As Wendy Weir from Libre Tea once told me, the Sunshine Coast is the “lost corner of the 604″. I used to go to summer camp each year in Roberts Creek and it quite often I’d have people tell me, “have fun on the Island!” The Sunshine Coast is indeed a part of mainland British Columbia and it’s definitely a region worth checking out.

Just a quick ferry trip away, it offers recreation, entertainment, and some amazing natural scenery. The Sunshine Coast also hosts more festivals per capita than any other community in Canada with its main centres being Sechelt, Gibsons, and the Pender Harbour area.

To encourage you to take a trip along an arbutus-lined coastal highway this autumn, I thought that I would highlight some activities going on in the region.

Saturday October 9, 2010

Saturday October 16, 2010

Saturday October 23, 2010

Sunday October 24, 2010

Should you have any additional events to list, please feel free to contact me. And remember, you only need ferry fare one-way as the return trip to Horseshoe Bay has no cost for cars or foot passengers.

The Britannia Mine Museum is re-launching next weekend after a name change (from the BC Mining Museum), refreshed logo, and updated visitor experience on the grounds of the old Britannia Mine, about 10km south of Squamish.

John and I were invited up for the day to check out the grounds, the new buildings, and go underground to see what the life of a miner at Britannia was like.

The mine-site was established as a National Historic Site and a BC Historic Landmark in the early 1970s but it began its life in 1904. It soon grew to become the largest copper mine in the British Empire and at one point, produced 17% of the world’s copper.

The new visitor’s centre leads out into a courtyard of old wooden buildings huddled together with a boardwalk, rocky pathway, and remnants of giant metal machines from an era gone-by.

Heading into the new information centre, the sound of metal-on-rock guides you through a quick corridor featuring equipment and hologram-like shadows of miners. You can duck around a corner to watch their new feature film, which we both really enjoyed. As far as movies in museums go, every bit of information provided was interesting on many levels.

Walking out into a hall you can peek at minerals and precious metals on display; from meteorite to quartz on rhodochrosite. You’ll also learn about how the mine cleaned up its act since it was one of North America’s largest sources of heavy metal pollution (straight into the waters of Howe Sound) for 70 years.

After playing with interactive displays with sliding touch-screens you can head outdoors once again to walk over to the old Administration Building. Here you’ll find an “A-Z” of life at Britannia and at the Mount Sheer townsite. There are antiques, such as old counting machines and drama club trophies and even lost love letters. You’ll quickly notice that the museum focuses on two main aspects; mining (how it works, what it does, how it’s evolved), and life as a miner (history, life, and love in Britannia Beach & the Mount Sheer townsite).

Stories of community gatherings, tales of tragedy, and all that was involved with life in Howe Sound during the first half of the last century fill the museum’s walls and display cases.

It wasn’t until the late 1950s that the highway was constructed and connected the townsites to Vancouver. Until that time, for about 50 years, the only way in and out of Britannia was by pack horse over the mountains or steamship direct to Vancouver. Aside from the isolation, the entire area was owned by the mine so daily life revolved around the work and the company.

Once you weave your way through the buildings you can pick up a hard hat at the Copper Sulphate building and head up toward the Mining House for an underground tour that will take you through the side of the mountain.

The 30 minute guided tour starts off on a train that leads you through the face of the hillside, through a small portion of the 200km of tunnels that make up the mine. The guide explains how things worked in the tunnels and demonstrates some noisy machinery used by the miners. It’s a really neat experience but if you’re claustrophobic you may not like the first part of the tour, when you lose sight of daylight on either side of the tunnel. However, such was the extreme life of a miner — and the experience they are going for with the tour.

After the tunnel, our guide took us through the Core Shed, and the iconic Mill 3 building. It’s the building that you can see from the Sea to Sky highway and has also been a set for many films and TV shows (from X Files to 21 Jumpstreet and Double Jeopardy).

There we learned several more processes and by the end of the tour, you’ll have a pretty good idea of how solid stone could be mined, milled, and turned into pure concentrate powder, ready to be shipped out to the smelter.

Other activities at the museum including gold panning workshops, performances, and a stroll through the gift shop. I noticed that since they are in the middle of re-branding, anything with a “BC Mining Museum” logo was 50% off.

What I loved most about our visit was that among the dirt, dust, heavy metal, and rusted machinery, the museum incorporates the softer side of Britannia in their exhibits. The love, the family, the sense of community, and the softer human elements of the mine — not just the cold hard stone. That, and it gave me more of an education about the region’s history, which I always find fascinating.

The Britannia Mine Follow them on Twitter @BritanniaMine and make a point to stop in during your next trip up the Sea to Sky, or make it your family’s next day-trip destination.

If you would like to visit the mine, I have a family pack of passes to give away (good for 2 adults and up to 3 children). The passes will be valid for the next 12 months so you can plan your visit anytime. Here’s how to enter:

I will draw one winner September 22nd at 12:00pm.

Update The winner is Paul McEwan (@PaulMcEwan) – have fun at the mine with your family!

This weekend John and I were guests of the inn at Howe Sound Brewing. It’s one of BC’s most awarded and decorated microbreweries and is tucked away at the end of Cleveland Street in Squamish.

Upon arrival we settled into our room, which is one of 20 at the inn, and went downstairs to meet up with Leslie Fenn, Co-Owner of Howe Sound Brewing. She walked us around the building, through the brew house, and told the history of the brewing company, established in 1996.

Brewmaster Franco Corno took us up to the loft where they store and grind the barley for their beers. Franco is the second brewmaster at Howe Sound, the first being John Mitchell who is solely responsible for lobbying (successfully) in the 80s to update BC law, allowing brewpubs to exist in the province. Mitchell went on to open up Spinnakers in Victoria (another one of our favourite brewpubs).

As we wound our way up and down the spiral staircase in the brewhouse we learned about Howe Sound’s brewing process, their local ingredients, and their sustainability. Not only do they make about 20 varieties of tasty beer but they use the spent grain from the process in other products. Spent grain goes into everything from soaps, made locally by Paradise Valley Bath & Body, to flatbread and crispy toppings for desserts.

After the tour we sat down for a round of samples. Little did we know, 8 different beers carefully crafted by Franco and the Howe Sound team would be placed before us. From light to dark we had the Garibali Honey Pale Ale, Hangdog Hefeweizen, Whitecap Wheat Ale, Three Beavers Imperial Red Ale, Rail Ale Nut Brown, and a chocolate porter. Howe Sound beers are unpasteurized, fresh, and the imperial-style brews pack a punch at 7%+ alcohol content.

We stayed for dinner and were treated to dessert which was four types of beer ice cream. The chocolate porter, the wheat ale, the hefeweizen (with a hint of banana in the brew), and an orange sorbet — whose beer equivalent I cannot recall but paired with the chocolate porter ice cream it was to die for.

Our stay overnight at the inn was pleasant. There was no noise from the pub downstairs (which was down the hall and one floor below us) and the room had free WIFI. In fact WIFI is available throughout the entire brewery. In the morning we ate in the restaurant (seperate from the brewpub) and enjoyed the beautiful view of the Stawamus Chief as the sun poured through the dining room’s windows.

Squamish is only about 40 minutes from downtown Vancouver and as Canada’s “outdoor recreation capital” there is plenty to do. A day-trip to the town’s outlying areas (such as Shannon Falls, hiking the Chief or the spit for windsurfing) can be complimented with a little unwinding at the brewery.

You can also make the brewery your destination, signing up for a tour, samples, and staying the night at the inn (rooms are around $109 a night). If you have a designated driver, it’s also a great pit-stop half way to or from Whistler. Off-sales are available for most of their beer as well and a selection of their 1 liter bottles are just $7.

If you would like to try the beer before making the pilgrimage to Squamish, there are a few locations around Vancouver where you can pick up a bottle of Howe Sound Beer including Government Liquor Stores, Liberty Wine Merchants, Steamworks, and various other beer & wine stores.

For more information, news, and updates on the release of seasonal brews (such as the Pumkineater Imperial Pumpkin Ale) follow @HoweSoundBeer on Twitter.

