This 12 mile, 22 obstacle course was designed by British Special Forces and will definitely test your physical endurance. Around 15,000 people participated at the event held out in the Callaghan Valley at the site of the Cross Country and biathlon events of the 2010 Olympic Games.
There is an age limit on participants so it is not entirely a family event, and it was difficult for spectators to get to the majority of the obstacles so they did not get to catch a lot of their friends and family.
If you are an outdoor adrenaline enthusiast or like a challenge then this is the event for you.
Rating: 3.5/5
Thoughts: Lost a couple of points for the fact that a family could not enjoy the event but it is something to try once. Although the cost is high for participating, the proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Website: http://www.toughmudder.com
Wednesday 27 June 2012
Sea to Sky Highway
Great views and lots of wildlife can be seen along this stretch of road that takes you from ocean-side Squamish all the up high into the mountain ski resort of Whistler. Lots of viewpoints along this route give you plenty of information on the local history and provide stunning scenery for pictures.
Trip Time: 1 hour
Distance: 60 km
4/5
Although most of the way is 2 lanes it does drop down to 1 often enough to trap you behind a slow moving vehicle
Trip Time: 1 hour
Distance: 60 km
4/5
Although most of the way is 2 lanes it does drop down to 1 often enough to trap you behind a slow moving vehicle
Monday 25 June 2012
Whistler
Located in the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia, and just two hours north of Vancouver, Whistler is Canada’s premier, year-round destination. Consistently ranked the number one mountain resort in North America, Whistler features two majestic mountains, epic skiing and snowboarding, four championship golf courses, more than 200 shops, 90 restaurants and bars, accommodation galore, hiking trails, spas and arguably the best mountain bike park in the world.
Activities:Lots of outdoor activities to do here, from biking, hiking, golf, and fishing in the summer, to skiing, sledding, climbing and snow-shoeing in the winter.
5/5
Events:
Famous for big events such as Crankworks, Tough Mudder, and many more this place always has something going on. Although most events are family friendly they tend to attract a rowdier crowd most of the time especially during the evenings but there is always something to do with the family at all times during the year.
4.5/5
View:
Plenty of hiking and great views. Even if you manage to hike everywhere in Whistler there is always something new within a 30 minute drive. Plenty of wildlife and scenery.
5/5
Accommodations:
Plenty of accommodations in and around the village where everything is centrally located and within walking distance. Unless you find a deal though you will be paying a premium price on all lodging here.
3.5/5
Food & Shopping:
Again a great selection of dining and small local shops but you will have to pay a little bit more. Also during an event with a lot of people in town you must be prepared to wait a little bit for you seat and service.
3/5
Visit-ability:
A must see place that has a lot to offer. Even if it is just a day trip to see some of the views and take a quick walk around the village, but would be better experienced over a few days. One could easily spend a week here.
5/5
Total Rating: 26/30
Thoughts: This is a great place to visit. One of my personal favourites except for the cost.
Website: http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com
1
Activities:Lots of outdoor activities to do here, from biking, hiking, golf, and fishing in the summer, to skiing, sledding, climbing and snow-shoeing in the winter.
5/5
Events:
Famous for big events such as Crankworks, Tough Mudder, and many more this place always has something going on. Although most events are family friendly they tend to attract a rowdier crowd most of the time especially during the evenings but there is always something to do with the family at all times during the year.
4.5/5
View:
Plenty of hiking and great views. Even if you manage to hike everywhere in Whistler there is always something new within a 30 minute drive. Plenty of wildlife and scenery.
5/5
Accommodations:
Plenty of accommodations in and around the village where everything is centrally located and within walking distance. Unless you find a deal though you will be paying a premium price on all lodging here.
3.5/5
Food & Shopping:
Again a great selection of dining and small local shops but you will have to pay a little bit more. Also during an event with a lot of people in town you must be prepared to wait a little bit for you seat and service.
