#Washington Taylor Private wine tour

[taylortastingtour]

Woodinville Wine Tours: Unveiling the Best Tasting Experience Near You!

At Woodinville Wine-Tasting Tours, we take pride in offering a truly personalized and immersive wine-tasting experience. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur, a wine novice, or somewhere in between, our tours are meticulously designed to cater to your unique preferences. Our aim is not to overwhelm you with wine knowledge but to listen to your tastes and utilize our expertise to curate a tour you'll genuinely enjoy.

Each of our tours is a unique and fun experience, guided by Seattle's most knowledgeable and professional guides. We provide convenient pick-ups at your hotel, bed and breakfast, VRBO, or residence in the Seattle or Bellevue area.

Woodinville's unique position allows you to taste wines from all around the state without extensive travel. Many wineries have production facilities in Woodinville, while others solely operate tasting rooms. With a vast number of choices in close proximity, you'll spend more time savoring wine and less time driving, making it a convenient and delightful experience.

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Seaside Factory Outlet Shopping Center On Oregon Coast

At the Buddha Kat Winery Tasting Room in Oregon Coast shopping consumers can indulge in and buy all of their red and white wines, award-profitable ports and delectable fruit wines.

Central Park Mall and Taman Anggrek mall are two of the most important malls within the metropolis, that i never observed any mall in Australia or Singapore better than these two. A numerous and inclusive neighborhood, Hawthorn is the type of place lots of people envision once they think of Portland.

Best Shopping & Malls In Oregon, United States

Many mediums are supplied including glass, work, images, wood, stone, bronze, sculpture, ceramics and jewelry. Beach Puppy offers shoppers all kinds of things for dogs. They have every little thing from collars to clothing, to treats and bling, and all sorts of toys for pets. Beach Books is a domestically owned book retailer that includes greatest sellers and titles by regional authors. Monthly creator visits, annual e-book fairs and other events are provided as nicely. World of Gifts in Seaside is the place shoppers can find a large selection of odds and ends as well as trinkets and souvenirs.

Woodburn Company Stores is the biggest tax-free outlet mall in the western a part of the United States and the most important outlet within the state of Oregon. The outlet is situated off of I-5 in Woodburn, OR. It's around a 20-minute drive south from Portland earlier than you get to Salem.

The Broadway developing was constructed by the Del E. Webb Corporation. Apart from its tourism and good accommodations, Thailand’s largest metropolis, Bangkok, could be a low cost buying vacation spot. Clothing, coats, hats, and toys in many shapes and sizes, together with kids’s sizes. Fun T-shirts are a perfect method to keep in mind your go to to Seaside. Welcome visitors to the Seaside Carousel Mall, a must stop for vacationers and locals for shopping, household enjoyable and meals. No matter what you are in the temper to buy we've you lined.

Italians are critical about style Oregon Coast shopping and their buying capital, Milan, is among the most fashionable cities on the earth. A strip mall or a mini-mall is commonly an open-air mall where the outlets are arranged in a row, with a sidewalk in front.

Generally, the downtown space is considered to be between thirteenth Avenue and the Willamette River , Burnside and Jackson Streets . Those are the perks of Portland, Oregon's best malls and shopping centers. Loads of local shopping options include excessive-brow and low-forehead shops, together with food choices do you have to need a drink or a chunk along the way. Pioneer Place is situated in the coronary heart of downtown Portland near Pioneer Courthouse Square. This is downtown's main shopping vacation spot, spanning 4 metropolis blocks and housing designer name brands and top of the range eating and leisure options.

Anchor stores embody H&M and Tiffany & Co.; smaller excessive-finish retailers embrace Ann Taylor, Coach, Eddie Bauer, J. Crew and Nine West. Unfortunately, you'll more than likely should park in a parking garage to go to this mall. Mall companies include strollers, wheelchairs, a customer's data middle and an on-web site ATM. Including four department stores, with one being the state's largest Nordstrom, Washington Square Mall attracts patrons with its wealth of buying opportunities and numerous merchandise. Over a hundred and seventy specialty shops also name this landmark mall residence. They have one of many only Brighton Jewelry Stores in Portland and the one Cheesecake Factory. Crew retains consumers happily filling up their bags till the doors close.

