Tag Archives: Canada

British Columbia. Everyone’s from somewhere else here. But ask any resident – life long or newbie – and they’ll probably tell you it’s the best place to live in Canada and perhaps the world. A recent weekend away on the Sunshine Coast reminded me of this and my youth exploring super natural BC.

I’ve grown up here (from the age of 7), spending my childhood summers on the sun-soaked shores of the Sunshine Coast and Desolation Sound and winter days on snow-capped peaks of Whistler and the North Shore mountains. More than 20 years after first arriving here, the natural beauty of my home is still astounding.

Every summer our family took off for the holidays on our sailboat. Anchored in the Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound marine park, we spent our days exploring cool creeks, dramatic waterfalls, lush fern-sprinkled forest trails and rocky shores dotted with sea critters.

I’ll always remember that sweet perfume scent of coastal fauna in the summertime and tasting wild salmon berries off the bush. Dunking my head under ice cold waterfalls and hiking for hours with ocean on one side and vibrant green foliage on the other. I’d go on solo missions; challenging myself to conquer steep rock faces and row to hundred-foot waterfalls within a short distance of our boat. I’d dive off cliffs into pristine lakes, pick vibrant wildflowers and try to take photos of elusive seals. All in the name of exploration and adventure.

Two decades later and some things never change. I took a detour to check out the infamous Smuggler’s Cove just south of Pender Harour. The short 30 minute walk accesses the infamous cove which was used to smuggle rum during the Prohibition and Chinese immigrants post-railroad. While it may have a dodgy past, in present day the area is a haven for recreational boaters and tourists.

There it was – that sweet and delightfully familiar summer perfume. And those familiar sounds: seagulls, the crackling of seaweed and barnacles at low tide, and lapping water.

I’m pushing 30 but the homey sights and sounds of the west coast made me feel like kid again.
And there I sat, on a rock by the ocean with my pup.

No matter where life takes me – either physically or figuratively – it’s nice to have a touchstone. BC is just the kind of magical place to keep a girl grounded.

Biking the Sea to Sky Trail from Whistler to Brandywine Falls

August 31, 2010

Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Travel & Adventure

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Two Fridays ago, I went on a solo mission to explore the Sea to Sky Bike Trail . This 30 kilometre round-trip journey from Whistler to Brandywine Falls brought a bit of everything: from breaking my favourite pair of Oakley sunnies to experiencing an annoying mechanical issue with my bike seat. But regardless of a few setbacks, it was a great adventure with beautiful scenery along the way and one that I could recommend to anyone who can ride on 2 wheels.

The Sea to Sky Trail, once completed, will link Squamish to D’Arcy with a 180 kilometre non-motorized trail. In the winter, you can snowshoe or cross-country ski, while in the summer months, it’s all about biking or running.

The Whistler to Brandywine Falls leg opened last summer. Overall, the ride wasn’t difficult; rather it was just long. Don’t expect to see any single track or difficult features. This is a mellow ride compared to the North Shore, Whistler Mountain Bike Park or Whistler bike trails, but it’s still a great way to get a bit of exercise and be outside.

The trail is quite wide with a moderate grade and is perfect for anyone who is an high beginner to intermediate level mountain biker. Some level of fitness does help, given the distance.

The views are stunning along the way as you cross rushing mercury-blue rivers and navigate through the lush, forest, along river beds and passed purple alpine flowers and waterfalls.

The Whistler to Brandywine route is more or less complete, although I did have a bit of trouble navigating the trail once I crossed the Cal Cheak Suspension bridge to Brandywine.

When I finally made it to Brandywine, I was rewarded with views like this:

Last fall, Neil and I visited Brandywine (by car) and he ended up with a sprained ankle from an ill-fated jumping photo. You can read about that here.

The Sea to Sky Trail has partnered with the Trans-Canada Trail, which makes it part of the world’s largest trail network. And that makes it super cool.

This project is funded with the help of government, First Nations and community partners, and also by donation. According to the website it costs $5,000 to build around 100 metres of trail, so you can imagine why they haven’t quite completed it yet!

Expect a little bit of adventure along the Sea to Sky Trail. Anything’s possible:

Here’s their introductory video featuring Dr. David Suzuki and also Paralympic skier Brad Lennae who discusses accessibility on the Sea to Sky Trail.

To access the Sea to Sky Trail
Bike south from Whistler Village via the paved Valley Trail. At Tamarisk, you’ll have to skirt onto the highway for about 10 minutes. Once you get to Function Junction, cross the highway to Cheakamus Crossing and keep right along the road until you come to the small Sea to Sky Trail sign.

More Information
Always check the weather forecast before you head out and make sure you bring plenty of food, water and a first aid kit.
http://www.seatoskytrail.ca/

The Olympics are over but our memories go on

March 2, 2010

Arts & Culture, Festivals, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Olympics

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It’s some time between 3-4pm on Sunday, February 28 and Merlin’s Bar in Whistler is absolutely roaring with excitement. A waiter is dressed up as a hockey player, complete with pants, helmet and “Slap Shot“-esque glasses with tape around the rim. Canadian flags are waiving, strangers are hugging and beer glasses are clinking. The crowd is chanting “Go Canada Go!”

Outside, the sun shines golden bright – the first sign of sun in a few days – and a random hockey game has broken out on the sidewalk.

In Whistler Village, Blue Rodeo is jamming to a packed crowd. There is red everywhere and street performers are wandering through the ecstatic crowd. The mood is pure joy.

This is the moment I will treasure forever: the day Canadian men’s hockey team won gold on home ice, making Canada’s gold medal count the largest of any nation at the Winter Olympic Games and throwing our entire country into a frenzy of pride.

The 2010 Winter Games have meant so many things to so many people. To me, it has brought out a feeling of national pride that I’ve never felt before. It’s introduced me to new experiences: from wielding a giant Swiss cowbell to learning about the difference between German and Bavarian culture to swigging foreign vodka at the Bearfoot Bistro’s Belvedere Ice Room. The Village of Whistler has been the backdrop of many memorable moments. Remember gold medalist Jon Montgomery as swilled a jug of beer on his way to a CTV interview?

Or the Whistler appearance of Canada 1 and Canada 2 women’s bobsleigh teams that owned the podium with gold and silver?

Then, there were the concerts; everything from Canadian bands, such as Barenaked Ladies, Our Lady Peace, and Blue Rodeo to pumpin’ DJs like Deadmau5 and Chromeo.

The last 17 days have been a blur of old friends, new friends, concerts, multimedia shows, random characters, patriotism and amazing experiences. These amazing adventures over the last 17 days will forever be etched in my mind. These have truly been some of the best times of my life and I’m so very proud to be a Canadian and proud of the positive lasting impression the world has of our country:

We are a nation with hockey fever. We say “thank you” to our bus drivers. We love William Shatner and Neil Young. We have moose and beavers and mounties and we can laugh at ourselves and our mistakes, as per the closing ceremonies. I hope you all enjoyed the Games as much as I did and see you in Sochi 2014!