Canada — Beachcomber Pete Travel Adventures

Chibougamau, Canada

Chibougamau is the largest town in rugged central Quebec, even though the population is only 7, 563. Surrounded by northern boreal forests and pristine lakes, Chibougamau is a beautiful location with a growing tourism interest. Named after vast nearby Lake Chibougamau, the town was once a mining outpost, but has grown into a thriving community.

Chibougamau, which means “crossed by a river” in Cree, is located in the Nord-du-Quebec region on the banks of Lake Gilman. The Cree Indians used the area for their traditional hunting grounds for centuries, and in the early 17th century French explorers and traders first came to Lake Chibougamau. In the late 1800’s, mining prospectors began working the area, and gold was discovered in 1903. A period of concentrated exploration immediately began, but due to the remote location and difficulty in accessing the area, no permanent outpost was developed. In 1949, copper was discovered and the availability of more advanced transportation methods and technology allowed mining to expand, along with a permanent community. The town of Chibougamau was incorporated in 1954, and soon became well-established as a mining center for copper, gold and silver. Still renowned for its mining, Chibougamau is now a large industry center for logging and sawmills.

Located on the banks of Lake Gilman, Chibougamau takes advantage of its beautiful surroundings in both summer and winter. In the summer, highest temperatures are from June to August, the average being around 70° F. Winter high temperatures average around 10° F from December to February. In the summer months, Obalski Park around Lake Gilman offers a beach for swimming or relaxing in the sun, a boat pier, picnic areas, cabins, and camping facilities. Many well-kept trails are used for hiking and biking, and in the snowy months, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Winter is celebrated in Chibougamau with the festival of the “Folies Frettes”, and a huge international snowmobile rally.

Although Chibougamau is in a fairly remote area of Canada, it is easily accessed by road or by air. From the west, Route 113 leads to Chibougamau, and from the southeast, Route 167 goes into town. The Chibougamau airport is just outside of town on Route 113. French is the main language spoken, with English being spoken by about two percent of the population. With the booming mining and logging industries, Chibougamau has become a well-known destination for commercial, residential, and tourist interests.

Filed Under: Canada, Chibougamau, North America, Quebec

Cold Lake, Canada

Cold Lake, located near the provincial border of Alberta-Saskatchewan, Canada, is sparsely populated, consisting primarily of farm land and forested regions. The growth of the economy is attributed to military spending at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, also known as CFB. CFB is one of two military bases in the country utilizing sophisticated CF-18 Flornet fighter/interceptor aircraft, used in the defense of the western half of Canadian air space and the expansive arctic territory. Each year Cold Lake hosts military forces from around the world for Exercise Maple Flag, an extensive training program designed for pilots and personnel of NATO allies. The program, which begins in May, lasts between four to six weeks. The event is open to visitors for viewing sophisticated military aircraft and manuevers conducted in rural air spaces. The program contributes significant income to the hotel and hospitality industries in the region, as most accommodations are booked during the month of May.

Cold Lake offers a wealth of summer and winter outdoor recreational activities, many of which are centered around the dazzling waters of the lake that borders the city. Visitors are attracted to water sports activities, such as canoeing, kayaking, sailing, pleasure boating and fishing. Home to approximately 25 known species of fish, the lake provides outstanding fishing opportunities year around. There are several first-class campgrounds in the area, including Cold Lake Provincial Park, which offers spacious camp sites in a partially secluded lakeside area with access to a wilderness hiking trail system, a private beach and several boat launching areas. The M.D. Campground, with spectacular views of the lake and surrounding forest lands, includes a large covered picnic area with outdoor cooking facilities. Kinosoo Beach, which spans approximately three city blocks, is a splendid area for relaxation, sunbathing and swimming.

Hiking trails are abundant, vary in length, and are graded according to difficulty. The Iron Horse Trail is a multi-purpose trail that traverses through mixed forests and farm lands. Winding along rivers, waterfalls and lakes, the trail is popular for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding during the summer season, and for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling during the winter season. The Millennium Trail is a paved, multi-purpose trail, ideal for mountain biking, hiking and rollerblading in the summer. It is perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. The African Lake Trail, one of the most rugged in the area, is an un-groomed, narrow trail that spirals through a densely forested area, leading to Cold Lake Provincial Park.

