Mural Paintings Found In 100 Mile House British Columbia (2 - Pictures)

Above Photo: Parkside Art Gallery website is: http://www.parksideartgallery.ca/

The District of 100 Mile House has always been a special place for me. When I was a lot younger, I along with friends would drive to 100 Mile House to go fishing, hiking, etc. 

On one of those trips I ended up at Montana Lake Resort which was owned by a fellow who resided in from Vancouver, B.C. and was owner of a mill.

Montana Lake is south of Bridge Lake, which is approximately 2 miles driving on the Machete Lake road. While I camping there, I was asked if I might like to look after the resort for three months. This was from June until the end of August. I said yes, as this was a dream job, even if it was only for the three months.

I will get more into that later as I have more Mural Paintings to post.

Above Photo: A look back in time when pioneers worked the land for their living.

Location Map for Montana Lake Resort.

Montana Lake Resort:

http://www.sharphooks.com/search.aspx?subpage=hotelinfo&hotelid=361

100 Mile House British Columbia Visitor Centre.

http://southcaribootourism.ca/communities/100-mile-house

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Amazing Little Man Formation And The Tranquille River In Kamloops British Columbia (Pictures/Video)

 Above Photo: Little Man Formation Kamloops, British Columbia.

Above Photo: Blow Up - Little Man Formation Kamloops, British Columbia.

On our visit to my families home in Kamloops, British Columbia, I was driven around to see some of the sights Kamloops has to offer travelers.

 

One day my son-in-law and my grandson thought it would be fun if we drove some of the back roads on the outskirts of Kamloops. As we drove along following the Tranquille River which was way, way down in a canyon my son-in-law pointed out a really awesome formation.

The formation was located across the canyon and half way up the mountain side, and there were no roads that we were able to take for a up close look at this amazing formation.

Above Photo: Bridge over the Tranquille River Kamloops, British Columbia.

 

After a good look at the crazy formation through binoculars, we jumped back into the truck and headed off to another spot they wanted me to see. We started to drop in elevation to where we came to the Tranquille River. We crossed over a small bridge and my son-in-law made a turn off the road and into a small B.C. Forestry recreational site.

 Above Photo: Bridge over the Tranquille River Kamloops, British Columbia.

This spot was really beautiful as the Tranquille River went through a mini canyon and then into a pool. The water was so clear and cold as it was in early November 2015 when we were there. Also there was ice at the sides of the mini canyon.

 Above Photo: Tranquille River flowing through a mini canyon at Kamloops, British Columbia.

Above Photo: Tranquille River flowing through a mini canyon at Kamloops, British Columbia.

 

Video Clip: The Tranquille river Kamloops, British Columbia.

https://youtu.be/zf64yrE58K0

 

There was something else I found really interesting, and that was how so many trees were twisted and covered in a coating of bright green moss.

Below Text Information is from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamloops#Climate

 

Kamloops British Columbia Climate:

 

The climate of Kamloops is semi-arid (Köppen climate classification BSk) due to its rain shadow location. Because of milder winters and aridity, the area west of Kamloops in the lower Thompson River valley falls within Köppen climate classification BWk climate. Kamloops gets short cold snaps where temperatures can drop to around −20 °C (−4 °F) when Arctic air manages to cross the Rockies and Columbia Mountains into the Interior.

 

The January mean temperature is −2.8 °C (27 °F).[18] That average sharply increases with an average maximum temperature of 4.3 °C (40 °F) in February. The average number of cold days below −10 °C (14 °F) per year is 19.9 as recorded by Environment Canada.

 

Although Kamloops is located above 50° north latitude, summers are warm to hot with prevailing dry, and sunny weather. Daytime humidity is generally low (sometimes less than 20% after a dry spell) which allows for substantial nighttime cooling. Occasional summer thunderstorms can create dry-lightning conditions, sometimes igniting forest fires which the area is prone to.

 

Spring and fall are usually pleasant and dry but can be short in duration.

 

Kamloops lies in the rain shadow leeward of the Coast Mountains and is biogeographically connected to similar semi-desert areas in the Okanagan region, and a much larger area covering the central/eastern portions of Washington, Oregon and intermontane areas of Nevada, Utah and Idaho in the US.

Above Photo: Twisted trees and green moss.

 

These areas of relatively similar climate have many distinctive native plants and animals in common, such as ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), prickly pear cactus (Opuntia fragilis in this case), rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis), black widow spiders and Lewis's woodpecker.

 Above Photo: Twisted trees and green moss.

