Hayward Lake: Mission

Overview:

Many recreational activities can be enjoyed in the area, from boating, fishing and swimming, to picnicking, hiking and mountain biking.

Thoughts: 
This little area is one of the best beaches around.  It is a bit bigger than the others in the area and the sand is great right out into the water with minimal rocks.  Large beach area and large grass with plenty of picnic tables.  The grass had both trees for shade and open field for sun and activities.

There is a bathroom / change room near the parking lot that was relatively clean and a non-motorized boat launch area.  Right at the base of the Stave Falls Power House, the water is fed down from Stave lake keeping it very clean and a little brisk.

A large parking lot with overflow parking on the Stave Falls Power house side and a walk along a short path.

Pros:
Close to the city but far enough out that it is not always busy.  The sand is great and goes out into the water with minimal rocks to step on.

Cons:
Parking lot is a bit of a hike from the beach/picnic area and the park gates close at 8:45 so you must make sure you are starting to pack up if you go for a later dinner.

Website: https://www.bchydro.com/community/recreation_areas/hayward_lake.html

Miki Sushi Japanese Bistro: Burnaby

Thoughts:

Nice decor and decent looking. The price was on the cheaper side but you get what you pay for. The rolls had minimal filling and a lot of rice. The seaweed wrap was very chewy.

I don't think this is a place I would try again with better choices in the area.

Pros:
Nice restaurant and cheaper priced menu.

Cons:
Food could definitely have been better.

Contact Info:
#1 4461 Logheed Hwy
Burnaby BC

Phone: 604.299.2798

Peace Portal Golf Course: Surrey

Overview:
The Peace Portal Golf Course located in White Rock/ Surrey, British Columbia, near Vancouver and Seattle. Established in 1928, Peace Portal has achieved a 4 star rating by Golf Digest and a "Top 100 Public Course in Canada" by Canada's Golf Ranking Magazine.

Thoughts:
Great course and well maintained.  The course started out nice and open with the tree line being very playable to progressively getting harder with the addition of some water hazards towards the end of the course.

Grounds:
Well kept greens and fairways, it was hard to find any problems with the course.  In some areas of the rough the drainage could have been a little better but that is really just looking for something to complain about.

Staff:
The clubhouse staff and cafeteria staff were friendly and nice.  Did not see a snack cart on the course though, could have been the time of day but I am not sure.

Amenities:
Nice Clubhouse and patio. As well there looked to be a cafeteria and bar side to the restaurant. There was a chipping and putting green but no range for warm up.

Facility:
Large clubhouse with pro shop and restaurant and patio.

Price: 
Weekend ( Saturday, Sunday & Holidays): $66.00
Weekend Twilight (after 3 pm): $49.00
Weekend Super Twilight (after 5 pm): $31.00
Weekend Sundowner    (after 6 pm): $25.00
Weekend Super Sundowner (after 7 pm): $18.00

Dawn Patrol (before 8am Monday to Friday): $45.00
Weekday (Monday & Tuesday): $52.00
Weekday (Wednesday -Friday): $56.00
Weekday Twilight (after 3 pm): $43.00
Weekday Super Twilight (after 5 pm): $28.00
Weekday Sundowner    (after 6 pm): $22.00
Weekday Super Sundowner (after 7 pm): $15.00

SENIOR RATES (60 years and older)
Weekday (Monday & Tuesday): $47.00
Weekday (Wednesday-Friday): $49.00

JUNIOR RATES (18 years and younger)
Weekend: $49.00
Weekend twilight: $31.00
Weekday: $43.00
Weekday Twilight and Dawn Patrol: $28.00

Course Type:
Parkland | Public | 18

Par:
72

Pros:
Well kept grounds and open treeline make finding and playing your ball fun and easy.

Cons:
Long ways out there being right at the border.  Unless your in the White Rock area it is a bit of a drive.

Contact Information:
16900 4th Avenue
Surrey, BC, V3S 2Y9

Phone: 604-538-4818
Toll Free: 1-800-354-7544
Fax: 604-538-5232

Website: http://www.peaceportalgolf.com/
Email: golf@peaceportalgolf.com

Critter Care Wildlife Society: Langley

Overview:

Critter Care Wildlife Society specializes in the treatment, care and release of sick, injured and orphaned Native Mammal species of British Columbia's Southern and Lower Mainland. They are the only facility in BC specializing in the care of mammals and one of only four Bear Rehab facilities in the province.