Disclosure: cmp.ly/2

Although the tumultuous waters of the Fraser Canyon have instilled fear inside me since I was a child peering over the cliffs at Hell’s Gate, I’ve always been curious about the river rafting experience. On a daily basis I get offers to run contests on my site but this is probably one of the most unique. REO Rafting Resort approached me about setting up a contest to give away a river rafting experience to one lucky reader and their guest. Despite my own fears, everyone I’ve talked to says it’s the experience of a lifetime.

Photo credit: Jenny Lee Silver on Flickr

The day trip prize pack has a value of $296 ($148 each) and here’s what will be included:

Like my Fraserview Golf contest, I’m running this in time for Father’s Day in case this is an activity you’d like to do with your dad. On Father’s Day REO Rafting is also offering up a special $98 rafting trip (not including lunch & access to the resort).

I found a blog post by our friend Tanya from 2007 where she wrote about her experience with REO. “We had a terrific time — Your crew this year were fabulous, the resort is an awesome place to camp and kick back, and the experience on the water was incredible! I’ve never seen the water levels so high… In fact, I almost lost my contact lenses twice during our run because of the intensity! Tana, our guide, was fantastic, too! Two thumbs up, Reo!”

The rafting trips are 4 hours long and there will be small pit stop breaks for snacks and nourishment before continuing on. You will also be responsible for finding your way there, which could take about 2.5 hours from Vancouver to Boston Bar up Highway 1. However, they also offer multi-night trips in case the contest winner would like to upgrade to an overnight package. They have tents and cabins available.

Here’s how to enter to win this rafting experience:

I will draw the winner at 9:00am June 16, 2010.

Update June 16, 2010 I have just drawn the winner and it is Lori. Congratulations and have a blast!

It’s been ages since I updated my Day Tripping series and thanks to our trek up to Squamish yesterday I can revive it with a worthy entry.

Half way between Whistler and Vancouver lies the historic town of Squamish, BC. Known for its Sea to Sky proximity, windsurfing, The Chief, and its namesake the Squamish First Nation Squamish is a great day-trip destination for those in the Metro Vancouver area.

Starting off the day we picked up Dave and his wife, then headed past Squamish and up to Whistler to pick up my pass from the Whistler Media House. I’ll be doing some Olympics coverage from the Village later this month so it was ideal to make the trek now, before lanes and parking lots were closed.

We zipped back down to Squamish, which is only 30 minutes from Vancouver, and spent the rest of the day with Cinci. The rain was misting down as we walked along a gravel road to an opening in the trees that led us down to the river across from Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park. Along the side of the river there multicoloured rocks of all sizes resting below the rushing turquoise water. The sandbars were weighted with rain and silt while the faint stench of salmon carcass ripped through the crisp pristine air.

After our stroll we headed over to the spit, a long, thin strip of land that reaches southward through the water.

It offers amazing views of Howe Sound, Squamish, The Chief, and even the boat on which Vancouver 2010 volunteers are staying. I’m not sure of the significant of the Mona Lisa but it’s an interesting setup for sure.

Onward to the downtown core for lunch we experienced Grilled Fromage, which is not your average soup and sandwich joint. Grilled Fromage offers up 57 different kinds of grilled cheese sandwiches, in a funky space, filled with retro 80s atmosphere. Shaun Cassidy and Barry Manilow albums on the wall, signage with plenty of cheese puns, we got Rick-rolled just by looking around.

I ordered the Asiago soup and then the Polyester Pickle which had smoked Gouda, pickles, and bacon — so good. Other options included “Thriller” which has Havarti, Ham, Cranberries, Banana Peppers, “Bonnie & Clyde” with Creamy Danish Blue Cheese, Sliced Pear, Walnuts, “Feliz Navidad” consisting of Brie, Turkey, Cranberries, on sour dough… and many more.

We met the owner, Colin Bush, who has done an amazing job of bringing unique culinary life to the area… you can’t go wrong with cheese. As Dave said though, the food was just a part of the experience of dining at Grilled Fromage.

After our cheesy experience we walked through downtown, looking at all the shop windows that were Painting the Town Red.

Winding around streets we ended up at the Howe Sound Brewing Company, which was filled with warmth, aromas, fresh beer, and plenty of folks out to watch the Superbowl. Dave swears by their beer and it was well worth the trip to taste some samples.

