Hopkins Landing is a short walk from the Langdale ferry terminal and a lovely place to spend a sunny afternoon while visiting BC’s http://www.TravelInBC.com/SunshineCoast.cfm . There is a park bench out on the dock which stretches far enough out into Howe Sound, that you get the feeling you are actually out on the water. You can gaze back at the public beach that stretches 5 km all the way into http://www.TravelInBC.com/Gibsons.cfm . You can sit, relax and listen to the birds and the constant ebb and flow of the tide. In the summer, this is a popular swimming spot and […]

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Victoria BC has a diverse range of appealing attractions and activities so it naturally draws a wide range of visitors who stay at equally diverse bed and breakfasts. There’s something for everyone to do and somewhere for everyone to stay. This tiny part of BC on southern Vancouver Island offers a microcosm of the province including ocean beaches, pretty lakes, rainforest parks and mountain vistas. There are first rate attractions too such as the Butchart Gardens, the Royal BC Museum, Craigdarroch Castle and the Inner Harbour. Visitors enjoy enthralling activities such as whale-watching, kayaking, sailing, fishing, golf, biking and hiking. […]

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Minutes up the NE side of the lake is Hot Springs Retreat, a quaint B&B. The cozy cedar home offers two private entrance/bathroom suites. Guests are welcome to enjoy the private gardens which back up against Bear Mountain. Across the road you may want to watch the sun set over Harrison Lake. Down the road a little further is Sasquatch Park which has a boat launch and an extensive picnic area by the water. This is a great place to get away for the day with the family. A shallow swim beach is roped off, and a sandy beach provides […]

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For a backcountry skier, it’s hard to imagine a better place than this, or a better moment than now.  Myself and a group of old and newly met friends are standing atop the Wildcat Glacier at around 9000 feet having climbed here completely under our own power. Surrounding us in the crisp mountain air are literally dozens of stunningly beautiful snow-capped peaks stretching out in all directions. After a snack and a sip of hot tea, Dave Birnie, our guide and co-owner of Mistaya Lodge, gives us a quick reminder of avalanche safety’s golden rule, “ski one at a time, […]

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Nestled within the stunning landscape of the East Coast of Vancouver Island is “Fairwinds” at Nanoose Bay – just south of Parksville and north of Nanaimo.  Located on the leeward side of the mountain Nanoose Bay has the bragging rights of the mildest climate in Canada. As you drive down Powder Point Road past Enos Lake to Fairwinds, you may wonder where these names originated.  The forest engulfs the relics of bygone years, but a little delving into the past soon uncovers a colorful history here.  The first settler on the Nanoose Peninsula was John Enos.  Originally from the Azores, […]

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Pacific Rim National Park is considered a “nature reserve”, having never actually been granted park status by the Federal Government, but that aside, it is a very unique and special place.   No, it doesn’t have any ski hills or major hiking trails, but what it does have is real.  What you see is the product of wind, rain and salt spray.   The trees are often twisted and stunted and when you look at them, you can see they are clinging on to the volcanic rock and you wonder how old they really are.  It is a marginal existence, coated with […]

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Port Alberni is on the way to the West Coast and is the last stop for gas and other facilities before tackling the very scenic Highway 4. Cathedral Grove is the first must see on your drive westward towards Port Alberni. A beautiful stand of old and very large Cedars and Douglas Fir trees awaits you. There are trails on both sides of the highway, but please obey the signs as all traffic headed in and out of Port Alberni use this highway, traffic can be quite heavy. MacMillan Provincial Park is where Cathedral Grove is located, a great place […]

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If you are from other parts of the world, or even other parts of Canada, you will find Vancouverites a strange bunch of drivers. When I first came to Vancouver I had inherited a set of aggressive driving tendencies from elsewhere in urban Canada. Therefore it came as a shock when trying to pressure Vancouver drivers to hurry up; it actually confused them and they slowed down.  There seems to be a certain disinterest in driving.  Clouds?  Imaginary friends?  I could not tell what was distracting Vancouver drivers.  With the advent of cell phones, the distraction became directly observable.  If […]

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Want to get out of Vancouver but avoid that long congested drive to go anywhere?  Since spring is almost here I am giving you another quick get away that involves you riding or walking: Iona Beach otherwise known as “the Spit”. Located in West Richmond adjacent to the Vancouver International Airport and the Iona Island sewage treatment ponds.  To get there: head to the Vancouver airport, and at the last set of lights  – turn right – there is a small sign that leads you to Iona Beach.  You can park the car about 200 meters from the right hand […]

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Isn’t it great that we live in a city with so many little adventures close by?  I’ve found another gem that even many locals don’t know exist – and it’s right in your backdoor. A short drive to West Vancouver. takes you to a little early history of Vancouver : Lighthouse Park. To get to the trailhead – follow Marine Drive in West Vancouver. for about 9+ km – this drive alone will get your drooling (the view is about the BEST in the WORLD – as far as I’m concerned) go past Caulfield Cove and watch for the small […]

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