The Purple Pelican offers buyers a selection of jewelry, pottery, collectible figurines, crystal items, glassware, unique presents and extra. The Old Crab has clothing and swim wear along with souvenirs, items and jewelry. Visitors can find beach toys, boards, blankets and seashells. They additionally function authentic Nascar licensed and licensed pictures and die-forged cars. The Heron's Nest features a large selection of presents, collectibles and souvenirs for all ages.

C&R Mercantile goals to outfit the complete family to enjoy a weekend getaway at the seashore, a climbing journey in the mountains, or any journey you might find in between. They have hand selected an array of Women's, Men's and Children's attire, sneakers, accessories, games, hiking gear, seaside blankets, and far more. By The Sea provides shoppers a wide range of seashore related and nautical items, greeting playing cards, desk ware, fossils, collectibles, image frames, decor and extra.

In the early part of the 20th century, this area was dedicated to trade and commerce. In the previous couple of many years, the original warehouses have been converted into art galleries, fashionable eating places, brewpubs, hip retailers and boutiques. Pearl, named for the sweetness inherent in the unpleasant exteriors, is an apt moniker for this reinvented district, which is now one of the city's more fascinating destinations. The area is bounded by the Willamette River, I-405, West Burnside and NW Broadway. Catering to hip professionals and trendy city denizens, this space is considered one of Portland's busiest.

A large meals court docket and an expansive parking construction with a sky bridge to Nordstrom and Sears are convenient. Bridgeport Village is a beautiful, sprawling outdoor mall that features a mix of local retailers and nationwide retailers. Be sure to put on your strolling footwear, as a result of there may be plenty of places to go to here. Bridgeport Village can be house to well-liked restaurants just like the California Pizza Kitchen and PF Changs. One of Portland's hottest meals carts has a everlasting location here, Koi Fusion.

The Largest Shopping Malls In Europe

Seaside, Gearhart, and Cannon Beach are a shopper's dream come true! Take your time exploring for antiques and unique imports in Gearhart. Discover the perfect showpiece in your residence in considered one of Cannon Beach’s many distinctive galleries and shops. Seaside is teeming with nice retailers for every interest and budget. The coolest thing about buying on the beach is that you can find distinctive, uncommon, and even uncommon items that you just aren’t likely to find anyplace else. This is an incomplete list of currently present buying centers and malls in the U.S. state of Oregon. Aptly named “the land of many malls,” Paramus possesses 4 massive malls in one zip code, which embody Westfield Garden State Plaza and the Outlets at Bergen Town Center.

Your Store

Bargain hunters and excessive-finish fashion lovers, Hong Kong is your metropolis. Millions of individuals around Asia and the world flock to this tiny island yearly to select up a incredible deal or discover one thing unique. This huge mall attracts 22 million guests every year, because of its massive-name brands like Nordstrom, Macy’s and Bloomingdales, plus totally different luxury retailers. This is the biggest buying centre in Europe at a formidable three.forty seven million square ft, situated on the Büyükdere Avenue within the Şişli district of Istanbul. There are 343 shops and forty eight consuming places within the buying centre, which take up six flooring.

There is definitely a hippy, different, homosexual-pleasant ethos within the space. This is reflected in the classic clothing retailers, boutiques and unbiased cafes. Powell's books has a branch right here which is now the most important bookstore on Portland's East Side. The Bagdad Theater is a popular McMenimin's location, and a number of other pubs provide nightly stay music.

At Hop and Vine Bottle Shop and Taproom you can store a large choice of wines and beers. Freedom USA is a clothing store that additionally does display screen printing, graphic design and extra. They provide all kinds of prints to choose from, together with Seaside Oregon designs not discovered anywhere else. If visitors have an thought they need to see on a shirt, Freedom USA could make it occur, on the spot. They have memento apparel, swimwear, hats, t-shirts, and hoodies. Shoppers may also discover jewelry, video games, toys and fun items for the seashore.

We have a variety of unique presents and classic treasures. Our customers value our private touches and high quality merchandise. Immerse yourself in the finest bath & body care, select a whimsical card or stationary merchandise, discover Oregon Coast shopping a distinctive present for a good friend or yourself, jewellery, sweatshirts, candles and a lot more. Stop by our new location and watch us create amazing glass artwork or schedule a glass blowing class to create your individual signature piece.

Health Haven Vitamins offers dietary consultation by appointment. Includes device and equipment catalog, retailer locater and training information. provides consumers the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of hand-made glass floats and bowls, or to make one themselves. In addition to the fabulous glass art made right here in the store , The Edge presents a spread of art in other media, including paintings, ceramics, and fiber arts, many by local artists. Marine Discovery Tours cruise during holiday purchasing season, yow will discover a number of the finest Newport-themed apparel at Marine Discovery Tours’ headquarters and reward store. They often have terrific sales on sweatshirts, T shirts, hats, and jackets in addition to a wide range of other presents. Cruise gift certificates additionally make fantastic holiday gifts.

The King of Prussia Mall, the second biggest mall within the US, is situated in Montgomery, Pennsylvania. Although the developer of the mall initially estimated that the mall would have 50,000 customers a day, as of 2004 the actual amount was far smaller, as few as 20 in an hour. One drawback was that prices of most gadgets offered had been far previous the shopping for capacity of most strange Chinese. Another barrier was the inaccessibility of Golden Resources Shopping Mall to overseas customers as a result of its location exterior the center of Beijing. “The emergence of leisure as a part of the shopping heart is popping into essential,” he stated. It is owned and developed by Thailand’s largest property developer Central Pattana. Over the years, different retailers and purchasing facilities also opened on or near Metro Parkway, the ring freeway surrounding the mall.

Shoppers can even enjoy a treat at one of the many shops that feature sweet, ice cream, and coffees. The Freedom Clearance Outlet is a clothing retailer that provides clients a wide variety of clothing and items for a day at the seashore, together with Seaside Oregon designs. Seaside’s three distinct purchasing districts offer a wide range of tax-free buying experiences, whether you’re excited about antiques and apparel or surfboards and smoked salmon. A downtown Broadway core offers a wide range of boutique choices while North Seaside supplies high nationwide brands within the type of tax-free factory outlet purchasing. South of downtown, choices embody a recent fish market that is among the finest in the region.

Bridgeport Village can be house to popular restaurants like the California Pizza Kitchen and PF Changs.

One of Portland's hottest meals carts has a permanent location here, Koi Fusion.

Bridgeport Village is a beautiful, sprawling out of doors mall that options a mixture of native outlets and nationwide retailers.

A large meals court and an expansive parking structure with a sky bridge to Nordstrom and Sears are convenient.

Be sure to wear your walking shoes, because there may be a lot of locations to visit right here.

Newport Liquor Store

Blue Bond Studio and Gallery options paintings by artist Blue Bond done in oil on canvas. Animals, people, nonetheless life, and scenery pictures delight guests.

Where To Shop?

Other shops found listed here are Barnes & Noble, Icing, Made in Oregon, Ulta, the Children's Place, Old Navy, Gap, Forever 21 and many more. The prime-stage hosts a big food court docket and throughout the street is a cinema multiplex displaying the newest film releases. Northeast Alberta Street has turn into considered one of Portland's most funky and creative neighborhoods.

Food decisions range from fashionable pubs and hip cafes to traditional taquerias and food carts. Though there are only some devoted galleries, the realm is perfused with art, a lot of it being of the outsider variety. Most of the retailers and restaurants adorn their partitions with rotating exhibits of local artists. Alberta Street celebrates on Last Thursday, with an artwork walk that can be a raucous road honest. Made In Oregon shops are proud to supply the very best quality products made out there from the most effective Oregon vendors and have accomplished so for the past 32 years. Our goal is to provide an excellent shopping expertise for our native Oregon clients as well as our guests and tourists. We satisfaction ourselves on our massive selection that is a true reflection of what Oregon artists have to offer our state.

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A Scouted Road Trip Through Hunt Country: Sperryville, Washington, Flint Hill & Huntly

We’ve continued our Scouted Road Trip to the outskirts of Hunt Country. A farther drive south, down a few scenic and winding backroads, we find ourselves in the quaint town of Sperryville. 

Au Naturale

Start your morning in Sperryville with a shopping spree at Wild Roots Apothecary. With everything from herbal tonics to massage oils, and seasonal bitters to botanical syrups, Scouted business owner and herbalist Colleen O’Bryant has everything you’ll need to boost your immune system, improve your beauty regimen, and defend against ailments of all kinds.

Herbs from the apothecary’s grounds.

Some of our favorite goods from Wild Roots include their elderberry syrup and green matter facial mask, which is perfect for purifying and healing our skin. Colleen’s past herbal recommendations also have been featured frequently in our national blog. 

Welcome to Wild Roots!

After your workshop, stop in at local favorites like Copper Fox Distillery or Pen Druid Brewery for tours, drinks, and outdoor seating. Other must visits in Sperryville include Haley Fine Art and Happy Camper.

August Georges owner Deborah Winsor for our Vol. 8.

Historic & Halcyon

Once you’ve stocked up on your all-natural remedies and self-care necessities, take a quick drive to the historic town of Little Washington. Founded in 1795, the town has a rich history in Hunt Country, boasting small inns and taverns, historic private estates, and countless quaint shops. Of these, however, perhaps our favorite stop is August Georges. Although the shop is temporarily closed, they are accepting private appointments. Contact them to set-up a shopping appointment or to check for open hours.

Explore August Georges’ store for stunning additions to your home.

With artfully-curated pieces, business owner Deborah Winsor’s shop is truly something to be experienced. Combining rustic and modern style, August Georges has everything you need to upgrade your home’s aesthetic and comfort, from luxurious bedding to one-of-a-kind antique finds.

The Inn at Little Washington is a must-see.

If you’re staying in town for dinner, we’d suggest making a reservation in advance to the iconic Inn at Little Washington. A standout of Rappahannock, the Inn welcomes guests from far and near to experience the upscale charm of the town. 

The Blue Door Kitchen & Inn. 

A Flint Hill Find

If you’re looking for a casual upscale dining experience in the country, we’d suggest a short drive to The Blue Door Kitchen & Inn for dinner, nestled in the picturesque town of Flint Hill. Serving only the best of local cuisine, The Blue Door’s Chef Andrea has partnered with local markets and farms to bring his guests only the freshest seasonal ingredients. For a heartier meal, we’d recommend the New Zealand rack of lamb. For lighter fare, you can’t go wrong with their traditional beef tenderloin carpaccio or oven-roasted local baby carrots. The kitchen currently is open for outdoor seating, so be sure to make your reservation ahead of time here.

A beautifully-appointed room at Glen Gordon. Photo courtesy of Jumping Rocks.

Some Well-Deserved R&R

Round out your long day of road-tripping with a scenic drive to Huntly, with a night or weekend’s stay at Glen Gordon Manor. Drop your bags in a lavishly-appointed suite, and indulge in one of the manor’s extensive packages. We’d recommend the Epicurean Package; pop open a bottle of wine and snack on a savory cheeseboard while you wait for dinner and watch the sun set over the Shenandoah Ridgeline. 

Chef and owner Dayn Smith prepares dinner in the Houndstooth Restaurant. Photo courtesy of Jumping Rocks.

Even if you’re not staying at Glen Gordon, you can still enjoy the best of local cuisine by making a reservation in advance for their Houndstooth Restaurant. Culinary artist Dayn Smith provides a world-class dining experience to each of his guests, so you can’t go wrong with anything on the prix fixe menu. Should you stay the night, we’d recommend checking out the manor’s extensive, award-winning wine list. Guests can rest assured that the manor has enacted extensive safety protocols both for your stay and dining experiences. You may read through them here.

Unwinding in this luxurious ensuite after a long day of sight-seeing? Sounds like a plan!

Be Sure to Tell Them Scout Sent You! 

