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Explore British Columbia’s Gold Rush Trail – Part 2

May 30th, 2012
 

The year of 2012 marks the 150th anniversary of Barkerville Historic Town and the Cariboo Gold Rush – a time when thousands flocked to the heart of BC, trekking north through the Mighty Fraser Canyon with the dreams of striking it rich. To celebrate this historic milestone, we thought we’d compile a couple of lists which spotlight BC’s Gold Rush Trail history in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region of British Columbia.

5 Outdoor Adventures Along the Gold Rush Trail


Photo: River rafting down the Fraser – August 2010. Source: Hyak River Rafting.

1. Raft the Mighty Fraser Canyon

The first time I ever went white water rafting was two years ago in the Fraser Canyon between Lytton and Boston Bar. Although I’m not a strong swimmer, my initial anxiety quickly morphed into adrenaline and delight. If you think you already know the Fraser River based on what you’ve seen in the Lower Mainland, it is such a different experience rafting down the Fraser in the heart of Canyon Country. Not only does the Fraser Canyon provide a dramatic geography and a drier climate, but it’s also rich in indigenous culture and colonial history. And of course, the rafting provides the ultimate adventure to appreciate this kind of setting.

Local river rafting operators include Kumsheen, Hyak River Rafting, Chilliwack River Rafting, REO Rafting Resort and Fraser River Raft Expeditions - all offering rafting adventures of all types along the Fraser and its tributaries.

2. Hike the Tikwalus Heritage Trail

Located north of Hope along the Fraser Canyon, the Tikwalus Heritage Trail was 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.

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’ve been playing a large role in its restoration.

3. Panning for Gold

The Fraser Canyon was home to one of the earliest gold rushes in British Columbia, dating back to 1858. If you think the art of gold panning has been lost in this region, think again! Hell’s Gate Airtram offers gold panning on site where you can sift through gravel from nearby Hills Bar, home to the biggest claim ever staked in the Fraser Canyon during the Great Fraser River Gold Rush.

Alternatively, you can seek out professional gold panner Yukon Dan who teaches a variety of gold panning workshops throughout the year at various schools and special events. He even has a list of best gold panning sites on his website if you wanted to head out on your own.

4. Explore Alexandra Bridge

Situated in the Fraser Canyon between Hope and Boston Bar is Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park. Though small in size, this park is a must for those on a gold rush history pilgrimage. As written up on the BC Parks website, Alexandra Bridge is “centred around the site of the original Cariboo Wagon Road bridge over the Fraser River. The park was established in 1984. It provides both a rest stop and picnic facilities for travelers. This site has been a natural stop-over and crossing of the Fraser River since the area was first populated. Because of its small size there are limited recreational opportunities within this park. You can access the historic bridge from a trail through the day use area.”

5. Discover Othello Tunnels


Photo: Othello Tunnels. Source: Stephen Rees via Flickr.

One of the coolest sites immediately outside of Hope is Othello Tunnels - a series of abandoned tunnels and bridges originally built in 1914 for the Kettle Valley Railway, but are now a part of Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park and are open to the public to explore. These five tunnels are an impressive feat of engineering as they were built in a straight line through the solid granite at Coquihalla Gorge. The natural setting of the turquoise waters rushing through the canyon adds to the magic, especially with the surging river in the spring. Two items you may want to consider bringing are a flashlight and a picnic lunch. Expect to spend about an hour here as the trail to the tunnels is 3.5 km round trip. For full details, visit the BC Parks website.

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Hidden Secrets: Weekend Plans for May 25-27

May 25th, 2012
 

Lund Shellfish Festival – Lund


The beautiful Sunshine Coast community of Lund – May 2, 2012. Photo by Robyn Hanson.

If you love seafood – in particular, oysters, mussels and clams – then you’ll want to get yourself to the northern end of the Sunshine Coast this weekend for the fifth annual open air Lund Shellfish Festival. Taking place all along the shores of Lund Harbour (a 35 minute drive north of Powell River), you’ll be able to eat fresh cooked seafood, enjoy local musicians, take a boat or land tour, watch free cooking demonstrations, buy some fresh live shellfish, shop at the booths, enter a contest or sample special menu items at the restaurants.

