Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Kamloops Lake - Thompson River – City Of Kamloops British Columbia (6 - Pictures)


Above Photo: Over looking the city of Kamloops, British Columbia.

As we travel around Kamloops, B.C. there is so much to see and never enough time to see it all. I wanted to take a few pictures of Kamloops Lake, the Thompson River and the city of Kamloops from a higher vantage point, which I did, but at dusk. 

For information about Kamloops, please visit Tourism Kamloops at:

To view the write up and see the other 5 pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:

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Monday, December 28, 2015

Heritage Railway Located In Kamloops British Columbia (13 - Pictures)


Above Photo: Welcome sign for travelers visiting Kamloops, British Columbia.

For myself trains have held a special place in my life. It started when I was a little guy when I received my first train on Christmas day. I was so excited as my Dad handed out the presents, and in one of the wrapped boxes was a locomotive, box cars, tracks and small houses. I quickly opened up the box pulling everything out onto the floor in one pile. 

I knew exactly how it was supposed to be put together, at least I thought so. My dad sat with me as we both transformed a pile of plastic and metal into a working model railroad. I was so happy with a smile from ear to ear.

As the years went by, we decided to build a larger scale railway, but little did I realize that it wasn’t going to be just a bit larger, it was going to be huge as it took up the entire recreation room in the basement. It was great and we had a lot of fun putting it together and then operating it.

So when my daughter drove me to the Kamloops Heritage Railway, I was just like that kid again on Christmas day. It was off season as we were in Kamloops in November of 2015, so I could not experience the ride the train took tourists on, plus the cowboys on horse back robbing the train.

The next time we visit my daughter, I will be the 64 year old sitting on the train with a smile from ear to ear.

So make your holiday stop in Kamloops, British Columbia where all your dreams will come true as did mine.

To view the write up and see the other 12 pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:

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Sunday, December 27, 2015

23 Beautiful Back Alley Mural Paintings Kamloops British Columbia (23 - Pictures)


Above Photo: Just one of the amazing Back Alley Mural Paintings that is found in 
Kamloops, British Columbia.

During our visit with family in Kamloops, British Columbia, my daughter drove me to a back alley in the downtown area. I did wonder where she was taking me, but it soon became very clear as I my face lit up. All of the buildings along this back alley had beautiful murals painted on them by some very clever people. 

The back alley murals are amazing and when visiting Kamloops, B.C. make sure you take time to visit this wonderful work of art.

Back Alley Art Gallery:

Location Map for the Back Alley Mural Paintings in Kamloops, B.C.:

Kamloops Visitor Centre:


Below I have listed some information about Kamloops I am sure you will enjoy reading.

To view the write up and see the other 22 Mural Painting pictures, please 
visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:

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Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Additional Wooden Sculptures - The Hope Slide - Kawkawa Lake Park - Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park Hope British Columbia (9 - Pictures)


Above Photo: Lest We Forget In Memory Of Our War Dead.

Continuing from my post on December 23, 2015 entitled “A Beautiful Place To Visit Or Make it Your Home In Hope British Columbia” and the posting of a number of wooden sculptures pictures, I wanted to add the rest of the photos I have of the wooden sculptures.

So what I have done is to place information about the Hope Slide with some of the sights I saw and filmed around Hope in early November 2015.

To view the write up and see the other 9 pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:

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Beautiful Wooden Sculptures And A Great Place To Visit Hope British Columbia (13 - Pictures)


Above Photo: Beautiful wooden sculpture seen in front of the District of Hope, British Columbia.

The district of Hope is an amazing place to visit. First of all, Hope, B.C. is the gateway to pretty much all of British Columbia.

Hope has a population of approximately 6,170 residents and is located in the Cascade Mountain range, which makes for a very scenic place to visit, or a wonderful place to call home. Hope, British Columbia

On our journey around Hope in November 2015 we seen the most beautiful wooden sculptures which were carved with a chain-saw by Hope’s local artist Peter Ryan. The wooden sculptures were seen all throughout the town.

There are so many different things to see which made it hard to visit them all, but I certainly will return in 2016 to visit all that Hope has to offer. 

To view the write up and see the other 12 pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:

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Saturday, December 19, 2015

Mural Paintings In Prince George British Columbia (4 – Pictures)


Above Photo: One of the many Mural Paintings found in Prince George, British Columbia.

For our family and so many others, Prince George is a great place to spend your holidays. There are a lot of awesome lakes and camping spots available in the summer months, and there are excellent places to ski and snowboard. Prince George really has everything you can imagine, as it is a large city. 