Rounding out the day we walked back through the town, which was silent and calm. Even in Metro Vancouver we can sense this sort of “calm before the storm” which will erupt next weekend. If you have the chance, you can spend an afternoon like this is Squamish – you can even partake in far more activities in a single day. Sure, it’s that half-way point between Vancouver and Whistler but it’s also an outdoor playground, which can also offer up some seriously tasty post-adventure treats.

Last week Keira and I were invited over to the Island for a girls getaway adventure in the Parksville and Qualicum region. Our time was action-packed from the minute I arrived at the Departure Bay ferry terminal and we headed up Island toward Nanoose for our afternoon kayaking trip.

I first learned to canoe and kayak in summer camp, over 15 years ago, so my recent refresher over in Deep Cove came in handy when we faced strong wings and boat-rocking swells.

In Nanoose we met up with Jan Kretz of Adventuress who runs a business offering wilderness adventures for women. Jan arrived full of energy and seemed encouraged by the fact that we didn’t shy away from the less-than-smooth conditions out on the water.

After helping us load into our boats, she armed us with valuable information and safety tips, and then we were off to explore Craig Bay – just around the corner. Steering in through the choppy ups and downs of the ocean I knew my muscles would hurt for days after.

Jan pointed out the snow-capped mountain ranges, the names of Islands, and led us into the Bay as we drifted in calmer waters, trailing a family of geese that was also out for a little cruise.

Sometimes I think I haven’t found peace with the Pacific since I’m always hesitant to swim amongst its creatures, white caps and sea kelp however I don’t think I’d ever miss the opportunity to head out for a paddle. There’s just something about being out on the water that is empowering and at the same time brings peace. I can look back on land at all of the houses I wish I could buy, the mountains I could aim to hike, and the forests I’d love to explore, but at the same time sitting in that boat and experiencing the open water is amazing in its own right. My muscles did end up hurting for days after, and I blistered the inside of my thumb with the paddle, but it was definitely worth it.

Photo credit: Keira on Flickr

One thing I noticed recently about kayaking tours is that the people who run them are truly passionate about what they do – and Jan was absolutely no exception. With Adventuress she offers anything from 2-hour tours like we experienced to overnight escapes with either camping or cushy B&B accommodations (which seems like the ideal plan for the next Girls Island Getaway).

Jan also teaches lessons and does themed outings year-round. These special tours include, the Sea Lion Paddle, the Full Moon Paddle, the Sunset Paddle, trips over to Mistaken or Newcastle Island, and coming up this month, a Gulf Islands Escape.

You can contact Jan directly to make a reservation or to set up your next multi-day trip.

This week will feature a series of posts about our Girls Island Getaway adventures. My photos will be available on Flickr and you can also read Keira’s posts over on her site.

Continuing the Circle Farm Tour series from my adventures last week in the Harrison/Agassiz region, our next stop was The Farm House Natural Cheeses.

“The family farm is a great thing,” said owner Debra Boyes when we had our tasting. The farm hosts a retail shop so people can come and buy their cheese directly from Farm House and Debra says meeting the people who enjoy their product is key when it comes to being part of the community (and running a business).

The Farm House offers up hand-made cheeses made from goat and also cow milk and we were informed about procedures, milking, the differences in the cheeses, and were able to get some tasty samples.

I have to say that the Farm House Cheddar was definitely my favourite but the Alpine Gold isn’t too far behind in my books and I know John would love their Gouda.

We were also told that the Yew restaurant in downtown Vancouver’s Four Seasons Hotel make their macaroni and cheese with the Farm House Cheddar — something I would be very interested in trying now that I’ve seen where it all comes from… and had a taste from the source. Debra also told us that her La Pyramide was also recently served at the White House.

One of the best parts about The Farm House was not only to see how passionate and professional the owners are, but to also be able to walk around and see the animals themselves. Debra said her cows and goats are very “stress free” and given the lovely setting and the great facilities I can see why. We had the chance to meet some of the goats and they seemed very friendly.

You can stop by The Farm House [Google Map] to pick up your cheese from their store or for one of two tours: a cheesetasting with the cheesemaker, or for an interactive farm tour plus tasting.