Although many visitors choose camping at Cold Lake, several accommodations are available, including small hotels, bed and breakfast inns and short-term rentals. The Hamilton House Bed & Breakfast Inn, situated on five acres, surrounded by spacious lawns and colorful flower gardens, is one of the most popular in the area. Other charming inns include the Villa on the Hill Bed & Breakfast, the Harbour House Bed & Breakfast Inn and the Lakeshore Inn.

The Cold Lake recreational region includes two spectacular golf courses, the Palm Springs Golf Club and the Grand Centre Golf & Country Club. Both courses feature manicured greens, water hazards and sand traps. Cold Lake is a marvelous holiday getaway for outdoor enthusiasts of every type. The summer months are warm and sunny, perfect for hiking, mountain biking, walking, swimming, golfing, fishing, and water sports activities. Transformed into a spectacular wonderland of icy waterways and dazzling white forest trails, the winter season is perfectly suited for cross country skiing, winter hiking, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. When the frigid cold climate begins, the ice-encrusted lake becomes a sweeping outdoor rink, ideal for figure skating, ice hockey and ice fishing. Cold Lake is one of the few wilderness areas in Canada amenable to outdoor activities spanning all seasons.

Filed Under: Alberta, Canada, Cold Lake, featured, North America

Churchill, Canada

People call Churchill, located in Manitoba, Canada, the polar bear capital of the Earth because of the great, many polar bears that migrate to its shores during the fall. However, there are many more animals and other fantastic things for people to see in Churchill than just polar bears.

Churchill, located near the shores of Hudson Bay, draws hundreds of polar bears because of its extremely cold climate, long winter seasons and short summer seasons. Each year, between Mid-October and early November, when the Hudson Bay freezes; hundreds of polar bears migrate to the area to hunt for their main source of food, seals. For those visitors, who would like to get a close-up look of these polar bears in their natural habitat, Churchill offers rides in tundra buggies, so people can view them.

For the bird lovers of the family, Churchill will not disappoint them. From about late May through August, visitors will have the opportunity to see close to 400 different species of birds. Some of the different birds that people may get to see in Churchill include Snowy owls, Stilt Sandpipers, Tundra Swans and American Golden Plovers.

Between the months of July and August, visitors to the area will have the magnificent experience of seeing some of the thousands of Beluga whales that migrate here during this time. People will delight in viewing the magnificence of these animals and listening to the unique calls of these spectacular whales.

When visiting Churchill, people must experience the splendid Northern Lights, scientifically known as the Aurora Borealis. These natural, beautiful displays of light occur in the sky during the night usually between the months of August through December. Anybody will be utterly amazed by this splendid natural phenomenon.

In conclusion, the lovely Canadian town of Churchill offers much in the way of natural beauty to any visitor that chooses to come here. From hundreds of impressive polar bears and the many different varieties of birds to thousands of magnificent Beluga whales and the breathtaking Northern Lights, Churchill promises to be a vacation that anyone will remember for many years in the future.

Filed Under: Canada, Churchill, featured, Manitoba, North America

Calgary, Canada

Calgary, Canada is beautiful and exciting city that draws visitors from around the world. With a population of nearly a million people, Calgary is the fourth largest city in Canada and largest in the Province of Alberta. Located on the banks of the Bow River and situated close to the Rocky Mountain system, the city of Calgary was formally established in 1875. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, thousands of people poured into the city lured by the promise of homestead land. This frontier spirit gives Calgary much of its character and has made it into one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse cities.

Calgary’s expansion was fueled by the discovery of large oil reserves in 1947. Although the city experienced a prolonged decline in revenue when energy prices bottomed out during the 1980s, city planners who worked to diversify the economy, coupled with the rising oil prices of the 2000s, spurred the economy’s resurgence. Calgary became such a renowned city that it was chosen to host the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. As a world-class city, Calgary receives nearly four million visitors a year, with over a million people flocking to the city for the annual Calgary Stampede.

