forest

trails, which attract walkers, joggers and nature lovers

enjoying the exercise and quiet surroundings.

Trails are laid out on hillsides, meandering through ravines

 and into open meadows.

Burnaby Lake Regional Park is on the north side of Hwy 1,

 across from Deer Lake, and is a blend of highly developed

recreational facilities alongside a completely undeveloped

wildlife sanctuary.

Special features in this 740-acre (300-hectare) park include

both the Nature House (open mid-May to Labour Day), and a

 BC Wildlife Watch viewing tower at the Piper Avenue

entrance.

An easygoing 6-mile (10-km) walking trail circles the lake.

 There are three main access points to Burnaby Lake Park,

including two off Winston Avenue and another off Sperling

Avenue.

All are well marked. For more information on Burnaby

 Lake Regional Park, call (604) 520-6442.

Burnaby Mountain is Burnaby’s tallest landmark.

Simon Fraser University sits on top, a crucible of learning

designed by architect Arthur Erickson, who also put his

imprint on the Provincial Courthouse and the Museum of

Anthropology at the University of British Columbia.

Simon Fraser’s campus is surrounded by Burnaby Mountain

Park.

The park is a warren of trails that cut through deciduous

second-growth forest. Most visitors come to visit the

Playground of the Gods.

In June, a formal rose garden nearby perfumes the air and

makes the environment appear even more like the

Elysian Fields.

A grassy slope descends the mountain below the totems,

contributing to the open feeling of this part of the park.

A special event in Burnaby is the Burnaby Village Museum

Heritage Christmas in December.

See the best of the area on a driving Circle Tour. Head north

 out of Vancouver for a scenic tour of the

Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island, or stay on the

intensely scenic Sea to Sky Highway, passing through the

magical winter resort town of Whistler and looping through

the Coast Mountains.

To explore the rural farmlands and forests of the fertile

 Fraser Valley, travel outbound on the scenic route north of

the historic Fraser River, returning westwards along the

Trans Canada Highway 1 to Vancouver. Circle Tours in BC.

CHERYL YOUNG, REALTOR

SAANICH PENINSULA REALTY

SIDNEY, BC   www.cherylyoung.ca

www.facebook.com/cherylcyoung

www.twitter.com/CherylCYoung
]]> http://bcadayatatime.com/2012/01/26/burnaby-amidst-outstanding-beauty-to-the-east-of-vancouver-with-lakes/feed/ 0 cherylyoung coalharbour3 24799376 2943636561_b5645620d4 3955-15a bu22 bu11 bvc-inside bu3 th3955-04a masthead---bvm-christmas bu1 n1131128153_1567 $(KGrHqJ,!joE6+4,o7TgBPDLEnI4o!~~60_12 http://bcadayatatime.com/2012/01/25/fronting-the/ http://bcadayatatime.com/2012/01/25/fronting-the/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:50:02 +0000 cherylyoung http://bcadayatatime.com/2012/01/25/fronting-the/ ]]>   Fronting the Fraser River to the north and Washington State to the south, Langley is  located in the geographic centre of the Lower mainland   

Nestled betweein Surrey to the west and Abbotsford and the

 lush farmland  of the Fraser  Valley to the east.

 From Vancouver,it’s less than an hour’s drive east along

 Highway 1 or via Highway 7.

Take a short trip across the Fraser River on the Albion Ferry

which enables motorists  to make a direct connection 

 between Highway 7 on the north shore and Highway 1

on the south.

Named after Thomas Langley, a prominent Hudson’s Bay

Company director,  Langley is considered to be the official

 birthplace of British Columbia.

The colony of B.C was originally proclaimed here, at Fort

 Langley, although the  capital moved from here to   New

Westminster, before finally settling at  Victoria on

 Vancouver Island.

The valley land between the Fraser River and the Canada-

US border ripples away like the wake behind a troller.

Early settlers didn’t have an easy go of it; the land was boggy 

and thick with mosquitoes in  summer.

 But having come this far, they dug in, cleared the trees,

farmed the land, and, in season,  hunted and fished for

wild game.

 You can still get a scent of those years as you pedal the

 backroads along the  border of Surrey  and Langley.

In the 1830s, the Hudson’s Bay Company began to develop

and farm approximately  810 hectares  of land in the area

 known as Langley Prairie.

Today, Langley has almost 40 percent of the total  

agricultural land in the Fraser  Valley, giving  agriculture a

major role in the economy of the region.

 With more farms than any other municipality in BC, Langley

 has the largest  number of horse farms, the largest number

of rabbit farms, the most sheep, and almost half of the

 mushroom  farms in the province.

Without a doubt, the most interesting and popular attraction

in the Langley area is the  Fort Langley National Historic site.

 The fort, preserved and restored to its original 1850s’

condition, is a gateway to British  Columbia’s early history.

