It’s the unofficial start to summer this weekend and there is LOTS going on in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. If you have no plans for the long weekend, here are a few ideas to get you started…

Cloverdale Rodeo – Surrey

Now in its 124th year, the Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair is the largest rodeo in the region and it’s taking place all weekend May 18-21. Whether you’re seeking rodeo events, live entertainment, or the Fraser Valley’s largest midway, there’s plenty of fun for the whole family.

Hyack Festival – New Westminster

The 41st annual Lowe’s Hyack Festival Week kicks off on Friday, May 18 with opening night celebrations at 7pm and fireworks at 10pm. The weeklong festivities also include the DiverseCity Multicultural Festival on Saturday, the 28th annual Hyack Antique Fair on Sunday and Monday, as well as the longest-running May Day celebration in the British Commonwealth.

Night Markets – Richmond

There are two night markets in Richmond this year! One is the Summer Night Market while the other one is the Richmond Night Market. Both will be open Friday to Monday this weekend and both are easy to get to. Simply take the Canada Line to Bridgeport where you can walk to the Richmond Night Market or take the free shuttle to the Summer Night Market. Better yet, visit both! Bring an appetite and your cash.

Teddy Bear Picnic – Harrison Mills

Bring your teddy bear out to Kilby Historic Site this Sunday, May 20 for a picnic in your bear’s honour. Included in the price of admission, both child and bear will enjoy complimentary tea and cookie! This year’s activities include the dress up Tickle Trunk, a sing-a-long with Bert and Cherry, a photograph booth, decorating cookies and crafts.

Roberts Creek Arts Festival – Sunshine Coast

Take the 40 minute ferry to the Sunshine Coast where the Roberts Creek Arts Festival is happening only a 20 minute drive away from the ferry terminal! This two day festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday and is loaded with contemporary culture, music, film, art and design. Explore beautiful studios, galleries, gardens and fields, filled with creativity, performances, delicious local food, drink and engaged people.

May Day Parade & Festivities – Fort Langley

Join thousands of visitors along Mavis and Glover Roads to watch the 90th Annual May Day Parade starting at 11 am on Monday, May 21 followed by activities at Fort Langley Park. Back at the Fort Langley National Historic Site, activities begin at 10:15am with an Historic Weapons Demo and continue right on until 5pm. Admission is free so come and enjoy the festivities all day!

Rick Hansen’s Many in Motion Relay – Surrey & White Rock

Come out to the Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex this Saturday, May 19 from noon to 3pm for Rick Hansen’s Many in Motion Relay Community Celebration. Welcome to medal bearers and relay team while enjoying sledge hockey demos, children’s activities, presentations and entertainment. Likewise, White Rock is hosting their Rick Hansen Relay End of Day Celebration, also on Saturday. Welcome the medal bearers and relay team while enjoying live entertainment, a BBQ, and lots of family fun.

Farmers Markets

Many of the region’s farmers markets have kicked off this month, including some you may not even have known existed. Use the long weekend to discover what awaits at the Mission City Farmers Market on Saturdays (9am-1pm) and the Coquitlam Farmers Market on Sunday (9am-1pm).

Hiking Lynn Canyon – Vancouver’s North Shore

What better way to spend the day than with a walk through a temperate rainforest? Lynn Canyon Park‘s always been one of my favourite places for a short nature walk through the woods as it has the free suspension bridge to cross, a variety of trails, waterfalls and beautiful scenery. And the best part? It’s free!

Whistler Mountain Bike Park

It’s officially mountain bike season! The Whistler Mountain Bike Park will be opening this Friday, May 18  from 10am until 5pm where it will remain open daily throughout the summer. Don’t have a mountain bike or appropriate gear? That’s okay; you can rent that all in Whistler too.

BC Motocross Races – Pemberton

If you’re heading to Whistler for the weekend and you’re interested in motocross, you may want to drive the 20 minutes north to Pemberton where the BC Motocross Races will be happening. Held at the the Green River Motocross Track, drop by on Saturday for day one of racing, or come by on Friday to register yourself in the race.

River Rafting – Fraser Canyon

With the spring meltwater surging local rivers, now is the time to be river rafting! Local river rafting operators include Kumsheen, Hyak River Rafting, Chilliwack River Rafting, REO Rafting Resort and Fraser River Raft Expeditions offering rafting adventures of all types along the Fraser, its tributaries, and the Thompson.

Story and photos by Robyn Hanson

Tuesday, May 1^st, 2012

The Sunshine Coast lives up to its name yet again. No matter how miserable and rainy it is in Vancouver, the skies open up along the ferry ride to Langdale from Horseshoe Bay.

This 40 minute BC Ferries journey across Howe Sound never gets tired, no matter how many times I’ve crossed – it’s a relaxing and scenic way to travel. The Sunshine Coast is actually closer than it takes to get to most other popular Vancouver day trip or weekend getaway destinations, but apparently the word hasn’t spread to the Lower Mainland… yet.

Lunch at Copper Sky 

First stop – lunch at Madeira Park. This tiny village is located in the community of Pender Harbour – a cluster of tiny bays and inlets along the Malaspina Strait, about an hour from Langdale. Although boating is what brings most travelers here, the locals know that the hub of the community can be found at the Copper Sky Gallery & Café.

One room of Copper Sky features jewelry, sculptures, and paintings while the other tempts with fresh-baked goods, sandwiches and salads. My lunch consisted of a delicious egg salad sandwich with all the fixings and a local blackberry oatmeal muffin. Sitting outside in the sunshine, we chatted with locals before hitting the road again for our first hike.

Skookumchuk Narrows

Perhaps the most famous nature walk on the Lower Sunshine Coast, Skookumchuk Narrows Provincial Park offers an easy-moderate hike through lush, enchanting temperate rainforest. If Emily Carr explored these parts, she’d be painting these forests, no doubt. With trees covered in thick carpets of moss, you could put some googly eyes on their trunks and arguably call them Muppets.

But the rainforest isn’t why we’re here. It’s the natural phenomena on the water that we’re seeking – specifically, the incredibly turbulent tidal rapids which give the park its name. Skookumchuk is the Chinook term for strong, powerful water. If you time it just right, the 3 metre tide creates powerful eddies, white water waves, and turbulence resulting in the 200 billion gallons of water flowing between this narrowing of land that connects Sechelt Inlet to Jervis Inlet.

Apparently the size of the rapids do vary depending on a variety of conditions. While the water’s movement wasn’t as big as some had anticipated, the flow was impressively swift, moving with haste not unlike a tsunami. No kayakers were braving the rapids, but our rocky outcropping attracted 20 or so individuals – adults, children, and dogs – who came to witness the water whirl by.

