Bonding with Friends on a Vancouver Beach

Well for our warm weathered friends we will get you all heated up with the thoughts of a warm sandy beach. In the Vancouver region many visitors are unaware that the coastline on the mainland is lined with some great beaches. Yes… it is true it is not all cement and concrete in Vancouver.

Beaches in the Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley region are popular activity destinations during the summer months. And they are not that far off.

The sandy beaches are popular for swimming, beachcombing, sightseeing, sunbathing and for launching marine activities like boating, canoeing, kayaking and water skiing.

The Metro Vancouver beaches are located close enough together that visitors can visit many beaches in one day. Why not go crazy and beach it for the whole day. Life is short so enjoy yourself.

The beaches located throughout the Fraser Valley are community and park based beaches therefore they tend to be separated by longer distances and are considered more as destination beaches.

Each sandy beach destination provides a different experience and an assortment of amenities. It is important to plan your beach destination based on your activities planned during your stay.

Some beaches have many amenities while others are bare bones. Some of the amenities may include day use picnic areas, washrooms, pit toilets, concession stands, boat launches, life guards, change rooms, BBQ pits, showers, sightseeing benches, playgrounds, spray parks, walking trails and/ or campgrounds.

Some of the best beach destinations in the Metro Vancouver area and throughout the Fraser Valley region are:
- First Beach is located in English Bay in Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Second and Third Beaches are located in Stanley Park in Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Spanish Bank (West, East and Extension Beaches) is located in the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Kitsilano Beach is located in the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada near Burrard Street Bridge.
- Jericho Beach is located in the City of Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Sunset Beach is located at the mouth of False Creek near the neighbourhood of Yaletown in the City of Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Wreck Beach is located on the grounds of the University of British Columbia in the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Ambleside Park beach is located in the community of West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- South Beach in the Buntzen Recreation Area and White Pine Beach in the Belcarra Regional Park are located in Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada.
- Crescent Beach is located in the small community of Crecent Beach, BC which is located in the southern section of the City of Surrey, BC, Canada.
- Boundary Bay Regional Park Centennial Beach is located near the community of Tsawwassen BC, Canada.
- East Beach and West Beach are located in the community of White Rock, BC, Canada.
- Cultus Lake Provincial Park beach is located southwest of the community of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada.
- The main beach in the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada is located on the shores of Harrison Lake.

Biking in Wasagaming Village in Park

Grizzly while hiking in Riding Moountain National Park

Elk in the park village of Wasagaming

Riding Mountain National Park is one of the major recreation parks located in the province of Manitoba, Canada. The park was first established in 1933 making it Manitoba`s first national park. However, the park was declared a forest reserve as far back as 1895.

Riding Mountain National Park is located on the western side of Manitoba, Canada in the Parkland Region. The parkland is situated just south of the community of Dauphin and north of the community of Neepawa. To the east is Lake Manitoba.

Riding Mountain National Park measures over 3078 square kilometres. The east gate which welcomes people into the park is a National Historic Site built in the 1930s. It is the last national park log entrance still standing in Canada.

Once in the park there are many different eco systems in play. There are boreal forests, wildflower meadows, aspen parklands, prairie grasslands, deciduous forests and wetlands, lakes and marshes.

The national park is a prime wildlife viewing destination with over 400 kilometres of recreation trails and scenic roads. There are over 260 bird species in the park, as well as, sightings of deer, elk, moose, beaver, black bear, wolf, coyote and buffalo.

On the south end of the park, near Lake Audy, is a wildlife sanctuary housing a heard of Plains Bison. The buffalo are protected in a closed environment measuring 15 square kilometres. There are viewing areas with exhibits detailing the bison and the history of the prairie grasslands.

The park is a major year round destination for activity and adventure. During the summer months the park is popular for hiking, backpacking, wilderness camping (19 campsites), drive-in camping, mountain biking, cycling. fishing, boating, water skiing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, picnicking, windsurfing, horseback riding and birdwatching.

The most popular paddle routes for canoeing lakes in the park are the Clear, Katherine, Whirlpool and Bob Hill Lakes. The most popular fishing lakes include Clear, Whirlpool, Grayling, Moon and Audy Lakes. The fishing is for lake trout, northern pike, perch, walleye and whitefish.