Visit the lovingly restored  buildings of Fort Langley in the

 summer months,  when the park’s staff, dressed in period

 costumes of the era, go about their  business blacksmithing,

churning  butter and making wagon wheels.

 
]]> http://bcadayatatime.com/2012/01/25/fronting-the/feed/ 0 cherylyoung 752_1 748_1 bc13020 39567_l 20080409115157_ftlangley2 bc-090128-port-mann1-govt-FULL Andrea_Strain_Jumper_Trainer_Langley_BC levanto $(KGrHqN,!oEE63WY9lScBPD1KF(RGQ~~60_12 http://bcadayatatime.com/2012/01/25/situated-at/ http://bcadayatatime.com/2012/01/25/situated-at/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:19:29 +0000 cherylyoung http://bcadayatatime.com/2012/01/25/situated-at/ ]]>

Situated at the head of Howe Sound and surrounded by mountains, Squamish is cradled in natural beauty as only a West Coast community can be.       Growing in fame as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada, visitors will discover  the abundance of attractions , activities and opportunities to explore in the community of Squamish.   Before the white man came to the Squamish Valley, the area was inhabited by the  Squohomish tribes. These Indians lived in North Vancouver and came to the Squamish  Valley to hunt and fish. The first contact the Indians had with the white man was in 1792,when Captain George Vancouver came to Squamish to trade with the Indians near the  residential area of Brackendale. During the 1850s gold miners came in search of gold and an easier gold route to the Interior. Settlers began arriving in the area in 1889, with the majority of them being farmers relocating  to the Squamish Valley. The first school was built in 1893 and the first hotel opened in 1902, on the old dock in Squamish. Squamish means Mother of the Wind in Coast Salish, which is testimony to the winds that rise  from the north before noon and blow steadily until dusk, making Squamish a top wind surfing  destination, and host to annual PROAM sailboard races. The Stawamus Chief, the second largest freestanding piece of granite in the world, has made  Squamish one of the top rock climbing destinations in North America.   Population: 16,199  Location: Squamish is located at the head of Howe Sound on Highway 99,  (the Sea to Sky Highway), midway between Whistler and Vancouver. South of Squamish are the communities of Britannia Beach and Lions Bay.  Rail history is showcased at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park, with over 50   vintage railway cars and locomotives displayed in a setting of unmatched natural beauty. Climb aboard cabooses and snowplows, and view a superbly restored 1890 railway business car and the only surviving Pacific Great Western steam engine. Shannon Falls Provincial Park is where visitors can find the park’s namesake, BC’s  third-highest waterfall, a magnificent cascade that drops over 1,000 feet, right above the  Sea to Sky Highway. A stop for naturalists during warmer seasons, Shannon Falls also attracts thrill-seeking  ice climbers, who scale the falls when it freezes in the winter. The Squamish Estuary provides extraordinary birding, with over 200 species identified. Golf: The Squamish Valley Golf & Country Club is a semi-private championship course  on Mamquam Road, south of Garibaldi Highlands, with immaculately maintained greens  and panoramic mountain views off every tee (18 holes, Par 72, 5,639 yards). Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort in Squamish is impeccably maintained, demands skill and accuracy,  and falls nothing short of brilliant. The 4,700-yard, Par 64 course is set in stunning surroundings showing great respect for the environmentally sensitive habitat.  To the north, The resort village of Whistler provides a number of world-class golfing o pportunities, and south of Squamishthe Furry Creek Golf & Country Club in Lions Bay is considered by many to be the most  scenic golf course in BC. Golf Vacations in British Columbia. Windsurfing: Oregon has the Columbia Gorge, Squamish has the Spit, a long breakwater  located at the mouth of the Squamish River.    Although not as well known, the Squamish Spit  is the launch pad for windsurfers  who rely on its predictable wind, known as a squamish, which blows each afternoon. From early November through March, thousands of bald eagles gather along the gravel shores  of the Squamish, Cheakamus and Mamquam rivers to feast on the eggs and carcasses of  spawned-out salmon. In 1994, Squamish set the world record with an astounding 3766 eagles  counted in one day! The month-long Eagle Festival is held in January, drawing crowds  from around the world. For climbers (and those who cheer them on) there’s a provincial campground at the  base of Stawamus Chief Mountain in Squamish. You’ll find spiffy drive-in and walk-in sites in Stawamus Chief Provincial Park. The forested campground is located at the  south end of a rough road that hugs the  base of the mountain. Hike around Alice Lake Provincial Park, 13 km north of Squamish and surrounded by  open grassy areas, dense forests, and impressive snowcapped peaks. A hush prevails over this lushly forested campground. In part this is due to the thick  canopy of westernhemlock that shelters much of the park.  If you’re lucky, one of the sites near both the lake and the hot showers will be vacant. The Four Lakes Interpretive Trail connects Alice, Edith, Fawn and Stump Lakes, making it a favoured destination for hikers, anglers, canoeists and windsurfers. Surrounded by towering peaks, rushing waterfalls, glacial lakes and pristine forest, Whistler Olympic Park will take your breath away. Located 18 km south of Whistler in the  stunning Callaghan Valley, Whistler Olympic Park is the first Olympic Nordic venue to include all three traditional Nordic sport stadiums in one site: cross-country, ski jumping and biathlon.   The Park hosts the 2010 Olympic Games competitions in  ski jumping, Nordic combined, cross-country skiing and biathlon as  well as the  2010 Paralympic Games cross-country skiing and biathlon events. Before and after the Games, visitors, athletes and local residents can enjoy the use of th e facility on a year-round basis.   Featuring 40 km of expertly groomed cross-country ski trails at a variety of skill levels (both skate and classic), the Park also offers lit trails for night skiing, snowshoe trails, a  biathlon range and stadium, towering ski jumps, incredible views and a relaxing day lodge to warm up and chill out.  CHERYL YOUNG, REALTOR, SAANICH PENINSULA REALTY, VICTORIA BC  www.cherylyoung.ca  For more exciiting jewelery fo to and scroll www.cherylyoung.ca