I admit, looking at a photograph doesn’t really quite give you a sense of the water’s speed, so I shot a few seconds of video, just so you get the feeling of being there. Remember, this isn’t a river – this is saltwater moving by the tidal forces. When you think about it that way, it’s rather magnificent thing to see.

When it became evident that we had seen the most of nature’s spectacle, the skies opened up, reminding us that despite the region’s name, we are still very much in a coastal rainforest. I was pleased to be wearing the waterproof jacket that I bought at the BC Ferries’ Passages gift shop – an impulsive purchase I made three weeks before, but one I had made for this exact reason. It made my hour trek back through the forest in the rain perfectly comfortable.

West Coast Wilderness Lodge

“How could I not have known about the West Coast Wilderness Lodge all this time?” That was my first thought as I stepped inside our accommodation for the night. Egmont may have an unfortunate name, but its beauty certainly exceeds expectations. Out of all places I’ve ever visited on the Lower Sunshine Coast, this view certainly takes the cake.

But it’s not just the scenery… it’s the whole space. For one, despite being a luxury accommodation, it felt like a genuine lodge. You know, rustic and woodsy in style with an authentic west coast vibe. But there was more to it than that. Maybe it was the gigantic deck or the hummingbirds flitting to a fro. The space was cozy yet contemporary and there was that instant familiarity, like revisiting a favourite memory. Or maybe it was the warmth of the owner and staff.

But that view, man… that view.

The view’s of Hotham Sound, by the way. If you love layers of mountains and islands interspersed with fjords, this is your place. It’s also your place if you’re interested in the outdoors; it’s a wilderness lodge, after all. People come here from all over the world to pursue activities like ocean kayaking, canoe padding, heli-hiking, mountain biking, fishing, float plane tours, rock climbing, and nature hikes. Groups come to learn about the local ecosystems. Locals come here to get married.

I was here, however, to hunker down for the night, something I was quite eager to do.

My room was a 500 sqf ocean view suite where even the ensuite had an ocean view. The suite was spacious and had quirky blend of contemporary design (the quilt/bathroom), rustic overtones (the wood ceiling/baseboards) and a few carefully-curated pieces (an art deco lamp). It was homey in all the right ways.

But just when I thought I had seen it all, nature had something else up its sleeve…

Dinner at Inlets

The West Coast Wilderness Lodge’s main hall is actually home to Inlets Restaurant, a restaurant that’s also open to the visiting public. Again, you can’t help but feel awed by their floor-to-ceiling panoramic view of the sound, but dinner, I admit, came close.

Inlets’ menu features the cuisine of executive chef Warren Cobb and showcases what they call a “classical European style combined with regional Canadian food influences”. I decided to order the Hemp Heart Encrusted Halibut as my starter. It was halibut season after all, and this didn’t disappoint. I really enjoyed its Japanese-inspired execution and could have easily eaten twice as much.

But I decided to stray from seafood for my main course, merely out of the sake of variety. Instead, I ordered the Stuffed Pork Tenderloin which was served with a shiitake chausseur sausace and a side of sage oregano pearl barley. Being a fan of the savoury, almost steak-like flavour of shiitake mushrooms, combined with the earthiness of the stuffing, this dish truly hit the spot. Autumn in spring, so to speak.

I enjoyed dinner with wine and good company, and many laughs were to be had. As the sun slid behind the mountains and the view faded into darkness, it seemed right to order dessert: coffee and a piece of chocolate cake. Turns out, this was one of the best pieces of chocolate cake I’ve had in a long time.

Often restaurants overdo the chocolate cake and make it fancier than it needs to be, when all you want is a simple piece of chocolate cake. And in this case, they nailed it; an expertly-executed chocolate cake, perfectly moist with the most satisfying chocolate frosting (yes, frosting!) and garnished with the delicate petals of a pansy, no less.

With the taste of wine and chocolate on my tongue, I contemplated the hot tub, but it was not meant to be. The night was late and we had an early morning for we had a ferry to make. But it didn’t matter; I slept like a baby that night.

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13, 2012 which is really just a few days away. If you’re anything like me, you might be wondering what you’re going to do to celebrate (without copying whatever it was you did last year). So why not take your Mom out for an afternoon tea? Whether you do it on Mother’s Day or get her a gift certificate to do it at a later date, you’ve got more than a few places to choose from in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. Here’s just a sampling!

Tracycakes Bakery Cafe – White Rock

Here’s an idea for Mother’s Day. Surprise mom with a drive out to the seaside community of White Rock for the afternoon. Meander along the pier and stroll up and down Marine Drive, and then pop into Tracycakes Bakery Cafe for some High Tea. Their High Tea includes specialty loose leaf teas, finger sandwiches, Devonshire cream, jam, baby cake cupcakes and “dainty rounds” (which is, well, I’m not entirely sure, but I’m sure that it must be delicious!). They also have locations in Abbotsford and Fort Langley. Visit their website for more info.

Adorabelle Tea Room – Steveston

In a similar fashion, you could take mom out to Steveston for the afternoon, browsing through the boutiques and admiring the fishing boats. If you haven’t visited Steveston in a few years, it’s actually changed quite a bit. The Adorabelle Tea Room is one of those changes, being the new kid on the block in this historic fishing village. Adorabelle Tea Room offers a one-hour tea service four times a day with menus tailored to both adults ($23) and children ($16). Afternoon tea includes sandwiches, fresh baked scones with sweetened cream and strawberry preserves, house-made petite sweets plus an individual pot of tea per person. Visit their website for more info.

Rowena’s Inn on the River – Harrison Mills

If mom ever wanted to see Harrison Hot Springs, take her for a scenic drive along Hwy 7, stopping off in the community of Harrison Mills. It’s here where you can treat mom to an Afternoon Tea at Rowena’s Inn on the River, a short distance from Harrison Hot Springs. This daily tea service is $19.95 per person and it’s served in the Drawing Room of a beautiful English-style manor on their secluded 160-acre waterfront estate. This daily tea service includes scones with Devonshire cream and strawberry preserve, a variety of tea sandwiches (curry chicken, cucumber and butter, smoked salmon and cream cheese) as well as a sampling of cakes and pastries. Visit their website for more info.

Little White House & Co. – Fort Langley

Maybe your mom has a thing for French style? If so, delight her with a visit to The Little White House & Co. This is a charmingly sophisticated Parisien-inspired boutique located in a beautiful heritage house at the heart of Fort Langley. Not only do they have beautiful merchandise for sale, they’re also hosting a Mother’s Day High Tea for $18 per person in their Salon Café. This special Mother’s Day Tea includes pink champagne punch and pink sweet petits. Visit their website for more info.

