Niagara Cycling itinerary and eguide just released
July 30, 2009
Maid of the Mist returning from Niagara Falls
For a short and easy cycling holiday consider the Niagara Region which can be easily accessed from both Toronto, Ontario and Buffalo, New York.
Inside the Niagara guide look for two to four day itineraries with suggestions for increasing your stay depending on your interest. Other activities you might want to consider include:
- wine tasting at one of the more than seventy wineries in the area
- a jet boat ride on the Niagara River
- a wet outing on the ‘Maid of the Mist’ to get close to Niagara Falls
- a play at the Shaw Festival Theatre
- a spa visit at one of the many high end hotels in Jordan and Niagara-on-the-Lake
- or shopping and dining or even a cooking class in the area
Come and visit through the summer and into the fall. You won’t be disappointed with what the area has to offer.
Armchair travel for hot summer days
July 29, 2009
It’s about 33C today and there is little appeal to be out hiking and biking. Any activity that gets me near, on, or in the water or takes my mind off the temperature has my vote including a great read. Here are some engrossing and often unbelievable stories that will keep you entertained for hours.
- The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz
- No Picnic on Mount Kenya by Fenice Beluzzi
- Skeletons on the Zahara: A True Story of Survival by Dean King
- Endurance – Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
- Rowing to Latitudes by Jill Fredston
- Touching the Void; The Harrowing First Person Account of One Man’s Miraculous Survival by Joe Simpson
- Himalayan Passage by Jeremy Schmidt
- Paddle to the Amazon – The Ultimate 12,000 Mile Canoe Adventure by Don Starkell
- Catfish and Mandala: A Two-Wheeled Voyage Through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam by Andrew Pham
- Sand Dance by Camel Across Arabia’s Great Southern Desert by Kirkby Bruce
- Adrift by Stephen Callahan
- Arctic Crossing – A Journey Through the Northwest Passage and Inuit Culture by Johnathon Waterman
Many of the books were written long ago but are readily available online.
Happy reading! and if anyone out there has suggestions related to armchair travel please let me know via the comment section.
North Vancouver’s Grouse Grind
July 27, 2009
North Vancouvers’ Grouse Grind Trail is one of the most popular attractions in the Vancouver area. The Globe and Mail’s recent article shines even more attention on this giant stair stepper. Read about it and other activities in the Vancouver area in the Vancouver Airport eguide.
The best time to hike this trail is early in the morning when the air is cool and the crowds have yet to materialize. You can park in the dirt parking lot off of Capilano Road ( at the top immediately east of Capilano Road) free of charge but anywhere on pavement will cost you money. Bring water, a sweater in cooler weather, and $5 or a credit card so you can buy a downloading ticket in the main building at the top. Otherwise you’ll have to walk down which isn’t recommended.
Opening hours change according to light conditions. In the summer the trail is usually open from 6:30 am until 7:30pm. This means that you can still start up the hill at 7:30pm but after that, the gates are locked. They have people sweep the hill every night for stragglers and those in difficulty.
Once at the top you can shop, enjoy refreshments, wander over to see a birds of prey demonstration or perhaps take in the lumberjack show. There are also more trails off of the top of the mountain but come prepared if you want to go further.
There are hikers that become obsessed with this mountain – hiking it everyday to the exclusion of anything else, probably for the reward at the top of a fantastic view mixed with a full dose of happy hormones. It’s really not a visually interesting hike until you finish but there is lots to be said for enjoying the mix of cultures and languages evidenced in the cross section of hikers, the testosterone at work as people race by (that rarely lasts for even a quarter of the way)and the friendliness and camraderie which is much in evidence on the trail
Hiking and backpacking to Garibaldi Lake, British Columbia
July 21, 2009
Hiking and backpacking around Whistler, BC is a very popular weekend activity. One of the classic hikes is the 18 km (890m) round trip hike to Garibaldi Lake. Many people use the campsite here as a staging area for further exploration of the Black Tusk and Panorama Ridge areas.
Garibaldi Lake near Whistler, British Columbia
If you are considering backpacking then avoid it Saturday nights if at all possible, especially when the weather forecast is good. There are 50 campsites at Garibaldi Lake and 40 campsites at Taylor Meadows, just over a kilometre away. Taylor Meadows is used as an overflow campground for Garibaldi Lake but it also is well positioned to explore the Black Tusk and Panorama Ridge.