]]> http://bcadayatatime.com/2012/01/25/situated-at/feed/ 0 cherylyoung sq1 sq2 Squamish_BoatYard2c squamish-wildlife sq3 892_1 squamish-cdn1313 sq4 squamish_harbour1 crosscountry2 whistler-park jew http://bcadayatatime.com/2012/01/25/pender-harbour-is-a-tough-part-of-the-sunshine-coast-to-get/ http://bcadayatatime.com/2012/01/25/pender-harbour-is-a-tough-part-of-the-sunshine-coast-to-get/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:14:27 +0000 cherylyoung http://bcadayatatime.com/2012/01/25/pender-harbour-is-a-tough-part-of-the-sunshine-coast-to-get/ ]]>     Pender Harbour is a tough part of the Sunshine Coast to get  a handle on

If you try to figure it out as you pass by on Hwy 101, you’ll have only a half-baked notion of where freshwater lakes end and saltwater coves begin. This place is a wonderful geographical mess.

Even if you take the plunge and begin exploring the roads that connect the three oceanside communities that comprise Pender Harbour – Madeira Park, Garden Bay, and Irvines Landing – you’d be hard pressed to keep your bearings.

You’d probably do just as well if you were blindfolded and spun around three times.

Pender Harbour, north of Sechelt, was once the winter headquarters of the Sechelt Nation, and on nearby Mount Daniel you can see the remains of moon rings (stone circles built by Sechelt girls as they entered womanhood), and Sechelt pictographs mark the cliffs above Sakinaw Lake.

Originally famous for fabulous sport fishing, the tranquil and bustling Pender Harbour today is also a favourite spot for artists and photographers, as well as canoeists and kayakers.

The 52 kilometres of jagged harbour shoreline support all sorts of housing, marine and recreational developments.

World-class yachts make Pender Harbour their evening destination anchorage, where the sunsets are amongst the best in British Columbia.

The deep, clear waters of the harbour are recognized, especially during winter months, as one of the world’s premier sites for underwater exploration and photography.

Population: 3,000

Location: Pender Harbour is located on the Sechelt Peninsula of the Sunshine Coast of BC.

The Sunshine Coast is accessible from the rest of the Lower Mainland only by boat or airplane.

Travellers aboard BC Ferries leave Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver for the 45-minute ride to Langdale on the Sechelt Peninsula.

 Highway 101 links Langdale with Pender Harbour, 31 miles (50 km) to the northwest.

View Map of the Sunshine Coast.

An accessible, year-round retreat, Pender Harbour can be reached by road and ferry or by yacht in a leisurely day’s journey from Vancouver, along the Sunshine Coast of BC.

Built in 1930, the one-time St. Mary’s Hospital at Hospital Bay is now a privately owned lodge, available for dining and overnight accommodations.

The popular recreation areas of Secret Cove, Buccaneer Bay, Thormanby Island and Texada Island are all nearby.

Attend the always popular Pender Harbour Jazz Festival. This three-day festival in September showcases musicians in a variety of venues throughout the area.

Diving: The maze of coves, bays, and islands around Pender Harbour make it the most popular diving spot on the Sechelt Peninsula.

You’ll need a boat to reach the four most popular sites at Fearney Bluffs, Nelson Rock, and Anderson and Charles Islands.

Golf: Pender Harbour Golf Course was built with a unique combination of flat and hilly fairways, and water hazards scattered throughout to add challenge to your game.

The fairways are tight, with elevated greens and tees that enable you to take in the great views of the surrounding mountains and scenery.

Nine holes with four tee boxes allow 18-hole rounds. Covered driving range. Located just five kilometres north of Madeira Park at 13823 Sunshine Coast Highway. Golf Vacations in British Columbia.

The many lakes and streams in the Pender Harbour area offer plenty of excitement to freshwater anglers. Klein Lake offers private campsites and fine trout and Ruby Lake is an idyllic jewel surrounded by beautiful mountains offering panoramic vistas, abundant wildlife and exciting fishing.

The eastern peak of Mount Daniel is of great ceremonial significance to the Sechelt First Nation, whose ancestors used it as a setting for puberty rites.

The summit of Mount Daniel (like the cemetery on the waterfront) is a protected archeological site.

Two hiking trails lead to viewpoints overlooking Pender Harbour. Pender Hill (758 feet/231 m) rises sharply from the saltchuk (a Native term for water) above Irvines Landing, while Mount Daniel (1,375 feet/419 m) sits above Garden Bay.

 Both present moderately difficult, unrelentingly steep hiking. Packing a water bottle (or two) is a must.

If time is of the essence, choose the Pender Hill Trail (moderate; 2 miles/3 km return) where a 30-minute cardiovascular workout will have you at the top. Plan on 90 minutes to reach the top of Mount Daniel (moderate; 5 miles/8 km return).

Take a map to make sense of the view; NTS 92G/12 is the most detailed. Mount Daniel is too diminutive to be identified on most maps (tell that to someone who’s just made the ascent) but the surrounding lakes and bays are.

Mount Daniel is west of Hwy 101 on Garden Bay Rd. Drive some 2 miles (3.5 km), watching for a trail sign on the left side of the road.

Park here and hike a short distance along a dirt road to the trailhead. To find the trail for Pender Hill, stay on Garden Bay Road to Irvines Landing Road, then along to Lee Road.

Watch for a sign on the right side of Lee Road that announces the trailhead.

Garden Bay Provincial Marine Park is a delightful 163-hectare forested park in Garden Bay on the north shore of Pender Harbour.

Energetic hikers will be rewarded with spectacular views from atop Mount Daniel, known as “Kwiss Cham” by the local Sechelt people, and of great ceremonial and ritual significance.

 It was atop Kwiss Cham that young maidens made their rites of passage into puberty.

Francis Point Marine Park protects pristine waterfront on the Francis Peninsula, west of Madeira Park.

This extremely fragile and sensitive ecosystem combines the scenic and ecological attributes that have made the Gulf of Georgia world famous; intricate coves, windswept pines, mossy headlands and towering old-growth veteran Douglas fir.

The park offers unlimited opportunities for kayaking and swimming, and some of the best diving on the Sunshine Coast.

 There is a short (one hour) wooded and rocky hiking trail that leads to the viewpoint at the top of the Francis Peninsula, with scenic views of Vancouver Island, Texada Island and the BC Gulf Islands.

A branch of the trail leads down to the rocky oceanfront.

The proposed park is easily accessible, and features cozy bays suitable for sheltering small craft.

Spipiyus Provincial Park is documented as the oldest closed-canopy temperate rain forest in Canada.

The park protects pockets of old-growth Douglas-fir stands, and contains groves of the oldest living Yellow Cedars, Mountain and Western Hemlocks in the world.

Also known as the Caren Range, the 2,979-hectare Spipiyus park also protects prime habitat for the Marbled Murrelet, which was found breeding close to the many lakes and in the ancient forests of the Caren Range above Pender Harbour.

Madeira Park is the main shopping centre for the Pender Harbour region, on the southeastern shore of Pender Harbour.

The Madeira Park government floats provide over 400 metres of moorage space- only a brief walk from ‘downtown’ Madeira Park.

In Joe Bay, at the mouth of Pender Harbour, is the historic community of Irvines Landing, a popular tourist and fishing stop.

The lifestyle of Irvines Landing is centred around the water and the boat launch ramp, with many residents engaged in commercial fishing, sports fishing and pleasure boating.

Irvines Landing offers a campsite, a grocery store, and a restaurant and pub.

The small village of Garden Bay is tucked between Hospital Bay and Garden Bay in Pender Harbour.

Postcard-pretty Garden Bay, with its yacht club, marinas, general store, restaurants and heritage inn, offers a gorgeous setting and terrific ocean views, amongst the prettiest in British Columbia.

See the best of the area on a driving Circle Tour.

Head north out of Vancouver for a scenic circle tour of the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.

Board a B.C. Ferries vessel at Powell River that will take you across the waters of the Strait of Georgia to Comox, on Vancouver Island’s east coast.