Truffles Café - Gibsons

Surprisingly, many people who live in the Lower Mainland have never been to the Sunshine Coast, despite it being only a 40 minute ferry ride away from Horseshoe Bay (and a spectacular one at that!). If you or your mom have never ventured to the other side of Howe Sound, use Afternoon Tea at Truffles Café in Gibsons as your excuse. Vancouver-based blog Wise Monkeys wrote a review about their experience having afternoon tea there last year where they dined on smoked turkey, roast beef and onion, and sandwiches cucumber; cheese and crackers, rugelach, scones, lemon-poppyseed tea bread, blueberry tarts, merengues and a selection of teas served up in an old English “Betty” teapot. They say it’s a steal of a deal, but reservations are recommended. Read their story and check out their photos here. And seriously consider making this a Mother’s Day outing to remember.

The Shangri-La Hotel – Vancouver

Maybe your mom likes to live it up a little, and really, who doesn’t? If your mom enjoys the hustle and bustle of a city centre, take her shopping (perhaps along Alberni, Robson & Burrard?) and then take her out for an Afternoon Tea at the Xi Shi Lounge at the Shangri-La Hotel. Their afternoon tea is served daily (until June 30, 2012) and includes a variety of savoury snacks, sweet treats, and exotic loose leaf teas. Visit their website for full details.

Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont

The Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria may be the most famous place in BC (if not all of Canada) for a traditional afternoon tea, but did you know that the other Fairmont hotels in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region host traditional afternoon teas as well? All feature signature Fairmont teas, a variety of sandwiches, pastries, and scones, and are without a doubt elegant experiences unique to their properties. There’s the Fairmont Vancouver Airport which does an Afternoon Tea as you watch the planes take off. If you’re doing a trip to Whistler, why not go for at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler? And in downtown Vancouver, the Fairmont Pacific Rim does a unique take on afternoon tea in their Lobby Lounge by serving both classic and sushi-style sandwiches. Of course, there’s also the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for an “Afternoon Tea at the Castle” – a nod to their castle-like architecture; the perfect place to dote on mom.

Hiking Mount Cheam

Photos and story by Crystal Soukoreff

Time: 4-8 hours (depending on ability)
Score: Moderate Hike
Wear: layers -check weather
Bring: water/food/camera
Must: 4×4 vehicle

It was a sunny September 3rd morning as we awoke for an early start; packing our nourishment and dressing in typical gear, we headed for our friends house to hook up with a 4×4, the only way to “DO” Mount Cheam is with a 4×4. If you go wheeling along in your typical sedan, you will be greatly defeated upon driving the trail’s first dip!

Coming from the edge of Langley east, it takes about an hour to reach the base of the drive. Then a 4×4 driving trail up for about 30-40 minutes will land you at the base of the Cheam hike where cars park in a gravel lot and line the road. Not knowing what to expect leaves one with pleasant surprises all of the way up, so if you appreciate that, don’t read any further!

Props to the park people taking care of this place since there is an outhouse located at the start of the hike; all I can say is go then because there is nothing else the rest of the way up unless it’s au natural and you remembered your TP.

The path started out easy enough, a slightly descending walk into a modest valley floor, greenery all around. “Is this the alps?” I muse to my comrades…it really is hard to believe we are in BC as I hike along. Ten minutes in we run into an ice cave, forming an arch that you can walk under for a good 30-40 feet . I watch as my friends disappear in, then decide to follow after surveying the curve of the ice roof, I’m in the business so to speak, so checking things structurally is a given!

We immerge on the other side following the light, and then scale up using hands and knees and goodness knows what to get to the more stable part of the trail. Switch backing through a forested arena, we make our way up to a meadow like area with beautiful flowers, low green growth, and then to another ice field This time it’s just snow that we have to crunch through though, no under the ice adventure trails.

It’s beautiful and I take a moment to snap some photos. We can begin to see Baker off in the distance and the valleys swoop into one another forming a picturesque perfection of blues on greens dotted with blossoms of white and yellow. Seriously, this is it, what a way to spend a Saturday; and we’re only half way up.

The hike wears on at a steady climb, mind you we are hiking with two cystic fibrosis people and two type 1 diabetics (myself included), needless to say we are doing well for such a group and the hike isn’t killing us.

There comes a point where we can start to see the greenery give way to switch back rocky terrain, the home stretch to the summit. Half of us determine to hike to Mt. Cheam while the other three take off towards the Three Sisters; an epic outcrop to the east.

As the “Cheamers” continue the hike, I can’t help but remark on the vast array of terrain we have hiked through. Valley, snowy portions of sleet, green forests, and now this tundra like rockfest. You get the whole pie on this hike for sure. I meet some long lost friend half way up and we exchange camaraderie and expression of well being as we continue the hike. On the final switch, we see hikers descending and are encouraged that the summit is within our reach.

What I can say next is that the wind hit me with a gust as we entered summit territory. That’s the sign, the tell tale sign that you have reached the top. It was a welcome wind as we had worked up a sweat and out legs were starting to feel the grind. Filled with awe at the top, we plunked ourselves down at the edge of a northern cliff to take in the view. Nothing prepared me for the what I beheld. It was awesome, to say the least. I could see as far as the islands off Vancouver! It was a great day and clear as ever; the best conditions to be up there.

We nommed on the sandwiches and liquefied our thirsty palettes, then made sure we took some epic photos atop the mount. This hike’s summit DOES NOT disappoint, and I stress that with experienced assuredness.  If you stand just to the west of Cheam’s rocky expression as it rises to the north, you get an unparalleled view of the mighty mountain itself.

The descent was rapid as we had time to make because we were having people over for a BBQ that night, so we motored. At a steady pace we made our way down and met up with our other cronies who had hiked up the eastern mount; they too had experienced breathtaking cliff drops, and rocky terrain. All in all the hike took us from 9am at the base of the 4×4 trail to around 4pm back to the base of that trail.

The hardest part of the trip for me was at the end when we had to skid down the roof of the ice cave; yah there were some hikers coming up and waiting for me. I surfed down; half on my haunches and almost made it when I skiffed something and bailed in front of them. Meh, a scrape here and there and I was up. Thankfully we crossed a small stream near the very end of the hike where I washed up a little.

One of the best things about a day of great hiking is that you feel so alive by the end of it. The views, the numerous terrains, the air, the greenery, the sheer beauty. Everything included makes this hike a real package deal and a great day trip with time left over for an evening party! Make sure you jot it down onto your list to do this summer, and maybe I’ll see you up there!

Mahalo!
Crystal

Crystal Soukoreff is a guest blogger for 604 Pulse. She was born and raised in White Rock, BC. Now living in Langley, and visiting new family in Ladner,  she has a far reaching route across the Fraser Valley. She works in Fort Langley in the architectural business, and photographs freelance in her “free time.” Routine trips to the beach are in her and her husbands weekly efforts, as are finding new spots around the Lower Mainland! Check out her photo blog http://crystalsoukoreff.tumblr.com/ to see what she’s been up to lately.

