Travel
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.
Four Lakes Trail Hike, Squamish, BC, Canada
Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, it started snowing. At one point I stopped in the middle of a cluster of trees and looked up. The snow was falling, it seemed, as if in slow motion. Some of the snowflakes fell on my face, immediately melting and mildly numbing the skin. Except my group of friends there was nobody around and it was all quiet and still. It felt so peaceful. As Faiz, my friend, remarked later, its for this sense of detachment from the mundane everyday life, that makes hiking so refreshing!