Travel south to Victoria and return to Vancouver by ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen. Circle Tours in BC.

 http://cherylyoung.ca/bling_bling_and_more_bling.html

CHERYL HOLMES YOUNG

SAANICH PENINSULA REALTY

SIDNEY B.C  www.cherylyoung.ca
]]> http://bcadayatatime.com/2012/01/25/pender-harbour-is-a-tough-part-of-the-sunshine-coast-to-get/feed/ 0 cherylyoung slide04 slide01 -19548a3265e34901 header11 41155784_weeklypenderharbour 4-434050885d20a 41155784_weeklypenderharbour j2 http://bcadayatatime.com/2012/01/24/httpow-lyiqzm5/ http://bcadayatatime.com/2012/01/24/httpow-lyiqzm5/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:30:59 +0000 cherylyoung http://bcadayatatime.com/2012/01/24/httpow-lyiqzm5/ ]]> http://ow.ly/i/qzM5

A good place to start the Kamloops

 Heritage Walking Tour is at the Men’s

 Christian Hostel on Victoria Street West.

Heritage buildings viewed on this leisurely

two-hour walk include the Federal Building,

constructed in 1900 and the last remaining

 building from Kamloop’s first street, the

Old Court House (1909), and the brick

Royal Bank building completed in 1912.

Meet local and endangered species of

wildlife at the BC Wildlife Park.

The park has 65 BC species including

 Grizzly bears, Timber  wolves, Cougars,

Moose, Mountain goat, Birds of Prey and

 many more, all in the spacious exhibits

 on the beautiful grounds.

The Discovery Centre includes the BC Eco-

Discovery Gallery that  features interactive

fun and learning experiences.

 This gallery allows guests to explore the

unique habitats of the province on which

BC wildlife depend – Rainforest, Grasslands,

 Mountains, Interior Plateaus and the North.

The Kamloops Pow Wow is one of the

 largest gatherings in Western Canada

showcasing First Nation’s culture! Kamloops

Pow Wow is an annual three-day event that

 takes place on the August long weekend

and it attracts performers, competitors, crafters

and artists.

 The Pow Wow is a spectacular expression

of the Secwepemc heritage here in the

 Kamloops area and boasts vibrant display

of storytelling, song, and dance.

The climate in Kamloops makes for perfect

conditions to grow American Ginseng,

thus attracting the Sunmore Ginseng Factory.

 The ginseng product is shipped world

wide to Canadian, North American,

 European and Asian market.

Ttake a free tour of the factory and learn

all about the amazing natural root which

is used to help de-stress and keep your body

 in top condition.

Art is an incredible expression of culture,

people, memories and creative articulation

 for all ages.

 Kamloops has the principal gallery for

 visual arts in the SouthernInterior of

British Columbia.

 Escape from the busy day-to-day happenings

 for an hour and  immerse yourself in an

 atmosphere of inspired creations at the

 Kamloops Art Gallery.

Rocky Mountaineer Vacations® offers

“The Most Spectacular Train Trip in the

World”® with two-day, all daylight train

 excursions between Vancouver, British

Columbia and Jasper, Banff or Calgary,

 with an overnight stay in Kamloops.

Westbound or eastbound departures are

available from mid-April to mid-October.

Forged by hand, the rails carry you through

stunning natural beauty.

 You will marvel at the deep greens of old

growth forest and the emerald waters of

glacial lakes, weaving along historic rail

routes, treating you in unsurpassed service.

 More information on the

 Rocky Mountaineer Rail Circle Tour.

Kenna Cartwright Park encompasses

almost 800 hectacres of Mount Dufferin,

and offers an extensive network of gentle

 nature  trails for hiking or cycling, with

panoramic views of the city, the Thompson

Valley, Kamloops Lake and the convergence of the North

 and South Thompson Rivers.

Wildlife species such as squirrel, bluebird,

hawk, deer, coyote and bear visit and

inhabit the park.

The park is also host to three provincially

 blue-listed (vulnerable)species – the Great

 Basin Spadefoot Toad, Great Basin Gopher

 Snake and Lewis’ Woodpecker, as well

as 1 red-listed (endangered) species -

the Badger.

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FEAR DOESN’T EXIST ANYWHERE EXCEPT

 IN THE MIND ..DALE CARNEGIE

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 Fort St. James was originally established by the explorer

 Simon Fraser for the North West Company in 1806.

Goods from eastern Canada and Europe were brought

 to Fort St. James for distribution  through the fort

 to outposts in the surrounding area.

The fort was the social and economic heart of the

fur-trade district, known as New Caledonia, and was

 the main contact point between fur traders and the

 Carrier Indians, with furs gathered here being shipped

 to the European market.

Fort St. James has been restored as a National Historic

 Site, with town buildings dating back to the 1880s.

 Fort St. James displays the largest group of original

wooden buildings representing the fur trade in Canada.

Site visitors have the same spectacular view of Stuart

 Lake that the Carrier Indians and the fur traders

 knew so well.

