Best Places to Visit in B.C. - Steveston

Steveston is a beautiful historic fishing village

which has long been a salmon

canning centre in British Columbia.

Steveston was the world's busiest
deep water fishing port
at the end of the 20th century, dotted
with 15 fish canneries, hotels, saloons,
and gambling dens.

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is now a

preserved canning facility that can 

be toured to gain a better understanding

of our Pacific Northwest fishing history.

The Britannia Heritage Shipyard is

another must see site in Steveston.

The boardwalks here reflect the voices of
Japanese, Chinese, Native Indian,
and European immigrants, as well
as sailors from around the world.
 

As you slowly wander through the sights 

and sounds of Steveston

you can hear
the cries of seagulls, eagles,
and hushed echoes of the past.
Or was I only imaging the past
cries of fishermen who loved the
sea and make their homes along
her shores? 

B.C.'s Secret Gardens

British Columbia is a land of enchantment

and mystery.

Her secret gardens are everywhere, hidden

from the maddening pace;

an oasis for mind and soul.

Blooming flowers, bees buzzing

and a quite bench for meditation

or just being.

Finding your own secluded garden

can be a sheer delight, 

secret moments shared

with Mother Nature. 

The First Signs of Spring in Vancouver

I don't really have a "favorite" time of year.

Every season has it's own beauty and enchantment.

Seeing the first robins in spring is

always a thrill, though, and a

sign of new life and new

beginnings always
lifts your spirits.

Even the robins seem excited

about the blue skies 

and newly budding trees.

Best Places to See in BC - Dawson Creek

One of the best places to explore in BC

is Dawson Creek, Mile 0

of the Alaska Highway.

Named in honor after Dr. George Mercer Dawson, 

Dawson Creek is also

known as the capital of the Peace River District.

The 16 foot tall iron statue of a surveyor was

created by Karl Mattson from scap metal

he found on nearby farms.

True in dress and equipment to surveryors

from the 1942 era, this surveyor 

points north along the route of 

the Alaska Highway.

The pioneer spirit of the North

is alive and well here in northwestern BC.

Things to Do in British Columbia -- Enjoy the Weather

You just can't beat British Columbia

in the sunshine. 

Clear skies and temperatures in the mid 20's C

today.

Doing any activity outside is a pure joy,

from sight seeing the local mountains,

taking a nature walk, 

or sitting in the shade enjoying 

the back yard garden.

Whatever you choose to do in 

British Columbia, this

weather can bring you pure joy

and some pretty impressive vistas.

Best Places to See in BC - Kiskatinaw Bridge

Kiskatinaw Bridge, Alaska Highway, British Columbia

 The Kiskatinaw Bridge is located before the Mile 21 marker 

along the old Alaska Highway

in British Columbia.

The Kiskatinaw Bridge was the first curved wooden bridge

built in Canada

and is still in use today.

Built in 1942-43 it stands

30 meters (100) feet above the Kiskatinaw River, 

a tributary of the Peace River.

It curves 9 degrees along its length and is 162.5 meters (534 feet) long.

Quite the view from the bridge deck, the river meanders

its way gently through the rolling hills

below bringing to mind wandering dinosaurs

in ages past. 

Best Places to See in BC - The Alaska Highway

Mile "0" of the Alaska Highway begins

in Dawson Creek, BC.

Construction started on the highway during World War II

to connect Alaska to the United States through Canada.

Completed in 1942, it stretched 2,700 km. 

Due to reconstruction and repair today the highway is actually

2,232 km and ends in Delta Junction, Alaska.

The first 987 km (613 miles)

are constructed through British Columbia.

You can still find historic mile postings along the highway

and the Canadian metric system has warranted the change to

signposts being in kilometers. Most residents along the highway

refer to their location as "mile x along the highway".

The history of the Alaska Highway is one of heroism and

  determination. I visited the 

There is a fascintaing

display of old photographs taken from the road building era at the

Dawson Creek Art Gallery.

The Alaska Highway should be on everyone's

"must visit while in BC" list.

Best Places to See in BC - Botanical Beach

Botanical Beach Provincial Park 

 on the west coast 

of Vancouver Island

is a magical place to visit

and should be on everyone's Best Places

To See in BC list.

It is a fabulous location for

watching storms that roll in off of the Pacific Ocean as

 well as sea life galore. Several species of 

bird life soared on the strong winds and rain while I

stood in awe of this vast ocean scape.