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1. Paint: The Painted Works of Lyle Wilson – Maple Ridge

If you’re interested in learning more about BC’s First Nations art, you will definitely want to put Maple Ridge on your radar this month. The Maple Ridge Art Gallery is hosting a solo show of paintings on cedar and paper by one of the living masters of the Northwest Coast style, Vancouver-based Haisla artist, Lyle Wilson.

“School of Salmon” by Lyle Wilson, 2011.

The exhibition, Paint: The Painted Works of Lyle Wilson, opens this Saturday with a public reception from 2-4pm. As explained on the gallery’s website, “This 20-year retrospective will demonstrate the stunning refinement of Wilson’s work and its unique blending of traditional and contemporary imagery” and “offers a rare, in-depth visual encounter with some 40 paintings on wood and paper, revealing the impressive range of traditional and contemporary elements that inhabit Wilson’s evolving artistic vision.”

When: Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-4pm from May 5 – July 28, 2012.
Website: www.theactmapleridge.org/gallery-current

2. Urban Flaneur at the CityScape Community Art Space – North Vancouver

Urban geographers and architecture enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Urban Flaneur exhibit at Lower Lonsdale’s CityScape Community Art Space before it ends on May 12. As described on their website, “This exhibition explores the grandeur and densification of urban space, particularly contemporary urban architecture and an individual’s experience within a city. Four accomplished artists address this theme with an intricate sculptural installation, acrylic paintings, large scale photo-montages, and photo-conceptual multimedia wall pieces”.

When: Monday-Saturday, 12-5pm until May 12, 2012.
Website: http://nvartscouncil.ca/exhibitions/cityscape-community-art-space

3. Positive Fallout at FibreWorks – Madeira Park

Vancouver mixed media artist Wendy Browne brings her exhibit, Positive Fallout to Madeira Park’s FibreWorks Studio & Gallery. Hosted in a collection of yurts, FibreWorks showcases fibre art – basketry, paper, textiles and wood , created by local, national and international artists.

Inside a yurt at Fibreworks Studio & Gallery, October 2011. Robyn Hanson photo.

Browne writes, “My show, ‘Positive Fallout’ is about power, faith, discipline, whimsy, survival, change, spirit, symbolism, and inner essence. It is a reflection of the desire for transformation and the tenacity required of me to create a body of work consistent with and reflective of a cohesive thought process. I have never considered my work to be main stream and I don’t strive to make it so. My wish has been to successfully convey an emotion within the piece, disturbing or pleasing as that may be to the viewer. The discipline required to do this has been a very positive experience. Tenacity is powerful.”

When: Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-5pm until May 6, 2012.
Website: http://www.fibreworksgallery.com/artist/wendy-browne/

4. Package Deal at The Fort Gallery – Fort Langley

If marketing and design tickles your fancy, drop by The Fort Gallery this week in Langley to see the Package Deal exhibit before it ends this Sunday. As detailed on their website, packaging is “stuff we barely glance at before throwing it away: it’s the wrapping around the real goods nestled inside, a nuisance factor in our daily lives that clogs our recycling bins and landfills, a gorgeous distraction concocted by marketers to lure us into the consumerist mindset. For artists Claire Moore, Jo‐Ann Sheen and Diana Durrand commercial packaging in all its gaudy, upscale, brash and crinkly forms has become the material of art

When: Wednesday-Sunday, 12-5pm until May 6, 2012.
Website: www.fortgallery.ca

5. Multiverse at the Scotia Creek Gallery – Whistler

      
Featured works in the “Multiverse” exhibit at the Scotia Creek Gallery.

If you find yourself in Whistler in the next few days, drop by Millennium Place and pop upstairs to the Scotia Creek Gallery which currently features the original art works of Mandy Tsung, Russell Alton, Kristian Adam, Nomi Chi and Daniel Tibbits. As described on the gallery’s website, ”In this eclectic exhibit entitled “Multiverse” each artist brings forth their own interpretation of an alternate universe; bizarre & surreal, yet playful & beautiful, this look into another world encourages the viewer to gain a fresh perspective into their existing world.”

When: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 11am-4pm and Sun 4-7pm until May 10, 2012.
Website: http://www.artswhistler.com/scotia-creek-gallery

No weekend plans? Let us help! From the largest plant sale in Metro Vancouver to boat building contests on the Sunshine Coast, here’s a list of 6 quirky and cool events taking place throughout the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region this weekend!

VanDusen Plant Sale – Vancouver

The holy grail of plant sales is taking place this Sunday at VanDusen Botanical Garden. As recently featured in The Vancouver Sun, the VanDusen Plant Sale is the largest plant sale in Metro Vancouver with 40,000 plants on sale and crowds of up to 10,000 expected – lining up as early as 6am! For tips on how to prepare, visit their website and be sure to look up their 35 page Plant Sale Catalogue to see what botanical treatures await. Bonus: admission to the garden is free during the sale!

When: Sunday, April 29 from 10am-4pm
Website: www.vandusengarden.org

Party for the Planet – Surrey

Bring the whole family out to Central City Plaza for BC’s largest Earth Day celebration! Party for the Planet will be featuring a variety of activities such as live entertainment, children’s play areas, a tree sale, plus environmental and community information. Entertainment is wide and varied, from children’s performers like Bobs & Lolo, to bands and singers like Good for Grapes, The Boom Tooms, Down With Webster, Ashleigh and Raghav. Enjoy dance groups such as the DRS B-Boy Crew and the Celebration Dance Team, or groove to the beats in the Port Metro Vancouver Energy Dance Tent.

When: Friday, April 27 (4-10pm) and Saturday, April 28 (10am-5pm)
Website: http://www.surrey.ca/partyfortheplanet/

Flash Marathon Shuffle – Powell River

Photo: The Flash Marathon Shuffle by Powell River. Source: Club Fat Ass.

Feel like challenging yourself this weekend in the beauty of an old growth, temperate rainforest? If so, get yourself to Powell River this Sunday for the Flash Marathon Shuffle. This is not your typical running event as it’s classified as a “fun, low key shuffle (hike or run) on a 29 km section of the Sunshine Coast Trail”.  Experience the groomed trails through the forest, along creeks and lakeshores, through dales and over hills. All throughout there are magnificent vistas of the Sunshine Coast, adjacent islands, nearby lakes and the city. If 29km’s too daunting, that’s there’s also the Half Shuffle which is a 12km option – it’s 2km more than the Sun Run, but surrounded by nature without the crowds.