The logistics on a weekend are such that you should plan to be at Garibaldi Lake by 1 pm despite what the signs say in the parking lot. On the weekend of July 18th all campsites were gone by 1pm YET there must have been an additional 30-40 people we met who were planning to camp but wouldn’t have arrived at the lake until 3pm or later. Campsites are available on a strict first come, first served basis.
In the parking lot you will need to pay $5 per person per night. Cash and credit cards are accepted but if you use cash then bring exact change. This will also be your parking fee. Car breakins are common so leave all valuables at home or take them with you.
View of Garibaldi Lake from Panorama Ridge
The campground has pit toilets and four shelters for cooking and food storage and as a result you will not need to hang your food. Mosquitos are bad at dusk so bring repellent. A warm sleeping bag will be appreciated even in summer as there is considerable nightime cooling.
Garibaldi Lake is an absolutely gorgeous turquoise blue colour. Glaciers on the far side feed the lake and wild heather is in abundance. Fishing is possible with a licence. Unfortunately the hike to the lake is primarily a series of switchbacks through the trees with the occasional crossing of mountain streams. The best views occur once you reach the lake though the hike to Panorama Ridge and the Black Tusk offers superb views in very short order. Also look for loads of wildflowers including lupines, columbines and arnica in July.
You won’t be disappointed by Garibaldi Lake though you may be somewhat dismayed at the size of the weekend crowds. Panorama Ridge and the Black Tusk are extremely worthwhile ventures and see far fewer people. They can both be done as a dayhike too but allow 8-10 hours for a return trip.
Garibaldi Lake
Have fun on this spectacular hike. Garibaldi Lake is one of my favourite summertime hikes.
Leigh McAdam
Sip, cycle and taste your way through the Cowichan Valley
July 16, 2009
The Cowichan Valley is located in the southern part of Vancouver Island between the cities of Victoria and Nanaimo. It encompases the area bordered on the west by the rugged Pacific Coast shoreline through the rich agricultural valleys of Cowichan and Chemainus and ending at the ocean on the east side of Vancouver Island.
The Cowichan Valley is home to about a dozen wineries and many businesses that subscribe to the Slow Food Movement. The Valley is bisected by the Trans Canada Highway but on either side are relatively quiet roads which are perfect for exploration on a bike. In addition part of the Trans Canada Trail exists here as the Cowichan Valley Trail. Only bikers and hikers are allowed on it as it takes you from south of Shawinigan Lake through to Lake Cowichan over approximately 40 kilometres. (There is a little hikey/bikey section in here where you need to walk your bike over VERY uneven terrain for over a kilometre to get to the other side of the Kinsol Trestle)
There are numerous B&B’s, including Fairburn Farm and a few five star inns that make a perfect home base for a couple of days. Fairburn Farm in particular is a great destination in itself if you want to take a few cooking classes, head out for a day of wine tasting and eat your way through the great food available in the town of Cowichan Bay.
So start planning a short getaway or expand your bike trip to include the Gulf Islands. Look for the Cowichan Bay biking guide in August.
A Guide to Biking the San Juan Islands Just Publishd
July 13, 2009
Another 15 page eguide was published today with all the information you need to know to cycle and visit the San Juan Islands located south of the Canadian border in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains. They are an archipelago consisiting of 172 islands in total, easily accessed from Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, British Columbia.
There are three principal islands that are geared towards the tourist and are suitable for cycling. Lopez Island is a small, fairly flat island with an extremely friendly population. The island can be comfortably cycled in a day with ample time for some sidetrips. There are excellent restaurants and quite a bit of accommodation choice, though not as much as is found on San Juan Island or Orcas Island.
San Juan Island is home to the quaint town of Friday Harbor, which is filled with old wood frame buildings, art galleries, a whale museum, boutiques and restaurants. Cycling San Juan Island can be done over one or two days depending on how much time you have and how energetic you might be. Stay longer to enjoy some whale watching and sea kayaking.
Orcas Island is best left for the keener cyclists. There are hills including a possible ride to the top of Mt. Constitution which peaks at 2,409 feet above sea level. The hills are unavoidable though once you reach Eastsound Village, nine miles from the ferry, you can stay put (and visit local bookstores and galleries) and let the avid cyclists continue.