Bull kelp lay in long yellow rope like strands along  the

rugged coastal rockscape and

the feel of being here and alive were present 

on the tang of the salty air.

Best Places to See in BC - Lynn Headwaters Regional Park

I've just discovered another
Best Places to See in BC
destination right in Vancouver, BC.
Lynn Headwaters Regional Park
in North Vancouver is
an absolute gem.
With a variety of trails for
all skill levels, this
area offers nature at the city limits
at it's finest. Even in damp,
misty weather the scenery is
ephemeral and enchanting.
I was lucky enough to watch
the lunch time escapades
of a downy woodpecker as
he pecked and hammered his
way through a rotting log for
yummy grubs. His lunch, not mine.

I hiked the Varley and Lynn Loop Trail
and will return for many more hours
of hiking for more
British Columbia scenery.

Best Places to See in BC - Mt. Robson

The highest point in the
Canadian Rockies is Mt. Robson.
Standing at 3,954 m (12,972 ft) high,
Mt. Robson is located in Mt. Robson Provincial Park.

The summit of Mt. Robson is usually
obscured by clouds, and indeed
after 3 separate trips to
get a glimpse of this rare sight,
I did get lucky early one
morning.

I've never met a mountain I didn't like,
and the view of Mt. Robson from
the Yellowhead Highway is pretty spectacular.
She's just ..... big.
I can only imagine what other secrets
her various faces hold,
as she is considered
one of the truly great
mountains to climb.
I'm happy taking in the views from
below.

Best Places to See in BC - The Ancient Forest

The only known temperate rainforest

to exist so far from an ocean
is right here in BC.

The Ancient Forest is located
113 km east of Prince George (on
highway 16 heading towards McBride)
and really has to be one of the province's
best kept secrets.
A walk through this trail in nothing
short of spiritual.

During the winter months the area lies
hushed and still within it's blanket
of whiter than white snow.
The sounds of a forest coming to rest can be heard
at every step along this magical trail.
Ancient cedar trees stand
silently and majestically over this
landscape. Truly a rare opportunity
to see, smell and touch Western Red Cedars
estimated to be between 1,000 - 1,200
years old.

I was overawed to be here after hearing
about this ancient land several months ago.

I still feel the spirit of this forest.
With her older-than-I-can-imagine
trees and life surrounding you on every step,
it is as I imagine life should be.

Best Places to See in BC - Tunkwa Provincial Park

One of the most spectacular range land settings
in BC is the Thompson Plateau.
Tunkwa Provincial Park lies within this region
and offers beautiful open grassland, bogs, ponds, lakes and
big big skies. I never get tired of the sagebrush
and tumbleweeds here, summer or winter they
are indicative of this truly magnificent part of
British Columbia's landscape.

Nestled between the towns of Logan Lake and Savona
Tunkwa Provincial Park has some of the best
rainbow trout fishing in the province. Ice fishing
aficionados abound here in the winter months
when the lake is frozen over a foot deep
and the winds can make you dream
of fireplaces and hot toddies.

I've heard there's a herd of wild horses here.
Though this trip I wasn't lucky enough to
see them, I hear they are alive and
well and wintering the high plains
with plush coats
and wild spirits.

I think I heard their whinnies
in the wind ...
maybe it was the spirit of the plains and plateaus
of this wild and majestic region.

Best Places to See in BC - Jones Lake

You absolutely cannot beat the view from
Jones Lake, BC.
Jones Lake, also known as Wahleach Lake, is located
25 kms southeast of the town of Hope, BC
and lies in the Skagit Range of the Cascade Mountains.

Not only are the views of Mount Cheam
impressive from here, there are 2 glaciers to
gape and eye pop over, too.
Both the
Lucky Four and Wahleach Glaciers
can be seen from the boat ramp.
Another spectacular place to visit and
enjoy in British Columbia.

Best Places to See in BC - Sooke Potholes Regional Park

One of the most enchanting places I visited on
Vancouver Island is the
Sooke Potholes Regional Park.

Cast your mind back thousands of years
to the age of glaciers. Now imagine
the slow movement of tons of ice and snow
carving out a path along this stretch of the landscape.
Large boulders were caught in depressions in
the bedrock and slowly twirled and ground their
marks to form bowl shaped holes. These holes eventually filled
with the rushing waters of today's Sooke River.
And Sooke Potholes was born.