When: Sunday, April 29. Check-in at the Shingle Mill Pub at 7:30am. Shuffle begins at 8:30am.
Website: www.clubfatass.com/events/marathon-shuffle

Spring Golfing – Pemberton

It might be another fantastic year for snow in Whistler, but just 32km north in Pemberton, the climate is actually warmer, meaning that golfing season has already begun! Both of Pemberton’s golf courses, The Meadows at Pemberton and Big Sky Golf and Country Club, have opened for the season just last weekend. Consider a day of golfing if you’re heading up to Whistler, or better still, book a Swing Into Spring golf package with the Pemberton Valley Lodge for some early season discounts and spend your entire weekend in Pemberton on the greens.

Websites: www.pembertongolf.com / www.bigskygolf.com / www.pembertonvalleylodge.com

Yarrow Ecovillage Open House – Chilliwack

Photo: The farm at the Yarrow Ecovillage in March 2012. Source: Yarrow Ecovillage via Facebook.

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you lived at an ecovillage? This Sunday you’ll have your chance as the Yarrow Ecovillage hosts an Open House for the general public. The Yarrow Ecovillage is described as “an exceptional combination of cohousing, sustainable living, farmland preservation, a live/work community and a mixed-use town center.” Come on out and see what life is like at an ecovillage and meet the people who have built this extraordinary neighbourhood. There will be farm tours, home tours, kids’ activities and refreshments. Everyone is welcome.

When: Sunday, April 29 from 1-4pm
Website: www.yarrowecovillage.ca

April Tools Wooden Boat Challenge – Madeira Park

The 11th Annual April Tools Wooden Boat Challenge takes place this Saturday at the Seafarer Millennium Park in the Pender Harbour community of Madeira Park. Described as a mix of inventive boatbuilding, high school team antics, and kids’ mini-boatbuilding, the event is blended with a variety of community activities and comprises one of the most enjoyable Pender Harbour activities of the year. There will be races, free activities for kids, a BBQ and more!

When: Saturday, April 28 beginning at 10am
Website: http://www.maritimeheritage.ca/april-tools

No weekend plans? Let us help! From Earth Day festivities in Roberts Creek to the largest Vaisakhi celebration outside of India taking place in Surrey, here’s a list of 11 quirky and cool events taking place throughout the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region this weekend!

Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival – Whistler

It’s the last weekend of the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival in Whistler. If you’re needing a quick getaway that includes Canada’s largest free outdoor concert series, action sports, fashion, film, photography and more, head up the Sea to Sky and see what all the fuss is about. The festival merges music, sport and art into the most energetic, electric and memorable 10 day festival on snow the world has to offer. Free concert highlights this weekend include Michael Franti & Friends at 4pm on Friday, April 20; DJ Grandtheft at 8pm on Saturday, April 21 at the Mainstage for Big Air Competition; and finally The Sheepdogs at 4pm on Sunday, April 22. Check the website for the full schedule.

When: April 13-22, 2012
Website: http://www.wssf.com

Surrey Vaisakhi Parade – Surrey

The annual Surrey Vaisakhi Parade takes place on Saturday and is the largest Vaisakhi parade outside of India! In 2011, Surrey’s parade shattered attendance records, as over 150,000 people turned out to take part in the celebration. Vaisakhi is one of the most important festivals in the Sikh calendar and celebrates both the Sikh New Year festival and the anniversary of the founding of the Khalsa in 1699.

The Vaisakhi Celebration is truly a community event and welcomes people of all backgrounds to participate. Locals can be found adorned in orange, blue and white giving out food along the streets, sharing, singing, walking in the parade, and rejoicing in their culture. This exciting and fun-filled event in Surrey epitomizes multiculturalism and ethnic diversity. Participants are requested to cover their heads and to not smoke or drink at the event.

When: Saturday, April 21, 2012 (7:30am-5pm)
Website: http://www.surreyvaisakhiparade.ca/

Spirit of the People Pow Wow – Chilliwack

Come out to Chilliwack and experience a traditional Sto’lo Nation pow wow! Held at the Chilliwack Sports Landing Centre, the Spirit of the People Pow Wow is a drug and alcohol free event for the entire family showcasing First Nations culture in an inspiring, weekend event with songs, regalia, dance and traditional foods. Come and check out the Native Artists’ Market, which will host over 45 Native Artisan Vendors at the indoor and outdoor Aboriginal Artisans Market. Admission is $2 per day or $5 for the whole weekend! Everyone is welcome.

When: Fri, April 20 (7pm), Sat, April 21 (1pm & 7pm), Sun, April 22 (12pm)
Website: http://www.tourismchilliwack.com/event.php?eventID=1121

Fan Expo Vancouver – Vancouver

Geeks unite! It’s the inaugural year of Vancouver’s large-scale comic convention Fan Expo Vancouver and it’s taking place this weekend at the Vancouver Convention Centre! The expo will highlight art, celebrities, shopping, discussion panels and workshops, including the original Batmobile from the original TV series and of course, the original Batman and Robin, Adam West and Burt Ward, from the 60s TV series. Download the full schedule here. Anticipate thousands of fellow comic, anime, manga, video game, gaming, horror and sci-fi fans from all over the west coast, including lots of cosplay. What’s not to love?

When: Sat, April 21 (10am-7pm), Sun, April 22 (10am-5pm)
Website: http://www.fanexpovancouver.com

Tulips of the Valley Tulip Festival – Agassiz

There are only two weekends in April to experience the Tulips of the Valley Tulip Festival – this weekend and next. If you’ve never experienced a tulip festival before, get yourself out to the Fraser Valley and enjoy 40 acres of vibrant locally-grown tulips with a dramatic backdrop of the snow-capped Coast Mountains. Admission is only $3 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, and free for kids under 12. Curious what 40 acres of tulips actually looks like? Check out our photos to get a taste of what to expect.

When: April 18-30, 2012 (Mon-Tues: closed, Wed-Fri: 11am-4pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-5pm)
Website: http://www.tourismharrison.com/page/Tulip_Festival

Celebrate Earth Day at Heywood Park – North Vancouver

Join the City of North Vancouver this Sunday as they celebrate Earth Day, the official opening of Heywood Park playground and the new fish hatchery! It’s also the kickoff for the City’s Green Can Food Scraps Collection program, starting this May. Come out and paritipcate in a fish release, take a tour of the hatchery, and check out the Community Art Project and other displays. Help remove invasive plants and plant local species in the park and play in the new playground. Tools, plants and light refreshments will be provided. Great prizes to win and fun for the whole family!

When: Sun, April 22 (12-4pm)
Website: http://www.cnv.org//server.aspx?c=3&i=686

Stave Falls Powerhouse -  Mission

In the spirit of Earth Day, we think it’s the perfect time to learn about one of BC’s cleanest sources of electricity – right from the source! The Stave Falls Powerhouse is an authentic 1912 generating station located in Mission that offers a unique all-ages experience with interactive games and historic displays that tell the story of how power helped build this province. Other amenities include a 50-seat theatre, a gift shop and BC Hydro’s Hayward Lake recreation site nearby.

