Vancouver Cupcake Bike Ride

Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Hot on the heels of my post about a poutine crawl around Vancouver, you can follow up with dessert at the Cupcake Bike Ride.

What Join others as you cycle from one cupcake shop to another around Vancouver
When Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 1:00pm
Cost None for the ride itself but you can purchase cupcakes at the stops

Mmmm Cupcakes!!!
Photo credit: Joe Marinaro on Flickr

The event is organized by Hyedie Hashimoto who has been operating “Girls’ Cupcake Rides” in Toronto for the last two years during the spring, summer, and fall. In an interview last June, Hyedie told the Toronto Star that she wanted to get more women out cycling in the city and while cupcakes aren’t just for women, they do fit perfectly into bike baskets for transport.

While the gender gap of riders may not be as wide in Vancouver, both men and women are more than welcome to peddle with the group and enjoy these sweet treats along the way.

If you would like to take part just show up at the first stop, Original Cupcakes on Denman at English Bay, on the day of the event. From there, riders will go to Kreation Artisan Bakery (3357 Cambie) then end up at Cassia Cupcakery (1706 Commercial). Since Hyedie is a visitor to Vancouver, she’s open to cycling route suggestions for these stops.

RSVP on Facebook and check out CupcakeRide.com for information on regular events if you’re in the Toronto area.

Visiting Fairmont Hot Springs, BC

Comments 5 by John Biehler
Disclosure: Review — John's experience was courtesy of Fairmont Hot Springs. He was not paid to write this recap and it is formed of his own opinions. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.

When I was a kid, growing up in Kelowna and Northern BC, my parents took our family on a lot of road trips. We went all over the place in the car camping, hoteling, etc. back in the days before iPads, Nintendo DS and seatback dvd players made road trips easier for us kids in the backseat.

Strangely though, we never visited any of the province’s hot springs. Because of this fact, I jumped at the chance to visit Fairmont Hot Springs, BC in the Columbia Valley which is located on the eastern edge of the province (Google Map), just south of Banff. About an hours drive from Cranbrook or 3.5 hours from Calgary.

For this trip, I flew into Calgary and drove to Fairmont Hot Springs.

I want to clarify one thing that was a little confusing to me at first: Fairmont Hot Springs is the name of the BC town, that has a hot springs resort that is named after the town, and not part of a hotel chain of the same name.

The main attraction of the area is, of course, the hot springs with the main ones being located at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort:

Spent the morning in the hotspring pools #roughlife

The resort features Canada’s largest natural mineral hot pools, with over 1.5 million gallons of naturally heated water flowing daily through a (39C/102F degree) soaking pool, a large swimming pool (31C/88F) and a diving pool (30C/86F) with high & low diving boards that are open year round.

Nearby is 45 holes of walkable golf courses. Two championship 18-hole courses (Riverside and Mountainside) and a 9-hole, Par 3 course at Creekside. There is also a family friendly ski area with 14 downhill runs and snowshoe tours. There are also a wide variety of restaurants around the resort and nearby to suite any taste and budget.

The area is considered to be an all season destination and it’s easy to see why no matter what your favorite outdoor activities are. The resort features year round “BC Rockies Adventures” where you can go on guided hikes, mountain bike tours, kayaking and lots of fun kids activities at the Base Camp. I’ll cover my kayaking adventure in an upcoming post.

Spot the bearA local bear cubs seem to like the resort too

During the four days of my stay, on a daily basis we came across numerous bears, deers, and other wildlife. I’m used to seeing wildlife on a regular basis in BC but it seemed to be much more frequent than usual.

I stayed at the Fairmont Ridge Residences which is just a short walk down the road from the resort. If you decide you’d like to spend more time in Fairmont, the Residences have a number of ways to stay including rentals, full and fractional purchase options of these stunning homes:

Fairmont Ridge Residences

Fairmont Ridge Residences Fairmont Ridge Residences

Fairmont Ridge Residences

A surprisingly well kept secret is the location of the ‘hidden waterfall’ hot spring which is just a 5 minute trail walk from the residences:

Hidden waterfall hot spring

As you can see, it’s a natural wonder that I still can’t believe is located in British Columbia and not some other exotic location. The waterfall is fed from the same source as the resort’s hot springs and was quite warm when I went for a dip.