WILD ROOTS APOTHECARY 4 River Lane Sperryville, VA C: hello@wildrootsapothecary.com Follow on Instagram: @wildroots_apothecary

AUGUST GEORGES 195 Main Street Washington, VA C: 202.494.5894 Follow on Instagram: @augustgeorges_

THE BLUE DOOR KITCHEN & INN 675 Zachary Taylor Highway Flint Hill, VA C: 540.675.1700 Follow on Instagram: @thebluedoorkitchen

GLEN GORDON MANOR 1482 Zachary Taylor Hwy Huntly, VA 22640 C: 540.636.6010 Follow on Instagram: @glengordonmanorva

THE INN AT LITTLE WASHINGTON Middle and Main Streets Washington, Virginia | 22747 C: 540.675.3800 Follow on Instagram: @innatlittlewash

COPPER FOX DISTILLERY 9 River Lane Sperryville, VA C: 540.987.8554 Follow on Instagram: @copperfoxdistillery 

PEN DRUID BREWING  7 River Lane Sperryville, VA C: 540.987.5064 Follow on Instagram: @pendruidbrewing

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We have some excellent news for all of the Philadelphia whiskey lovers out there! The American Whiskey Convention will be back in town on Friday, April 5th (repeat after me, “WOOHOO!”). This year’s event will be held at the University of Pennsylvania’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, a venue that yours truly hasn’t set foot in since Mrs. G-LO graduated from Penn’s School of Nursing in 1996. College graduations are fun and all, but I’m guessing that sampling whiskey amongst the antiquities will be even better!

Anyway, without further ado, below is information about this year’s event. We look forward to seeing you there!

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This spring, attend the American Whiskey Convention and immerse yourself in luxury. The world’s largest event dedicated entirely to American whiskeys will be returning on April 5th to Philadelphia. “It’s the fourth year for this convention and we are proud to say that we grow and improve every year with more vendors and whiskeys,” remarked event founder, Laura Fields.

Sample from a collection of over 250 American whiskeys while taking in golden Egyptian artifacts, priceless sculptures, and classical art at the Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Then, pair a luxury bourbon with a cigar in a private tobacconist’s lounge or pamper yourself with an old-fashioned straight-razor shave and shoe shine. “We designed this event to be a fully immersive experience,” said Fields. “We want you to enjoy a luxurious evening.”

With over 80 intriguing vendors, guests will have access to every style of American whiskey and hundreds of whiskey-inspired gifts. Attendees find beverage accessories, whiskey-themed furniture, and even bespoke clothing. Guests are invited to browse and shop, visit VIP lounges or observe demonstrations of everything from grain milling to bartenders mixing classic cocktails.

“The museum is so awe inspiring and it’s filled with so many wonderful archeological discoveries, that we thought it would be the perfect place to dig into the archeology of some of our favorite drinks.”

Event Admission

General admission opens at 6:30pm. VIP ticket holders enter an hour earlier, at 5:30pm.

Tickets are available at AmericanWhiskeyConvention.com. Guests who use promo code SAVE10 through February 10th receive 10% off ticket purchases.

Explore Whiskey Archaeology as a VIP guest

VIP guests gain exclusive entry to the event an hour before the general public. Your VIP pass gives you access to limited release bottles and the opportunity to reserve seats for one of our interactive discussion panels.

VIP Panel 1 – Private Forum and Tasting Bourbon Pompeii: Exploring Whiskey Archaeology at OFC Distillery with Nicolas Laracuente Archeologists discovered a long-forgotten distillery buried beneath hundreds of years of dirt, dust, and concrete in Frankfort, Kentucky. Whiskey archaeologist Nicolas Laracuente will share details of their ground-breaking work. Attendees will sample EH Taylor whiskeys and experimental distillates from Buffalo Trace.

VIP Panel 2 – Private Tour Ancient Alcohol Tour: Explore the Archaeology of Booze! Meet the “Indiana Jones of Ancient Ales, Wines and Extreme Beverages,” Patrick McGovern. The renowned beer archaeologist will lead a tour through the museum’s ancient drinking vessel collection while he shares intoxicating tales of drinking in the ancient world.

Meet the Masters

The American Whiskey Convention creates a relaxed atmosphere where every guest, from whiskey novice to aficionado, can mingle with the experts in modern-day craft distilling. “From farm to glass, you are going to learn about every step of the distilling process. You can meet farmers and grist millers, chat with maltsters, and, of course, sample the fruits of their labor,” said Fields.