In the summer of 2016 we plan on spending some time in Prince George as it is rich in history and so very scenic. So I can’t wait to dig around to see what I might find and bring to my visitors.

To view the write up and see the other 3 pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:

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Friday, December 18, 2015

Winter Scene - The Equity Silver Mine Road Houston British Columbia (75 - Pictures/Slideshow)


 Above Photo: At the top of the rock bluff the tree tops are pure white from the snow and frost and in summertime you can see the mountain goats laying down sun baking all seen from the Equity Silver Mine Road Houston, British Columbia.

Once again we headed off on a new adventure, this time closer to home. On December 14, 2015 we decided, since it was a beautiful day to take a drive out on the old Equity Silver Mine Road. The road had been ploughed recently so it was like a super highway. The sky was deep blue and the snow crystals glistened in the sunlight.

The Equity mine road has been one of my favorite places to visit which is just outside of town. Years back in the summer we would take all the little kids to a spot where they could catch some trout, and it was right at the side of the road. They would cast out their fishing line with a float attached and wait for the float to bob up and down. Of course there was always a juicy worm on the hook. 

To view the write up and see the 75 pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:


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Wednesday, December 16, 2015

1887 St. Andrews On The Square Heritage Site Kamloops British Columbia (5 - Pictures)


Above Photo: 1887 St. Andrews On The Square Heritage Site Kamloops British Columbia.

In early November 2015 my daughter continued to show me around the city of Kamloops. It seemed at every turn there was something wonderful to see, then we came upon the St. Andrews On The Square site. 

St. Andrews On The Square was built in 1887 and is the oldest public building in the city of Kamloops. The city bought it, then restored everything back in 1998.

The Kamloops Heritage Society now operates the facility, where weddings and other events are held.

Also on site are the gorgeous St. Andrews gardens where 
local musicians and performers can be found.

So when planning your next holiday, don’t forget to put Kamloops on your agenda so you can tour all the wonderful historic sites seen around town.

To view the write up and see the 5 other pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:


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Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Is The 1921 Historic Quick Bridge Doomed Quick British Columbia (14 - Pictures)


Above Photo: The Telkwa Mountain Range.

Today, December 15, 2015 we decided to take a drive on the Walcott Forest Service Road as I wanted to take some pictures of the Telkwa Mountain Range and other scenic areas along the way.

With a bright blue sky and the ground covered with snow, all this make for some really nice photos. I also had my sights set on the old Quick Bridge near the end of todays journey, actually I did not know if it was still there as there has been talk that the bridge was to be torn down.

As we dropped in elevation from the mountains and entered into the valley, there it stood, an amazing sight to see, the old Quick wooden bridge was still there. 

To view the write up and see the 13 Quick, B.C. bridge pictures, 
please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:


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Sunday, December 13, 2015

Winter Scene - Travel To Beautiful Houston British Columbia (11 - Pictures)


Above Photo: The Bulkley River filmed from the Bulkley Valley bridge.

Well another dawn arrived in Houston, B.C. with yet another heavy snowfall on the ground. Everything, I mean everything is white. So on December 13, 2015 I headed out harmed with camera, water and pop to one of my favorite places around Houston.

Knockholt for me holds a lot of good memories, my kids when younger would swim in the Bulkley River at Knockholt. Then my daughters kids did the same. They could build sandcastles with moat, ride inner tubes down the river or just splash around having a good old time. 

The scenery there never lets you down, and the beauty about this location is that you can drive right to it. From Houston heading east the distance is only a 8.6km drive along Highway 16 and make a right hand turn onto McKilligan Road, a few hundred yards down the road and you can park your vehicle and within a few steps you are sitting by the river. 

To view the write up and see the other 10 pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:


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Saturday, December 12, 2015

Winter On The Morice River Houston British Columbia (10 - Pictures)


Above Photo: Seen from the Walcott Road outside Houston, British Columbia.

Once again we woke up to a blanket of snow on Saturday December 12, 2015. It was just gorgeous out with the new snow and we decided to take a drive out on the Morice River road outside of Houston, British Columbia.

The trees were covered in white, it was as if someone dropped blobs of white paint onto the branches of the trees. Although the sky was dark and overcast, the brilliance from the snow made for a wonderful picture.

