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Top 12 of 2012

January 3, 2013 by janicesadventures


Like everyone else, I’ve been reflecting on 2012 these last few days. How it measured up, things I accomplished, and what I’d like to bring forward into the coming year. One of those things is definitely to continue to travel.

Luckily there have been some great opportunities to see some awesome places past year. We unintentionally made this the year of “dream vacationing” where we got to see two places that have topped the travel bucket list for 10 years – Iceland and Alaska. But there were also a bunch of unexpected highlights to the travel year too.

Here’s a list of my top 12 travel highlights of 2012:

1. Top “shit my pants” experience: Bungy Jumping, Nanaimo BC

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For some reason, bungy jumping has long been on my list of must-do’s and this past November, I took the plunge. The jump was a mere 150 foot leap at the Wildplay Element Park near Nanaimo, BC. Not sure I would ever do it again (it was hard enough to actually jump the first time), but at least I can say “check!”

2. Top repeatable experience: Extreme Off-Roading, Iceland

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I literally had no idea what I was getting into the day I went extreme off-roading in Iceland until I was standing on the edge of an enormous sand pit, dressed in a fire retardant suit and listening to the sound of a monster engine roaring to life. This ride, with the world’s off-road driving champion, may have only lasted five minutes, but it was worth every stomach quenching moment!

3. Top weirdest attraction: Sign Post Forest, Watson Lake, Yukon

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Anyone who knows me, knows I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for unusual tourist attractions. And one of my favourite this year was no doubt the Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake, Yukon. This “forest” was started in 1942 by a homesick US army man, and hundreds of thousands of people have erected signs ever since. Needless to say, we added a couple more to the collection during our visit.

4. Top caving experience: Ice cave, Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau, Alaska

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The main purpose of our trip to Alaska was to go king salmon fishing, but it was our hike to the Mendenhall Glacier that was the most memorable moment of this vacation. We booked a guide – a young enthusiastic hiker – who escorted us on our 5-hour, round hike through Tongass National Forest to this mammoth chunk of ice. Just walking a small portion of its surface made the experience surreal, that is until we ventured beneath this 12 mile long glacier and explored it’s hidden caves. Just knowing we were seeing and touching ice not viewed for hundreds of years is what puts this venture on my top 12 of 2012 list.

5. Top water rush: Canyon Adventures, near Grand Falls-Windsor, NL

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I’m a lover of water, but when faced with the force of the Exploits River during my first trip with Canyon Adventures, I questioned this affection. This new 2.5 hour excursion along a section of Newfoundland’s longest and largest river is exhilarating, to say the least. Setting out from the Salmonid Interpretation Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor, this trip meanders the curves, steadies and rapids in one of the most interesting sections of the river. It’s always been well worth the initial reservations for me, and a trip that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed completing several times this past year.

6. Top bathing experiences: Blue Lagoon, Iceland

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That’s right – I’ve had more than one “bathing” experience in 2012, but the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa in Iceland definitely tops the list. This place is everything you expect it to be and then some. From the natural white clay body treatments to the warm water pool surrounded by volcanic rock, the Blue Lagoon is certainly a place that’s been re-added to my must-see destinations list.

7. Top winter excursion: Polar Dip, Appleton, Newfoundland and Labrador

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What was I thinking you ask? Obviously I wasn’t when I signed up to immerse myself into the Gander River in Appleton during it’s annual festival this past February. The water may have been cold that day, but the warm community spirit made it all worth while. A crowd gathered to cheer on all nine of us participants, who all donned strange outfits to mark the silver anniversary of this annual community celebration.

8. Top customer appreciation: The Chocolate Bar, Buffalo, New York

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There was nothing overly special about the Chocolate Bar in Buffalo, just that we arrived on the right night. This particular chocolate bar had partnered with a local nail salon to provide free nail jobbies on Monday nights with the purchase of a martini. Needless to say, I enjoyed several chocolate flavoured refreshments like white raspberry chocolate, and walked away with some well-manicured nails.

9. Top Tavern: Bonanza Bar & Grill, Skagway, Alaska

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This place was a hidden gem in a town that was not so impressive. Skayway itself was not our style, as it was geared towards the cruise ship industry, but the Bonanza Bar & Grill certainly provided some respite during our wait for the Juneau ferry. Besides serving locally brewed beer, the grilled crab sandwich I ordered was one of the best I’ve ever eaten. AND the washrooms in this place were something I should have photographed! They reflected the town’s burlesque history with antique photos and tin ceilings. Overall, this place was well worth visiting.