The hottest temperature ever recorded at the airport, 40.7 °C (105 °F), occurred on 13 July 2014; the hottest reliably accurate temperature ever recorded within the city, 41.7 °C (107 °F), occurred first on 27 July 1939 and again two years later on 16 July 1941.

 

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Plan Your Next Holiday To Clinton British Columbia (9 - Pictures)

Above Photo: Clinton, British Columbia Museum.

There is a small town, actually it is called a village with a population of approximately 650 people. This would be Clinton in British Columbia. Clinton is located between Prince George and Vancouver in the Cariboo region.

Know matter from which direction you enter Clinton, it always looks the same, beautiful with a country charm. When traveling through the community on Highway 97, which was the historic trail from the famous gold rush days, actually Clinton was founded in the 1860's because of the gold rush.

Clinton attracts tourists from around the world to see wild and splendid scenery. Some of the sights that travelers take in are Hart Ridge, Marble Range, Limestone Mountains and Cougar Point. You can hike, or ride the many trails until the cows come home. Also Clinton offers up some excellent fishing on Beaverdam Lake, Leighwood Lake, Kelly Lake just to mention the few. Wildlife can be seen all throughout the area, from Bear, Moose and Deer, and all the smaller animals.

Above Photo: Clinton, British Columbia Museum and awesome wood benches.

Some of the summer recreational facilities that are available are, basketball courts, two ball diamonds, rodeo grounds, tennis courts and four provincial parks. Some of the winter facilities include a curling rink, cross country ski trails and artificial ice rink. There of course are other things to look into, and this is why it is so important to check with Clinton's Visitors Centre so you don't miss out on anything the community has to offer. Make it a point to spend some time in this amazing small community which has a lot to share with you and your family.

Above Photo - Text below taken off picture on the outside wall of the museum: 

This picture was taken in front of the old Clinton schoolhouse (presently the museum) and is of the class of 1898. The teacher was Miss Powell.

Seen here are: Back Row: Joe Smith, Harry Tweedle, Alfie Smith, Archie McDougall, Oden McDougall, John Tait, Donat LeBourdais, Charles Pollard, J. McDougall, F. Souses, T. McDougall.

Front Row: Lillien Evans, Nora LeBourdais, Jenny Luther, Issie Luther, Alice Luther, Kate McDougall, Eva Truam, Sissie Pollard, Sadie McMillan, Carrie Robertson, W. Walker, Vinnie Hautier, Harry Pollard, James Robertson, Inglis Uren, Fred Hautier, Stanley McMillan, Willie Uren, J. McMillan, L. LeBourdais, Pete LeBourdais, C. Pollard.

Above Photo: Farm and ranching equipment that was used by the pioneers from the past.

Clinton, B.C. Museum - British Columbia Wagon Gallery.

http://clintonmuseum.ca/gallery.html

Clinton, B.C. Museum.

http://clintonmuseum.ca/contact.html

Clinton, British Columbia Visitors Centre.

http://village.clinton.bc.ca/siteengine/activepage.asp?PageID=16

The text information below is about Clinton and is from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton,_British_Columbia

Clinton, British Columbia.

Clinton is a village in British Columbia, Canada, located approximately 40 km northwest of Cache Creek and 30 km south of 70 Mile House.

Above Photo: Farm and ranching equipment that was used by the pioneers from the past.

It is considered by some to straddle the southern edge of the Cariboo country of British Columbia, although others consider Ashcroft-Cache Creek, Lillooet, Savona, Kamloops and even Lytton and Spences Bridge to be in the Cariboo. Clinton, however, does sit immediately below the southern edge of the Cariboo Plateau. Clinton has a number of attractions including horse-back riding, big game viewing, hiking, fishing and other outdoor activities.

Above Photo: Museum - This brick building was built in 1892 as a school house and it soon became too small. For many years served as a court house, in 1954 it became the museum.

Every May, Clinton is home to the Annual Ball which features a rodeo and dance. This is one of British Columbia's oldest continual events having first been held in 1867 and was a highlight of the social calendar in the British Columbia Interior for many decades.[3] The Clinton Museum, built in 1892, has a number of historical artifacts on display that date back to the gold rush and founding of the area.

Originally known as 47 Mile House or 47 Mile, Clinton was named in 1863 upon completion of the Cariboo Wagon Road in the area for Henry Fiennes Pelham Clinton, the 5th Duke of Newcastle, who was Colonial Secretary from 1854-1854 and 1859-1864.

Above Photo: The Museum.

