January 2007
Stanley Park special issue from British Columbia Magazine
Stanley Park is a spectacular 40 hectare park in downtown Vancouver. It is Canada's largest park and one of British Columbia's top attractions. It is to us Vancouverites what Central Park is to New Yorkers.
You may have heard that Stanley Park has recently been hit by violent winter storms, with over 3,000 trees being toppled and parts of the world-famous seawall getting shut down (I saw this morning that news reports have hit France media even!).
As devastating as the storms have been, there is still so much beauty within the park, and many reasons to visit. Much of the seawall is still open, as it many of the park's attractions, including the incomparable Vancouver Aquarium, and great restaurants like the Sequoia Grill. You should still set aside an afternoon to visit the park while in Vancouver.
British Columbia Magazine is launching a special issue of the magazine, Stanley Park - After the Storm, to celebrate the park's timeless beauty and capture this point in the park's history.
Stanley Park - After the Storm makes a great memento of a visit to B.C. and helps contribute to the park's restoration.
Whistler's Best
I just got back from a long weekend at Whistler, honing my mountain skills with a refresher skiing lesson and an avalanche safety course in preparation for backcountry touring.
One thing that struck me, during the approximately 30 hours of instruction I received over the course of the weekend, was that I was being taught by the best of the best. All three of my instructors had well over 10 years experience in their field of expertise, mostly approaching more like 20 years, and this experience gave me the absolute best instruction I could possibly use. In addition, they were all active and longtime Whistler residents who were intimately familiar with the mountains and were able to share thier knowledge with me.
The experience reminded me that Whistler is one of the world's biggest and best resorts, and as such attracts many very highly qualified people to be a part of the experience. So for visitors, this means not only skiing incredible runs, but also being able to take advantage of some of the world-class instructors and professionals who call Whistler home.
West Coast Trail Travel Advisory
December windstorms caused severe damage along the West Coast Trail. Approximately 2,000 trees have toppled, cable cars at Carmanah and Klanawa have come down, the suspension bridge over Logan Creek has disappeared and there is a sizeable mudslide 12 kilometers from the Pachena trailhead. Parks Canada staff are still assessing the damage.
Parks Canada has many National Parks and National Historic Sites in remote areas and has contingency funding available for events such as this. Parks Canada is making every effort to ensure that visitors can have a west coast trail experience this summer. Although this had a major impact on the forest, it was a natural phenomenon. The landscape along the West Coast Trail has changed considerably. Parks Canada will continue to keep the public informed of progress.
For more information please visit the Pacific Rim website.
Continue reading "West Coast Trail Travel Advisory"
Family Fun at the VAG
A rainy Sunday in January is the perfect time to take the kids to Super Sunday at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Every third Sunday of the month, the VAG holds this hands on event to expose kids to art of all kinds.
We took my 6 year old and a buddy (things are always more fun if you bring a friend). To complement the current B.C. Binning exhibit, kids were provided a sheet with clues to find different paintings, and then provided space and materials to do sketches and watercolors inspired by the exhibit. Other stations are set up throughout the gallery, featuring different media and themes.
We were not the only ones with this idea, so it was fairly busy, but everyone seems to go with the flow. Make sure you use the coatcheck, and get your hand stamped for re-entry as no snacks are allowed in the gallery. It is a good idea to take a break and crash on the couches in the foyer between projects.
Kids are free with an adult admission; donation encouraged to cover the cost of materials.
The best part? They clean up the mess left behind!
Goldstream Eagle Watch
A few days ago, I stopped in Goldstream Provincial Park for a quick look for eagles. I wanted to compare this Vancouver Island location to the Brackendale experience I had last weekend (below).
Overall, I have to admit I prefer Goldstream. The stream, for which I assume the park takes its name, is smaller than the Squamish River in Brackendale so I was able to count eagle feathers without a telescope. But then, I could smell the pungent spawned-out salmon in a bit more detail as well.
Also, the eagles perch in an old-growth temperate rain forest, which creates an ambiance that mentally takes you to the middle of nowhere - just you and eagles (if you are able to ignore the traffic on the highway behind you).
Which leads me to the final reason why I like Goldstream better - fewer people. Instead of standing in an exposed bird watching lineup, I sat like a mist enshrouded stump, naturally enclosed with the shrieks of eagles and sounds of the living forest.
Goldstream Provincial Park is a short 20 minute drive north from Victoria.
Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park
My toes and fingers are still frigid from standing along the Squamish River as I tried to pick out eagles hiding in Brackendale Eagle Provincial Park across the water. I heard there were approximately 1,700 of them, but I could only count about 50 from where I stood.
There were four in particular worth watching, as they bantered at the river shoreline, looking for food and doing what eagles do. A younger one flew across the river, right over my head, and down the path where the other eagle viewers were watching. It was perfect, except for the cold, but I already mentioned that, and as long as I stood in the sun it wasn't too bad. Almost.
My camera didn't even begin to have the strength to zoom across the water and capture the eagles antics, but that didn't really matter as there were telescopes for everyone to share.
Margaret's weekly radio segment from January 5 also gives you more information on the Annual Eagle Festival & Count, see below.
Barely Touched Powder at Blackcomb
Barely Touched Powder at Blackcomb
Originally uploaded by Tourism BC.
Photo from our recent Winter Photo Contest
Awesome Whistler
Awesome Whistler
Originally uploaded by Tourism BC.
Photo from our recent Winter Photo Contest
Panoramic of Panorama Resort
Panoramic of Panorama Resort
Originally uploaded by Tourism BC.
Photo from our recent Winter Photo Contest
Happy Boys and Fresh Snow
Happy Boys and Fresh Snow
Originally uploaded by Tourism BC.
Photo from our recent Winter Photo Contest
Deep, Deep Powder at Mt. Washington
Deep, Deep Powder at Mt. Washington
Originally uploaded by Tourism BC.
Photo from our recent Winter Photo Contest
Valentines Day Ideas
I just read a great list of things to do for Valentines Day in Vancouver. My additional recommendations:
Harrison Hot Springs - hit the adults-only pool late at night.
Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel - just for the luxurious rooms.
Parkside Restaurant - romantic, West End location.
Miraj Hamman Spa - can be reserved for just the two of you.
Nick's Spaghetti House - noisy, Italian joint, a first date classic!
Opening Day at Kimberley Alpine Resort!
Opening Day at Kimberley Alpine Resort!
Originally uploaded by Tourism BC.
Photo from our recent Winter Photo Contest
Kicking Horse Village
Kicking Horse Village
Originally uploaded by Tourism BC.
Photo from our recent Winter Photo Contest
Fernie! BEST PLACE ON EARTH!
Fernie! BEST PLACE ON EARTH!
Originally uploaded by Tourism BC.
Photos from our Winter Photo Contest