To view the write up and see the other 9 pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:


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Friday, December 11, 2015

Winter Scene - CN Railway Bridge Telkwa British Columbia (4 - Pictures/Video)


Above Photo: CN Railway bridge over the Telkwa River, 
the Telkwa River flows into the Bulkley River.

Telkwa is a wonderful small village which can be found in British Columbia. If you are planning a trip through, or to visit you would follow Highway 16 west from Prince George, B.C. for approximately 350 kilometres. Telkwa and area are rich in history and you can venture through Telkwa’s Museum for a look back in time. Also Telkwa boasts about it’s Tyhee Lake Provincial Park, and they have a right too, it is beautiful. 

Camping is available in the park and the campsites are secluded, this way you can lay back and take it easy and there is large parking lot for day visitors. Also on site are horseshoe pits and a volleyball net in case you want to get your competitive side on.

To view the write up and see the pictures and video, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:


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Winter Scene - Mountains And Dark Clouds Over Smithers British Columbia (3 – Pictures)


Above Photo: Glacier and Mountains in Smithers, British Columbia.

My wife and I were in Smithers, British Columbia on December 10, 2015 as I had to pick up some new glasses. 

One of the first things I wanted to do was too take some pictures of the 1,012 pound "Phantom Grizzly Bear" which was shot on Hungry Hill by Conservation Officers and is on display at the Smithers Airport Smithers, British Columbia.  

So we drove to the airport, I parked the car and ran inside of the airport and took a few pictures. I ran back out, jumped in the car and as we were leaving the airport’s parking lot, I noticed how nice the mountains looked with dark clouds hanging over them. 

I decided to pull the car over, I got out and took a few shots of the mountains.

To view the write up and see the pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:


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Thursday, December 10, 2015

The 1012 Pound Hungry Hill Phantom Grizzly Bear Smithers Airport Smithers British Columbia (Pictures)


Above Photo: Information sign about the Hungry Hill Grizzlies. (If you click on the above sign I have left it in a larger size so you are able to read the information on it and you can view the grizzly bear on my Travel Blog.

Note about the Grizzly Bear. The bear sits behind glass and I had a heck of a time trying to get any type of a photo due to the reflection from everything else behind me. So this is the best shot I was able to get.

In the Fall of 2001 Conservation Officers caught up with the Hungry Hill Grizzly Bear. It has been reported that this one bear killed upwards of 30 head of cattle in and around Hungry Hill which is located approximately 14 km NW of Houston, British Columbia.

The phantom grizzly bear was one of two grizzly bears that were killed for the downing of a lot cattle. The grizzly killed 30 head of cattle over a three year period.

To view the write up and see the picture of the grizzly bear, please visit 
Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:

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Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Visitors Centre And Rotary Centennial Park Hope British Columbia (6 - Pictures)


Above Photo: Visitors Centre in Hope, British Columbia. What a great place to visit.

With all my travels through Hope on Highway 1 driving up the Fraser Canyon, I rarely stopped in Hope to take advantage of the wonderful things Hope, B.C. had to offer. 

One of the gems in Hope is their Rotary Centennial Park. It is beautiful and is a wonderful place to get out to stretch your legs, or stop for a picnic lunch. 

There are tables and benches for you to sit as you watch the mighty Fraser River flow on by. You can also view the chainsaw carvings that are located in the park, and throughout the town.

So if you are planning out a holiday and the route takes you through Hope, B.C., take the time to wander around the town as it has a lot to offer.

To view the write up and see the other 5 pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:

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1861 Christ Church Historic Site Hope British Columbia (5 - Pictures)


Above Photo: Christ Church (Anglican) Historic Site Hope British Columbia.

In early November 2015 my wife, our dog Peanut and I dropped by Hope, British Columbia on our way back home to Houston, British Columbia. I wanted to check it out as I had not been into the community in years. 

Well did I get a surprise, a good one at that. As we drove around I spotted the 1861 Christ Church and a lot of large awesome wood carvings. These were great and they were on different ideas as you will see in my postings.

Because I have taken a lot of pictures in Hope, I will break the posts up into a number of them and add places of interest from around that area.

Hope has always been an excellent place to visit and to explore. I grew in Coquitlam, 
so Hope wasn’t that far away.

First up will be the 1861 Historic Christ Church in Hope, B.C.

To view the write up and see the other 4 pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:

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Tuesday, December 8, 2015

New Snowfall Blankets Houston British Columbia (6 - Pictures)


Above Photo: I thought this was a fun picture. It shows three snowmen that the little ones made, and a street sign warning drivers to slow down as children in the area are out playing.