When: Fri, May 25- Sun, May 27
Website: lundbc.ca/shellfishfest2012.html

Public Tours of Burns Bog – Delta

If you’ve ever taken Hwy 91 south of the Alex Fraser Bridge, or Hwy 99 between the tunnel and White Rock, you’ve no doubt driven past the “lungs” of the Lower Mainland: Burns Bog. This fascinating ecosystem is a leftover from the ice age and plays a crucial role in the clean air and biodiversity of Metro Vancouver. Feel like exploring the bog? It’s open to the public every day, but on Saturday, May 26 there will be public tours called Bees in the Bog. Interested? The tour costs $5 and you must pre-register by e-mail (info@burnsbog.org) or phone (604-572-0373). You then meet the tour guide at Delta’s Planet Ice. The tours then begin at 10am and are approximately two hours in length.

When: Saturday, May 26.
Website: www.burnsbog.org/events

Fraser River Barrel Race – Hell’s Gate


Throwing barrels over Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon. Source: Hell’s Gate Airtram.

There’s always something quirky happening at Hell’s Gate Airtram, and this weekend is no different. This Sunday, May 27 is the Rotary River Run Regatta, otherwise known as the Fraser River Barrel Race. The concept is simple: over 30 barrels get tossed off the Hell’s Gate suspension bridge to kick off the wackiest race from Hell’s Gate to Yale. The gate opens at 10am, so you’ll want to come early and get a good “bridge spot” for the countdown to launch!

When: Sunday, May 27 at 10am.
Website: www.hellsgateairtram.com

Memorial Day Long Weekend – Whistler

While most of us had our May long weekend last week, our neighbours to the south are celebrating their Memorial Day Long Weekend this week.  Whistler, being the popular getaway destination for many Americans, is taking notice. To celebrate the American holiday, Whistler is throwing all kinds of events. As written up on their events page, “local golf courses and the Whistler Mountain Bike Park are officially open, while spring skiing continues on Blackcomb Mountain. Free street entertainment and events are happening throughout the Village and activity and shopping offers are plentiful”. In other words, if you’re thinking of heading to Whistler this weekend, you’ll be in for a good time.

When: Thursday, May 24 until Sunday, May 27
Website: www.whistler.com/events/may_long_weekend/

 

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Explore British Columbia’s Gold Rush Trail – Part 1

May 20th, 2012
 

The year of 2012 marks the 150th anniversary of Barkerville Historic Town and the Cariboo Gold Rush – a time when thousands flocked to the heart of BC, trekking north through the Mighty Fraser Canyon with the dreams of striking it rich. To celebrate this historic milestone, we thought we’d compile a couple of lists which spotlight BC’s Gold Rush Trail history in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region of British Columbia.

5 Historical Adventures Along the Gold Rush Trail


Photo: Children panning for gold at Fort Langley National Historic Site. Source: VCMBC

1. Fraser River Discovery Centre – New Westminster

Learn about the past, present and future of the living, working Fraser River at the Fraser River Discovery Centre located in British Columbia’s first official capital, New Westminster. The Fraser River was BC’s golden artery – the route in which many a miner travelled to get from the coast into the interior of British Columbia.

Website: www.fraserriverdiscovery.org
Location: 788 Quayside Drive, New Westminster, BC [map]

2. Fort Langley National Historic Site – Langley


Photo: Panning for gold at Fort Langley National Historic Site. Source: FLNHS via Facebook.

Travel east along the Fraser to Langley and visit the Fort Langley National Historic Site. First established in 1827 as a fur trading post for the Hudson’s Bay Company, it’s where the Colony of British Columbia was created a century and a half ago.

Website: www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/bc/langley/index.aspx
Location: 23433 Mavis Avenue, Langley, BC [map]

3. Historic Yale Site – Yale

Photo: Historic Yale. Source: Historic Yale Site via Facebook.

Continue up the Fraser Canyon past these points to visit Historic Yale Site, the gold rush boomtown that was once the largest west of Chicago and north of San Francisco.

Website: http://historicyale.ca/
Location: 31187 Douglas Street, Box 74, Yale, BC [map]

4. Hell’s Gate Airtram – Hell’s Gate

Photo: Hell’s Gate Airtram.Source Ryan C. via Flickr.

When explorer Simon Fraser first encountered Hell’s Gate in 1808, he exclaimed, “We had to travel where no human being should venture for surely we have encountered the gates of hell”. A historic landmark in the heart of the Fraser Canyon, Hell’s Gate is where 200 million gallons of water per minute thunder through this 33 metre wide passage. Hell’s Gate Airtram provides a bird’s eye perspective, an education centre, gold panning, and more.

Website: www.hellsgateairtram.com
Location: Trans-Canada Highway, Boston Bar, BC [map]

5. Lytton

Located at the confluence of the Mighty Fraser River and the Thompson River is the village of Lytton. The First Nations called this merging of two great rivers “kumsheen” which means “great forks”. The gold rush of 1858 and the construction of the Cariboo Wagon Road rapidly changed Lytton, bringing in infrastructure and hundreds of miners. Learn about the history of the region at the Lytton Museum and explore the remnants of the Cariboo Wagon Road.

