Fort George Park

Happy Birthday to me. Nice, start off EH. I am getting old and I guess it was inspiration for my next blog entry. Even though it’s not a travel experience for me it is defiantly a stop to make when in Prince George, BC, Canada.
What comes to mind with this single word? Parks. So many things come to my mind. A place to enjoy the weather, a place to walk around, a place to play, a place for events and a community gathering ground. Fort George Park is just that.
Fort George Park is the city's largest park covering over 65 acres. The park includes picnic tables in the sun and shade, sitting benches, a large picnic shelter, washrooms, monuments, a volleyball court, tennis courts, a playground and a band shelter. Fort George Park has pathways leading to viewing benches looking out over the Fraser River, flower gardens, a First Nation cemetery and a children's playground and water park(spray park). Fort George Park is the perfect place to spend the day with the family and friends. A perfect place to relax or see many city event gatherings.

Dream Travels

Well I have been a little lazy these days with my journeys. Or kind of poor to embark on new out of town ones. So I guess I will write something different for this entry.
There are so many places I want to visit around the world and the odds of seeing each and everyone one is low but I will try my best to hit as many of them. I have this book called “501 Must-take Journeys”. I have about 50 markers in the book that tell of amazing journeys. Some last anywhere to a few hours to a few months. Looking through the markers I notice many are located on waterfalls. Can you say I love hiking to fresh air and rushing waters. So back to my blog entry. This entry is going to be top 6 places I want to visit. Some are just cities and some are countrys.

1)Haida Gwaii(Queen Charlotte Island): I’ve always wanted to be surrounded by the ocean. It seems like the perfect historical getaway. Being able to camp, smell the fresh air, hike, fish and kayak. It is sad to think I have yet to visit this place since it practically in the back yard.

2)Vancouver: Again this is in my back yard. I have been to Vancouver a few times. Once when I was 8. Don’t remember much from the trip. I went again for AAA Provincial Basketball Tournament. I was only able to see “Metrotown Mall” and “Gas Town”. This being said I wish to return. There is so much to do and see. Capilano Suspension Bridge, China Town, Harbour Center Lookout, Grouse Mountain, Stanley Park, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and so much more.

3)Avonlea Village: Most have heard of Avonlea and if not….got no words for you. Avonlea is a fiction based town from the book series “Anne of Green Gables”. Or some of you have watched the television series “Road to Avonlea”. The set is still alive and standing for anyone that wants to let their imagination run wild and go back in time.

4)South Korea: Cheonjiyeon Falls, Oedolgae, Sinyang Beach, Mt.Namsan, Puk’ansan, and Gyeongbokung are just a few places I want to see in S.Korea. I have been fascinated or obsessed with S.Korea since they day I thought I was going to watch an Anime. This Anime ended up being a Korea Drama. I want to see the places I see in the Korean dramas and go back in time to see historic building and palaces. I could keep rambling on about S.Korea but ya….

5) China: I really want to see China. Yu Garden, Mt. Huangshan, Qibao, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Ancient City Wall and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda are some of the places. China has so much history and the culture is so different is certain aspects from western culture.

6) Russia: Ever heard the story of Anastasia? The stories and movies about the lost princess Anastasia is what started my fascination of Russia and the Russian Revolution. I don’t know about many places in Russia or know a whole bunch of tourist attractions. But, I do know I want to go to Moscow and St. Petersburg. See the forever talked about palace and church.

Where are some places you want to visit?

Cottonwood Island Park

Ever have a place you love to go on an evening off or a place you feel like getting away to? I have a place, I visit this wondrous nature park at least once a week, if not more. Cottonwood Island Park or it’s official name Cottonwood Island Nature Park.

There are many beginnings to this park. The main entrance to the parking lot is located off of River Road. Where there is a nice grassy area with a gazebo, picnic tables and a trail map. The map outlines the trails including the Willow, Grove, Cottonwood, Limestone, Hazelnut and Dogwood Trails.

Some are probably wondering what ‘river road’. I guess I should tell you where it is. It is located where the Nechako and Fraser River meet in the community of Prince George, B.C., Canada. The park is 88acres and has many 300 year old Black Cottonwood Trees. (If anyone is allergic to pollen, it is widely suggested to bring allergy relievers. In my case I am allergic to ONLY cottonwood and pay for it every time.)


Summer/Autumn is one of the best times to visit the park. The river is low enough that you are able to walk over the river rock beds. Sometimes getting half way over the river. There is nothing better that taking a journey over rock beds with some friends. That isn’t the only reason Summer/Autumn is a great time to visit. You have many wild berries along the trails and the leaves are just changing color so you really experience that warm happy feeling.

The tails are both dirt and paved. It is a multi-use trail that lets joggers, bikers, runners, walkers and in-line skaters use. Some people use the trail to cross-country ski during the winter.

People can fish from the river, there is a boat launch for boaters, and many events are held at Cottonwood Island park. There is one event closing in on September 11th, 2011. It is an annual event called “Paws for Cause”. Many communities throughout the province will par take to raise funds for local animal shelters. It will begin at 11am and the funds raised in Prince George will go to the Caribou Branch of the SPCA.

Please if you have an hour or two, take the time to visit Cottonwood Island Park.
P.S - Don't try and find the sign. :-D PEACE OUT