10. Top accommodation: Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort, Parksville, BC

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From the moment I arrived at the Tigh-Na-Mara, I was impressed. The whole resort is quite large and spread out, and the rooms are extremely spacious. The decor is rustic which certainly fits in with the accommodations’ highlight which is the grotto spa. Apparently named the number one spa in western Canada, it’s no trouble to see why. This place is visually appealing with it’s man-made stone like walls and waterfalls, and is the perfect place to relax after a day of adventure.

11. Top Museum: Alcatraz, San Francisco, California

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Who wouldn’t expect Alcatraz to be amazing? This infamous former federal prison, which was home to the likes of Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelley, and Robert “The Birdman” Stroud, certainly was memorable, but for reasons unexpected. The stunning gardens and aging architecture were notable the moment I disembarked the passenger ferry that escorts thousands of visitors here each year. Opt for the audio tour which is what really makes this attraction a highlight. With ex-cons and guards narrating in your ear as you walk the halls of the most famed prison, it’s hard not to be impressed.

12. Top mode of transportation: White Pass and Yukon Route

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I had never ridden a train until I boarded the White Pass and Yukon Route that travels between Fraser, BC and Skagway, Alaska. This railroad was built in 1898 for the Klondike Gold Rush and is “…an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, a designation shared with the Panama Canal, the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty,” according to its website. This trip is much more than just panoramic views of stunning architecture, mountainsides and waterways. Train personal are continuously mentioning points of interest along the way and it’s just cool to ride a railway that was built well over 100 years ago.

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Way too long…

August 16, 2012 by janicesadventures


It’s officially been way too long since I took pen to paper (so to speak) and actually carved out an up-to-date travel blog. Oh it was going to be easy when I started this little project to jot down a few words from time-to-time and tell others about my latest adventure, while somehow holding on to a distant memory or trip highlight. But there was one thing I didn’t really count on – life!

It’s been a really crazy couple of months since I last uploaded a short blurb about some excursion I just returned from. And, yes, there have only been about five of those in total on this site! But when work took me away to Alberta, the Yukon, San Francisco and areas throughout Newfoundland and Labrador (not to mention my personal trips to Alaska and Iceland), finding the time to play catch up on my return much less time to write, just seemed impossible.

Tonight however, I was reminded that telling these travel stories is not just a way to relive a moment of serenity in some way, but rather one of the very few creative outlets that I natural possess and actually enjoy. Sure I’d love to be a famous painter, a potter, or a wonderful quilter like my mother. But God never graced me much with patience and, well, that’s really a story for another blog.

So in an effort to be true to self, and hopefully provide some sort of entertainment to whomever should take the time to read my work, I will make a better effort at telling my travel tales. And maybe, just maybe, it will help encourage others to share my love of travel too.

Posted in Adventures | 1 Comment »

The people we meet; my #Titanic connection

April 13, 2012 by janicesadventures


We meet people every day. Some who change our lives forever, some we can’t remember five minutes after being introduced, and some we don’t realize are famous in their own right until afterward.

Such was the case with a man I met aboard an Iceberg Quest boat tour in Twillingate. It wasn`t until I tuned into a documentary on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic that I realized the magnitude of the person I had met.

Part of the Petermann Ice Island had made its’ way to Twillingate last summer, a tiny village on the northeast coast of Newfoundland which is fittingly called the Iceberg Capital of the World. This enormous chunk of ice was said to be comparable to the size of Manhattan. And of course, there was no way I was going to miss the opportunity to see one of the largest icebergs on record pass by my doorstep without having a gawk at it.

As I eagerly jumped aboard our tour boat, I got to chatting with the captain who informed me a French film crew would also be joining us. Their mission was to gather footage for a documentary they were shooting regarding the Titanic. With my concentration focused on what lay ahead, I paid no real heed to this information and eagerly joined the other excited passengers who had taken seats along the top deck.

We got our first glimpse of the ice island as we motored past the ragged cliffs that shelter Twillingate harbour. This bright, white ice sheet filled the horizon and cast what seemed like a fog of cold air as the wind blew across its large mast. Everyone clung to the sides of the vessel amidst the day`s drizzle to take photos and admire what could only be described as breathtaking.

After taking in all angles of the large berg (the captain circled it several times for the film crew), the weather changed and our attention turned to finding shelter. Once we all moved inside the boat`s cabin to warm our chilled bodies, it was then we realized who`s presence we were sharing this monumental event.