The Calgary Stampede boasts a huge parade and features what is widely considered the largest rodeo in the world. The Stampede is a ten-day event that also features fairs, concerts, and chuckwagon racing. The winter climate makes Calgary and ideal locale for winter sports. The Canada Olympic Park hosts many winter sports events including luge, downhill skiing, and snowboarding among many others. With considerably mild summers and abundant sunshine, Calgary also provides many opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Golfing, water skiing, fly-fishing, and mountain biking are popular throughout the region.

The economic boom has also helped the city develop a thriving cultural scene that has something for every taste. Expansive shopping centers such as The Core Shopping Centre and the Eau Claire Market form the backbone of a flourishing downtown that boasts a diverse array of restaurants, public spaces, and nightlife. In addition, the Calgary Zoo, the Telus World of Science, Glenbow Museum, and the Art Gallery of Calgary all attract thousands of visitors every year. In addition, the Heritage Park Historical Village and Spruce Meadows provide a reprieve for those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of the busy city.

Calgary is a beautiful, unique city that not only provides a plethora of activities for sports and outdoors enthusiasts, but it also has a number of must-see cultural and public landmarks. From its hardscrabble origins, Calgary has grown to become one of the highest ranked cities on earth in terms of quality of life and cleanliness.

Filed Under: Alberta, Calgary, Canada, Edmonton, featured, North America

Montreal, Canada

Reminiscent of the city of Paris, Montreal is considered the most sophisticated and romantic city in Canada by many. Home to a vibrant arts and cultural scene, there is a wide variety of attractions to suit all tastes. The city hosts many festivals and events throughout the year that range from art exhibits to live theatrical productions as well as science exhibitions and much more.

Montreal is an island municipality located within the province of Quebec and is bounded by the St. Lawrence Seaway. The site where the city now stands was discovered in 1535 by Jacques Cartier, a French navigator. Upon seeing the mountain for the first time that now serves as a stately backdrop to the city, he named it le Mont Royal. The area was eventually settled in May 1642 by the Société de Notre Dame de Montréal, a group of missionaries from France who came to bring the gospel to the Indians who inhabited the area at the time.

Montreal is a wonderful mixture of the historic and the modern and nowhere in the city is its heritage more alive than in Old Montreal. Narrow cobbled streets lined with Victorian era street lamps showcase a wonderful assortment of sidewalk cafes, artfully renovated historic buildings, many now home to elegant boutiques, as well as talented street entertainers that will beguile passersby with their craft. Wandering through the area, the aroma of delicious cuisine tempts visitors to venture inside the many fine dining establishments.

One of the city’s most notable landmarks is the Notre-Dame Basilica, a grand cathedral that was founded in 1642 by the original settlers to the island. Far from its original simple wood construction, the Notre-Dame Basilica seen today is a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture. The current cathedral was completed in 1829, replacing the previous church on the same site. The interior of the cathedral is even more spectacular than the outside with breathtaking sculptures depicting many scenes from the Bible throughout while hues of blue and gold gently highlight the room adding to the ambiance.

No visit to Montreal is complete without a visit to Mont Royal. Outstanding views of the city abound as you ascend the mountain. While the hike is a bit strenuous it will yield some amazing photo opportunities and is well worth the effort!

For a relaxing afternoon a visit to the Montreal Botanical Gardens might be just the thing. Considered one of the finest botanical gardens in the world, it features more than 21,000 different plant species from around the world. There are ten exhibition greenhouses that contain thousands of plants, over 100 that are quite rare or threatened. There are also thirty theme gardens that are quite spectacular and represent authentic habitats for each region depicted. These include an Alpine Garden, a Japanese garden, a Chinese garden, the First Nations Garden of Canadian plants, a collection of poisonous plants and several others.

These are just a few of the sights that await visitors in beautiful Montreal.