There are over 400 kilometres (250 mi.) of summer recreation trails in the Riding Mountain National Park. There are day trails and there are long haul backpacking, horseback riding trails.

Some of the day trails to consider include the Gorge Creek (6.4 km one-way); Arrowhead (3.4 km return); Bead Lakes (4 km return); Moon Lake (9.2 km return); Beach Ridges (3.5 return) and the Grey Owl Trail (8.9 km one-way). Grey Owl hikes to a cabin where the naturalist lived for 6 months in 1931.

If you like to backpack and horseback ride deep into the wilderness and enjoy camping in a rustic wilderness campsite in the bush then the Riding Mountain National Park is your ticket. Most of the trails are shared trails for backpacking and horseback riding.

Some of the more popular long haul wilderness routes include the Birdtail (11.4 km one-way); Grasshopper Valley (21 km one-way); Strathclair (23 km one-way); Tilson Lake (38.6 km one-way); North Escarpment (8.5 km one-way); Orche River (25 km one-way) and the South Escarpment Trail (32 km one-way).

After the snow falls and the lakes freeze over the Riding Mountain National Park is a winter adventure destination for snow activities like cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and ice fishing.

There are over 400 kilometres (250 mi.) of summer recreation trails, over 260 kilometres (163 mi.) of xc ski trails and over 50 kilometres of snowshoe trails in the park. Along the winter trails are warming huts. Some of the best xc ski trails are the Oak Ridge and Scott Creek Trails located on the eastern side of the park… and the Moose Lake Trail in the southwest corner of the park.

Wasagaming is the village in the Riding Mountain National Park located on the south side of Clear Lake. Take some time to get to know the village by exploring the 1 kilometre one-way trail on the shore of Clear Lake.

Wasagaming village enjoys many services including accommodations, campground, restaurants, guided tours (hiking, horseback riding and wagon tours), ice cream stand, museum, theatre, coffee houses, bakery, gas station, grocery store, gift shops, laundromat, park office, ATM and golf course.

Most of the ski destinations are full service ski resorts with gondolas and chair lifts servicing a wide selection of ski runs. There are double black diamond (difficult) and blue (moderate) ski runs exploring snow bowls, mountain faces and cliffs while dodging trees and navigating moguls. And there are green ski runs (easy going bunny hills) for the beginner and small children near the main lodges and services.

Most of the ski hills provide snowboard terrain parks (Jib Parks). The snowboard parks are equipped with a skills area and some include a half pipe. Skill areas include apparatus like high banks, rails, stairs, drops and jumps. Many terrain parks include inter-changable parts so the park changes on a regular basis.

The length of the ski and snowboard season varies depending on weather. A lot depends on how quick the snow arrives on the mountains and how long it sticks around. In general the ski season usually begins in late December and runs until late April.

The downhill ski destinations provide services which enable skiers to enjoy the alpine environment for a day or for weeks. Many of the ski hills provide the basics of downhill skiing services like ski lessons, ski rentals, first aid, concession and a warming lodge.

The larger downhill ski resorts are like communities with many services. The ski resorts enjoy services like accommodations, spas, tours, lodges, restaurants, liquor stores, grocery stores, pubs, retail stores, entertainment, coffee houses, day care, access to other activities and more.

Some of the more popular ski and snowboard destinations located in the Metro Vancouver area and throughout the Fraser Valley region are:

Manning Park includes 24 runs for downhill skiing and snowboarding and it is located east of Hope, British Columbia, Canada.
Grouse Mountain includes 26 runs for downhill skiing and 2 terrain parks for snowboarding and it is located near North Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Cypress Provincial Park near West Vancouver, BC, Canada includes 53 runs for skiing and 1 snowboarding terrain park.
Hemlock Valley near the community of Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs, BC, Canada includes 35 runs and 1 snowboard terrain park.
Mount Seymour Park includes 39 ski runs and 4 snowboard terrain parks and it is located near North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Another nearby destination popular for skiing and snowboarding is the mountain village of Whistler, BC, Canada. (www.WhistlerEH.com)

Bike to Work on Route Nouvelle France in Quebec City

Wildlife Bird Sanctuary

This year we are throwing it out there and challenging all of you to commit to 1 or more green New Years’ Resolution from our list below. Many are very simple, some take effort, some take will and determination – all are baby steps to a better lifestyle, a healthier lifestyle, a greener lifestyle.

I will volunteer to participate in a local environmental cleanup or restoration project.

I will visit a national wildlife refuge, wildlife rehabilitation clinic or wildlife sanctuary. I will support the regeneration of wildlife species, endangered species and injured species. Most refuges, clinics and sanctuaries charge a small fee and some are free and appreciate a small donation.

I will start a recycling program in my household.

I will start using cloth shopping bags and not plastic bags when I go shopping.

I will shut the lights off when I leave a room.

I will not leave the tap running when I brush my teeth, shave or remove my make-up.

Instead of walking with my head down avoiding eye contact, I will share a smile with a complete stranger.

I will reduce my showers to under 5 minutes.

I will fix that leaky faucet, draft under the door or replace that single pane window. I will start to make my home more energy efficient.

I will park my car and enter the coffee shop or restaurant on foot instead of waiting in a long drive thru line up with my motor running.

I will spade or neuter my pet this year.

I will donate some time or resources to a cause saving wildlife, forests, parks, trails, historic sites, rivers, lakes, oceans or something else dear to my heart.

I will stop buying bottled water and start using water bottles.

I will plant a vegetable garden this year and eat healthier.

I will commit to a car pool program or make an effort to work public transit into my weekly routine.

I will walk or ride a bike instead of using my car for short distances.

I will bring a coffee mug into a coffee shop instead of using a paper coffee cup from the cafe.

I will be a big enough person to pick up after an idiot who litters on the streets of my community.

I will reduce putting harmful chemicals into the water system by switching my laundry detergent to an environmental brand which are plant-based, concentrated or biodegradable.

I will use “safe” salts on my driveway and walkway this winter so that animals won’t get their feet burned and harmful chemicals will not be washed down into the sewer system.

I will wash more clothes in cold water. If the clothes are real dirty I will wash them in warm instead of hot. Over 90 percent of the energy to run your washer is used for heating the water.

I will set up a clothes line in the back yard for drying clothes in the summer. In many households the second largest energy wasting device is your clothes dryer.

I will not flush any old and unused prescription drugs down the toilet and be one of those people who contributes to an already overmedicated environment. I will return my unused drugs to my pharmacist.

I will add a sweater or bundle up with my loved one under a blanket instead of turning up the thermostat a few degrees in the winter and… I will create a cool breeze from a fan instead of turning on the air conditioner in the summer.

I will switch from a bank to a credit union. The idea is that many big banks invest your money in dirty projects like mines in developing nations and that credit unions invest your money locally promoting greener projects.

I will buy locally-grown food and support local farmers.

I will enjoy the great outdoors more this year by visiting a community, regional, provincial or national park that I have never been to or… I will visit one that is located in a neighboring community.

I will clean up every spill of harmful fluids like radiator fluid and oil from my car to prevent animals from drinking the poison.

If I decide on adopting a pet I will visit the animal shelter first to see if I can save a life.

I will shop consignment stores, garage sales and thrift shops. Drop the ego… I think it’s time to grow up as a society and be responsible and get past that mental blockage that it’s “not cool” to purchase pre-owned items. It is time to reuse, reuse and reuse.

I will plant a tree. Trees remove CO2 from the air and produce oxygen. One acre of forest absorbs six tons of CO2 and produces 4 tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people.

I will start a backyard compost. Did you know mixing all garbage into one garbage bag makes the paper un-recyclable. Garbage in a landfill turns into methane gas. Garbage sent to an incinerator turns into carbon dioxide. Both methane and carbon dioxide are greenhouse gases. Garbage which is composted returns carbon and plant nutrients back into the earth where they belong.

I will do something about the junk mail I receive like unwanted catalogues and flyers. I will make a request to be put on a no mailing list for junk mail.

And most important, I will remind myself every day that I am not the only person on this planet that matters.