Hike to Kennedy Falls, North Vancouver, BC, Canada
This year’s hiking season started with a short hike to Kennedy Falls located in North Vancouver. It was a simple, straightforward hike, a good first one for the year.
British Columbia
A Weekend on the Water: 3-Day Houseboat Adventure on Shuswap Lake, BC, Canada
As the boat hummed along, cutting across the calm waters of the lake, I looked outside the window to take in the view. Swathes of trees on the land passed by, broken only by big rocks scattered here and there. The sky was crystal blue with no winds blowing. At the front, the lake stretched far away bordered by distant low hills. I could spot another houseboat which only looked like a speck on the horizon. My binoculars gave me a better view. Inside the boat, Ram and Akshaya were at the steering wheel, navigating the boat while chatting, Dwaraka was reading a book and Divu was taking a nap. The gentle rocking of the boat was lulling me into sleep as well. It was all so relaxing and calming. We were on a 3 Day houseboat trip in the Shuswap Lake near Sicamous, BC, which calls itself the houseboat capital of Canada.
Yale Historic Site and Hells Gate Airtram, BC, Canada
Did you know that just a short drive from Vancouver, there once existed a town straight out of the Wild West, complete with rowdy saloons and frequent gunfights? During the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush during the 1850s, Yale, which is only 175 kms from Vancouver, used to be a hub of lawlessness and violence. Today its a little town of around 150 people but at its peak during the gold rush its population was around 15000. The reason for its prominence at that time was because of its excellent location. It was situated at the head of river navigation and was also the start of the Cariboo Wagon Road, which is equivalent of todays Highway 1. One fine sunny day in September, I drove over to see for myself the excellently preserved historic site here.
Kilby Historic Site, Harrison Mills, BC, Canada
Kilby Historic Site is a beautifully preserved group of old buildings near the town of Harrison Mills some 100 kms from Vancouver. On a sleepy weekend in September I drove over there on a whim. The drive to Kilby through Highway 7 was pleasant. I like that route as its away from heavy traffic and also passes through some amazing scenery. The area around Harrison Mills used to be the home of the Scowlitz and Chehalis people from time immemorial.
A Visit to BC Vintage Truck Museum, Cloverdale, BC, Canada
While driving in Surrey, BC one day, I noticed a board with the letters ‘BC Vintage Truck Museum’ on the side of the road. I made a mental to visit it sometime. That sometime finally came up last month when I drove over there on a weekend. The Museum is located in the historic neighborhood of Cloverdale.
A morning at the Seaspan Shipyards Open House, North Vancouver, BC, Canada.
A couple of months ago I had the opportunity to attend an open house at the Seaspan Shipyards in Vancouver, thanks to my friend Sunil. He had arranged a ticket for me along with some of his other friends. Seaspan is a ship building company based in North Vancouver which, along with lots of other work, also builds ships for the Canadian Coast Guard.
An afternoon at the Canadian Museum of Flight, Langley, BC, Canada
A visit to the amazing Canadian Museum of Flight in Langley, BC, Canada.
River Rafting in Chilliwack River, BC, Canada
‘You interested in Chilliwack river rafting?’ texted my friend, Ram, a couple of months ago. I am not the one to say no to adventure plans, so I replied in the affirmative esp. since gathering a group for an activity like this is such a task.
Stepping back in time at the British Columbia Railway Museum, Squamish, BC, Canada
A visit to the spectacular Railway Museum of British Columbia in Squamish, BC, Canada.
Camping in Garibaldi Provincial Park, BC, Canada
It was a hot day. The sun was shining bright and in full force. I was sitting outside my tent, at the edge of my tent pad, taking in the view. I was camping at Helm creek campground, high up in the Garibaldi Mountain Ranges, along with two of my friends. As I looked around I could see the massive face of the Black Tusk mountain jutting out of the mountains surrounding the campsite, its black surface in stark contrast to the layers of white snow all around. More closer, the campsite, which was a nice meadow like grassy field, was surrounded by Douglas fir trees all around. Right beside my tent pad ran a small creek, which made that hypnotizing sound of flowing water.