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Images of Vancouver, Coast & Mountains

May 17th, 2013
 

As we head into the British Columbia May Long Weekend we thought we’d share some of our favourite images from our Images of Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Flickr photo pool. Thank you to everyone who has been uploading photos! Have a great “May Long”!

Miniature Vancouver

photo credit: Miniature Vancouver by Zach Copland Photography via Flickr.

DSC_0293_2

photo credit: Cherry blossoms by kennythekilt via Flickr

Vancouver Olympic Cauldron at Night

photo credit: Vancouver Olympic Cauldron at Night by TOTORORO.RORO via Flickr

Fisherman's dream

photo credit: Fisherman’s dream by Gordana AM via Flickr

Salmon Sky

photo credit: “Salmon Sky” by koyah7D via Flickr

bbear (1 of 1)

photo credit: Black Bear by Dave A7 via Flickr

DSC_0045

photo credit: Bald Eagle by kennythekilt via Flickr

Burns Bog

photo credit: Burns Bog by Bad Biker Benny via Flickr

Seaweed

photo credit: Seaweed by Bird on the Moon via Flickr

Island Getaways: Bowen Island

May 15th, 2013
 

Typically when one thinks of an “island getaway”, images of sandy beaches, palm trees and tropical drinks come to mind. Closer to our region, we often think of a getaway to Vancouver Island as our big “island” destination, but Vancouver, Coast & Mountains has a few island getaways of our own! We can’t promise palm trees, but we can definitely supply sandy beaches and I’m sure we can point you in the direction of the fixings for a tropical drink, or two!

First up in our Island Getaways series is beautiful Bowen Island. Located a short, 20 minute ferry cruise from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, Bowen is perfect for a quick island getaway.

Dubbed the “Happy Isle” in the 1920s, Bowen was a destination for the Union Steamship Company and was a magnet for tourists and holidaymakers. As many as 5000 visitors would travel by boat to Bowen on summer weekends for dances (at BC’s largest dance pavilion), horseback riding, canoeing and lawn bowling. In the 1930’s and 40’s, the island began to attract artists and writers and continues to have a reputation as a haven for those with an artistic flair.

The Bowen Island of today still has that tranquil, friendly vibe and when visitors arrive, it’s not uncommon for them to notice an immediate sense of relaxation as they step off the ferry. Bowen Islanders smile and greet each other, and in fact, Bowen is so friendly and trusting, that they’ve created a rideshare system dubbed LIFT (Linking Islanders Through Friendly Transportation), which is essentially an organized form of hitch-hiking!

We reached out to a few of our favourite Bowen Islanders to find out what they recommended as the best way to experience a Bowen Island getaway, and needless to say, they had a lot to share!

Killarney Lake Waterfall

Killarney Lake Waterfall. Photo credit: amhuxham via Flickr

Surinda Bacon suggests, upon arrival, stopping at one of the local grocery stores for some picnic supplies followed by a hike up Mount Gardner for a picnic with a view. The hike up Mount Gardner is considered intermediate and takes roughly seven hours round trip, so be sure to grab those picnic supplies before heading out. If an epic hike isn’t what you’re looking for, Murray Atherton recommends walking from the ferry through Alder Trail and past the Memorial Garden to the Fish Ladders. Once you reach the fish ladders, cross the street and enter the trails to Killarney Lake. The Killarney Lake trail is an easy stroll that, in two hours, meanders through groves of Cedar and Hemlock, with viewpoints of the lake. Murray suggests walking counter-clockwise and when you find the trail to the Meadow and the Community School, to cross the road to the trail up to Artisan Square and “enjoy one of the BEST hot chocolate’s you’ll ever savour at Carlos Vela-Martinez’s Cocoa West”.

View from Mount Gardner

View from Mount Gardner. Photo Credit: John Freeland via Flickr

Ready for that sandy beach we promised? The relaxed pace of Bowen makes for a quiet, often secluded, beach experience. The most popular beaches on Bowen are Tunstall Bay, Bowen Bay and Sandy Beach. Each has its own attributes and some are easier to get to than others, but all provide a perfect respite for a busy traveller. Sit back and watch the kids as they swim. Wave at the boaters and kayakers and be sure to stick around for an awe-inspiring sunset, particularly at Tunstall Bay.

Bowen Island

One of Bowen’s beautiful sandy beaches. Photo credit: GoToVan via Flickr

Despite the fact that there is no hotel on Bowen Island, there are many options for a relaxing overnight stay. The Union Steamship Marina offers a collection of heritage cabins just minutes from Snug Cove and lucky guests can choose the float house and be lulled to sleep by the sound of the ocean. There are many cottages and bed & breakfasts to choose from and, with charming names like the Babbling Brook Bungalow, Twiggleberries and the Treehouse on Bowen B&B, we’re sure that every visitor will find something to suit.

