Learning To Ride As A Passenger On A Motorcycle
By: Susan Gerle I got invited to do an afternoon ride on a 1500cc Kawasaki Touring Bike recently. Up until then the biggest bike I had ever been on as a passenger was a 650cc Yamaha and it was only for about 40 minutes. After I turned 60, it wasn’t something I had on my bucket list but it didn’t stop me from taking up the challenge. My personal experience included owning a 50cc scooter, which I purchased at age 57 and rode for a year before selling it because I was leaving the country for awhile. I knew how to ride with the bike and not lean the wrong way. I was also comfortable adjusting my seating when necessary when I was riding. The motorcycle owner had never had a passenger on the bike so it was something new for him. He was surprised when I showed...
Read MoreA Road Trip of Stunning Views and Quiet Bliss
By: Susy Q Touted in travel brochures of the 1920′s as “the greatest drive in the Canadian Rockies” for its spectacular scenery and raw natural beauty, and the first to cross the Continental Divide for motor vehicules, the Banff-Windemere Highway was regarded then as a “not to be missed” section of the “Grand Circle Tour” – originally encompassing 16 National Parks in Canada and the United States and stretching 5000 miles in length. This Highway, only 18 miles west of the fabulous resort town of Banff, climbs steeply from the Alberta entrance up into a high elevation that separates Banff National Park, itself a World Heritage Site and celebrating its 125th birthday party in 2010, and Kootenay National Park in...
Read More10 Things To Do On A Summer Day In Kelowna
By: Susan Gerle Kelowna is situated in the Okanagan Valley of BC, 6 hours north of Spokane, Washington. It’s a vibrant vacation city with lots to do during the summer. Whether you are looking for beach time or tasting wines at the many cottage wineries, or going golfing, there is a lot to take in. 1.Kelowna’s Boardwalk One of the nicest walks along the shores of Okanagan Lake is Kelowna’s Boardwalk. It starts at the bridge, goes through Kelowna City Park, then past the Yacht Club and the Grand Hotel and Casino. On summer weekends there is often music in the park. Continue on past the boat locks and into the beautiful marshland area. There are places to sit and just enjoy the view along the way. 2. Mission Creek Walkway One of the easiest access points...
Read MoreWatch Out For Rattlesnakes While Hiking In Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park In Vernon, BC
By: Susan Gerle One of the nicest hiking areas in the Okanagan Valley of BC is in Kalamalka Lake Park. There are a number of entrances and trails in the park. My favorite trail begins at the red gate and is called Cosen’s Bay. It is situated about 3 kilometers from the north end of Kalamalka Lake and has some parking available at the trailhead. The Cosen’s Bay hike is 7 km. in total. It is a beautiful swimming cove situated on a quiet area of the lake. There are picnic tables and toilet facilities available for hikers. It is an intermediate hike with some steep climbing, all on groomed trails. Dogs are required to be on leash, more for their own protection. During the spring and fall it is quite common to see rattlesnakes and even the occasional black...
Read More5 Road Trips Within a Day’s Drive of Vancouver
By: Paula Wallis There’s nothing quite like loading up your iPod with some good road tripping tunes, gassing up the car, and hitting the open road on a sunny day. BC has some beautiful, well-maintained highways to do just that on. But if you only have a day or two to spare, or you just aren’t into hours and hours on the road, here are some easily accessible spots to check out – all within a day’s drive from Vancouver Manning Park Just three hours drive from the city of Vancouver, Manning Park is worth the journey in both the summer and winter months. If you head up in the winter, enjoy more than 140 acres of ski and snowboard terrain in an uncrowded setting with spectacular views. Summer months provide gorgeous hiking trails set amongst sub alpine...
Read More