When: Wednesday-Sunday (11am-4pm).
Website: http://www.bchydro.com/community/recreation_areas/stave_falls_visitor_centre.html

Spring Wine Release Party at Neck of the Woods Winery -  Langley

If you’re a wine aficionado and you haven’t yet visited Langley’s Neck of the Woods Winery yet, take the opportunity this Saturday and head into Fraser Valley wine country for their Spring Wine Release Party.  In addition to the new wines being released, there will also be appetizers (between 12-2pm) as well as an opportunity to wander through their production area. On top of that, there will also be prize draws, specials, and more!

When: Saturday, April 21, 2012 (11am-6pm)
Website: http://www.neckofthewoods.ca

Earth Day – Roberts Creek

Head out to the Roberts Creek Pier this Sunday for some Sunshine Coast Earth Day festivities! There will be local musicians, great food and environmental information. Ride your bike and receive a free bike tune-up, or take the SCRD’s eco-groovy Musical Bus for some zero-waste fun!

When: Sunday, April 22, 2012 (12pm)
Website: http://www.sunshinecoastcanada.com/calendar/

Magnolia Walk – Coquitlam

If you’ve been admiring all the magnolia trees in bloom in our local gardens, then you might be interested in attending the Riverview Horticultural Centre Society’s Magnolia Walk this Sunday. These walks begin at the Riverview Hospital at the Hendy Esson Young (Hey) Building and are usually led by a volunteer arborist. The walks last about two hours depending on the weather and the walkers’ preference. Dress for the weather and wear comfy shoes. The walk happens rain or shine. Children and adults are welcome and dogs on leash are also welcome! It’s free to attend.

When: Sunday, April 22, 2012 (1pm)
Website: http://rhcs.org/tours_events.html

Make It! – Vancouver

This weekend Vancouver’s Croatian Cultural Centre is hosting Make It! Vancouver. Shop for one-of-a-kind handmade items from over 110 of Canada’s hottest urban artisans, designers and crafters. There’s also a licensed bar and live music. It’s $5 at the door but you can print off this flyer at the door, or better yet, show it on your iPhone for $2 off. Finally, don’t take your car – the Croatian Cultural Centre is an easy 10 minute walk north of the Broadway Skytrain station.

When: Fri, April 20 (4-9pm), Sat, April 21 (11am-6pm), Sun, April 22 (11am-5pm)
Website: http://makeitproductions.com

Photo: The view of The Restaurant from my two-bedroom Painted Boat Resort villa.

I left Vancouver after 10am making the 11:20am Langdale ferry with plenty of time to spare. It cost me about $60 to take my car on the ferry, but what’s nice about taking your car from Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast is that you only pay for the ferry one way, making it one of the more affordable BC Ferries excursions you can take. It’s also a short ferry ride, arriving in Langdale 40 minutes after departing Horseshoe Bay.

Photo: Deep within the rainforest at Cliff Gilker Park, Roberts Creek.

Making a few pit stops along the way including a short walk in Cliff Gilker Park, I purposely took my time driving to Pender Harbour. The drive along Highway 101 was easy though. There was practically no traffic as it was Thursday and on such a sunny afternoon it was a real pleasure to drive. I even had my sunroof open! By 3pm, I was already at the resort.

The Painted Boat Resort Spa & Marina

As far as accommodation choices go, the Painted Boat Resort is relatively new having just opened in 2008. Tucked away on a bay in the community of Madeira Park,  it’s a luxury accommodation of 31 villas which are nestled away in five acres of Douglas fir, western red cedar, and arbutus trees. It has that quintessential west coast atmosphere that I personally love. But what’s really unique is that each villa has not just one but two bedrooms. I figured that my villa was going to have a lot of room, but I didn’t truly understand just how spacious these places were until I opened the door to my ground-floor suite…

… and discovered that it was even more stunning than I imagined! The fully-stocked kitchen, dining room, island bar, office and living room (complete with stone fireplace) are all in open concept. And with the natural light pouring in and the warmth of the hardwood floors, it just blew me away. Go on, take a look!

Those two doors opened to the patio which had everything you needed for the ultimate Pender Harbour summer BBQ.

Back inside, I decided to check out the bedrooms. Remember, every villa at the Painted Boat has two bedrooms.

This bedroom was the smaller of the two, set back from the water and yet you could still see the water outside the window. I loved how cozy this room was.

It even had its own bathroom next door which is probably used as the communal bathroom if you were hosting guests, as it’s located right off the kitchen.

But I knew I’d be spending the night in the master bedroom. It had its own private patio, a flat screen TV, and a spacious ensuite with a shower and hot tub.

I had just enough time to unpack, pour myself a drink and snap a few photos before it was time to head out down to the dock and meet up for my boat trip adventure with Malaspina Water Taxi. This, I was really looking forward to.

Malaspina Water Taxi

The one thing I’ve always heard about the Sunshine Coast is that if you really want to experience it properly, you have to get out on the water. Now I’ve taken ferries to and from the Sunshine Coast and have even done a short canoe trip on Sechelt Inlet, but I’ve just never properly toured the Sunshine Coast by boat. All this was about to change, and it couldn’t have been a more beautiful day.

When I arrived on the dock, I was joined by three staff members of the Painted Boat Resort who would be coming along on this adventure. Malaspina Water Taxi owner and captain, Andy Cardiff, signaled to us to hop on board. Andy also brought along his trusty pooch, June. “He’s a male dog with a girl’s name”, he told us. And apparently he doesn’t like to be home alone, and to the delight of everyone on board, he was going to be joining us on our boat tour.

Andy’s story is rather interesting and inspiring. He had left his job as a municipal worker after 10 years and moved to the Sunshine Coast to pursue a different lifestyle. He started Malaspina Water Taxi in 2005 (taking over a previous water taxi business) and hasn’t looked back since. He now gets to share his passion and enthusiasm for the Sunshine Coast with others like myself, providing us with access to the natural beauty of the Malaspina Strait through a variety of boat tours and water taxi services. If you want to truly experience the Sunshine Coast by the way it’s meant to be experience, he’s your man.

Our first destination was about 20 minutes away from Madeira Park to where ancient petroglyphs were apparently found in the rock face. Having never seen petroglyphs before, I was pretty excited. I knew they existed around BC, but didn’t know they could be found on the Sunshine Coast. Apparently it’s not that well-known, unless, I suppose, you spend a lot of time on the water in this area.