Paul-Henry Nargeolet

Courtesy wid.waittinstitute.org

Paul-Henry Nargeolet told us he`s dove to the wreck of the Titanic 30 times! As a retired commander of the French Navy, he`s now considered a Titanic expert and lead a recovery mission of 5,000 artifacts from the wreak, including a 20 ton section of the Titanic`s hull.

Willing to talk of his expeditions, Nargeolet spoke of what he was doing in Twillingate, and answered questions from the group of onlookers. What did I ask? Whether his 30th dive held the same sense of adventure as his first, to which he responded yes it did.

It just goes to show we don’t always know with whom we’re meeting, or to what great event we may have some connection, even if it is only the tip of the iceberg.

Posted in Adventures, Around Newfoundland, Twillingate and area | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Exploring Grace Cathedral in San Francisco

April 9, 2012 by janicesadventures


It was a sunny afternoon when I strolled from my hotel high atop Nob Hill in San Francisco and made my way up the block to Grace Cathedral.

The purpose of my visit wasn’t that it was Palm Sunday, although that should probably have been the reason, but because this majestic church shares its name with my daughter (Grace, not Cathedral!).

As I strolled along the busy city street, past joggers enjoying the sunshine, a bride posing for a photographer, and vintage cable cars rattling down the road, the church’s tall steeples came into view – a vision that immediate seemed to take my breath away.

According to the church’s brochure, the cathedral is “…descended from the historic Grace Church, built in the Gold Rush year of 1849, and the imposing structure on the corner of California and Stockton streets that was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire.” Construction started in 1928 and wasn’t completed until 1964.

I quickly walked inside anxious to see what beauty was held within. Opening the door, the stillness and stunning architecture of the sanctuary was silencing. The few tourists who had happened to enter the church together took out their cameras to try and capture the moment, but not before respectfully whispering to each other and wondering if photos were allowed. After determining that exploration of the cathedral was strongly encouraged, we all headed in our own directions to various corners of the church, in search of finding what had drawn us here in the first place.

Brightly coloured stain glass windows with various religious scenes hang as art the full length of the sanctuary. A large nativity scene stands out behind a glass wall inset as a reminder of the church’s purpose. An enormous statue stands at the entrance with arms open welcoming all who enter. And the cathedral’s organ is one of the largest in the United States with nearly 7,500 pipes, some that hang on the wall behind the alter. I could imagine them bellowing out melodies to a rejoicing congregation and famed choir.

There are Ghiberti exterior doors that tell the stories of the Old and New Testaments, two labyrinths – one inside the church and one in the gardens, and a number of other things like the AIDs Interfaith Chapel, a coffee shop and a gift shop that each set this place apart.

But upon leaving the building, even despite my lack of practicing religious beliefs, one fact remained the same: this was more than a church. It was a place where all were welcomed and served as a pillar of a city just waiting to be explored.

Posted in Adventures, San Francisco | 1 Comment »

Celebrating Newfoundland’s Irish

March 16, 2012 by janicesadventures


There’s one place I’ve always wanted to visit on St. Patrick’s Day. Not because I expect to find a jolly little leapricon with a bountiful pot of gold, but because it`s the closest you can get to Ireland right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. The place is Tilting on Fogo Island.

Tilting is a Provincial Heritage District and a National Historic Site of Canada. It`s rich in Irish heritage and residents even speak with an Irish accent. Ironically, Tilting was first settled by the French in the late 1600`s before becoming exclusively Irish in 1752 when it welcomed its first settlers from Ireland.

It`s a small little picturesque community which wraps around a sheltered harbour that juts out into the North Atlantic. It`s filled with family fishing stages, salt box houses, grassy meadows enclosed with intertwining alder fences, and plenty of pride and history.

Several  attractions are located in Tilting including the Lane House, which is the oldest home in the community. Following a nearby trail leading from the Lane House is a cemetery that`s believed to be the oldest Irish Catholic Cemetery in Newfoundland. Headstones here date back to the 1700s and contain birth places such as Cork, Tipperary, Waterford and Limerick.

It`s that rich Irish history that gets the residents of Tilting celebrating each March 17. It all begins with the annual mass for St. Patrick and the placement of his statue outside the church. Afterwards, the community hosts a concert where they sing Irish tunes, dance, and perform skits and recitations.

And with so much Irish pride surrounding Tiling, what better place in Newfoundland and Labrador than here to celebrate the green holiday? Who knows, perhaps next year I just might see you there.

Posted in Adventures, Around Newfoundland, Fogo and Change Islands | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Feasting at the Mid-Winter Bivver

March 14, 2012 by janicesadventures


Newfoundland and Labradorians are known for their heaping food servings and boy did we eat this past weekend when the Newfoundland and Labrador James Beard Culinary Team descended on Grand Falls-Windsor for the first-ever Mid-Winter Bivver, a festival focused on snowmobiling and high-end culinary.