Debra is also set to do an event with Books to Cooks next week but I believe it’s already sold out. You can however pick up her book 200 Easy Homemade Cheese Recipes from your nearby book store.

You’ll also notice that when you do the Circle Farm Tour and stop by all of these unique places filled with talented and passionate community members that they’ll reference each other or each others products. The support system for the farms out in this area seems really strong and it just made my experience that much more enjoyable.

The next stop on the Circle Farm Tour for my group this week was the Kilby Historic Site in Harrison Mills [Google Map].

Kilby was a bustling whistle stop destination home to thousands at its peak where Mr Acton Kilby ran the general store (1906), post office, hotel, and most elements you’d find in a turn-of-the-century town.

When the rail lines changed and the gold rush ended, it became a ghost town however many elements from the 1920s and 30s era were preserved by Acton Kilby. In the 1970s the Kilby family decided to turn the whole place into a museum – from old gas pumps, barns, elevated boardwalks, and of course the general store. Mr Kilby had collected so many items over the years – rooms full, really – including everything from turn of the century cigarette tins, to canned goods and clothing, the diversity of the collection is remarkable.

Aside from the museum, they have a farm (with goats, bunnies, ducks, chickens, and cows) and they work together with the local 4-H Club.

The gift shop is filled with goodies from local artisans and their restaurant serves up hearty meals from old-fashioned recipes including hand-squeezed lemonade, fresh baked pies, and their pulled-chicken sandwich.

You can visit Kilby from Thursday to Monday (11:00am to 5:00pm) and as of May 14th they’re open every day from 11:00am to 5:00pm. The family admission price is $24 (for families of any size) and they also have seasons passes, $22 for adults and $52 for the whole family.

They also have special events throughout the year including a Black Powder Festival, a Thanksgiving meal, and even spooky haunted Halloween tours.

The Kilby Historic Site is also adjacent to a campground (with 22 spots) in Harrison Bay where I’m certain my family has stayed before but will merit another visit sometime soon. The history, natural beauty, farm features, and stories told at Kilby definitely make the trip worthwhile.

I have been a guest of the Harrison/Agassiz region for the last 24 hours and although I have numerous entries yet to come about our stops on the Circle Farm Tour, our first destination was Minter Gardens. I thought this would be perfect opportunity to expand my Day Tripping series.

Located just off Highway 1 [Google Map], I’ve driven by the Minter Gardens turn off for almost 30 years and have never stopped to visit, which is a really a shame. Just 90 minutes from downtown (which is the actual time it took me) Minter Gardens is more than just a show garden. Its unique location, landscape, and collection of horticultural wonders make it a fantastic place for a stroll, for a colourful photowalk, or for an avid gardener who wants to pick up some ideas.

When we arrived we were greeted by Erin Minter, the daughter of founder Brian Minter, in the Trillium Restaurant who gave us a tour of the gardens. Erin took us along the “self guided tour” path, for which visitors will get a map when they first arrive. The map points out different spots of interest along the way, as well as a few other trails for exploring. Erin encourages everyone, when doing the self-guided tour, to stop at the points of interest and do a 360 degree turn, “you’ll get a different view each time.”

The 32-acre show garden has 100,000 tulips, a 1,000 rhododendrons, unique species, and thousands of other beautifully groomed and cultivated trees and plants. There is also a kids play area and Minter Gardens is dog-friendly (although they ask that you keep your pup on a short leash).

There are several water features throughout the gardens which Erin explained not only help the plants, naturally, but they also serve to create lovely, natural sounds (drowning out the vehicles over on the highway), while also creating movement and a quiet place for visitors to site, rest, or reflect.

Erin said they already have 83 weddings booked for the season at both of their wedding sites in the gardens.

However, you will notice there are no fish in the ponds, creeks or the Lake Garden, “ask the herons and raccoons,” Erin said. Many of their sites and gardens need to be planned according to what type of creatures it might attract, aside from bloom-loving humans. Being nestled near Mt Cheam means bears might also pay them a visit in the gardens.