3/5
Visit-ability:
A must see place that has a lot to offer. Even if it is just a day trip to see some of the views and take a quick walk around the village, but would be better experienced over a few days. One could easily spend a week here.
5/5
Total Rating: 26/30
Thoughts: This is a great place to visit. One of my personal favourites except for the cost.
Website: http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com
1
Friday 22 June 2012
New Westminster
The original province capital is laden with history. Everywhere you go you will find information about our provinces history.
Activities:
Being located in the centre of the city there is not a lot of space for a ton of outdoor activites, but you can find some nice walks and along the river or through historical sites and parks like Sapperton and Queens Park. You can also find the market at the quay down on the river that provides a bit of shopping and culture.
2.5/5
Events:
Other than the usual holiday events there is not much more that goes on here.
1/5
View:
Most places in New West will give you great views of either the river or mountains. Being in the city you are limited to birds as your wildlife though.
3/5
Accommodations:
A couple of hotels and B&B's that are affordable make it a decent place to spend some time, but your choices are limited.
2.5/5
Dinning & Shopping:
With plenty of speciality shops this is a great place to visit and spend a day. Plenty of small international cuisine restaurants to choose from as well with good food and prices.
4/5
Visit-ability:
You could spend a day here and be happy that you saw it, but I don't know how much longer one could be a tourist here.
4/5
Total Rating: 17/30
Thoughts: I am personally a fan of New Westminster with its local shopping and small shops along with the short walks in the area. This combined with the history of our provinces first capital city make it a must see for at least a day.
Website: http://www.newwestcity.ca
Activities:
Being located in the centre of the city there is not a lot of space for a ton of outdoor activites, but you can find some nice walks and along the river or through historical sites and parks like Sapperton and Queens Park. You can also find the market at the quay down on the river that provides a bit of shopping and culture.
2.5/5
Events:
Other than the usual holiday events there is not much more that goes on here.
1/5
View:
Most places in New West will give you great views of either the river or mountains. Being in the city you are limited to birds as your wildlife though.
3/5
Accommodations:
A couple of hotels and B&B's that are affordable make it a decent place to spend some time, but your choices are limited.
2.5/5
Dinning & Shopping:
With plenty of speciality shops this is a great place to visit and spend a day. Plenty of small international cuisine restaurants to choose from as well with good food and prices.
4/5
Visit-ability:
You could spend a day here and be happy that you saw it, but I don't know how much longer one could be a tourist here.
4/5
Total Rating: 17/30
Thoughts: I am personally a fan of New Westminster with its local shopping and small shops along with the short walks in the area. This combined with the history of our provinces first capital city make it a must see for at least a day.
Website: http://www.newwestcity.ca
Wednesday 20 June 2012
Maple Ridge
http://www.mapleridge.ca
Although it is located in the city it definitely has the small town feel to it.
Located between Pitt Meadows and Mission it is close enough to the city centre to take advantage of the big events that Vancouver draws but you still get the quiet serenity of small towns.
It seems there is always a festival or event happening and quite a few people always show up. This combined with the golf, paintball, parks and vast dyke system to walk along there is always something to do.
Although it is located in the city it definitely has the small town feel to it.
Located between Pitt Meadows and Mission it is close enough to the city centre to take advantage of the big events that Vancouver draws but you still get the quiet serenity of small towns.
It seems there is always a festival or event happening and quite a few people always show up. This combined with the golf, paintball, parks and vast dyke system to walk along there is always something to do.
Tuesday 19 June 2012
Halu Sushi: Maple Ridge
Good food and decent prices. Some different rolls, I am a big fan of the Cones they have. Hard to catch them open though.
Pros
Food is ok and prices are good.
Cons
Not always open, they have strange (well to me) hours.
Overall
3.5 / 5
Not open when I need them.
Phone: 604.460.1886
Address:
20395 Lougheed Hwy, #506
Maple Ridge, BC
V2X 2P9
Hours:
Sun - Closed
Mon - Sat 11:30 am - 3:00 pm / 4:30-10:00 pm
Overall
3.5 / 5
Not open when I need them.