Mini turkey sliders and salt cod croquettes

The six member culinary team set the bar for the weekend’s meals when they laid out a tremendous spread at the opening ceremonies in Botwood. Steaming salt cod croquettes with chipotle mayonnaise, mini turkey sliders which resembled pulled pork burgers, decadent bacon wrapped scallops with dill aioli, soul-warming moose stew, stringy farmer’s dairy cheese fondue, and a station where Executive Chef Roary Macpherson carved a roast of beef and topped it high on dollar rolls topped with assorted mustards. Thank goodness we got to work it all off as we walked across the parking lot between the flying boat museum and the antique snowmobile exhibit at the Botwood Heritage Park!

Saturday morning started bright and early with a breakfast for champions followed by a 154 km trail ride in and around Hodges Hills, just west of Grand Falls-Windsor. While the scenery was beautiful and the weather better than anyone could of ordered, it was the lunch stop at Rocky Brook Camps that had everyone owing and awing.

Chefs at Rocky Brook Camp

As snowmobilers pulled up to the rest shack along the trail, members of the culinary team were assembled with piping hot dishes that included barbequed moose burgers on brioche buns with onion and Mount Scio savory chutney, Newfoundland hasenpfeffer (rabbit) with spatzle, caribou lollipops with partridgeberry demi, hot chocolate cake with Newfoundland Screech sauce, and banana and chocolate bread pudding. The food was so delicious some people even packed an extra burger in their pocket which they proudly photographed high atop Hodges Hills later that day!

Amuse Bouche-Blueberry cured Bay D'Espoir trout

But it was the five course meal and wine pairing Saturday night that set this event apart from any other winter festival. As soon as the first course that consisted of Amuse Bouche – Blueberry cured Bay D’Espoir trout on greens hit the table until the entree of your choice of honey and cumin spiced breast of duck or herb crusted sirloin steak was served, everyone was talking about the food.  Just recollecting the menu for purposes of writing this blog has my taste buds salivating!

All-in-all, it was a fantastic weekend filled with raving food and festivities, a few complaints from people who had eaten way too much, and all-hands wondering what the James Beard Culinary Team will be serving up next year.

Posted in Adventures, Around Newfoundland, Exploits Valley | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Surviving the Appleton Polar Dip

March 9, 2012 by janicesadventures


Cold. Exhilarating. Totally absurd. Perhaps that’s the best way to describe the polar dip I took in Appleton as part of the town’s annual Winterfest.

Many people have asked me how it felt to embrace winter and literally dive head first into the season. Others have simply asked why I would voluntarily take the icy leap. The reason, I must admit, is beyond me.

I had wanted to take part in the polar dip the moment I learned the town organized this unique event. Only really considering how neat it would be to say I`d done it, the act of actually doing the dip didn`t really cross my mind until the morning of. Thank goodness I wasn`t alone. Nine others had signed up to do the dip, including a 71-year-old who was all excited about taking the leap.

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Anges (right) was the oldest participant in the dip

Appleton is known for its community spirit and generous hospitality, which I was quickly shown upon arriving. It’s a big thing to dress the part when participating in the dip, and before I knew it, yours truly was sporting one-of-a-kind attire.

Getting my designer dress made

Once we were all dressed the part, it was down to the marina we trotted and into the heated trailer where we patiently, and anxiously, waited to be called to take our place at the starting point. It was at this stage the magnitude of what was about to happen sunk in.

After consulting with some two and three-time dippers, and observing the large crowd that had come to marvel at our bravery (or stupidity!), it was time to forget my fears and embrace the experience. We all eagerly lined up for a photo-op, turned towards the dark, ice-crusted river, and began to count…..”10, 9, 8.”

Getting ready to take the leap

With a burst of valour, mixed with a huge heaping of adrenaline, we all exploded forward in a mash of bodies, costumes and a strong urge to get it over with. The chilly water quickly engulfed us while screams from both participants and onlookers filled the air. It was at this point I seemingly relaxed, accepted my mission and dove in.

Surprisingly, the water was chilly but not intolerable. Having been told by a fellow participant that my feet would be the first thing to lose feeling, I swiftly exited the river to ensure I could still walk back to the heat of the trailer.

With cheers all around, we congratulated each other on a job well done, and, while still feeling invigorated, promised to return to do it all again next year.

Posted in Adventures, Around Newfoundland, Gander and area | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment »

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