Merry Christmas From Victoria

Hello and Merry Christmas from Victoria. Today was a beautiful with the sun shining mainly all day with a high temperature of around 6 degrees Celsius (43 degrees Fahrenheit).

Lots of people were found out walking along the seawall next to Dallas Road towards Ogden Point and in the Inner Harbour next to the Fairmont Empress especially along Wharf Street.

Because of the holiday very little businesses were operating with the only coffee shop found open being the Serious Coffee in Cook Street Village. The place was very busy with a lot of people looking to enjoy a sit down and the holiday spirit with one another.

The weather tomorrow on Boxing Day is expected to be about the same as today. Most businesses especially the service industry will be back to normal with a number of Boxing Day specials going on.

Remembrance Day on the Jordan River FSR

Remembrance Day was very special this year as an informal group of us called Club Mud attempted to go on a hike near Jordan River called the Kludahk Trail.

Following information from the Kludahk Outdoors Club we went in search for trail access. The search involved travelling on Hwy 14 north Jordan River to the campground site for China Beach Provincial Park.

From here we then drove the Jordan River Main Line FSR which is located across from the campground until the 7 mile mark until the snow got too heavy for the vehicles. After parking we then hiked in the snow along the JR FSR looking for access signs for the Kludahk Trail.

Along the route a moment of silence was held at 11:11 am in respect for the fallen soldiers who had fought in previous wars and sacrificed themselves in order for Canadian’s to live in freedom and democracy.

Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate for the group as the road up to the trailhead became increasing difficult to travel on because of the snow cover. We never did find any signs or markers for the Kludahk Trail but we all enjoyed ourselves especially when we all got caught in a torrential hailstorm walking back to the vehicles.

Chef Big D’s in Squamish

On Monday during the last motorcycle trip of 2009 we had a chance to visit a highly recommended café located at 38040 Cleveland Avenue in Squamish called Chef Big D’s.

The pastrami sandwich, which was described as good as any New York deli, came with a half order chips and Caesar salad. With mounds of pastrami smothered in mustard, cheese and sauerkraut topped with a pickle the meal was so large it had to be eaten with a fork.

The other meals at Chef Big D’s include breakfast, burgers and all types of sandwiches all coming with large portions. Chef Big D’s is definitely worth trying especially if you’re coming down from Whistler or if you happen to be visiting Stawamus Chief or Shannon Falls.

Just remember Chef Big D’s is only open for breakfast and lunch plus can be very busy on weekends or at lunch time.

Victoria Spirit Celebration

Today a lot of people were out to be part of the Victoria Spirit Celebration signaling the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The event seemed to have everyone downtown as the torch visited Victoria direct from Athens, Greece. What an event, starting with a delay at YYJ then arriving at the Victoria Legislature near Government Street in downtown Victoria.

The flame will travel through all of but one of the 13 communities in the Capital Regional District then for four days on rest of Vancouver Island including Duncan, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Comox Valley and Campbell River. It returns later to Port Hardy and Port McNeill on Feb. 2 and 3, 2010.



Get ready for a busy weekend on Vancouver Island highways especially if the weather gets bad. Expect a number of delays especially travelling through downtown and going up the Malahat.

The flame will be visiting several other British Columbia communities as reported by the Times Colonist.

For more information Spirit of BC

4:20 at the Pizza Zone

Next time that you’re in Victoria and feeling like pizza try the Pizza Zone situated on Cook Street. Located across the street from Logan’s Pub at 1806 Cook Street, in between Caledonia and North Park the Pizza Zone serves up one of the best in British Columbia.

One local favourite goes by the unique name of the 4:20. Loaded with pepperoni, ground beef, Italian sausage and a large heaping of bacon this is truly a meant lover’s favourite.

Usually along with the 4:20 there is the Hawaii 50, The Veggie, and the Popeye all available on a per slice basis or the 2 slices and pop special for $6.

Along with great pizza the Pizza Zone is convenient if you are visiting downtown, Logan’s Pub, Salmon Kings hockey games at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena or watching Victoria Seals baseball team at Royal Athletic Park.

Telephone: (250) 383-0241 for information on ordering take-out and/or delivery. For direction information Google Map for Pizza Zone.

The Pizza Zone has also opened a new location at 2571 Quadra Street near Fairway Market.

Chemainus River Provincial Park

Just got back from Chemainus River Provincial Park which is located north-west of Duncan.

To get here take the Trans-Canada Hwy 1 to Hwy 18 the highway to Lake Cowichan. You travel on Hwy 18 approximately 7 km (6 miles) to Hillcrest Road. Turn at Hillcrest Road and travel on the pavement past the BC Hydro Substation then on the gravel Hillcrest Payne Forest Service Road (FSR) for approximately 8 km (5 miles).

The Chemainus River Provincial Park is a rustic recreational area that is managed by the Cowichan Valley Regional District for BC Parks. The river is noted for the local fishing especially for Steelhead salmon, wildlife viewing, off-road motorcycles, mountain-biking and serves as a local swimming hole during the hot dry days experienced during the Cowichan Valley summer.

There are absolutely no services or facilities located in Chemainus River Provincial Park here so be prepared. Camping out and fires are not allowed plus the park gate is closed from dusk to dawn.

Chemainus River Provincial Park – BC Parks

Hwy 99 Revisited

Just got back from a trip along Hwy 99, "The Sea to Sky Highway" on the section from Horseshoe Bay to Mount Currie.

Hwy 99 has gone through a major upgrade for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler and is about 99% complete. The only exception was some paving that was being done just north of Squamish by Brohm Lake. This section is expected to be completed soon and only caused a slight wait when travelling on the "Sea to Sky."

What a joy to travel Hwy 99 compared with what the road used to like when it was nicknamed the "Squamish 500." The big changes are the bypass going around Horseshoe Bay, the increase of lanes especially through Lions Bay and Brunswick Beach and the straightening of corners and hairpin turns by blasting through rock and adding wider bridges.

Also while travelling by Britannia Beach north to Squamish the big change on Hwy 99 was no Woodfibre Pulp Mill plume coming from the stacks ruining air quality of Howe Sound. This section of highway goes past the Stawamus Chief one of the largest granite monoliths in the world and offers northerly views of Squamish with Mount Garibaldi in the horizon.

After Squamish going north Hwy 99 goes past the Tantalus Range, along the Cheakamus River,then past Daisy Lake and Brandywine Falls with views of Black Tusk in the east. The route was safe with plenty of passing lanes and areas to pull off to enjoy the spectacular views.

Form here to Whistler the only hold ups along Hwy 99 was a live-line stringing project being done by Allteck for BC Hydro just south of Whistler Creekside and a BC Hydro cable project being done by power specialists from Victoria. Both created just minor delays.

The highway upgrade done by Peter Kiewit Sons has created a faster and safer route to enjoy one of the most scenic geography and outdoor recreation in all of North America. In all Hwy 99 upgrade was a very pleasant surprise which thanks to the 2010 Olympics will last long after the games have been completed.