America’s first president, General George Washington, had a long-forgotten distillery in Mount Vernon, Virginia. In 1999, archaeologists uncovered details that allowed them to reconstruct that distillery. Steve Bashore, Director of Historic Trades at Mount Vernon’s Distillery and Gristmill, will not only have some of the items recovered from the distillery’s archeological dig on display at the event, but he will be pouring whiskeys that were recreated using colonial era techniques from George Washington’s own recipes!

Steve Beam, President and Master Distiller at Limestone Branch Distillery, will mingle with guests. Craft distillers like Lisa Roper Wicker of Saints and Monsters, Vince Oleson of Widow Jane and Herman Mihalich of Dad’s Hat and more will be able to answer all your distilling questions. Master distiller Greg Metze, best known for his 38 years of distilling at Seagram’s Distillery (now known as MGP Products), will also be featuring whiskeys from his new distillery project, Old Elk. It was his many years of hard work as master distiller in Lawrenceburg, Indiana that earned one of America’s most prolific distilleries the Whiskey Advocate’s Distillery of the Year Award in 2015. “Greg is a legend and he’s going to lead a forum, which is incredibly exciting,” said Fields. Metze is the skilled hand behind many brand favorites including Bulleit Rye, Angel’s Envy, High West Whiskeys and Smooth Ambler whiskeys.

After his discussion forum, Metze will be available to interact with guests in Old Elk’s VIP lounge. You will be able to sample his Old Elk products in a master tasting class, many of which are only available in their tasting room in Colorado. There will also be an Old Forester Bourbon master tasting class. This will feature Old Forester’s Whiskey Row Series of bourbon whiskeys. Seatings for both classes are at 7pm and 8pm.

Celebrity Chef

There will also be plenty to eat. Food Network Star and Chopped Grill Master, Chef Chad Rosenthal (who owns The Lucky Well in Ambler, PA), will host a barbeque pig roast complemented by a selection of locally sourced sides. Each dish is designed to pair perfectly with select bourbons and rye whiskeys.

Event Proceeds Help Local Farmers

Proceeds from the 4th Annual American Whiskey Convention go to the non-profit Delaware Fields Foundation, which works alongside farmers and other local non-profits to bring attention to the vital role small farms play in our communities. The foundation works to educate the public through events with broad appeal, such as the whiskey convention.

To find out more about this fantastic event and to follow the American Whiskey Convention on Social Media, click on the following links

Where to Buy Tickets: https://americanwhiskeyconvention.ticketleap.com/2019-awc-tickets/

Delaware Valley Fields Foundation: http://www.delvalfieldsfoundation.org/

The Lucky Well: http://www.theluckywell.com/

Chef Chad Rosenthal: http://www.chadrosenthal.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americanwhiskeyconvention/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanwhiskeyconvention/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWCphilly

#AmericanWhiskeyConvention IV is Coming to the @pennmuseum on 4/5/2019. Visit our blog for 10% off! @AWCPhilly We have some excellent news for all of the Philadelphia whiskey lovers out there! The American Whiskey Convention will be back in town on Friday, April 5th (repeat after me, "WOOHOO!"). 1,051 more words

[taylortasting-blog]

Taylor Tasting Tours is founded by the former owner of Seattle's best known wine tour company, Bon Vivant Wine Tours, Don Ward.  Leading wine tours for over 6 years, Don earned glowing Trip Advisor reviews from satisfied guests  and from wineries alike.   Don, along with his knowledgeable team of guides is proud to offer private tours that are small, informative, fun. Each tour is individually personalized   and  be as close as down town or Woodinville or anywhere throughout Washington and beyond. http://taylortastingtours.com/

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New Post has been published on News Twitter

New Post has been published on http://www.news-twitter.com/2017/02/01/la-times-tufted-puffins-black-bears-and-you-the-small-cruise-ship-experience-in-canadas-haida-gwaii-17/

La Times: Tufted puffins, black bears and you: The small-cruise-ship experience in Canada's Haida Gwaii

The aroma of coffee drifted into my cabin along with the distant squawking of seagulls, but it was a gentle swaying that reminded me I was waking on a boat.

