The following has been contributed by Dax Justin in partnership with ZenSeekers, exploring the Kettle Valley Rail Trail and #Route97.
#Route97 is a collection of experiences and destinations you will find within the Okanagan Valley and into Washington state.
ZenSeekers challenges you to explore the region this fall and have a series of stories to help make that happen.
Exploring The Kettle Valley Rail Trail with Dax Justin
Peaceful ride in the sky: Cycling the historic trestles and tunnels of Myra Canyon
The views are gorgeous on the Trestles and Tunnels Tour with Monashee Adventure Tours.
I’d never heard of a ‘ghost train’ until Ed Kruger said he’d summon one for us at the first tunnel we were about to ride through on our bikes on a guided tour in the Okanagan’s spectacular Myra Canyon, part of the Okanagan’s Kettle Valley Rail Trail.
On this beautiful late September day, I could see why people from Vancouver and all over western Canada would want to make this a weekend getaway to get in some spectacular cycling in the weeks before the snow flies.
Ed grew up cycling, skiing and snowshoeing in the Okanagan, surrounded by the Monashee Mountains, which fittingly translates to “peaceful mountain.”
Be curious. Explore more of the adventures to be had along #Route97 and the BC Rail Trails here »
Ed Kruger our guide knows the Kettle Valley Rail Trail like the back of his hand, having grown up in this area.
He knows and loves this place intimately, making him the perfect guide for our cycling excursion on the historic Kettle Valley Railway with his company Monashee Adventure Tours.
The 40-minute ride up to the Myra Canyon junction where we would set off on our 20-km Trestles and Tunnels ride was a bit jarring. I assumed then that the bike ride would be just as bumpy, and prepared myself.
But I was wrong. Having not been on a mountain bike in a few years, I was relieved for the leisurely pace and smooth, flat ride. Though the views had me madly snapping photos and made it hard for me to keep my eyes on the trail.
The trail is smooth and flat, allowing you to admire the gorgeous Canyon views.
A rider of just about any ability can easily master this stretch. The railings are secure and thanks to dozens of volunteers in the region, there’s interpretive signage and everything is maintained to perfection.
Perfection seemed to be the motto of the day. The clear blue sky made the dazzling fall colours pop in the sunshine, and we could see for miles beyond the canyon down to the Okanagan valley, the vineyards and pretty Lake Okanagan in the distance.
Be curious. Explore more of the adventures to be had along #Route97 and the BC Rail Trails here »
As we pedalled along, Ed told us a bit about the history of the Kettle Valley Railway Trail and how it came to be. From 1910 to 1914, the rail trestles were built allowing steam trains of the day to pass through, an important connector for the people and business from the Kootenays to the Coast. But when rail transportation became less popular, the old rail lines sat unused. That is until the 1990s, when a group of passionate volunteers decided to revitalize them into a recreational trail for cyclists.
The Kettle Valley Rail Trail extends for 600 kms, from Midway to Hope, B.C. We were only on a small section of it, and it was impressive.
There we were nearly 1,500 metres above the valley, and I could just picture and hear the sound of the trains chugging along here, with tendrils of steam billowing. And I was grateful we were able to enjoy the hard work of some recreational visionaries.
There are two tunnels to ride through on this section of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail.
Back to those tunnels, there are two along this route. And what a feeling that is, cycling into the dark and cool air of the tunnel and then bursting back out into the beautiful light of the day.
And, as for Ed summoning those ghost trains, you’ll just have to go on a ride with him to find out that story.
If You Go
About the Author: Dax Justin on Behalf of ZenSeekers
Dax Justin is a Canadian explorer, adventure/landscape photographer, visual content creator, and destination storyteller based in Alberta, Canada.
His photographic work focuses on outdoor adventure, landscapes, mountain lifestyle, people and sports. The photography captured on expeditions bring the adventure to a worldwide online audience in real time, expanding brand reach through social media and travel networks including Seekers Media.
The Canuck Place Gift of Time Gala took place on Saturday evening, with over 600 guests in attendance at the Westin Bayshore.
Hosted by Global BC’s Chris Gailus and sold out months in advance, Canuck Place supporters including guests, sponsors, volunteers, board members and staff came together and raised a new record total of $1.24 million to support the complex care of BC’s children with life-threatening illnesses and the families who love them.
Canuck Place Gift of Time Gala
Gala Co-Chairs, Emily Lazare and Shanni Eckford led a creative and passionate volunteer gala and wine committee who were pivotal to the success of the event. Canuck Place parent, Maureen Laforge, whose daughter Angela passed away on the Canuck Place program, spoke eloquently to a captivated audience, of the critical care they received from Canuck Place.