As we turned around the bend from Pender Harbour, we entered the mouth of Agamemnon Channel. A short distance later Andy slowed the boat down and pulled closer to the nearby rock face. When we saw them, we immediately ooh’ed and aww’ed.

For whatever reason I was assuming the petroglyphs were going to be tens of thousands of years old, but it turns out that they’re only about 500 years old. It’s still equally as impressive and fascinating, especially when you consider that 500 years ago Quebec was still a few decades away from Jacques Cartier’s initial voyage. The world was a very different place.

We continued on our journey, heading to our second petroglyph location off the rocks of Nelson Island.

Nelson Island is a rather large island in the Sunshine Coast. It’s only accessible by boat, and although some people live there, its permanent population is rather small. Perhaps the most famous resident of Nelson Island was Harry Roberts, a Sunshine Coast pioneer who gave the region its name. He retired there in 1929 and resided in a cabin he built called Sunray. Roberts Creek is named after him, and there’s a beach that Andy would later show us called Roberts Beach where Sunrae still stands.

But going back to the petroglyphs, they totally mystified me. Having studied coastal First Nations art history at UBC, I was surprised to see such a completely different style of artwork on these rocks from the more ovoid native art we’ve become accustomed to from these regions. Who were the people who painted these rocks? What does it mean? It’s a mystery to me, but one I’d like to learn more about.

As we continued westbound along the southern coastline of Nelson Island, I was struck by the jagged beauty of the rock formations.

Wildlife wasn’t super abundant, but we did see some bald eagles, shorebirds, and few harbour seals, including this cute fella…

He didn’t like it when we got closer, but hey… can’t say I blame him.

Just before heading back to Pender Harbour, Andy showed us a few beaches along Nelson Island. He  told us that he often drops passengers off at the beach here – his boat call pull right up to let them off. He’ll coordinate itineraries with his passengers if they want to go off exploring for the day. It’s just a matter of deciding on a meeting area – he’ll head off and come back to pick them up later on.

We had been on the water for over an hour by this time, but it was so beautiful, sunny and warm, nobody was in a rush to go back.

Back at the dock, we thanked Andy and say goodbye to him and June, and strolled back up the dock to the resort.

Feeling invigorated, I walked back to my villa to rest up before dinner. Once again, I was struck by how beautiful my suite was in the late afternoon sunshine. I immediately went to the master bedroom and opened the glass doors to the patio, letting in all the fresh air.

I then wandered into the kitchen to grab a glass of water. The natural light pouring in was spectacular.

I just kept thinking, “I need to come back here. This place is just too nice to experience all by myself.” Not, that I was complaining about having it all to myself, mind you. But I just couldn’t stop thinking of how everyone I know would love it here. It was like staying in a big, beautiful, modern house with all the amenities and everything you could want, except right here on the Sunshine Coast. I just wanted to share it.

Dinner at The Restaurant

Around 7pm I wandered over to The Restaurant at the Painted Boat Resort. The Restaurant sits upstairs in its own building apart from the villas, providing an unobstructed view of the harbour. It was there where I met up with General Manager Ryan Schmidt over dinner.

Photo: Outside the Restaurant during the sunny afternoon.

Though I had never dined there before, The Restaurant had previously been on my radar for their special wine-pairing dinner events. I also knew that they had an extremely talented chef, Head Chef Spencer Watts. Chef Watts boasts an impressive resume, including having previously worked at Vancouver’s C Restaurant – one of my favourites. I was excited to learn that he has since spearheaded the Ocean Wise program on the Sunshine Coast and continues to dazzle guests with a menu that features the freshest, most sustainable ingredients. He may just be paving the way so that the Sunshine Coast becomes the next big culinary destination in BC.

For dinner I’d be ordering off their Off Season Menu – a three course seasonal menu featuring a diversity of gourmet offerings. Needless to say, for a food-lover like myself, I found it challenging to decide what to eat since everything sounded so good!

Being a big fan of smoked salmon, I opted for their House-Cured Salmon Gravlax as my first course and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Chef Watts did a beautiful take on this Scandinavian classic, serving it with a horseradish crème fraiche, dill powder, and fried capers. It was stunning to look at and tasted even better. My glass of Wild Goose Vineyards’ Mystic River Gewurtraminer paired with it perfectly.

Did I mention that The Restaurant is known for their wine? With Brad Royale as Wine Director, they will no doubt please wine aficionados, offering a well-rounded selection of unique wine offerings from around the world.

While I was enjoying my salmon, my dining companion was digging into the Five Spice Duck Ravioli with ginger spinach, agedashi demi-glace and pine nuts. He raved about them and insisted I try them. What’s a girl to do?  Upon first bite, they were almost like an haute cuisine version of a Chinese dumpling and were absolutely delicious.

For my second course, I ordered the Arctic Char with dashi broth, root vegetable fricassee and edimame. Normally they have a Ocean Wise-certified white sturgeon which is sourced from a local Sunshine Coast sturgeon farm – the first of its kind in Canada. Unfortunately, due to a supplier issue it wasn’t available that night. But that was more than okay – my Arctic char was fantastic with a perfectly crispy skin in the most satisfying Japanese-inspired broth. I think this is one of my most new favourite ways of preparing fish.

Last but not least was dessert. I’m not a girl who holds back at dessert, so I was more than willing to give this a go. I was craving something to sink my teeth into, but I didn’t want anything super sweet. Therefore, the Date Cake with puff pastry, apple cream, and pecan ice cream fit the bill. Paired with a freshly-brewed coffee, it was the loveliest way to end my meal.

And thus my day at the Painted Boat Resort was coming to an end. Walking back to my room, the stars were bright in the sky and you could clearly see Jupiter brighter than the others. I returned to my villa, slipped into a robe, and enjoyed the tranquility of the night. As cliche as it sounded, I wanted to move right in and call this place home. I was sad to be leaving the next morning, but I knew that the next time I’m looking for a quick getaway from the city, I know where I’ll be heading.

For more information on the Painted Boat Resort Spa & Marina, including unique packages that include meals at The Restaurant and outdoor adventures with Malaspina Water Taxi, visit their website at www.paintedboat.com.

Want to get out of the city for the afternoon? Need to reconnect with nature? We do too. Now that it’s April and the weather’s warming up, many of the seasonal parks are starting to open up, providing us with a greater range of nature experiences to spotlight. After brainstorming and researching, we’ve found five short nature walks that you can do in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region which are fantastic in the month of April.

1. Mundy Park – Coquitlam

The Metro Vancouver area is home to many urban forests: Stanley Park, Burnaby’s Central Park, and North Vancouver’s Lynn Canyon amongst others. But the one urban forest that tends to fly under the radar of most locals is Coquitlam’s Mundy Park.

Photo: Lost Lake in Mundy Park, Coquitlam – April 4, 2012. Source: Kyle Pearce via Flickr.