Highway 97 runs through the village north-south, meeting just south of downtown with the Pavilion Mountain Road, which connects from Pavilion and Kelly Lake and is the route of the Old Cariboo Road and follows what is known as Cut-Off Valley from the foot of the road over Pavilion Mountain, which is also the route used by the British Columbia Railway although that route does not traverse Pavilion Mountain but comes via the Fraser Canyon via Moran and Arden Forest. The ranching communities of Jesmond, Kostering and Big Bar can be accessed via a road which has its junction with the Pavilion Mountain Road at Kelly Lake, which is also the location of Downing Provincial Park, which encompasses that lake. The same road is the access for Edge Hills and Marble Range Provincial Parks and also for the Big Bar Ferry to the west side of the Fraser River, which connects to the Slok Creek FSR to Lillooet. Clinton was, until adoption of its present name, known as 47 Mile House, that being the distance from Lillooet on the Old Cariboo Road.

Above Photo: An amazing looking bench which sits close to the Museum.

Also diverging from Highway 97 at Clinton is the route of the original Cariboo Road, which climbs a gentler grade up the side of the Bonaparte River valley up to the Cariboo Plateau, via Chasm and the associated provincial park and the community of Lone Butte. The BCR line also follows roughly the same route and has rail stops at Chasm, Lone Butte and the Flying U Ranch, one of the province's oldest dude ranches. Other roads lead east from the Cariboo Road routing to Bonaparte Lake and Bonaparte Provincial Park and various provincial parks in that area. Loon Lake is accessed via the Loon Lake Road, which departs Highway 97 eastwards to the south of Clinton.

Above Photo: An amazing looking bench with some  of the carved pioneers who came to Clinton.

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Christmas Lights In Steelhead Park Small Town Houston British Columbia (20 Pictures/Video)

Above Photo: A look at Houston’s old church at Christmas time November 27, 2015.

Since we are getting into the Christmas season, I thought that this message would be a great place to start.

I moved to Houston with my family in 1981 from Surrey, British Columbia, it also was in the dead of winter. The temperature at that time was in the minus 30’s, and what a time to start a new life in a small town and trying to dig frozen ground for water lines, etc. Honestly, I thought I had made a huge mistake, but life moves on and you have to make the best of the situation. Winter passed and Spring and Summer rolled in, and we got things ready for the next winter.

Above Photo: A look inside of Houston’s old church at Christmas time November 27, 2015.

We started to venture out with fishing rod in hand going to many of the lakes around Houston and I couldn’t be happier, the fishing was awesome. The scenery around Houston was breathtaking. Besides all the wonderful outdoor activities that were available, there were more important things that were needed, such as jobs, schools, etc., Houston never let us down, it was all here and it was then that I knew we had found our new home.

Above Photo: A look inside of Houston’s old church at Christmas time November 27, 2015.

Some of my favorite times of the year were Christmas, my daughter and I would wrap up warm and take a small saw and sled out into the back of our property and look for that good looking Christmas tree, cut it down and drag it through the snow back to our home. Later we would decorate the tree with lights, Christmas balls, garland and the tree topper. It is things like this that are so important. 

Above and Below Photo: A look back at the old school house in Houston, British Columbia.

Above Photo: A Christmas tree stands inside the old school house Houston, British Columbia.

Seeing that it is Christmas time again, but now in November 2015, the District puts on an event for everyone in town. In the Steelhead Park most of the trees are covered in beautiful Christmas lights, the bridges in the park are decorated, the old church, school house and a home from years past is also covered in lights. 

Above Photo: The old school house and church at Christmas time November 27, 2015 in 

Houston, British Columbia.

There was a large turnout of young and old all bundled up in warm clothing, even with the temperatures down to minus 12 and all waiting for the official countdown to throw the switch to light up the Steelhead Park. When the lights came on you could hear the roar from the crowd. 

It was awesome.

Above Photo: In Pioneer days when people didn’t have much, they still celebrated and were grateful they had one another at Christmas time and lived in this small home.

The Houston fire department had a large table set up passing out free hot chocolate and hotdogs. The RCMP had their mascot bear talking to all the children and later, another large moment took place with Santa showing up. 

Above Photo: The RCMP had their mascot bear talking to all the children.

It was a fun time for all, and something for us all to remember. 

I took a lot of pictures from Friday, November 27, 2015 of the lights in the park and I also added just a few of the things Houston has to offer travelers, or someone who might be 

thinking of moving to town. 