Filed Under: Canada, featured, Montreal, North America, Quebec, Quebec City

Québec City, Canada

Over four hundred years have passed since Québec City, the capitol of the Canadian province of Québec, was founded by Samuel de Champlain and began its role as the wellspring of French civilization in the Americas. This vast cultural metropolis, populated by only an estimated 750,000 individuals, lies within a low-lying region situated along the St. Lawrence River, and pays homage to its European origins through numerous facets, including its French speaking populace, rustic architecture, and overall lifestyle.

While Québec City features a uniform ethos, the heart of this urban center, called Vieux-Québec, or Old Québec, is actually divided by precipitous bluffs into two districts: Upper Town, or Haute Ville, and Lower Town, also referred to as Basse Ville. The former quarter, positioned on the Cape Diamond promontory, stands in the midst of century-old fortress walls, while the latter region sprawls along the shore of the cape.

Deemed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, Upper Town, which was initially built to accommodate the steadily expanding government of New France, features a variety of immaculately preserved historic monuments, including the Chateau Frontenac, Place d’Armes, Plains of Abraham, and the Quebec Parliament. Notwithstanding its evident antiquity, the narrow streets of Upper Town still provide an ample selection of modernized bars, cafés, shops, and hotels.

The Lower Town of Old Québec holds the capitol’s oldest residential areas, which are now dotted with exquisite boutiques, restaurants, art galleries, and other tourist oriented attractions, such as the Museum of Civilization. Lower Town’s cobblestone streets and breathtaking view of the raging St. Lawrence River is appreciated by a culturally diverse community, including both the suit-clad businessman and the new-age hipster.

Tradition manifests itself in Québec City not only through its aged infrastructure and timeless culture, but also through large-scale events such as the Winter Carnival and Summer Festival. The cold weather festivities were first held in the year 1894, in order to lessen the severity of winter hardships on the populace by providing several weeks of sporting events, parades, banquets, and masquerade balls. The later established Summer Festival spans eleven days, during which the city hosts hundreds of indoor and outdoor concerts, meant to showcase the artistic and economic capabilities of Quebec’s capitol.

Since its inception, Québec City has fostered the continued presence of French civilization far from its European origins. The respect bestowed upon the past is relevant in the city’s every element, and is therefore an incredibly invaluable experience to be realized.

Filed Under: Canada, featured, North America, Quebec, Quebec City

Nunavut, Canada

Untamed, unspoiled, undiscovered—these words describe Nunavut (which means “our land” in the native Inuktitut language). Located on vast tundra centered in northeastern Canada, this Territory with roughly 32,000 people is the largest of all the territories and provinces in Canada. Resting on its arctic coastline is its capital, Iqaluit. Nunavut is an inherently meditative locale— with magnificent views of cotton grass, ice floes and wildlife–which is precisely why nature lovers and adventure seekers are drawn to this natural paradise.

Untamed-Wildlife
With countless wildlife spread across Cape Dorset, Pond Inlet, and Repulse Bay– Nunavut offers a true wilderness experience. The ancient hunting grounds are teeming with big game including caribou, musk ox, and bears.
Nunavut is a sport fisher’s dream. Arctic char, Arctic grayling, Northern pike and lake trout fill the pristine waters ready to wrestle with any angler who dares to cast a line. Millions of birds flock to Nunavut, making it the ultimate birding hotspot. There are 11 Bird Sanctuaries with over 100 species of birds, including snowy owls, sand cranes, jaegers and plovers that feed along the floe edge near Baffin Island.

Unspoiled-Land and Water
The Inuit natives have a great deal of respect for the land and its waters, and actively strive to preserve this harmonious balance for future generations. Since there are no roads, guests arrive by boat, dogsled or snowmobile. Other modes of transportation include navigating on steady currents in a canoe, kayak or raft to view shorelines and fiords. Visitors can also experience the great outdoors mountain biking, hiking or ATV excursions.