Thoughts:
This is a very good place for wildlife rehabilitation.  Because of their work with animals though they are only open for tours one weekend a year to minimize human interaction.  There was a few animals that could be seen while not on the tour but the majority of animals could only be seen on the tour. The tour was good and informative but seemed rushed because of the number of people that were moved through.

There was a cost of $2 per adult and kids were free. But once inside everything else cost other than the tour. About 25% of the proceeds go to the shelter.

Other than tour there was not really much else to do unless you got there later when the dog or horse shows were on. The rest seemed more like a farmers market.

It is definitely worth while going for the tour and learning about the animals and the society. The kids will get to see baby animals and learn about them and it helps support the society and the animals they help.

Pros:
Learned about local animals and how they are helped. Reasonably priced and does not need to take all day.

Cons:
Unless you bring extra cash there is not much you can buy. Was a long ways out and did not spend a long time there, plan to do other stuff while out that way.

Price:
$2 Adults
Kids free

Hours:
11 am - 4pm 1 weekend in July

Contact Information:

481 - 216th Street

Langley, BC

V2Z 1R6

Phone: 604-530-2064

Fax: 604-532-2009

e-mail: info@crittercarewildlife.org

website: http://www.crittercarewildlife.org/

Exit: Richmond

Overview:
EXIT has four themed rooms: The Lost Ship, Ancient Egypt, Prison Escape and Laboratory Escape. Groups of anywhere from two to six people have 45 minutes to figure out how to get out by using critical thinking skills to solve challenges and riddles.

Thoughts:
A great idea and very well executed. The 4 different themes offer a good variety for returning groups. The rooms are small and hard to move around in with 6 people, but it is not cramped if everyone spreads out. The clues were sometimes hard to find and it was definitely better to have 6 people that may come across the answer. Although not overly expensive at $25 per person it would have been nice to make an evening out of it somehow as the time limit of 45 minutes almost seems not worth the drive in from far even though it was.

Pros:
Fun and able to do as a group of 6. Not too expensive per person and very challenging.

Cons:
Nothing else really around in the area and hard to make an evening of it, must plan to go out after or before.

Price:
$25 per person

Hours:
Mon - Thur: 3:00pm - 11:45pm
Fri: 2:00pm - 11:45pm
Sat: 11:00am - 1:45am
Sun: 11:00am - 11:45pm

Contact Information:
Shop 2115
4653 Garden City Road
Richmond, BC
V6X 4A9

Phone: 604.370.5555
Email:  info@e-exit.ca

Website: http://www.e-exit.ca

Britannia Mine Museum: Britannia Beach

Overview:

Last century, it was a working mine. It turned out massive amounts of copper and other minerals. Now, it's a multi award-winning Museum, turning out awe-inspiring sights and memorable family experiences. So much to see and do. Pan for real gold! Rumble aboard our mine train as it rolls into the dark. Learn from informative but informal tour guides. Come on up.

Britannia Mine Museum in Britannia Beach

Thoughts:

This was a nice place to spend a couple of hours.  Although it is also called BC Mining Museum it really was only about the Britannia Mine and didn't really have any other mining information there.  The tour was very cool with a short underground train ride with a couple of stops to show different aspects of underground mining. It was good for kids of all ages although the hard hats for the underground tour didn't really fit small children.

It would have been nice to see a bit more of the mining operations building but due to insurance issues you are limited to the ground floor.

Pros:
Informative and interactive, not too large but a good place to stop for a couple of hours.  The price is reasonable and lots too see.  The gold panning offers a variety of gems, gold and fools gold which you get to keep if you find (included in price). Was fun for all ages.

Cons:

Its a fair ways from most places.  Don't get to see the inside of the mine building. Hard hats did not fit small children (3 and under) although they were still allowed on the tour with their oversize hats.

Price:

Adult $25.00

Senior (65+) $21.00

Youth (13-18) $21.00

Child (5-12) $17.00

Preschool (4 & under) FREE

Daily Family (2 adults/3 children) $92.00

Hours:
The Museum site is open from 9:00 AM to 6 PM daily with 45 minute guided tours offered throughout the day. The Gift Shop is open from 9:00 AM to 6 PM.

Contact Information:

PO Box 188

Britannia Beach, BC V0N 1J0

We are located on the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99), north of Vancouver.

Toll free: 1-800-896-4044 - press 0

Phone: 1-604-896-2233 - press 0

Fax: 1-604-896-2260

Email: company.store@bcmm.ca

Website: http://www.britanniaminemuseum.ca/