Above Photo: The big guy, Santa dropped by to visit with everyone, but mostly wanted to speak with the children. Pretty soon he will be taking that long trip around the world.

Video: Lights in the Steelhead Park, Houston, British Columbia:

https://youtu.be/JcYOohGMwKw

 Above Photo: Members of the Houston Volunteer Fire Department handing out free hot chocolate and hotdogs to everyone.

One of the first things you see while driving into the town, is the Steelhead Park which runs right alongside of Highway 16 through Houston. It is gorgeous ! Matter of fact my wife and I spend a lot of time walking along the pathways, or sitting down on one of the many beautiful benches that are placed throughout the park. Also another gem you’ll find there is the sculptured steelhead water fountain, very relaxing. You can also find Canada’s largest fly rod along with Houston’s 975 pound grizzly bear on display at the Visitor’s Centre. All this is just the start of your Houston, British Columbia’s journey.

Above Photo: Christmas lights in Houston’s Steelhead Park.

When folks travel to, or pass through Houston there is a wide range of things to do. First of all, we have a number of places people can stay at, either motels and Inn, or an amazing Bed & Breakfast.

As for eating in Houston, there is no shortage of places to visit, from a neighbourhood pub for excellent  burgers, wings, sandwiches, salads and more, or if you like Chinese food, Lee's Garden prepares  some yummy food. The Majestic Restaurant serves up some delicious East Indian food & Canadian cuisine and if you enjoy a great pizza, the Houston Pizza Factory is the place for you. Also for fast food, there is a number of outlets to check out as well.

Above Photo: Christmas lights in Houston’s Steelhead Park.

In and around Houston fishing is at it’s best, for Spring and Coho salmon in the river, Rainbow and Cutthroat trout and  large Char are found in our lakes, but it is the Morice and the Bulkley rivers that are known around the world for some of the best Steelhead fishing you could find on our planet.

Above Photo: Christmas lights in Houston’s Steelhead Park.

In the summer Houston provides awesome scenic trails to hike on, swimming in the lakes, or the Bulkley river. Boating is another popular thing people like to do, if it is by motor, or paddle, there is always an adventure around every corner. Camping is huge here as there are so many lakes to pitch a tent at, or park an RV.

Above Photo: Christmas lights in Houston’s Steelhead Park.

Wildlife roams throughout the area, from deer, moose, bear and a lot of other smaller critters. Four Seasons Park offers baseball diamonds and Houston’s Rodeo grounds. One of the things that I really enjoyed doing was walking through the tall grass and trees viewing items from Houston’s past. From old buildings, to old machinery. Also we have the the Willow Grove Golf and Country Club to get your swing on, or visit the Farmers Market which operates from June 1 through to September 30. 

Above Photo: Christmas lights in Houston’s Steelhead Park.

Winter brings out the warm clothing for a romp in the snow, you can either cross country ski the 45 kilometres of groomed trails around Silverthorne Lake, which is cared for by the volunteers from the Morice Mountain Nordic Ski Club, or go snowmobiling on the Telkwa Range, Dungate Meadows and other scenic areas. If you want to try your luck at ice fishing, there are some really good lakes close to town, which offer up some large fish.

Above Photo: My wife and our dog Peanut looking at all the Christmas lights in 

Houston’s Steelhead Park.

Houston has a new movie theater and runs brand new movie releases, or you can try your luck at knocking down the pins at a fully updated bowling alley. 

Since Christmas is just around the corner, the residents of Houston will be throwing the switch to light up the Steelhead park this coming Friday, November 27, 2015. If you are close by, or traveling through, drop in to take part in the fun.

Above Photo: Christmas lights in Houston’s Steelhead Park.

Things to do in Houston, it’s endless, just bring your imagination and you will find it here.

So if you are planning a trip to Houston, British Columbia, Houston’s Visitors Centre is the place to contact as they have everything you need to know about where and what to see 

while in and around town.

Houston’s Visitors Centre: http://www.houstonchamber.ca/

Above Photo: Christmas lights in Houston’s Steelhead Park.

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Painted Hills Cache Creek British Columbia ( 3 Pictures)

Above Photo: Mother nature’s painted hills outside of Cache Creek, British Columbia.

If you travel north along Highway 97 outside of Cache Creek, you will come to a spectacular site where the mountain side seems as if someone used a paint brush to colour it. It is iron and other minerals that make up the color of the soil which gives us a wonder display from Mother Nature.

Map for Cache Creek British Columbia.

