Stories

Our objective is to bring our readers and followers stories about people and places that will enlighten and inspire. 

Somebody, or probably a lot of them at the front of the pack are probably grinding their gears as hard as they can to take the lead. Me? I’m MAYBE near the middle of a long line of brightly dressed cyclists. I’m happily keeping a pace that allows me to look around and enjoy the view. While they dash for the destination, I’m happy on the journey. Participating in a Gran Fondo cycling event, is a great way for cyclists of every ability to enjoy the freedom of the highway where friendly volunteers fuel you and cheer you on.

Somewhere between being shot out of the waterslide like a cannon ball and jumping off the top deck into shimmering Shuswap Lake, we declare houseboating our new favourite way to vacation.

“This whole area is one fantastic, giant archeological site,” Candace Campo told me as we convened near the picnic area of Porpoise Bay Provincial Park on the Sunshine Coast.

Candace, who was wearing a beautifully woven cedar headband, explained the entire park area is a traditional Sechelt First Nation village site, filled with resources, history, and even her own childhood memories.

Roxanne Jerema’s journey from working as a taxidermist in land-locked Saskatchewan to running a fishing charter on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast are worlds apart.

The project’s premise was simple: one tree equals one sea-worthy canoe built by many hands, some more experienced than others.

As dusk descends, an explosion of violence shatters the tranquility of the world’s largest remaining tract of unspoiled ancient temperate rainforest. The chase is on.

The wind is strong from the east. Our jackets flap, our hair tangles and our invisible scent carries with the wind. If it was our day for driving the buffalo over the edge of the cliff, we’d go hungry. The massive mammals would have smelled us long ago and thundered away. At Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site near Fort McLeod, you find out just how much that buffalo meant for survival for the Blackfoot Nation.

On April 29, 1903 at 4:10 a.m., 82 million tons of rock broke off Turtle Mountain’s summit and came hurtling down on the sleeping town of Frank. While the slide avoided the main part of town, at least 90 people were killed. The Frank Slide Interpretive Centre describes what life was like before, during, and after the disaster, and shares amazing tales of heroism and survival through modern, hands-on exhibits.

“We like to say that Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and the Royal Tyrrell Museum are the battleships, and we are the Royal Yacht,” says Howard Snyder, manager of the Remington Carriage Museum with a twinkle in his eye. There is indeed a regal feeling about this grand building – at 64,000 square feet – full of carriages that have transported dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth II, Pierre Trudeau, and Ulysses S. Grant.

Whew! It’s been hectic! Between rounding up friends and families for festive cheer or blasting through the snow on winter adventures, its been one busy holiday season. You might be tempted to constantly be on the go—even while on a getaway in the mountains. While all those decadent holiday meals may have you wanting to hit the slopes 24/7, it’s just as important to take time for some “Me Time.”

Winter is a tough season for some people to get excited about. It's cold and dark so it takes extra effort to find motivation. Add in the festive season and stress levels peak. Don’t let the season bring you down. Here are our top ways to pick up your mood and hopefully reduce some stress.

Make this the year to finally take that ski holiday in western Canada, because if the early-season snow that’s been consistently falling any indication, you’re in for a treat.

Getting the chance to experience the northern lights is a bucket list item for many people. There is something ethereal and a little bit haunting about the beautiful display of colours and the ephemeral nature of the aurora borealis that causes people to flock to them.

Do we really need to drive into the outback then strap on gear and backpacks to trek 20 kilometres just to stand in awe of amazing scenery? Nope. Check out these awesome hikes with incredible views.

Gord, I was one of those thousands of faces in the crowds at over a dozen of your shows. And, you know what happened every time that can only be described as an electrifying experience that is a Tragically Hip concert?

…with a little lore to help

Is it a fir? Or is it a spruce? Maybe it’s a pine. Maybe we’ll just keep walking and admire the shrubs instead. I don’t know about you, but calling all trees with spikey green needles a Christmas tree doesn’t cut it.

It was a classic British Columbia day with the morning fog hanging in the air, creating a magical atmosphere and making the colours of autumn seem more vibrant. Moments later the sun would peek through.

The drive up to Myra Canyon, just 30 minutes outside of Kelowna B.C., was a bumpy one, so my expectations for our bike ride were that it might get a bit gnarly.

Someone, take my pulse, I thought as we flew over the Okanagan on a gorgeous fall day. My adrenaline was pumping as we were being treated to an awesome aerial perspective flying on a helicopter – without doors – over Mission Hill winery, Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley.