In the first post of the Day Tripping series I talked about the town of Hope being the gateway to holidayland, however it could also be looked at as the gateway to hell.

Although heading north on Highway 1 is actually a quite lovely experience the fiery inferno of Hades is simply a reference to the tumultuous rapids that squeeze through a 110 meter-wide passage between vast vertical chasms in the Fraser Canyon.

Simon Fraser himself (after which the river was named) dubbed the passage as such in 1808 writing in his journal, “surely this is the gate of hell.”

Located just south of Boston Bar, Hell’s Gate itself is a bit of a tourist trap as they have installed an airtram that takes you over the restless river below and to the other side of the canyon. Once across, you can buy maple syrup, stuffed beavers in Mountie outfits, and get your picture taken with large chainsaw-carved animals.

Photo credit: redjar on Flickr

There is a suspension bridge you can cross instead if you’re not afraid of heights, however part of the journey heading up to Hell’s Gate is some of the other attractions along the way.

Driving from Vancouver to Canyon should take about two hours, then it’s probably another 30-40 mins until you reach the Airtram at Hell’s Gate. If you do head up, check out the fish elevators (when you look down because I know you will) those are also pretty cool.

Any good Canadian kid remembers growing up watching The Beachcombers, which took place in Gibsons, BC on the Sunshine Coast.

In recent years I had a moment at the CBC with some memorabilia, and giggled fondly when a posted about Bruno Gerussi’s beard hair in 2006 (link via Darren Barefoot). A focal point of the show and the town is the welcoming sight of Molly’s Reach, but there’s much more to the Sunshine Coast than canned CBC TV archives.

A quick 40 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay will lead you to Langdale terminal, and I must point out (because I’ve been asked countless times) that the all-encompassing Sunshine Coast is not on an island - even though you take a ferry to get there.

Photo credit: Megan Cole on Flickr

For about ten years I attended summer camp in Roberts Creek so I came to know the coast pretty well. Also, my best friend’s grandparents lived over there so once she got her license we’d cruise the strip in Sechelt looking for trouble. Okay, there was no cruising of the strip although I wonder if they have installed an actual stop light since I was there last. But I digress.

The Town of Gibsons has two main commercial areas: Upper Gibsons which has a number of shopping malls, restaurants, services and a light industrial area located on Gibsons Way and Lower Gibsons which is a quaint fishing village with bakeries, cafes, and shops that surround the bustling fishing wharf, a seawalk and the Gibsons Harbour.

Recent developments in the Town include the Downtown Revitalization of Lower Gibsons, a new log wharfinger building and boardwalk over the breakwater, and the development of the Winegarden Waterfront Park. [Gibsons]

The Sunshine Coast towns offer fishing, camping, hiking, gorgeous beaches, boast “an internet savvy population,” and the best part is that the cost of the ferry is only charged one way. Also, you can walk on the ferry at Horsehoe Bay and use the Sunshine Coast Transit System to save money, and the environment during your outing.

Photo credit: Paul Hillsdon on Flickr

In Gibsons you’ll be able to take in a Sunday Market, enjoy Jazz Week from June 7-15, and even the World’s Best Water (that one the “Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting” contest in 2005 [wiki]). It’s come a long way from its Beachcomber days, and I even remember when it got its first Wendy’s/Time Horton’s - that was a pretty big summer for us. Now that the nice weather is creeping up on us, and that one of my dearest friends lives over there, we’ll have to make a point of day tripping to Gibsons in the near future.

Oodles of glorious sunshine being predicted for this weekend gets me thinking about outdoor activities. Should a Metro Vancouverite feel like a mini-escape, perhaps even a multi-hour adventure in a single day, what are the options? I’ve decided to pull from a pool of childhood Sunday drive memories and highlight a few gems in this new series: Day Tripping.

Photo credit: Stephen Rees

Located just over an hour outside of Vancouver, heading East on Hwy 1, you’ll come to the lovely town of Hope (also known as the gateway to holidayland).

Once in Hope you can split off to the Crowsnest Highway, which will take you along Southern BC to the Alberta border, up to the Fraser Canyon along Highway 1 (Trans Canada), or take the 5 along the Coquihalla to Merritt and beyond. More info about regional highways is available at DriveBC. However, there is much benefit to staying in the Hope-land area.

Aside from being a great breakfast spot with amazing mountain views nestled between those evergreen-covered giants, hope is also very historically significant for BC. Located along the Fraser River it was a major pit stop for those gold-rushing up the canyon.

The area I would like to feature is Coquihalla Canyon Park which is more commonly known as the Othello Tunnels. This quintet of railway tunnels, originally part of the Kettle Valley Railway are intertwined with a series of bridges which follow a relatively straight line through a gorge lined with sheer, flat rock cliffs. [TheKettleValleyRailway]

Photo credit: Stephen Rees on Flickr

Trains don’t pass through the tunnels anymore but they’re seriously fun to check out - if you can stand damp darkness and the feeling of being rushed back a hundred years. Here’s an excerpt from a great local resource, FindFamilyFun:

If you have a flashlight, bring it. There are puddles inside the tunnels and I stepped right in the middle of one. In between the tunnels are viewing spots where you can see the Coquihalla River. Be careful, it’s a long way down.

Age group: I saw people from all ages going to the tunnels. You may not enjoy it as much if you don’t like walking (because it takes about 15 minutes to get there), or if you’re scared of the dark.

Oh yes, and there are bats… just so you know.

Photo credit: Stephen Rees on Flickr

We used to go trudging through with my dad (while my mom sat in the car) and always enjoyed the adventure. I haven’t been in about 20 years but it looks like the paths are more cleared away and marked, I recalled saying, “are we supposed to be here?” several times thinking a train was going to rush up behind us at any minute.

In grade 12 for my provincial exam in English our essay theme was “Hope” and I wrote purely about our adventures to Hope and the Othello Tunnels. I’m sure they were looking for something more traditionally inspirational, but seeing my score of 90% lead me to believe the board appreciated my spin.

The Othello Tunnels make a great day trip, and I would also recommend stopping in at Rolly’s in Hope for breakfast on your way out there (if you like the vinyl booth + eggs n’ sausage with never-ending coffee breakfasts like we do). Around the corner on Fraser Street there’s also one of those wooden boards with a space cutout to insert your head on Rambo’s body. Good times.

It’s no secret that we have a strong and proud Asian Heritage in Vancouver, which is one of the reasons why May has been named Asian Heritage Month.

This acknowledges the long and rich history of Asian Canadians and their contributions to Canada. Canada’s cultural diversity strengthens the country socially, politically and economically in innumerable ways. Asian Heritage Month is an ideal occasion for all to celebrate the beauty and wisdom of various Asian cultures. Canadians are invited to take part in the festivities that commemorate the legacy of Asian Canadians and their many contributions which have helped Canada to become the multicultural and diverse nation it is today. [City of Vancouver]

Two years ago John and I met David Suzuki duing the ExplorASIAN festivities and I’ll be posting a bit more about upcoming events around town.

The first installment of this month’s series (even though it’s still only April 30th) comes from a link sent to me over del.icio.us by our globe-trotting friend Henry Lee. It’s about the first Chinese-Canadian to play in the NHL: Larry Kwong.

Born in Vernon, BC, Kwong played for the Trail Smoke Eaters then when noticed by NHL scouts touring BC in the mid 1940s he was picked up by the New York Rovers.

NY Rangers

Seizing the opportunity to play in New York, Kwong registered 19 goals and 37 points in 47 games with the Rovers in 1946-47. In the process, he helped the team nicknamed the Red Shirts win its first Eastern Hockey League title since the pre-World War II era…

…Kwong had been dominating with the Rovers that season and was averaging well over a point per game. This had already made him a popular figure among New York’s Chinese community and his call-up to the NHL made headlines, particularly in Western Canada where he was already something of a folk hero…

…Kwong would play his only game for a Rangers team that barely qualified for the 1948 Stanley Cup playoffs against an even weaker team at the Montreal Forum… …Kwong’s moment on the ice was brief and fleeting — not much longer than one minute — but it was also historic and remains noteworthy 60 years later. [New York Rangers Website]

As much as I’ve never liked the Rangers (mostly since 1994), this story reminds me of Moonlight Graham. Larry Kwong opened the door for countless players of Asian decent (and of any other ethnic background, really) and is remembered to this day as a valuable member of the Rangers alumni.

“His career might have lasted for only a New York minute, but Larry Kwong’s role in hockey history will never be forgotten.”

Nothing beats cruising the open road with the windows down, sun beaming in giving you a farmer tan on your driving arm, and the sound of rockin’ tunes to soundtrack your venture.

I’ve been road tripping since I could drive; I’ve traveled the highways of our Provinces and the Pacific Coast countless times and on every occasion there has been music to inspire my mission to that holidayland destination.