 Not that they all saw this view the same way:

while this was ‘home’ to the Carrier people, to the

 fur traders it was ‘wilderness’.

 Hardships, adventures, challenges and changes

are all part of the story of this place.

Today, mining, forestry, and a growing tourism

industry all play an active role in the economy of the

local Fort St James community.

 Year-round outdoor and indoor recreational

opportunities include camping, hiking and biking trails,

 ballparks, golf, fishing, waterskiing,  canoeing,

swimming, sailing and boating, alpine and nordic skiing,

 skating, hockey, curling, snowmobiling, and  dog

 sledding.

The region is rich in wildlife, one of the last great

 wilderness and resource industry frontiers in

 the world.

This spectacular part of Canada is sparsely

 populated yet accessible;  rural and wild, yet well

serviced and close to big city amenities.

The weather is characterized by snowy winters and

 warm summers.

Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church, built in 1873,

 is one of  the oldest remaining churches in British

Columbia, located on Lakeshore Drive overlooking

 Stuart Lake.

Situated behind the church is the cabin in which

Father Morice printed the Carrier Prayer Books and

newspapers.

Aviation history buffs can head to the Russ Baker

 Memorial,  a monument erected in memory of

legendary bush pilot Frank  ”Russ” Baker, one of the

first bush pilots in the area, and founder  of Canada’s

 two major airlines.

 Also worth a visit is the one-third model of the

 German Junkers W34 Float Plane at Cottonwood Park.

This plane was very popular in the Second World War,

 and was also used by bush pilots in Fort St. James.

The ancient burial site of Chief Kwah, one of the

greatest chiefs  known to Carrier Indians, is located

 near the Stuart River.

 The grave site was selected by the Carrier Chief prior

 to his death.

To get there, take the first right after the Necoslie

River bridge, the first bridge when leaving town.

Twenty one sites of Indian Pictographs are located on

the north shore of Stuart Lake, bet ween Fort St. James

and Pinchi Bay, by Honeymoon Island.

These Native rock paintings on the cliffs of Stuart

 Lake date back to the nineteenth century, and depict

 animals, fish, birds and symbols  showing guardian

spirits and images received in dreams.

 Guides and boat rentals can be arranged.

The history of the fur trade lives on at the Fort

 St. James National Historic Site on Kwah Road, where

interpretive and interactive exhibits are on display,

 and original log buildings have been restored and

furnished in the style of the late 1890s.

 Park staff in period costumes spin stories of old and

 carry on life much as it was in the late nineteenth

century.

 Listen closely for the phantom whispers of days

 gone by, and relive the colourful past of trappers,

traders and Native people.

 Come with us on a Tour of Fort St. James, and

Share the Wonder.

Tom Creek Steam Shovel has been preserved as a

 tribute to the pioneer families who contributed to the

growth and development of the region during the

 first half of the twentieth century.

 The shovel was brought to the area in the mid 1930s

 by Thomas A. Kelley.

 It traveled under its own steam to Fort St. James,

then “Grandpa”  David Hoy barged it to Takla Landing

 for it’s final 19 miles to Tom Creek.

Limestone T-Caves are located about 8 kilometres

up the eastern side of Stuart Lake, reached by following

 the shoreline by canoe or boat from Cottonwood Park.

 About 800 metres from the last house you can hike

the steep trail to the interesting T-shaped caves and

 enjoy the beautiful view.

 Expect about a 1 to 1-1/2 hour easy paddle on a

calm day, and a 15 to 25-minute hike to the caves.

Watch the kokanee running at the Tsilcoh River from

mid to late August, and take in the excellent view at

 Tsilcoh Falls.

 Located thirty kilometres from town on Pinchi Road,

 these natural falls are something to see.

The road is accessible by car, and there is a campsite

for day and overnight use.

Closer to town are the smaller Pinchi Falls.Stuart Lake

is a paradise for boaters, and there are several marinas

 and boat launches to help you enjoy it.

 Cottonwood Marina, Pitka Bay Resort, Paarens Beach

 Provincial Park and Sowchea Bay Provincial Park

 (park links below) all provide access to this fabulous lake.

Stuart Lake is 66 km long, 10 km wide, and relatively

shallow, with an average depth of 26 metres.

In winter, frozen Stuart Lake offers snowmobiling,

ice fishing, ice sailing, and dog sledding.

The Stuart River was the exploration route of Simon

 Fraser and the travel route of the New Caledonia fur

trade canoe brigades.

Paddlewheelers plied the rivers (circa 1900) to

supply Fort St James and other fur trading outposts.

 Today, riverboats guide visitors along the river from

Fort St James or from the Sturgeon Point Road.