Website: www.botaniecreek.com/museum/
Location: 420 Fraser Street, Lytton, BC [map]

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Short Nature Walks for April

April 16th, 2012
 


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

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.

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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!

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10 Quirky Cafes in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains

April 2nd, 2012
 

Photo: Enjoying an Americano in Vancouver. Photo by Robyn Hanson.

In a city that seems to have a coffee shop on every corner, we thought it would be interesting to uncover the most quirkiest of cafes in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. Our definition of cafe is indeed coffee-centric, although we do have a few exceptions. As for our definition of quirky? You be the judge…

1. Holy Smoke Coffee – Surrey

This may be the only cafe in the region that’s located in a gigantic stucco teepee. You’d almost expect Holy Smoke Coffee to be all about the gimmick, but they’re arguably one of the best places in South Surrey for coffee. Just ask Jasmine Bradley of The Surrey Now who finally decided to see what the fuss was about. Her findings? “They serve coffee. Really good coffee”. And it makes sense; owner Al Nemeth only uses organic, fair trade coffee which he roasts on site every morning. Be sure to time your visits accordingly though as Holy Smoke is only open Monday to Friday from 6am until 1pm.

2. The Yellow Deli – Chilliwack

Formerly the Preserved Seed Cafe, The Yellow Deli is probably not what you’re expecting to find in the Fraser Valley: a hippy cafe run by a Chilliwack commune who serve some of the tastiest organic food and drinks this side of Vancouver, all in one rustic, cozy cottage that wouldn’t look out of place on Salt Spring Island in the 70s. They even have a storehouse where you can purchase local, sustainable food to bring home with you. And if these photos by photographer Theresa Le’s anything to go by, then this has to be one of the quirkiest cafes in the region. Come for the coffee, stay for the food!

3. The Back Porch – Harrison Hot Springs

The next time you’re craving an afternoon drive through the countryside, head out and do the Agassiz-Harrison Circle Farm Tour, making sure you stop off at The Back Porch. It’s on this Harrison Hot Springs farm where owners Dan and Lynda run a pottery studio, antique barn and a coffee roasting facility. Taste their coffee which is roasted in house in a 1919-era Flame Roaster, and buy some coffee to bring home with you. Note that The Back Porch is only open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am until 5pm, so plan your trip accordingly.

4. Cafe Savoureux – Richmond

There’s something just so wonderfully quirky about Cafe Savoureux. Maybe it’s because it’s an unusual mix of a French-inspired Chinese coffee shop. Maybe it’s because they serve all their coffee in beautiful fine bone China cups. Perhaps it’s that they have a great selection of coffee varieties which are all made to order and made using a siphon. Oh yes, and they also serve the coveted (and extraordinarily expensive) civet coffee. What’s civet coffee, you ask? Well, it may sound gross if I explain it, so it’s probably better if you Google it. In any case, this quirky Richmond cafe isn’t all hype. It’s currently rated 5 out of 5 stars (out of 5 reviews) on Yelp, so you know this local’s secret won’t be secret for much longer.

5. Elvis Rocks The Canyon Cafe – Hell’s Gate

Although it’s more of a roadside diner than a coffee shop, if you’re driving along the Fraser Canyon toward Hell’s Gate, you’ll definitely want to make a pit stop at the famous Elvis Rocks The Canyon Cafe. Imagine a roadside cafe where the owners are such die hard Elvis fans, they own the entire Elvis discography on vinyl which they display proudly on the walls. And believe me, the Elvis albums are just part of their Elvis shrine. It’s really quite impressive and a must-see. The husband and wife owners even look the part, him with the Elvis hairdo and her with the Elvis bicep tattoo. I am not joking. I love this place. A total quirky cafe in the most unexpected of places – sitting alongside the edge of the Fraser Canyon between Yale and Boston Bar.

6. The Prophouse Cafe – Vancouver

I remember when I first visited the Prophouse Cafe in early 2011. I was told that it would be like discovering a secret attic where dozens of lanterns hung from the rafters; where a record player with a stash of vinyl was available for anyone who wished to play it. All the furniture is mismatched, and the place is full of the weird, the wonderful and the obscure: ceramic tigers, an old dentist chair, a velvet painting of a topless Polynesian. You get the picture…

Photo: Watching a concert during the Olio Festival at the Prophouse Cafe. Photo by Robyn Hanson.