New additions to the playlist this year include Shiny Toy Guns and Against Me! both equally fun in their own right when twisting and turning through those mountain passes and sun-kissed valleys.

Our mini vacations may come to an end but the next time I hear certain tunes it always reminds me of carefree afternoons on the road away from the daily grind and hopefully toward a beach with my man.

As far as wineries go, I would have to say I’ve been around. I’ve done Napa Valley over the course of several days, I’ve been to finest grape-growing regions in France, and I know the Okanagan and Fraser Valley vineyards like the back of my hand. I can swirl, swoosh, sniff, and taste tannins as good as the rest of them and I must say, I simply love coming to the Okanagan.

Our second stop on day two of SuperHappyBollwittTime was at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, which is perched atop a hill just outside of Osoyoos’ city centre, off of Black Sage Road.

Burrowing Owl not only has a handsome wine tasting room, they have a small resort with rooms to let, an enormous swimming pool and a lovely restaurant view never-ending views of the Sonora Desert.

We popped in for a quick sip as the restaurant was closed for a private function, which we assumed was a wedding as a woman was walking around claiming to be the ‘mother of the bride’. There was a selection of 6 wines available for the tasting which was by donation, the suggested amount being $2. The reason for the donation is that aside from supplying the world with a hearty oaky 2005 Meritage they also spread awareness about the protection of the endangered burrowing owl species.

The Burrowing Owl Vineyards and Winery pay tribute to the little native burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), which is currently being reintroduced into the Okanagan Valley. The Valley’s grasslands and sagebrush plains were once a breeding area for these birds.

“Contrary to what their name suggests, these owls don’t burrow” says proprietor Jim Wyse. “They let animals like badgers and gophers do that for them. Then, when the holes are abandoned, the owls move in and set up residence. The reason the owls are no longer found in abundance in this area is that the badgers and gopher populations have been depleted.” [Burrowing Owl]

The winery also has strict policies when it comes to creating a sustainable working vineyard that does as little damage as possible to the sensitive ecosystem in which it lies.

In the summer months (when that gigantic pool is up and running) I think it would be a lovely to getaway and stay in their guest house. Breathtaking views, hot and humid desert air, and all the wine you can handle.

Last year John and I drove past Golden Beaver on our way from Osoyoos to Penticton, however on the way home along Black Sage we totally passed it by. After breakfast we were trying to think of a game plan for today and realized we had yet to visit the winery with the silly name so it became our first stop of the day.

Located on Highway 97 halfway between Osoyoos and Oliver, Golden Beaver Winery is only in its third year but it making quite the impression locally, and internationally. Upon ascending the gravel driveway we were greeted by Stella in the tasting room with 5 bottles of wine ready to be sampled by yours truly.

Golden Beaver prides itself on pushing the envelope when it comes to its varietals, blends and releases. We tasted their Vidal, Pinot Gris, 2006 Merlot (apparently people think they’re crazy for releasing it already), the Pinot Noir Dry Rose, and the super tasty Merlot Vin de Cure.

It was really interesting to not only taste a Pinot Noir Rose but also to experience the crisp clean taste their wine achieves by being unoaked. Also, it was the first time I had tried a Vin de Cure, which was a real treat as Golden Beaver is the only winery in Canada that offers this.

After the tasting we received some excellent recommendations for lunch and other vineyards that might be of interest. On their website it states you can get the Golden Beaver 2006 Pinot Blanc at So.cial at Le Magasin in Gastown, however as we have yet to spot any in local liquor or wine stores we were sure to pick up a bottle (or four).

If you’re in the Okanagan doing the ‘wine tour thing’ I would highly recommend stopping by Golden Beaver. It doesn’t have the elaborate architecture or grandeur of some other places but what they lack in showmanship they definitely make up for in quality and tastiness of their wine.

Day two of SuperHappyBollwittTime will include clear skies and 18 degrees here in Canada’s only pocket desert.

We’re still unsure what’s in store for the Bollwitts but I’m certain it will involve sunshine and mushy things couples that are in love do. That’s right I said it, I’m totally loving this time away with John.

Which reminds me I should get back to the condo since the only internet available to us in town is in this common room. Seriously, we tried the “internet cafe” but that didn’t have wifi, just stations. But who am I to complain? Breakfast at the diner calls! And if anyone’s wondering, I left the keys to the internet with Raul so he’s making sure it stays intact until we return.