At many spots on the tour she also noted plants and collections that were donated to the gardens such as the fern garden. “You never do something this massive without the help of the community.” This is something that I felt resonated throughout the day, and carried through to every other place in the Agassiz/Harrison area that we visited. The sense of community out here is uplifting and inspiring.

There is indeed a strong sense of community in the area and it was great to hear about the family business at Minter Gardens. Erin said her 86 year old grandma still helps out in the Country Garden Store — the retail location for plants, bulbs, blooms and pots that the family also runs. Erin said that many often get ideas for their own gardens when at Minter, and can then go to the Garden Centre to pick up the necessities try things at home.

Right now is a good time to visit Minter Gardens since the blossoms are emerging, however due to the harsh winter, the plants are about 3-5 weeks behind their natural schedule. Things are also beautiful in the fall, when everything turns bright red, gold, orange, and rust-coloured in the tree tops. The Gardens officially close from October to March, however they run special events and activities during the Christmas season.

Minter Gardens opened on Mother’s Day in 1980 and this year for Mother’s Day they’re hosting a special brunch in the restaurant. They often host special events however simply stopping by the gardens any day seems like a good idea to me.

Admission is $16 for adults, and they have rates for seniors, youth, and kids 5 and under are free. They also have a family rate and I would recommend getting the “seasons pass” as it’s only $5 more – then you can come back anytime and see the seasonal changes in the plants. They also have a special printable coupon online, which you can download from here.

There are other show gardens around but none compare to the unique location and setting of Minter Gardens – combined with its features, collections, amenities, as well as family and community pride.

I put the call out on Twitter last week for anyone who would like to contribute a guest post on my site. Tawcan, known for his many adventures, stepped up and offered to write a post that would add to my Day Tripping series:

If you’re like me, 99% of the time you’re stuck in the city during the week and on weekends you want to head out and explore what mother nature has to offer. Unfortunately it’s winter time, that means the beach is out of the questions and your favourite hiking destinations are covered in snow. Sure you can head to the local ski resorts on the North Shore or Whistler and enjoy some fresh powder but that comes with a hefty bill. Skiing/boarding ain’t cheap and we all know it.

Luckily there are lots cheaper alternatives that will still get your butt off that comfy couch and get you outside.

If you’re not all that adventurous and want to stay within Vancouver, you can rent a pair of snowshoes from MEC and head to either Seymour or Cypress for a fun day of snowshoeing adventure. Both Seymour and Cypress have designated snowshoe trails. The trails are quite short and some can be finished in about an hour. Thanks to BC Parks, these trails are very well marked so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. Best of all, along the trails you get some amazing views.

For those of you that are more adventurous and don’t mind a little bit of driving, Diamond Head is a very popular destination. If you just want a quick trip, you can easily reach the day shelter at the Red Heather Meadows which is 5 km from the trailhead. The trail to the Red Heather shelter is very mellow and protected so you don’t have to worry about avalanche dangers. The shelter has picnic table and a wood stove, making it a great spot for lunch. Due to the gentle terrain around the Red Heather shelter you can often find many people trying to learn how to telemark ski. It can be quite a show watching telemark skiers wiping out on every turn, landing face first into the powdery snow. The Elfin Shelter is 11 km from the trailhead, 6 km away from the Red Heather Meadows. While this could be a bit far for some, it is certainly doable as a day trip.

If your adventure to Diamond Head gets you hooked and looking for more should definitely look into purchasing the necessary gear (i.e. snowshoes, telemark skis, alpine tour skis), and taking some formal training courses such as Avalanche Skiing Training 1. AST 1 is a beginner avalanche course that will introduce you to avalanche phenomena and the basic principles of safe winter travel in the backcountry. It is very important to be able evaluate the avalanche dangers and plan your trip accordingly. Once you have all the proper equipment and training a door of opportunities opens up. Some examples…

Skiing at Needle Peak by Coquihalla Highway

Ski touring at Taylor Meadows in Garibaldi Park

Ripping down Aragon Glacier in D’arcy

What are you waiting for? Your next awesome winter adventure is waiting for you!

You can read more from Tawcan on his blog, Confessions of a Monkey, view more of his photos in his SmugMug photo galleries, or follow him on Twitter.