Phone: 604.460.1886
Address:
20395 Lougheed Hwy, #506
Maple Ridge, BC
V2X 2P9
Hours:
Sun - Closed
Mon - Sat 11:30 am - 3:00 pm / 4:30-10:00 pm
Monday 18 June 2012
Shinobi Japanese Restaurant: Maple Ridge
Great food and decent prices. A good variety of rolls and sashimi. Nice open and friendly atmosphere in the restaurant and 10% discount for pickup over $20 and free delivery for over $40.
Pros
Great tasting food.
Cons
Not that it is expensive but not the cheapest place.
Overall
4.5 / 5
This is our favourite sushi restaurant in Maple Ridge.
Website: http://www.shinobisushi.com
Phone: 604.466.1811
Address:
11867 224th Street
Maple Ridge, BC
V2X 6B1
Trip Advisor Rating:
Pros
Great tasting food.
Cons
Not that it is expensive but not the cheapest place.
Overall
4.5 / 5
This is our favourite sushi restaurant in Maple Ridge.
Website: http://www.shinobisushi.com
Phone: 604.466.1811
Address:
11867 224th Street
Maple Ridge, BC
V2X 6B1
Trip Advisor Rating:
- 3 reviews of Shinobi Sushi in Maple Ridge
Friday 15 June 2012
Qualicum Beach
This small town is nothing short of breathtaking. A great place to spend a couple of days enjoying outdoor activities such as golf, swimming, hiking and touring the small shops of down town or ocean side. We spent a couple of days here for a wedding and it was not nearly enough time to take in its full beauty. A great place to visit that is not quite as busy as close by Parksville.
http://www.qualicumbeach.com
http://www.qualicumbeach.com
Thursday 14 June 2012
Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course: Qualicum Beach
Nice 9 hole course just off the ocean. Very reasonably priced and friendly staff. We had a group of 6 and played 3 ball best ball and there was no fuss about the large group. It was a relatively easy course with minimal water hazards and only a few green-side bunkers and open fairways.
I would definately recommend this course to someone who wants a nice relaxing nine
Website: http://www.golfqualicum.ca
Phone: 250.752.6312
Fax: 250.752.6550
469 Memorial Ave.
Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, BC
I would definately recommend this course to someone who wants a nice relaxing nine
Website: http://www.golfqualicum.ca
Phone: 250.752.6312
Fax: 250.752.6550
469 Memorial Ave.
Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, BC
Old Dutch Inn: Qualicum Beach
Although a decent looking hotel with a phenomenal view, it fell short in a few areas.
Pros
The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Price was decent for location and view.
Cons
The tub had the start of mold and the sink was chipped. Our breakfast was free because it consisted of toast and coffee as the chef did not feel like showing up. Service in the attached restaurant was slow. Roof in the pool area looked like it was in the middle of repairs from water damage.
Overall
2.5/5
It was just below what could be expected for the price and location.
Website: http://www.olddutchinn.com
Phone: 250.752.6914
1.800.661.0199
Fax: 250.752.6910
2690 Island Highway West.
Qualicum Beach, B.C.
V9K 1G8 Canada.
Pros
The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Price was decent for location and view.
Cons
The tub had the start of mold and the sink was chipped. Our breakfast was free because it consisted of toast and coffee as the chef did not feel like showing up. Service in the attached restaurant was slow. Roof in the pool area looked like it was in the middle of repairs from water damage.
Overall
2.5/5
It was just below what could be expected for the price and location.
Website: http://www.olddutchinn.com
Phone: 250.752.6914
1.800.661.0199
Fax: 250.752.6910
2690 Island Highway West.
Qualicum Beach, B.C.
V9K 1G8 Canada.
Thursday 7 June 2012
BC Ferries - Queen of Oak Bay
Nothing special, just a ferry with the usual restaurant and gift shop, kids play area and an old school arcade.
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