The eguide will provide you with all the information you need to plan and execute your own San Juan Islands cycling adventure. However if you want to leave that to someone else then look for the list of tour companies offering a variety of multi day trips.
There are still many months left this year to enjoy a visit to the San Juan Islands. They offer such a diverse array of activities that few if any will be disappointed with a holiday here.
A Free Guide to Hiking the Grand Canyon’s Rim to Rim to Rim Trail
July 9, 2009
Another eguide is completed and published detailing everything you need to know to prepare and hike the world class Rim to Rim to Rim trail of the Grand Canyon. Look for tips in the eguide on getting to your starting point, when to book, where to stay and what to bring. Also consider your physical abilities and whether you are capable of this challenge. The round trip totals 44 miles (71 kilometres) and the total ascent and descent over the course of the trip is 10,000 feet (3000 m).
The Grand Canyon makes it onto most lists of the natural wonders of the world. You will enjoy the ever changing vistas by hiking the full Rim to Rim to Rim trail but allow at least three days and even four days if you can arrange for accommodation at Phantom Ranch. You will never get tired of the views, particularly at sunset and sunrise.
Some of you might not be up to the challenge of the full trip so consider one of the many day hikes off of either rim. There are 12 day hikes from the North Rim alone varying in length from 30 minutes to all day affairs.
The months of September and October are a good time to plan this trip. The uncertain economic climate provides more last minute opportunities for booking accommodation so it isn’t too late to reserve and hike the full rim trip this year – just start climbing and descending those hills so you’re in the kind of shape you’ll need to be to enjoy the experience.
Gulf Islands Biking Guide Published
July 7, 2009
Gulf Islands National Preserve, Saturna Island
The 16 page Gulf Island guide is now published and cam be downloaded free of charge. In it you will find detailed information to help you plan a trip that includes Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula in addition to the southern Gulf Islands of Saltspring, Pender, Mayne, Galiano and Saturna.
In the Biking Guide look for the suggested itinerary followed by detailed information and recommendations with regards to bike rentals, accommodation and restaurant options, hiking and sea kayaking, beaches to visit, galleries to enjoy and the bike route itself.
If this is your visit to British Columbia then you will appreciate the information on how to get to Victoria and some of the great spots to enjoy while staying in BC’s provincial capital.
It is a perfect time from now through late October to island hop with your bike and take advantage of all that this area is known for. So come for the food, the scenery, the exercise, the wildlife and for the experience of living like an islander even for a few days.
Galapagos Islands Eguide Just Published
July 3, 2009
The 10 page FREE and downloadable Galapagos guide has just been published. Find out why you should consider a once in a lifetime trip to these islands found 600 miles off of the coast of Ecuador. Swim and snorkel with sea lions, sea turtles, giant manta rays, schools of brightly coloured fish, sharks (non biting!) and penguins. This is a year round destination that is a perfect choice for families when your children are over the age of six. The snorkeling is truly world class and defiantely one of the highlights of any cruise.
After visiting the Galapagos Islands I would personally recommend staying to see some of the fantastic sights in Ecuador. Mountain biking, hiking, shopping in crafts markets, incredible birdwatching , trips to the Amazon jungle and a vibrant culture will ensure a very memorable experience. There is such a diverse range of activities available that it would be hard not to find something to get excited about.
Download the guide to see what these unique islands have to offer. The photos will have you dreaming about this trip. It is not inexpensive BUT it is one of the most memorable trips I have ever taken.
British Columbia’s Top 50
July 2, 2009
British Columbia magazine has just published their 50th anniversary issue and lists the top 50 things to do in the province. Although they are in no particular order, they do list as #1 the West Coast Trail as one of the ‘must do before you die’ trips. It certainly isn’t too late to make a reservation if you have some degree of flexibility in your schedule. For all the information you need to go, download the itinerary from the eguide store on the website.
A sampling of other trips that make it into the Top 50 are cycling the Kettle Valley Railway Trail in the Okanagan region (an eguide will be published in late August for that one), visit every Gulf Island, see BC’s wild horses in the Chilcotin region, go whale watching out of Telegraph Cove and take a zipline tour at Whistler. Check out the magazine for more information and do, if you live near British Columbia,
Tsusiat Falls on the West Coast Trail
take advantage of some of its’ remarkable offerings.
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Recent Posts
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