“You see love here every day. It’s the most intense of embraces, where people show up with their best love. It is the most animated and open and raw expression. It is filled with joy and love.” – Canuck Place CEO, Margaret McNeil
“Being the parent of a critically ill child feels like being in the middle of a hurricane, and tornado, and a tsunami all at the same time and all the while your child looks to you to calm the winds, block the flying debris, and hold back the waves – they look to you to save them. It is a most helpless feeling I have ever felt.” – Family speaker Maureen LaForge
“I wish the world was one without critically ill or dying children but it is. So, instead, I wish that all families could have the opportunity to have their last weeks, days, or hours with their child, at Canuck Place. Like we had with Angela.” – Family speaker Maureen LaForge
Click here to donate to Canuck Place »
The Gift of Time Gala has raised over $10 million for Canuck Place children and families in the past 13 years. All funds raised support the delivery of pediatric palliative care through the Canuck Place provincial program.
Miss604 is proud to be the Social Media Sponsor of the Gift of Time Gala.
Upcoming Canuck Place Events
The Dog
Canuck Place partnered with Greystone books on a new children’s book inspired by a visit to Canuck Place and Poppy the therapy dog! Canuck Place Medical Director, Dr. Hal Siden will be reading the book, with Poppy at his side at Kidsbooks on October 26th.
Liz Rose Seven Summits
On November 3rd, Liz is poised to become the youngest Canadian to climb the Seven Summits – The tallest mountain on each continent. For her final climb, she’s fundraising for Canuck Place, and is even bringing a flag signed by Canuck Place kids to the top of her final mountain in Australia.
Follow along on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Broadway Across Canada presents Jersey Boys, November 14-19, 2017 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony Award®-winning true-life musical phenomenon, Jersey Boys. From the streets of New Jersey to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this is the musical that’s just too good to be true.
The touring cast of Jersey Boys, photo by Jeremy Daniel
Jersey Boys in Vancouver
When: November 14 to November 19, 2017
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre (650 Hamilton St, Vancouver)
They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story — a story that has made them an international sensation all over again.
Featuring the legendary Top 10 hits: “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Walk Like A Man”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, “December, 1963 (Oh What A Night)”.
To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster online or call 1-855-985-5000. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 1-800-889-8457.
Win Tickets
I have a pair of tickets to give away to opening night on Tuesday, November 14th at 8:00pm. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post naming one of the legendary Top 10 hits in the show (1 entry)
- Share this post on Facebook, tagging @Miss604 @BroadwayAcrossCanada (1 entry)
- Click below to get another entry by posting on Twitter:
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to JERSEY BOYS in Vancouver @bactouring http://ow.ly/K1BH30fYBQQ” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, October 24, 2017.
Follow Broadway Across Canada on Twitter and Facebook for more information about their shows coming to Vancouver for 2017-2018.
Update The winner is Michelle W!
Dress for Success Vancouver (“DFSV”) will host their 5th annual Success Luncheon Thursday, November 2, 2017 at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver. The event celebrates dynamic corporate culture that fuels employees and encourages leaders to flourish.
Dress for Success Luncheon
When: Thursday November 2, 2017 11:15am to 1:30pm
Where: Fairmont Pacific Rim, 1038 Canada Place, Vancouver
Tickets: Individual tickets $125 & include a $50 tax receipt. Tables of 10 available for $1,500.
The event features a panel of female executives sharing ideas and personal stories on corporate culture. DFSV will also recognize their client, Miriam Linderman who has overcome challenges and is now building her own success by inspiring and coaching others. Miriam will be awarded the DFSV Inspiration Award, acknowledging her journey and achievements with the support of Dress for Success programs. The Success Luncheon is an annually anticipated opportunity to bring together the Dress for Success Vancouver corporate community and supporters.
Panel speakers are Janeen Speer, Vice President of Talent & Organizational Development at WestJet, Zuleika Sgro, Vice President of Retail at Saje Natural Wellness and Lyndsey Hannigan, Director of Talent at Clio. The discussion will be moderated by Lorie Corcuera, Co-Founder & CEO of SPARK Creations. The event is again hosted by TV personality and producer Fiona Forbes.
In addition to the panel discussion, guests are invited to a pre-lunch networking event where they will meet with speakers and local corporate supporters across sectors. Raffles tickets and opportunities to support a DFSV woman will be available.
About Dress for Success Vancouver
Dress for Success Vancouver is a registered charity committed to empowering women into the workforce by providing
professional attire, career development tools and a career advancement program. An affiliate of the international
organization Dress for Success, DFSV was established in 1999 as the first international affiliate and has served over 25,000 women in the Lower Mainland.