I could have easily stayed in there all day…it must be magical in the winter time.

Hidden waterfall hot spring

It was a little surreal to stick my hand into the stream just down from the waterfall and instead of the usual glacier chill I’ve come to expect in BC, to have the water be quite warm.

I really enjoyed my time in Fairmont Hot Springs. It truly is a unique corner of the province that I look forward to visiting again.

Archives Photos of the Day: Street Fashions

Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Yesterday I asked the followers of my Facebook page what the theme of the next Archives Photos of the Day post should be. I had some great suggestions and decided to go with Robert White’s idea of street fashions. While the images were not categorized under a “fashion” tag, I did a little digging and pulled out some street scenes that do the trick.


1900’s – Granville. Archives item# CVA 677-659. Photographer: Philip Timms.


(Left) 1907 – Granville & Dunsmuir. Archives item# CVA 677-525.
(Right) 1907 – Hastings & Richards. Archives item# CVA 677-584. Photographer: Philip Timms.


1920’s – Granville & Pender. Archives item# CVA 677-660. Photographer: Philip Timms.


1940’s – Georgia & Granville. Archives item# CVA 1184-1809. Photographer: Jack Lindsay.


(Left) 1940’s – East Hastings. Archives item# CVA 1184-3276.
(Right) 1940’s – Hastings & Granville. Archives item# CVA 1184-1812. Photographer: Jack Lindsay.


1940’s – Georgia. Archives item# CVA 1184-1005.Photographer: Jack Lindsay.

You can discover more historic photos at the Vancouver Archives both online and in person over at Vanier Park.

Festival de la Poutine Vancouver & Poutine Crawl 2011

Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Vancouver is known for its abundance of sushi and coffee joints along with cupcake shops, unique diners, and locavore cuisine but the Quebec-classic poutine is bursting onto the scene. A staple at Fritz European Fry House and La Belle Patate, more restaurants are adding the french fry, cheese curd, and gravy-covered combo to their menus. As such, Vancouver is hosting its first Festival de la Poutine next month, presented by Francouver.

Poutine
Photo credit: Daragh on Flickr

What Festival de la Poutine
Where Hellenic Community Center, 4500 Arbutus Street, Vancouver
When Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 12:00pm
Cost Free admission for everyone until 5:30pm. $20 for the evening events starting at 6:00pm. Tickets are available for a “Poutine Crawl” around Vancouver on the same day.

Starting at noon there will be activities for families (a kids section, temporary tattoos, battle of the bands) and plenty of home-made poutine to sample. Amateur cooks can also enter their poutine recipes into a competition. After 6:00pm (until late) there will be concerts, a live DJ, dancing, and still more poutine.

Thrill The World Vancouver 2011

Comments 3 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Thrill The World Vancouver returns this year as dozens of cities around the globe participate in a zombie dance, on the same day, to the music of Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

Thrill the World
Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr

Where David Lam Park The Roundhouse in Yaletown
When Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 7:00pm
What The world’s largest simultaneous Thriller tribute dance. Once again donations are being accepted for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. A minimum donation of $10 is suggested.

Thrill The World Vancouver 2010
Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

No dance experience is necessary but you can pick up the Thriller moves at one of the rehearsal sessions happening October 24th or 25th at the Roundhouse, or October 27th at Cambrian Hall. You can also get your ghoulish makeup done on-site at Thrill The World courtesy of Vancouver Film School’s Makeup Design for Film & Television students. A 2-item donation for the Food Bank is suggested for makeup service.

Thrill The World Vancouver 2010
Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

I have been a costume contest judge for the last two years and am happy to return again. I don’t know what the categories will be this year but in the past I’ve judged “Hungriest Looking” and “Most Enthusiastic Dancer” alongside CBC Radio 3’s Lana Gay. Spectators are very welcome to come out and enjoy the show as Vancouver zombies support a worthy local cause.

Thrill The World Vancouver 2010
Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

Follow Thrill The World on Facebook and Twitter for event updates.