Follow Sowchea Road for 11 km to

Paarens Beach Provincial Park, which offers vehicle/tent

 campsites, picnic tables, firepits and a great view

of Stuart Lake.

 Most parks in this region don’t officially open until

 late May, once the snow has melted and the ice is

 gone from the lakes.

Sowchea Bay Provincial Recreation Area, 5 km west of

Paarens Beach, provides vehicle/tent camping spots,

 picnic tables and firepits on Stuart Lake.

 The park is the trailhead for the 5-km Antimony

 Mine Trail, which  leads to an old antimony mine

where old buildings and mining sites can be explored.

 Be cautious, as the structures are old and could

collapse.

Hikers will have a tough time choosing which hiking

 trails to do first … and next. Closest to town is the

 2-km Dickinson Hiking Trail, with other trails including

 the Antimony Mine Trail from Sowchea Bay Park,

 the 5-km Mount Pope Hiking Trail to the magnificent

views from the old forestry lookout, and a recommended

fishing and camping hike along the Tulle and

Marie Lake Trail.

Fort St. James has discovered that mountain biking

is a big part of outdoor recreation.

Don’t expect to find ripping sidetrack just yet, but for

the fat-tire tourist, there are a number of pleasing day

rides, like the 6 to 7-hour Tezzeron Lake Return, and

 a couple of extended trips, including  The Great

 Northern Circuit, a 6 to 7-day journey along northern

logging roads.

 Other multiday trips include the Fraser Lake Circuit

and the Great Beaver Lake Circumnavigation.

 A ride that should have any true bikepacker drooling

is the Spatsizi Overlander Adventure Ride, an amazingly

 lengthy ride from Fort.

 St. James to southeast Alaska.

 This informal trail is the ride to end all rides, and there

is no estimate of the time it will take you.

 Drop a postcard in the mail in Fort St. James,

addressed to yourself in Telegraph Creek

(at the northern tip of Edziza Park), and try to

 beat it there.

Paddlers can challenge the 4 lakes and rivers that

 comprise the  Nation Lake Chain.

After a three-hour drive up the Leo Creek Road, the

adventure starts with a launch at Tsayta Lake.

Forestry campsites are dotted along Indata Lake

 Tchentlo Lake, and Chuchi Lake at the end of the

 canoe trip, a 90-minute drive back to Fort St. James.

 Arrange a pick-up and drop-off, or take a guided

 7 to 10 day trip  out of Fort St. James.

Other paddling trips ranging from 1 day to 10 days

offer great times in wonderfully scenic surroundings

along the Omineca and Stuart Rivers, on Takla and

Tezzeron Lakes, and on various other area lakes and rivers.

Murray Ridge Ski Hill, north of Fort St. James, offers

 downhill skiing and snowboarding.

Located 5 kilometres up Tachie Road, the ski

 area contains 20 miles of runs, accessible by

 a T-bar lift, and well-groomed cross-country ski trails.

Skiing and Winter Recreation in the North West.

Fishing: Stuart Lake contains some of the finest

rainbow trout fishing available, with rainbow in the

8 to 15-pound range quite common.

 Other species include char or lake trout, and burbot

 for the ambitious.

Golf: The public 9-hole golf facility at Stuart Lake Golf

Course offers spectacular views of Stuart Lake.

Open seasonally from April to September.

Rockhounds can find various deposits of Gold Placer,

Jade,  Rhodonite, Jasper and Agate in the area, or

 try gold panning in  Rainbow, Manson, Sowchea, Dog,

or Silver Creeks.

The Cottonwood Music Festival held every July in

 Cottonwood Park on Stuart Lake features bluegrass,

 old-time country, classic rock, Celtic, Metis, and folk

music. On-site camping is available on the lake shore.

Together with Vanderhoof, 60 km to the south of

Fort St. James,

and Fraser Lake, another 60 km to the west of

Vanderhoof,

 Fort St. James is part of what is known locally as the

 Tri-cities of the Stuart Nechako.

Fort St. James is located off the

Yellowhead Highway 16.

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CHERYL HOLMES YOUNG, REALTOR

SAANICH PENINSULA REALTY

SIDNEY B.C

www.cherylyoung.ca

http://www.cherylyoung.ca/bling_necklace_and_sets.html 

 for more of my one of a kind jewelery

Hudsons Hope In a picturesque setting on the

 banks of the Peace River in the Rocky Mountain

foothills, is the beautiful little community of

 Hudson’s Hope.

Situated midway between Chetwynd and Fort St.

 John,  this route is the most scenic in the area,

as the highway follows the Peace River.

 Hudson’s Hope is the third oldest community in

 British Columbia, and is steeped in fur-trading

history  dating back to the late 1700s, and the days

of the Alexander Mackenzie Northwest Company.

 The Hudson’s Bay Company established a trading

 post here in 1805, but it closed for 57 years, to

punish  the First Nations people for resising the

 white man’s  invasion.