I leaped from my bunk, the first passenger to reach the sunny salon for a steaming mug, and curled up on an upper-deck sofa. There I watched seals pop up from the mirror-smooth waters, sending ripples across a pristine bay toward the mist-veiled rainforest slope.

I love cruising remote wilderness on small, working boats, and British Columbia has a roll call of them puttering along its coast and islands.

When Vancouver, Canada-based Maple Leaf Adventures in 2015 launched cruises aboard a converted 1912 tugboat, I signed up for a seven-night adventure exploring the nooks and crannies of the mystical Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands.

The blade-shaped archipelago of more than 400 islands is off British Columbia’s north coast. They are home to the Haida, a First Nations people known for their rich culture and craftsmanship. 

During my July trip, I wanted to walk wild beaches, hike in some of the continent’s most verdant rainforest, whale- and wildlife-watch and, I hoped, spot the elusive migratory tufted puffin in a region nicknamed “Canada’s Galápagos.”

And to putter about on a tugboat called the Swell.

There is a cheerful cuteness to the Swell that reminds me of the “Theodore Tugboat” kids’ series I watched with my nephew in the ’90s. But the Swell is the real deal, a grown-up, 88-foot powerhouse that worked hard for decades along British Columbia’s coast.

Now, after a $4-million refit, it’s plying those waters to the delight of a maximum of 12 guests in six elegant, wood-paneled, en-suite cabins.

Exploring Graham Island

My trip began with a flight from Vancouver to Masset, a no-frills fishing town on the top of Graham Island, the bigger of the two main Haida Gwaii (which translates as “Islands of the Gwaii people”).

Our group of 10 was met by Cody Waller, a local Haida Gwaii guide who led us to Old Massett, one of just two remaining Haida villages on the island.

“There were once over 500 Haida communities in the islands, with a population of over 7,000,” he said. In the late 1800s smallpox epidemics reduced their numbers to fewer than 700.

Haida culture, once almost lost, has revived in the last 50 years, evident by the smell of fresh cedar shavings scattered around a totem pole being created by master carver and Old Massett Mayor Jim Hart.

At Sarah’s Haida Arts & Jewelry, in a stylized longhouse in Old Massett, we browsed the works of dozens of local painters, printmakers, sculptors and other artists.

We saw three sandhill cranes and a bear on the way to a picnic on pebbly Agate Beach in Naikoon Provincial Park. We picked wild thimble and salmonberries, and hiked into forests of giant Sitka spruce and cedars where cashmere moss blanketed fallen logs and fence posts.

We spent our first night ashore at the native-owned seaside Haida House near the village of Tllel. We dined on local razor clams, Dungeness crab, salmon, halibut and other local goodies.

“We have a saying here,” our waitress said. “‘When the tide is out, the table is set.’”

The next morning we drove to Skidegate, the second Haida community on Graham Island, where, in 2008, the $26-million Haida Heritage Centre opened with a museum, amphitheater, aboriginal cafe and canoe/totem carving shed.

The complex, in a contemporary series of longhouses, lies along a crescent-shaped beach. Six totems erected in front were created by local carvers such as Bill Reid, whose monumental works are showcased throughout Vancouver and at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

By early afternoon we were chugging on a 20-minute ferry from Graham to Moresby, the second-biggest island.

After an hour on a bumpy forest logging road, we reached our launching point, where a Zodiac waited to take us to the Swell, anchored just offshore, for the wild part of our adventure.

Riding the Swell

Stepping aboard the 104-year-old Swell was a trip back in maritime history. It has also been a fishing boat, a private yacht and a live-aboard scuba boat.

After warm muffins and a warmer welcome, we pulled up two traps and counted 151 fresh spot prawns destined for dinner.

We set sail southward for a cluster of about 150 small islands accessible only by float plane and boat, most of them part of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, jointly managed by Parks Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation.

We sailed past ruins of old salmon canneries and logging operations that once clear-cut these lush rainforests.

That evening we anchored at Ikeda Cove on Moresby Island, where, in the morning, we hiked amid the mossy remnants of an early 1900s copper mine complete with rails from a horse-drawn tramway.

I kayaked every morning after breakfast, spotting sea otters, raccoons, oystercatchers, countless bald eagles, and small herds of Sitka deer munching on sea asparagus at low tide.