The below text information on Cache Creek is from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cache_Creek,_British_Columbia

Cache Creek is a historic transportation junction and incorporated village 354 kilometres (220 mi) northeast of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. It is on the Trans-Canada Highway in the province of British Columbia at a junction with Highway 97. The same intersection and the town that grew around it was at the point on the Cariboo Wagon Road where a branch road, and previously only a trail, led east to Savona's Ferry on Kamloops Lake. This community is also the point at which a small stream, once known as Riviere de la Cache, joins the Bonaparte River.

Above Photo: Mother nature’s painted hills outside of Cache Creek, British Columbia.

The name is derived, apparently, from a cache or buried and hidden supply and trade goods depot used by the fur traders of either the Hudson's Bay Company or its rival the North West Company. 

Although it was first incorporated as a Local District municipality with the name Cache Creek in 1959, the name has been associated with this community since long before incorporation. A Cache Creek post office was first established here in 1868.

Above Photo: Mother nature’s painted hills outside of Cache Creek, British Columbia.

Although still very active with traffic, Cache Creek was extremely busy for a few decades before the Trans-Canada Highway was superseded by the newer and shorter Coquihalla Highway, which bypasses the Fraser and Thompson Canyons between Hope and Kamloops via Merritt, about 97 kilometres (60 mi) southeast.

The nearby fossil locality, the McAbee fossil beds, is noted for the wide diversity of Eocene plants and animals preserved in the shale, including the extinct plants Dillhoffia and Trochodendron drachuckii.

The village of Cache Creek is also served by a community television station (run by the Ash-Creek Television Society), CH4472 in the neighbouring town of Ashcroft on VHF channel 4 (with an effective radiated power of 74 watts at 15 meters above ground level), with a repeater (CH4473 on VHF 8, with an effective radiated power of 49 watts at 45 meters) in Cache Creek, British Columbia.

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Old Steam Shovel/Moffat Bridge/CN Railway Bridge In Quesnel British Columbia (7 - Pictures)

Above Photo: Moffat Bridge. The first bridge across the Fraser River at Quesnel was built in 1928 and opened in the Spring of 1929. This bridge served the area until it was replaced by the present Moffat Bridge in 1970.

Also In The Above Photo: The replica of a Cornish water wheel was donated by W.H.Boyd of Cottonwood House. This replica of the Cariboo gold rush was dedicated by Governor Randolph Bruce in 1930.

As we drove through Quesnel I spotted an old steam shovel that is located in Ceal Tingley Park. I slowed the car down and got off of the main Highway and onto a side road and then into a parking lot in the park. It was just awesome, the shovel was used in the early 1900s at the Bullion Mine which was owned by the Cariboo Hydraulic Mining Company. From what I read, it was used to dig a trench from Spanish Lake to the Bullion Mine. The Bullion Mine. was later closed in 1912. 

Above Photo: An old steam shovel that was used by the Cariboo Hydraulic Mining Company.

Map of the area (Ceal Tingley Park) where I took the photos from:

Above Photo: Riveted boilers and other iron parts from the Upper Fraser River's first river-boat are displayed here at the east end of the old Fraser river bridge. The S.S. Enterprise travelled into Omenica country to Stuart Lake and was left to rot there. These metal remains were returned to Quesnel in 1977.

Below text (History) from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quesnel,_British_Columbia#History

The name is derived from Jules Maurice Quesnel, who accompanied Simon Fraser on his journey to the Pacific Ocean. Quesnel came to be called 'Quesnellemouth' to distinguish it from 'Quesnel Forks', 97 kilometres (60 mi) up river. 

Above Photo: When looking at any of my pictures, you can click on each of them for a larger view.

In 1870 it had been shortened to Quesnelle and by 1900 it was spelled the way it is now. Quesnel is located along the gold mining trail known as the Cariboo Wagon Road and was the commercial centre of the Cariboo Gold Rush. It also marks one end of the Alexander MacKenzie Heritage Trail. Because of its location on the Fraser River it was also an important landing for sternwheelers during 1862 until 1886 and then from 1909 until 1921.

Above And Below Photos: This is the CN Railway bridge.

The last sternwheeler on the upper Fraser was Quesnel's own namesake craft, and home town product, the Quesnel. Quesnel was incorporated in 1928.

When your planning your trip to Quesnel, British Columbia, make sure you contact, or drop into Tourism Quesnel for all the information you will need to make your holiday a memorial one.

Tourism Quesnel Website:

http://www.tourismquesnel.com/

Location Map for the Visitors Centre:

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