A trip to Bowen Island isn’t complete without heading out onto the water. In fact, all of our “experts” recommended a kayak rental or tour from Bowen Island Sea Kayaking. There are multiple tours to choose from, or you can venture out on your own. The most popular tour is a 3-hour tour departing from picturesque Snug Cove and wildlife sightings are common. It’s not unusual for kayakers to spy eagles, seals, deer and more recently a pod of White Sided Pacific Dolphins has been spotted in the area.

For those who would rather encounter a water hazard while swinging a golf club instead of a paddle, the Bowen Island Golf Course is a delightful, and challenging, 9-hole course. And according to Murray, “… you’ll want to play twice because you won’t believe how challenging the front-nine were!”

Snug Cove

Snug Cove. Photo Credit: David Stanley via Flickr

Naturally, after all of this activity you will be looking for a little après kayak (or golf) refreshment. The golfers might want to check out the Cup Cutter restaurant for burgers or a spicy jambalaya, of if you want to eat closer to the ferry terminal be sure to grab a taco from Nancy’s Tacos on the wharf. The service is friendly and we hear that the tacos are delish! Feel like having a beer with your meal? Doc Morgan’s Pub has Howe Sound beer (brewed just across the inlet in Squamish) on tap and a new management team has brought in a new menu that has perfect choices for that post kayak/hike/golf meal! And we’re sure that the bartender would be happy to craft a tropical cocktail to complete your island getaway!

For more information on visiting Bowen Island, visit the Bowen Island Chamber of Commerce website.

Click here for the Bowen Island BC Ferry schedule.

67th Annual Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair – May 17-20, 2013

May 3rd, 2013
 

This May long weekend, the 67th Annual Cloverdale Rodeo and 125th Country Fair is inviting everyone to “get back to country”. So, from May 17 – 20, 2013, grab your hat, pull on your boots and head out to Cloverdale, in Surrey, for an amazing weekend of entertainment.

barrel33

Photo credit: Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair

Cowboys and cowgirls from around the world come to Cloverdale to compete for cash prizes in 3 Roughstock Rodeo Events (Bareback, Saddle Bronc & Bull Riding) and Ladies Barrel Racing. Other special events include performances by Kenny Hess (BCCMA Artist); Rope artist, Tomas Garcilazo and the always popular Mutton Bustin’. Back for 2013 is the mouth-watering Cloverdale Cowboy Cookoff and the World Freestyle Round-Up Skateboard Championships.

2013 celebrates the 125th year of the Cloverdale Country Fair and it is bigger and better than ever. One of the most popular parts of the fair is the Agri Zone, where fair goers can experience live demos and learn about farm animals. And for the thrill-seekers, the fair is home to BC’s largest travelling midway. The Cloverdale Rodeo & Fair is all about families and the popular Kidz Zone is back for another year. Kids can experience 18,000 square feet of entertainment just for them, featuring live performers, animal displays, arts & crafts stations, rides and games. And this year, the Cloverdale Rodeo is offering families free admission for kids aged 12 and under.

Amy Ussher and her son Lucas of sry in the barns

Photo credit: Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair

And the show doesn’t stop at sundown. The Longhorn Saloon and Beer Gardens are open throughout the weekend and live shows from Dr. Strangelove, Ken McCoy, AJ Woodworth, U4 and The Hip Show will keep the party going well into the night!

Dates: May 17-20, 2013
Location: Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey, BC
Tickets: Gate Admission $12 | Rodeo Performances $20
Kids 12 & under FREE (must be accompanied by an adult)

For a detailed schedule of events, performances and to purchase tickets visit www.CloverdaleRodeo.com.

Sasquatch Legend Tracker

April 22nd, 2013
 

The legendary Sasquatch has been spotted in Mission, British Columbia and the community needs help tracking it!

The Sasquatch has been spotted in Mission!

Fun for the whole family, Legend Tracker, a new mobile app, is a geo-caching game designed to bring visitors to Mission businesses as they search for local “legends”. Special locations and businesses around Mission have been designated as “Treasure Marks”. When visitors discover a treasure mark and use the app, they unlock clues (tracking tools) and gold coins that will aid in their quest to see the Sasquatch. Built into the game are “Enemy eagles” that can grab the gold coins, which slows the game down and prolongs the search. It is, however, possible to outrun the eagles and capture them by tapping the device’s screen, which earns more gold coins. Also built into the game is a constantly moving virtual Sasquatch that can be found for in-game prizes.

have spotted the Sasquatch! Photo: District of Mission

Legend Tracker is a wonderful way to explore the welcoming community of Mission. Take an afternoon or a weekend and visit the “Treasure Markers “. Discover the wonders of the Fraser River on a Fraser River Safari and head to the Fraser River Heritage Park for a walk. Visit beautiful Westminster Abbey, Mission’s most famous landmark and don’t miss the Stave Falls Dam & Powerhouse to learn about how power has helped build BC. Using the tools available in the app, adventurers can determine their distance from a Treasure Mark, figure out how far away and in which direction the Sasquatch is from them, activate sonar and radar to visualize and hear the Sasquatch, and possibly even spot the Sasquatch with an augmented reality camera! As visitors discover treasure markers, they can scan them with the app and they will appear on their device in 3D. The more treasure marks discovered, the more effective their app tools become.