 The area is one of the richest sites of fossils and

dinosaur  footprints in the world

 Is it any wonder that the town mascot is a friendly

 little fellow by the name of Dudley Dinosaur?

 Hudson’s Hope extends a warm welcome to visitor

and  entrepeneur alike, to share their unique

northern bounty  and hospitality.

Population: 1,159 Location: Hudson’s Hope is

located on Highway 29 in northeast British Columbia,

41 miles  (66 km) north of Chetwynd and 56 miles

 (90 km) southwest of Fort St. John.

The fossil display in the Hudson’s Hope Museum

is the  finest collection of fossils in the Peace River

area, which is to be expected from one of the

world’s richest sites  of fossils and dinosaur footprints.

 On display is a 11,600 year old Mammoth tusk.

 The history of the area is represented by pioneer and

Native displays, and artifacts from the early trapping

 and coal mining industries.

Visit Gething Creek for a unique prehistoric

experienceto view actual dinosaur footprints!

This site is located in a somewhat remote area

approximately 40 km from the townsite.

Additional information and directions are available

 at  the Hudson’s Hope Visitor Centre.

 Stroll through Alwin Holland Park, beside the

Peace River.

 Jamieson Woods Nature Preserve is home to ancient

 sand dunes, mature mixed pine/aspen forest,

abundant variety of flowers and shrubs including

 calypso orchids  and intricate mushrooms.

This tranquil woodland setting is home to many types

 of birds, including, seven species of woodpeckers.

There are great trails for mountain bikes in the summer

 and cross country skiing in the winter.

 The trail layout provides designated areas for ATV’s

 and snowmobiles.

 The W.A.C. Bennett Dam is celebrating 40 years!

Join them for an exciting underground bus tour of one

of the world’s largest earth-filled structures.

 They will drive right through the canyon wall that will

take you to the powerhouse – 500 feet underground!

Have fun with hands-on science exhibits and learn how

 electricity is made.

Tours of the underground powerhouse are available

 (first tour leaves at 10:30am and the last at 4:30pm).

 Free admission. Fee applies for underground bus tours.

 Hours: 10am to 6pm daily from May 17 to September 1.

 Located on Canyon Drive, 21 km west of Hudsons Hope.

Phone 1-888-333-6667. More Information.

 Behind the W.A.C. Bennett Dam is Williston Lake, the

 largest man-made lake in North America, offering

 excellent fishing and fossil hunting in the

 surrounding area.

 The Peace Canyon Dam site tells the story of the Peace

 Canyon dating back to the time of the dinosaur.

 Two life-sized models of the Hadrosaur Dinosaur,

fossils, and photos tell this story in the visitor centre.

 At the time that the Peace Canyon Dam was built their

units were the largest in the world!

Free Admission. Seasonal Hours: 8am to 4pm daily

 May 17 to September 1 – guided tours available.

Off-Season Hours: 8am to 4pm weekdays only – self

-guided tours only.

Phone 1-888-333-6667.

More Information.

Moberly Lake Provincial Park is a popular

swimming  spot, and home to the mythical monster,

Moberly Dick.

 Located south of Hudson’s Hope on the south shore

 of Moberly Lake, the park boasts campsites for

 overnighting, as well as the usual variety of

 water-related  activities.

 Moberly is a popular getaway for residents and

visitors alike, but there are usually a few camping

spaces open for  latecomers on all but the busiest

weekends.

A lakeside cairn to fur trader Henry John Moberly

records his discovery of the lake in 1865.

 Overnight camping is provided at Gethin Park,

 Dinosaur Lake, Cameron Lake and Alwin Holland

Campgrounds, the latter situated in a rustic setting

 beside the Peace River.

 All parks are maintained by the District of

 Hudson’s Hope, and include water, wood, and

outdoor washrooms, and some have playground

 equipment.

Angling in the Fishing Capital of the Peace is excellent,

with lakes and rivers full of rainbow trout, arctic

 grayling, dolly varden, and northern pike.

Fishing in British Columbia.

 The Peace River Valley is a well-travelled

migration route  for bald eagles, tundra and

trumpeter swans, and five  types of gulls.

 Boaters and paddlers are likely to see moose, elk,

 mule deer, white-tailed deer and coyotes.

 Also along the river bank are unusual microclimates

where cacti and roses grow wild.

 See the best of Northern BC on the Circle Tour of

 Northern British Columbia.

From Prince George, travel north through the Rocky

 Mountain foothills via the Alaska Highway to Watson

 Lake in the Yukon, before heading south again on the

 Stewart/Cassiar Highway.

The wildlife population in this vast and remote

 territory is so prolific that this portion of the

Northern Rockies has  been dubbed the Serengeti

of North America.

 Circle Tours in British Columbia