Described as one of the Tri-Cities’ most treasured assets, Mundy Park is a huge forested park (it’s 178 hectares/440 acres) and is home to two small lakes: Mundy Lake and Lost Lake. It also has a network of easy walking trails – the perfect place for quickly escaping the city. Curious? Local hiking blog Vancouver Trails maps out three of Mundy Park’s trails (the Perimeter Trail, the Waterline Trail, and the Interlaken Trail) describing the three difference experiences you can have. Read it here.

But nature is only one part of the Mundy Park experience. Local family blog Find Family Fun likes Mundy Park for its family-friendly amenities such as soccer fields, baseball diamonds, a lacrosse box and a playground. And if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, Mundy Park even has its very own disc golf course!

2. Tikwalus Heritage Trail – Hell’s Gate

If you’re looking for day trip that combines the dramatic scenery of the Fraser Canyon with pre-colonial history, then put the Tikwalus Heritage Trail on your agenda. Traditionally used by the Nlaka’pamux First Nation for over thousands of years, this trail connected villages and fishing sites along the Fraser Canyon as well as providing access to important food and medicine in the high mountains nearby. It was then shared with workers of the Hudson Bay Company in the late 1840s as a fur trading route between Fort Kamloops and Fort Langley. Needless to say, the Tikwalus Heritage Trail is entrenched in BC history.

According to Travel The Canyon, the grand opening of a newly-restored 10km section of the Tikwalus Heritage Trail is taking place on Friday, April 20 at 1:30pm. For photos, directions, maps, and details on the Tikwalus Heritage Trail, be sure to visit the Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning’s website as they’re playing a large role in its restoration.

Finally, Travel the Canyon shared some additional advice with us on Twitter. They suggested combining Tikwalus with a visit to nearby Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park as they’re super close. And last but not least, if you’re already nearby Hell’s Gate, it would simply behoove you to visit Hell’s Gate Airtram as they also open for the season this Friday, April 20.

3. Golden Ears Provincial Park – Maple Ridge

One of the largest provincial parks in all of BC can be found just an hour’s drive east of Vancouver along Hwy 7 in the district municipality of Maple Ridge. That park is Golden Ears. Named after its famous twin mountain peaks, this park is popular in the summer months for camping and boating (on Alouette Lake), but hiking through coastal temperate rainforest is the reason why you’d visit in the spring.

Photo: Spring runoff at Golden Ears Provincial Park. Source: Matthew Grapengeiser via Flickr.

Home to numerous trails of varying lengths, if you’re looking for a short hike, consider the Mike Lake Trail. Local hiking blog Vancouver Trails recommends this scenic trail for families wanting a short nature walk, as it takes just under one hour to do and passes through calm and quiet forest with glimpses of the lake. If you’re seeking a slightly longer walk, consider Gold Creek Falls. It takes takes about two hours to do. April’s the perfect time to visit due to the spring runoff resulting in a surging streams and waterfalls.

4. Nairn Falls Provincial Park – Pemberton

Whether you’re in Whistler or Pemberton, if you’re looking for the perfect low commitment nature walk, head to nearby Nairn Falls Provincial Park where an easy walk along the river provides you with a viewing platform over Nairn Falls. Only a 20 minute drive north of Whistler and a 5 minute drive south of Pemberton, the falls are 60 meters high and can be viewed by following a 1.5 km hiking trail. According to Vancouver Trails, you’ll want to give yourself an hour and a half to do this walk.

5. Sargeant Bay Provincial Park – Halfmoon Bay

The Sunshine Coast has a wealth of trails, from gentle nature walks to grueling multi-day hikes. Some of these trails require local knowledge to access while others are a little bit more obvious. Fortunately, Sargeant Bay Provincial Park falls into the latter group.

Photo: Hiking in Sargeant Bay Provincial Park. Source: Iwona Erskine-Kellie via Flickr.

Located a short drive (8km) outside of Sechelt in the community of Halfmoon Bay, Sargeant Bay’s the perfect spot for nature lovers because it provides a nice cross section of ecosystems: ocean beaches, rocky headlands, lagoons, salmon-bearing streams, and heavily forested uplands. There’s also a good chance you’ll see some wildlife!

For a short and easy walk, head along the Colvin Creek Trail which is approximately 1 kilometre in length. Don’t have much time? Do the Sargeant Bay Trail instead which is only 300m and follows along the beachfront to the fish ladder. And be sure to bring a picnic – on a sunny day the beach at Sargeant Bay is a beautiful place to sit down, kick back and enjoy the finer things in life.

Related Posts:

• Short Nature Walks for March
• Short Nature Walks for February
• Short Nature Walks for November

Have an idea for a short nature walk? Let us know by leaving a comment below and we may feature it in an upcoming blog post!

Spring has finally sprung in the Fraser Valley and there’s no better way to embrace the season than with a visit to the Tulips of the Valley Tulip Festival this April!

Located only 90 minutes east of Vancouver, the Tulip Festival runs from Wednesday, April 18 until the end of the month. Tiptoe through 40 acres of locally-grown tulips and don’t forget your camera! The nearby snow-capped mountains provide a stunning backdrop for the brightly coloured fields.

Please note: The tulips are late bloomers this year. Due to the cold spring we’ve been having, the later you arrive in the month, the more fully-bloomed tulips you’ll see. Warm weather = more blooms. Cool weather = fewer blooms.

Photo: The Tulip Festival in 2011. Source: Tourism Harrison Hot Springs

The festival is organized by local Agassiz greenhouse, Tulips of the Valley. What’s interesting is that they specialize in growing all their own tulip bulbs and lilies rather than importing them from Holland. As a result, all the tulips on display at the festival come from Canadian-grown bulbs!

Photo: Enjoying the Tulip Festival in 2011. Source: Tourism Harrison Hot Springs

Photo: The Tulip Festival in 2011. Source: Tourism Harrison Hot Springs

For more information about the festival, including special hotel deals nearby, visit the Tourism Harrison Hot Springs website at http://www.tourismharrison.com/page/Tulip_Festival. For the latest updates about the blooms, visit the Tulips of the Valley website at http://www.tulipsofthevalley.com.

Hours of Operation:

• Wednesday to Friday – 12pm to 4pm
• Saturday/Sunday – 10am to 5pm
• Monday/Tuesdays – closed

Admission:

• $3 for Adults
• $2.50 for Seniors
• Free for Kids (under 12)

Note: Parking is $5 per vehicle. Admission and parking is cash only.

Photo: The Tulip Festival in 2010. Source: Tourism Harrison Hot Springs

Location:

The tulip festival is located east of Agassiz on Seabird Island, just off Lougheed Highway (Hwy 7) on Chowat Road. See the map for directions.