Screenshot of the Legend Tracker appPhoto: Legend Tracker app

Sasquatch, also known as Bigfoot, is an ape-like creature that purportedly inhabits forests in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Usually described as a large, hairy humanoid that walks on 2 feet, the Sasquatch is a beloved legend in Mission and its surrounding region. And while you’re out hunting Sasquatch, please remember that in British Columbia it is illegal to injure or harm a Sasquatch…really, it’s true!

For more information on visiting Mission: missionchamber.bc.ca For more information on Legend Tracker: legendtracker.com
Download the free app on iTunes:

appStore  

Download the free app on Google play:

appStore

Celebrate Summer in Whistler with Legends in Whistler Creekside

April 19th, 2013
 

As we approach the last few weeks of Whistler’s amazing ski season we are starting to think about how much fun Whistler is in the summer! And where better to stay for some “fun in the sun” than Legends in Whistler Creekside! And to tempt you further, Legends has an amazing deal on right now…book any suite and you will save 20% and get free parking!

legends_pool_summer_1

Less crowded than Whistler Village, the laid back vibe of Whistler Creekside is the perfect location for visitors wanting a more peaceful experience. Whistler Creekside is a resort within a resort, combining all of the conveniences of the main village in a more relaxed atmosphere. Creekside offers restaurants, retail stores, grocery store, liquor store and Whistler’s original watering hole, Dusty’s! Creekside has it all and is only a 5-minute drive south of Whistler Village.

Welcome to Legends Whistler Creek

Consistently ranked one of the top 15 hotels in Whistler on TripAdvisor, Legends combines contemporary styling and spacious suites. Serving as your home away fro  m home, the lodge offers one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom suites. There is room for everyone and families are more than welcome! In fact, the hotel has a media room and a kid’s games room. And let’s not forget that Legends has one of the best pools and hot tub areas in all of Whistler.

Legends Whistler Creek - Suite

Summer in Whistler is something special. The days grow longer, the crowds get a little smaller and recreational opportunities abound! Legends Creekside is perfectly situated to take advantage of all that summer in Whistler has to offer. A short walk is all it takes to get to three of the best lakes and parks in Whistler. Two local favorites, Wayside and Lakeside Parks on Alta Lake, both have canoe, kayak and paddle board rentals for the whole family to enjoy. There are also endless opportunities for hiking, golfing, zip-lining, bungee jumping, fishing, ATVing , white water rafting, and let us not forget that Whistler boasts the largest Mountain Bike Park in North America, offering trails for every taste and skill level.… should we go on?

CONTEST EXTENDED!
To celebrate summer in Whistler, we have teamed up with Legends Whistler to offer you the opportunity to win a night in Whistler! Legends Whistler is giving away a one night stay in a 1 bedroom suite and a Summer Escape bag filled with critical summer gear, like a blanket, water bottles and a teddy bear! In order to enter the contest, you simply have to do the following:

  • Follow us on Twitter @604Pulse
  • Retweet the following:

Follow @604Pulse & RT to WIN a Summer Escape to Legends Whistler– @LodgingOvations: http://goo.gl/Olzg5 #invcm

  • Leave a comment here telling us what you love about Whistler in summer.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!  The winner, as selected by Random.org, is Twitter follower Dennis Litonjua!  Congratulations Dennis!

Restrictions – This stay may be experienced now through November 27th, 2013. Reservations are subject to availability and minimum night stays may apply. Holiday periods are excluded. Guests are responsible for additional expenses including incidentals and travel costs.

2013 Surrey Vaisakhi Parade

April 16th, 2013
 

The 2013 Surrey Vaisakhi Parade is only a few days away! On Saturday, April 20th the streets of Surrey will come alive with people of all ages celebrating this annual event.

For thousands of years Vaisakhi traditionally marked winter harvest time and this event features a unique element that celebrates this tradition. Many families and business set up free food stalls to literally ‘share the harvest’ with parade attendees! Vaisakhi is also a time to celebrate the creation of the Khalsa and is an important day in the Sikh calendar.

To read all about this event which features food, music, entertainment and a parade starting from the Dasmesh Darbar Temple at 9:30am, click here.

To read about the event in Punglish, click here.

Vaisakhi 1

Photo: Tourism Surrey

 

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    About 604 Pulse

    Where should we go this weekend? This is a question we hear a lot, and it’s a question we often ask ourselves. So we had an idea: why not create a website where we explore all the things to see and do in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region, and then share them with you. We’ll provide locals and visitors personal insight into the cool things you can see and do in the region. Each week we’ll give you new tips, highlight upcoming events, share our favourite blogs, and tell you about our travels.

    Vancouver, Coast & Mountains is a non-profit society, which represents business and community tourism interests from throughout the region. VCM invites you to come and discover the four distinct destination areas that make up Vancouver, Coast & Mountains: Metro Vancouver, Mighty Fraser Country, Sea to Sky Country, and the Sunshine Coast.

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