Nunavut’s parks whisper “katjaqnaaq,” which means I am content in this beautiful and special place. I have found peace. There are four national parks and thirteen Territorial parks. Each park is unique in landscape and purpose: wilderness parks for hiking and rafting; community parks for bird watching, fishing and camping; and historic parks, filled with cultural treasures.

Undiscovered-Arts and Culture
One of the most enjoyable experiences in Nunavut is the cultural encounter. The culture permeates throughout the Territory because the Inuit people blend into the landscape. At specific times throughout the year, communities from all over Nunavut gather to celebrate their heritage. This celebration includes, drum dancing, throat singing and games. One of the most honored traditions is the weeklong Toonik Tyme festival, which takes place in the spring. Each community in Nunavut specializes in producing original art: cloth, jewelry, ceramic mugs and stone sculptures. The Alianait Arts festival highlights various talents. The rich bounty of the land provides authentic ingredients for exotic cuisine. Seal is a delicacy eaten raw, while caribou, char, and musk ox is prepared by stewing, baking, frying and grilling.

Hire a guide to enjoy the full Nunavut experience. And take plenty of film. With an average of 20 hours of sunlight and no trees to block your view, you will want to remember this poetic beauty of nature before uttering ‘angirraliqtunga’ (I am going home).

Filed Under: Canada, featured, North America, Nunavut

Northwest Territories, Canada

The Northwest Territories are a federal territory in the country of Canada. With a population of just over 43000 people, the Northwest Territories are the 11th most populous province or territory in Canada. The city of Yellowknife is the capital of the territory. The Northwest Territories are the home of the largest lake entirely in the country of Canada, Great Bear Lake, as well as Nahanni National Park Reserve. These two locations make up most of the tourist activity in the territory. While the summer season is short, it is the best time to visit the area because the weather is usually very mild.

The Northwest Territory became part of Canada in 1870 after they were transferred to the country from the Hudson’s Bay Company. Provinces were eventually formed from the land gained in the transfer. Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Yukon were formed and the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec were extended in the early 1900′s. After the splitting of the land, the area that remained became known as the Northwest Territories. This remained in effect until April of 1999 when the majority of the eastern portion of the Northwest Territories became a separate federal territory known as Nunavut.

Nahanni National Park Reserve is easily the most visited attraction in the Northwest Territories. The park is located in the Dehcho Region of the territory and is over 30,000 square kilometers large. In 1978, Nihanni National Park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The major attractions in the park are the South Nihanni River, Viginia Falls and the Tufa Mounds. The South Nihanni River runs through the entire park and is one of the only antecedent rivers in the world. Antecedent rivers are rivers that run through the hills and mountains in the area because they were there first and the hills and mountains formed around the river.

Virginia Falls is a spot in the park where the river falls over 295 feet and forms a waterfall. The falls are a beautiful piece of nature that everyone in the area should see. Rare orchid species are found surrounding Virginia Falls. The mist coming off of the waterfall makes this one of the only areas in the world where these flowers are able to grow. The Rabbitkettle Tufa Mounds found in Nahanni National Park are the largest Tufa mounds found in Canada. The largest mounds are over 88 feet high and over 242 feet across.

There are also many other great locations throughout the park. Great views of hot springs, mountain ranges and animal life are available no matter where you are at in the park. Nahanni National Park is the home of 10 different animal species that are listed on the endangered list including the grizzly bear and the wood buffalo. Over 700 different species of plants can also be found in the park. When visiting the Northwest Territories it is going to see Nahanni National Park should be a priority because it features wildlife that will never be seen anywhere else.

Filed Under: Canada, featured, North America, Northwest Territories

Yukon Territory, Canada

The Yukon Territory is a federal territory in the country of Canada. It makes up the north-westernmost portions of the country, and with a population of just over 34000 people it is also the smallest territory in Canada. The Yukon became its own territory in 1898 after is split up from the Northwest Territories due to the increased population in the area from the Klondike Gold Rush. The Yukon Territory continues to have an arctic climate with long cold winters and very short summers. During the summer months, the Yukon Territory will also go long periods of time with no precipitation. Despite the weather, the Yukon Territory is still a popular tourist site due to its beautiful nature and great snow sporting locations.