Today, the Sooke River is home
to coho and chinook salmon as well as
a variety of water and shore birds.
Sooke River is the second largest river on southern
Vancouver Island. And definitely worth a visit.
She runs cold and clear as she tickles and drops her
way to the Sooke Basin and
eventually into Juan de Fuca Strait.

Sooke Potholes Regional Park is
easily accessible for all ages and fitness levels.
A short drive from Victoria will
put you in the heart of the park.
And some pretty spectacular scenery.

Best Places to See in BC - Alouette River

One of my all time favorite places to
see in BC is the Alouette River
in Maple Ridge.
At any time of the year
this area is enchantingly beautiful.
Blue heron and woodpeckers are
abundant right now and can be
heard from quite a distance as
they call hauntingly in the fog.
The Alouette River is steeped
in ancient history, and if you
listen closely enough
the eerie call of eagles can
be heard in the distance.

The Spirit of the River is
alive and well.

Best Places to See in BC - Ashlu River

One of the prettiest and wildest
rivers I have seen in BC is the
Ashlu River.
The Ashlu is northwest of Squamish and
is famous amongst white
water kayakers for its
rapid drops and canyon vistas.
All part of the drainage system for the
Pemberton Icefield
and emptying into the Squamish River,
the Ashlu River system is rugged and beautiful
and a must see for anyone wanting to explore the
beauty of British Columbia.
The adventures are endless.

Best Places to See in BC, Finn Slough

Finn Slough is located the south end
of No. 4 Road in Richmond,
British Columbia.
Finn Slough's history dates back to
the 1890's when a group of Finnish
settlers moved here to become
fishermen of the Fraser River.
Several homes and buildings still exist
at Finn Slough, and I met some very friendly
felines out enjoying the summer evening.
Access to the tiny
island is via an old wooden draw bridge
which can offer some quite picturesque views
of the waterway. However, once
on the island access is limited to the
boardwalk and a small pathway with
no view of the slough. Best
bet is to stay along the roadway and hope
for a glimpse of the charming rustic buildings
between sweetly scented blackberry bushes.

Best Places to See in BC, Old Growth Trees

I've traveled a fair bit in BC.
Documenting the province has
become a passion of mine. Some call
it an obsession.
The one thing that stands out for me
above all others are the old growth trees.
They're getting harder and harder to find.
No doubt there are some left.
I think it's extremely important to document them
photographically.
Where they are located will remain with me.
I can keep Mother Nature's secrets.

Wind, rain, and the unfortunate hand of man
will make these magnificent trees a thing of
memory and legends in times to come.
To be close to one of these trees is to touch
our past. It's who we are.

I have no idea how old this particular tree is.
The privilege to stand in the presence
of such age, beauty and grace is life changing. It makes you
want to draw all that is precious in life close to your
heart and protect it forever.

Best Places to See in BC, Peaches and Creme Falls

I knew I'd found a truly magnificent
place in the world the minute I laid on eyes on
Peaches and Creme Falls.
Part of the Elaho River Complex
near Squamish, British Columbia,
Peaches and Creme Falls literally took my breath away.
I stood in open jawed wonder looking at her
veil of mist and moss enshrouded rock before I came to my senses.

She drops 210 meters in 7 different steps.
The last step (pictured above) is mist covered and
laden with moss and tiny orchids that thrive in
this wet West Coast waterfall environment.
I can't bring you the sounds and smells from
Peaches and Creme, I wish I could.
The whole experience was mystical and
peaceful in the shadow
of a mighty and elegant lady
known as Peaches and Creme.

I can't wait to go back.

Best Places to See in BC, The Elaho River

I've just recently heard about the
Elaho River in British Columbia. And of course
I had to go check it out for myself.

After spending several days in the
area I have to admit to being overawed
at the gigantic beauty of this whole region.
The Elaho River is a tributary of the
Squamish River which originates
at the Pemberton Icefield.
In places the Elaho is gentle and
sublime. In others she is wild and
virtually untamed.
She is one of the foremost rivers in
BC for whitewater rafting and kayaking.
She is a beautiful shade of turquoise which
means a glacier fed river.

Seldom am I
short for words to describe the beauty
I have been privileged to see.
This is one of those times.