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Popular Off the Beaten Path | Other Off the Beaten Path Tips | All Tips (29) We like to take that dirt road and see what happens.
A couple of Aussies travelling in the northern hemisphere try to look at what others may take for granted. Salmon were jumping out of the water on their annual pilgrimage and the Canada geese were just taking it all in.
Well, at least we were impressed and not a kangaroo in sight! Leave a Comment Phone: leave the phone at the motel
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MacMillan Park's spectacular CATHEDRAL GROVE is a long archway of massive Douglas Fir trees that stand about 150 metres tall, some with trunks that are 6 metres around. The "Gateway to the Pacific Rim" takes you through this immense forest. You can stop and walk through the guided trails and learn about the history from the kiosks among the shaded, tall trees. Leave a Comment
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On Tuesday, June 3, driving along Highway 4 West, we came across CATHEDRAL GROVE . Our friends in Vancouver recommended that we stop by here. You'll know you've reached this park because massive trees suddenly create a spectacular green roof across the road. MacMillan Park-Cathedral Grove is a preserved stand of old-growth trees. A network of trails will lead you to some of the largest Douglas Firs, several more than 800 years old. It's difficult to describe these forest giants but maybe one dimension will bring it home. The largest tree in the grove measures over 30 feet around. Leave a Comment
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MacMillan Park- Cathedral Grove, a day park located at the top end of Cameron Lake is noted for a preserved section of lush old-growth forest that is unique on Vancouver Island. An interpretive trail system winds through these 800-year old giants, allowing for close inspection of the tree rings on some downed logs that were victims of blowdowns. This park gives you a sense of what Vancouver Island and the West Coast looked like before the arrival of European settlers. Leave a Comment
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Tuesday, June 3. As we were driving North on Highway 1, just before Duncan, we decided to go off the highway and explore the Lake Cowichan District with its freshwater lakes, parks, campgrounds and friendly little communities like Cowichan Bay and Crofton, a forestry town with hiking trails, great fishing and a B.C. Ferries Terminal where you can board a ferry to Salt Spring Island. Leave a Comment
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Driving to Qualicum Beach one day we were intrigued by some signs indicating the way to this attraction, which I hadn’t read anything about in my pre-holiday planning. With time to spare we decided to turn off the road and investigate. We love anything quirky, and have an interest in fifties Americana, so the detour was well worthwhile.
The diner is a treasure trove of all things related to coca cola, the more kitsch the better, and there’s a great juke box. But this is also a genuine diner, so you can come here to enjoy a light meal or cold drink (and not just coke – I had a very good milkshake).
The mural outside apparently caused quite a stir when it was first painted because Marilyn Monroe was portrayed in a topless outfit - see this website http://www.alicubi.com/articles/cola_01.html to see what she looked like before the bikini top was added, and to read about the controversy. Other Contact: Just off Route 19A in Qu
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We were lucky enough to get a good look at a bald eagle on two occasions while on Vancouver Island. The first was on Quadra Island, near the lodge at Tsa-Kwa-Luten, flying between the pine trees near the shore (second photo). The second was this one at Telegraph Cove, perched on one of the pilings in the harbour – we spotted him from our table in the Killer Whale Café at lunch time and rushed out with the cameras to take photos (leaving our food to get cold on the table!)
Bald eagles often spend the summer on the B.C. coast, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Queen Charlotte Islands fishing for herring and feeding young. I read up some facts about them on the internet:
The adult eagle's white ['bald'] head and tail feathers are developed by its fourth or fifth year. An immature eagle has mottled brown and white plumage. Wing span is 6 to 8 feet; the females are larger than the males. Eagles can fly at 50 kph, dive at 160 kph and can spot a fish from more than a kilometre away. Their diet is mainly fish, supplemented by water fowl, small mammals, and carrion when fish are in short supply. Their preferred habitat is in the old growth timber along the coast. Bald eagles mate for life and can reach the age of 40.
You'll probably need to click on the photos to see the eagles clearly
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Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on one side and the mountains on the other sides makes Vancouver a very attractive city to visit. The climate is great which makes this an all year round destination. In Vancouver you can do it all. Go skiing in the morning on one of the local mountains and enjoy the beach in the afternoon.
Vancouver has something for everybody whether you want to visit a museum, enjoy outdoor activities, relax or be one with nature...you can find it all here.
For detailed information please visit my Vancouver travel pages!! Leave a Comment
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Even though it is only about an hour away from Victoria, it seems like you could be on the other side of the island. East Sooke Regional Park is an amazing day break from city life. At 1436 hectares and around 50km of hiking trails, the hours can slip away. While hiking through thick temperate rainforest you can all of a sudden be at the Pacific Ocean. I only saw little bit of the park and I was amazed. Another bonus is that I had the park almost all to myself excluding the two other people I went with.
Unfortunately there are some problems within the park. People use the park to have "grow ops" which can sometimes be booby trapped. As long as you stay on the trails you will have nothing to worry about. Trust me, this is not enough to worry you once you are in the park. Leave a Comment
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Paradise Meadows, top if Mount Washington
A beautiful hike for the whole family or can also be an excellent challenge for the more serious hiker. From 3hr. hikes to 3day hikes depending on which routes you dcide to take. There are maps of all the different trails, outhouses along the way, lots of wild life, great for bird watchers Leave a Comment
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