But what’s cool about the Prophouse is that it gets its name because it is an actual prop house for movies and TV shows filmed in Vancouver. They also host a variety of shows in the evening, from music and comedy to burlesque. And what’s even cooler is that despite all the crazy decor and the fun events, the coffee and the food is amazing. In fact, my sister swears it’s the best value in town if you’re seeking an Americano and a large, fluffy scone. I completely agree. And that’s saying something, given its proximity to Commercial Drive.

7. Galileo Coffee Company – Britannia Beach

The tiny town of Britannia Beach is probably best known for the Britannia Mine Museum – a national historic site and fabulous day trip destination from Vancouver. But this former mining community has another treasure: it’s home to some of the best coffee along the Sea to Sky. The next time you’re driving up to Whistler, make a pit stop at the Galileo Coffee Company. All their coffee is roasted in house – a process you can watch from inside the cafe as you try to decide what coffee you’re going to have. The coffee’s so popular, many businesses in nearby Squamish and Whistler have begun to serve it as well!

8. Breakwater Cafe – Powell River

Imagine wandering into a charming bookstore only to discover a quaint little cafe nestled within. This is the Breakwater Cafe. Situated in Breakwater Books, Powell River’s only independent bookstore, this cafe is a must for any book lovers, especially those who enjoy reading local, west coast authors. Enjoy some homemade baking with your coffee, get comfy with your favourite book, or simply admire the waterfront view. If you visit on Saturdays at 2pm, you might even be able to take in some storytelling!

9. The Copper Sky Gallery and Cafe – Madeira Park

When I visited Madeira Park during the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl last October, I spent a leisurely lunch at the the Copper Sky Gallery and Cafe and absolutely loved it. Acting as the hub of the community, this whimsical cafe and art gallery hybrid features the beautiful paintings, sculptures, and jewellery of Cindy Cantelon and Marshall Mar. But the food here – made with fresh, seasonal produce – is equally spectacular. Grab a coffee and a bite to eat, admire the art, and watch the community spirit of the Sunshine Coast come alive.

10. Wendel’s Bookstore & Cafe – Langley

Photo: Wendel’s Bookstore & Cafe in downtown Fort Langley. Source: Robyn Hanson

The book nerd in me loves Wendel’s Bookstore & Cafe. This carefully curated selection of books, stationery and gifts sits in the same heritage building as the cafe, where you can grab an espresso, a dessert bar, or even grab a proper meal… even pizza! I personally love coming here after spending the afternoon touring nearby Langley wineries. It makes for a perfect post-dinner destination and a wonderful place to grab a coffee for the drive back home.

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Family Activities for the Thanksgiving Weekend

October 7th, 2011
Family Activities for the Thanksgiving Weekend
 

Photo: Harvesting cranberries in Richmond. Source: Globe and Mail.

Hell’s Gate Pumpkin Drop – Fraser Canyon

This has to be one of the craziest events happening this Thanksgiving! The Hell’s Gate Airtram is hosting their 4th annual Hell’s Gate Pumpkin Drop this Monday! It’s exactly as it sounds. Bring your pumpkin and drop it from 500 ft! Hit the target and win your chance to spin the big prize wheel. Anyone who brings a carved pumpkin rides the tram for free! This is the last chance to visit the Hell’s Gate Airtram before they close for the season, so bring the whole family out and spend your Thanksgiving in the Fraser Canyon! Bonus: The salmon spawn is still happening!

When: Monday, October 10 from 10am-4pm.
Website: http://www.hellsgateairtram.com/events.html

Kilby Thanksgiving – Harrison Mills

Go back in time to the 1920s and experience a traditional Thanksgiving at Kilby Historic Site – a 5 acre heritage site located in the heart of the Fraser Valley. If you love country drives, this is definitely a beautiful place to be in the fall. Bring the family out to experience the historic General Store Museum and then treat everyone to a full course turkey dinner which they’ll be serving for lunch! There will also be cider pressing demonstrations at 2pm each day. Reservations are required for the lunch.

When: Sunday, October 9 and Monday, October 10 from 11am-4pm.
Website: http://www.kilby.ca/

Harvest Celebration at Limbert Mountain Farm – Agassiz

Celebrate the autumn harvest in Agassiz this Saturday at the Limbert Mountain Farm. There will be squash, chestnuts and pumpkins at this herb and specialty food farm, as well as samples to taste and recipes to bring home. And for those seeking a proper meal, their bistro will be serving a harvest lunch from noon until 4pm. Don’t miss out!