While the Yukon Territory is one of the smaller areas in Canada, it is home to three different national parks. The three parks include Kulane National Park and Reserve, Vuntut National Park and Ivvavik National Park. Kulane National Park and Reserve is one of the most visited locations in the Yukon Territory. The other two national parks are not visited by many tourists because their locations make them rather hard to get to.

Kulane National Park and Reserve is in the southwest portion of the Yukon Territory and is the home of the largest mountain in the country of Canada, Mount Logan. Established in 1972, the park features over 100 different species of birds including the bald eagle. Over 80% of the 22,000 square kilometers that make up Kulane National Park and Reserve are made up of glaciers and mountains. Fishing, boating, hiking, camping, mountain biking and rafting are the most popular activities at the park. Due to the severe weather in the area, the park is only open to the park is only open to the public for four months between May and September.

The Yukon territory is also the home of many more smaller parks throughout the region. These parks are where tourists would be allowed to participate in a variety of different activities including skiing, snow boarding, mountain climbing, hunting and ice climbing. There are also several different cultural events that occur in the Yukon Territory. These events are different depending on the time of year, but the locals are friendly and always welcome tourists into their celebrations. The scenery of the Yukon Territory makes is beautiful even when you are away from the parks. The vast amount of animals and beautiful nature surrounding the area make the Yukon Territory a great place to visit no matter where you are visiting in the territory.

Filed Under: Canada, featured, North America, Yukon Territory

New Brunswick, Canada

Canada is easily one of the most diverse and beautiful places to visit in the world. If you are visiting from out of the country, New Brunswick is definitely one of the best places to tour. Between its natural landscape, rich history and wonderful modern culture, there is a lot to be seen and done in this Canadian province. It is one of Canada’s three maritime provinces and is the only province that is constitutionally bilingual in Canada, in the sense that they speak both French and English. The majority of the population speaks English, however. The name of the Province is derived from a French and English transcription of the city Brunswick in Northern Germany.

The climate of New Brunswick is primarily set in patterns by the ocean that it borders. In many ways it is a mirror of colonial America, sharing much of the same trees, geography and rich history. It is in possession of many vast and beautiful rivers that flow throughout the region, providing great opportunities for boaters and photographers. Although Brunswick is near the Atlantic Ocean, it is heavily sheltered from the ocean-induced weather, therefore giving it a slightly drier climate than a town that would sit directly on the shores of the sea. The region is famous for the huge Appalachian Mountain Range that dominates the skyline in one direction.

The people who originally inhabited the area that is now New Brunswick were the First Nations, a confederation of three Indian tribes. The first known exploration of the region was recorded by famed explorer Jacques Cartier, who claimed the territory as France’s in 16th century. Although it was considered French territory for many years, after the French and Indian War of the 1800s, it fell under British control. New Brunswick eventually entered the Canadian Confederation and it is still a Canadian territory to this day.

New Brunswick has been popularly separated into five scenic drives, all which are very beautiful: Appalachian Range Route, Miramichi River Route, River Valley Scenic Drive, Acadian Coastal Drive and the Fundy Coastal Drive. The Acadian Historical Village is famous for featuring the descendants of the Acadians, who tell the story of ‘le grand derangement,’ or the British attempt to rid New Brunswick of its French inhabitants.You can explore the ocean at the Hopewell Rocks, or visit a historical village at King’s Landing. King’s Landing was a refuge for those who were fleeing the American Revolution and immigrating from Ireland.

Kinsbrae Garden is a lovely experience. You can enjoy a serene, beautiful garden and stroll into a quaint cafe. Fundy Trail Parkway will take you into the Fundy Bay, providing some great seaside exploration – and education for the younger ones! Grand Manan Island is a peaceful place to lounge, doing everything from swimming to enjoying a wonderful nightlife scene. Also, be sure to check out Roosevelt’s Campobello International Park, which is preserved by both the United States and Canadian governments. There is so much to see and do here.

Filed Under: Canada, featured, New Brunswick, North America