On December 8, 2015 the residents of Houston woke up to another beautiful snowfall that covered the town. 

To view the write up and see the other 4 pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:

At this time of the year it seemed more special because Christmas is just around the corner. For the children, Santa will have snow to land his reindeer and sled on, there will be snowball fights, kids building their snowmen or snow forts to hide in. 

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Monday, December 7, 2015

Rest Areas On Highway 16 From Prince George To Prince Rupert British Columbia (6 - Pictures)


Above Photo: As you travel British Columbia’s Highways, please keep them green and place your trash in the rest areas trash containers. Thank you.

As you travel British Columbia’s Highways, please keep them green and place your trash in the rest areas trash containers. Thank you.

Cluculz Lake Rest Area.

Cluculz Lake rest area can be found by traveling Highway 16 approximately 34.1km east from Vanderhoof, British Columbia.

The rest area is open all year. In summer months the rest stop is in lawn. There is an information sign on the site as well.

This rest area has wheelchair access to the washrooms. There are 4 flush toilets and the site has 10 picnic tables. 

There is also accommodations for commercial trucks.

This rest stop is kept neat and tidy, from around the site to the washrooms.

To view the write up and see the other 5 pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:

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Saturday, December 5, 2015

My Awesome Experience In And Around Quesnel British Columbia (8 - Pictures)


Above Photo: A gigantic gold pan and gold nugget in Quesnel, British Columbia.

Quesnel has always been a special place for me as friends and family had soured the back roads prospecting, fishing and hiking through the woods. Mostly it turned out to be a great get away.

Quesnel also has a wonderful museum that I have toured many a times, and each and every time I walk through it, I find something new from the past that I missed from a prior visit. Below is a link to Quesnel's Museum. The museum is closed for the winter and will reopen for the 
summers rush of tourists.

To view the write up and see the other 8 pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:

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Friday, December 4, 2015

First Snowfall In 2015 At The Steelhead Park Houston British Columbia (7 - Pictures)


Above Photo: Sign for the District of Houston’s Steelhead Park.

People play hard in the summer time around Houston, British Columbia. The weather is nice so folks grab their fishing rod, boat and motor and head off to one of the many lakes to catch that really nice Trout. Some like to lay around sunbaking, maybe head off on a nice hike, or paddle around in a canoe or kayak, but no matter what people do, they love soaking up the heat. 

After a fun summer and fall sets in, people again are busy gathering fire wood and getting last minute repairs done for the long winter that soon will be upon us. Before we know it, temperatures start dropping and that cool rain shower turns to frozen soft flakes that falls gently to the ground. Now we know, winter has arrived in Houston, B.C.

To view the write up and see the other 7 pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:

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Thursday, December 3, 2015

Visit Margaret Falls With Teresa The Traveler In British Columbia


 Above Photo: Teresa the Traveler.

On my travels around British Columbia I came across a lady who has some wonderful websites, videos, photographs and so much more.

Teresa the Traveler will guide you through this great province to make your next holiday, or a days outing one you will remember.

Teresa the Traveler tells you how to get to Margaret Falls on beautiful Shuswap Lake in
Salmon Arm, British Columbia.

If you are looking for a short scenic walking moderate trail, 
the Margaret Falls Trail is the one for you.

To view the write up and see the video footage, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:

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1895 Inland Cigar Factory Kamloops British Columbia (4 - Pictures)


Above Photo: 1895 Inland Cigar Factory in Kamloops, British Columbia.

As my daughter continued to shows me around Kamloops, we came to the Inland Cigar Factory which is located at First Avenue and Seymour Street. The building is a two-story, red-brick Victorian-era structure. 

To view the write up and see the other 4 pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:

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Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Ashcroft Manor Off The Trans Canada Highway Near Cache Creek British Columbia (5 - Pictures)


Above Photo: The Ashcroft Manor.

This heritage site is one that I have driven by dozens of time and I have never stopped in. It seems I was always in a rush to get to Langley or back home here in Houston, British Columbia. 

In early November I made the stop and I am so happy I did. What a gorgeous building and all the buildings on the site. 

The two Elm trees that are in front of the Manor were shipped all the way from England as seedlings and are over 100 years old. 

The Ashcroft Manor is approximately 10 kilometers south from Cache Creek directly off of the Trans Canada Highway.

To view the write up and see the other 2 pictures, please visit Brian Vike's Travel Blog at:

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