When: Saturday, October 8 from 11am-5pm.
Website: http://www.limbertmountainfarm.com/

Fort Langley Cranberry Festival – Langley

Cranberry lovers shouldn’t miss out on the 16th annual Fort Langley Cranberry Festival this Saturday. The festivities kick off with a pancake breakfast and continue right through the day with activities for the whole family. There are contests, live music on the Main Stage, cooking demos, a fashion show and much more! Don’t forget to stroll down to the Bedford Channel to watch The Fort Langley Canoe Club races. One of the highlights of the Cranberry Festival is the marvelous selection of products from over 70 market vendors.

When: Saturday, October 10 from 10am-4pm.
Website: http://www.cranberryfest.ca/

Cranberry Day at Meadows Maze – Pitt Meadows

Bring the family out to Pitt Meadows this Saturday for Cranberry Day at Meadows Maze! This popular corn maze will be providing entertainment, crafts, face painting, cranberry product tastings, and cranberry sales. Try your hand at booming the cranberries and take a hay wagon tour around the cranberry bogs. Be sure to get there before noon for their pancake breakfast where $3 gets you 2 cranberry pancakes, 2 maple sausages (Hopcott Meats) and a glass of cranberry juice.

When: Saturday, October 8 from 10am onward.
Website: http://www.meadowsmaze.com/events.php

Richmond Nature Park Cranberry Sale – Richmond

Did you know that Richmond is famous for its cranberries? The boggy agricultural lands on the eastern half of the city grows just under 2000 acres of cranberries – that’s 47% of BC’s cranberry harvest! It’s therefore fitting that the Richmond Nature Park – an undisturbed remnant of Richmond’s bog ecosystem – is having their annual Cranberry Sale this Saturday! Buy fresh, local and delicious cranberries and the proceeds will go to support educational programs at the park and will enable the Richmond Nature Park Society to continue its environmental work.

When: Saturday, October 8 from 10am-3pm.
Website: http://www.richmond.ca/news/city/cranberrysale20111008.htm

Gibsons Fall Fair – Gibsons

Just a 40 minute ferry ride away from Vancouver is the beautiful seaside town of Gibsons. This Saturday they’ll be hosting the 11th annual Gibsons Fall Fair where there will be a Craft Fair with over 50 vendors, a bake sale and raffles with the proceeds going to local charity. There will also be a variety of contests for people of all ages to enter, including Biggest Pumpkin, Biggest Sunflower, and Weirdest Vegetable.

When: Saturday, October 8 from 10am-5pm, and Sunday, October 9 from 10am-4pm.
Website: http://www.gibsonsfallfair.org/

Bowen Island Apple Fest – Bowen Island

Head out to Horseshoe Bay this Sunday and walk on the ferry to spend your Sunday at the Bowen Island Apple Fest. Taking place at Davies Heritage Orchard (established in 1887), there will be games for children, displays, bee culture, heritage apple sales, pies, tastings, and their annual apple pie contest! Admission is free.

When: Sunday, October 9 from 11am-3pm.
Website: http://www.bowenheritage.org/events.html

Vancouver Turkey Trot – Vancouver

Want to burn off all those yummy, rich turkey dinners? Bring the whole family out to Granville Island early Monday morning for the Vancouver Turkey Trot! This 10km walk, run, and stroll is not your average 10km. They pride themselves on making the the run an experience. They write, “As an example, post-race food is not just bananas, water and oranges like most other races; we have gourmet food that will have you sprinting over the finish line.” Fittingly, proceeds go to support the Vancouver Food Bank.

When: Monday, October 10 at 8:30am.
Website: http://www.turkeytrot.ca/

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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.

    Do you have a suggestion for a blog post?
    E-mail us at info@604Pulse.com.

    For advertising and sponsored post opportunities please download our current Media Kit.

    Vancouver, Coast & Mountains on Twitter
    604Pulse: Sasquatch Days, Harrison Hot Springs, Jun 8-9. War canoe races, salmon bbq, medicine walks & Sasquatch talks! http://t.co/rSrfku9TDY #invcm
    604Pulse: Royal Canadian Mounted Police recognized in Google Canada's doodle today! Feel the pride! http://t.co/9IKJEr52HQ @rcmpgrpolice
    604Pulse: British Columbia has a new website and it's pretty awesome! Check it out at http://t.co/e7Do5YUN0u and start planning today! #invcm
    604Pulse: Congratulations to follower @flipnfunny! He is the lucky winner of our Summer Escape to Whistler contest with @LodgingOvations! #invcm


     
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