One day we bobbed for an hour watching a black bear — Haida Gwaii has one of North America’s biggest black bear populations — browse the shoreline.

Every afternoon after our shore expedition I settled into the hot tub on the upper deck with a glass of beer and listened to the gentle chug of the tug.

On our second day on the Swell a very excited Jane Taylor from Boston snagged a 15-pound lingcod that became part of that evening’s Thai chowder, along with salmon and halibut caught by a guest on the previous trip.

“The halibut weighed 60 pounds and the girl who caught it was only 10!” chef Oliver Burke said.

In front of two longhouses on Windy Bay on Lyell Island, part of Gwaii Haanas National Park, we met Vince Collison, our first Haida Watchmen. The Watchmen spend their summers protecting their heritage and guiding at Haida sites in the park.

Collison explained that in August 2013, Haida and Parks Canada staff raised the Legacy Pole at Windy Bay.

“It was the first monumental pole raised in Gwaii Haanas in 130 years,” he said. It represents 20 years of the groups working together to preserve the Gwaii Haanas region. 

We visited the remains of the villages of Skedans on Louise Island and Tanu on Tanu Island, where massive, fallen roof beams and poles made distinct mossy bulges on the forest floor.  And we heard about the mass graves of villagers who died of smallpox.

At the abandoned Rose Harbour whaling station on Kunghit Island, where a pair of giant metal rendering drums rust on the beach, we met Götz Hanisch, who runs a guesthouse on-site and is one of only three island residents.

“In the early 20th century,” he said, showing off a fin whale jawbone, baleen and flipper bones, “4,000 whales were processed here, their meat and bones reduced to fertilizer.”

The highlight of the trip was the village of Ninstints on the tiny island of SGang Gwaay at the archipelago’s southernmost tip.

As I walked on a mossy boardwalk through the earthy, pungent rainforest I glimpsed eyes and great, gaping mouths through the trees ahead.

Goosebumps rose on the back of my neck. One weathered totem pole after another appeared, a stacked cedar menagerie of killer whales, ravens, beavers and bears, until there was a grove of ancient columns, tilted and vulnerable. The sacred Haida site was named to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1981.

It was hard to imagine the trip could get better. But then, as the Zodiac was taking us back to the Swell, Capt. Dave Holliss pointed.

An ungainly flock of birds had lifted off the waves, displaying chunky orange beaks and bright yellow Mohawks flapping in the wind.

“Tufted puffins!” we all shouted.

travel@latimes.com

If you go

THE BEST WAY TO HAIDA GWAII, CANADA

From LAX to Vancouver, Canada, Alaska, Air Canada, American, Delta, United and WestJet offer nonstop service, and Delta, Alaska, United, Air Canada and WestJet offer connecting service (change of planes). Restricted round-trip fares begin at $277, including taxes and fees. From Vancouver, Pacific Coastal Airlines flies nonstop to Masset. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $400. The flights are not included in the cruise fare.

Pacific Coastal AirlinesAir Canada

Maple Leaf Adventures, (250) 386-7245. Seven-night/eight-day excursions on the Swell to Haida Gwaii from May 23 through July 13. From $5,000 per person, double occupancy. Includes tours and one night on Graham Island as well as all meals and wine with dinner, guided activities, shore trips, permits, fees and transfers. 

Maple Leaf Adventures also offers Haida Gwaii trips on a 92-foot schooner, the Maple Leaf.

TO LEARN MORE

Destination British Columbia

Northern BC Tourism

Haida Gwaii Tourism

Gwaii Haanas National Park

This post has been harvested from the source link, and News-Twitter has no responsibility on its content. Source link

[taylortastingtour]

Taylor Tasting Tours: Your Gateway to Washington's Private Wine Adventures

Experience the essence of Washington's finest wineries with Taylor Tasting Tours. Our dedicated sommelier designs exclusive private wine tours, tailored to your preferences. From Seattle to Yakima, Lake Chelan to Woodinville, we lead you through a world of flavors and vintages. Join our Seattle Urban Evening Tour and Seattle Evening Tour, guided by the region's top experts. Immerse yourself in the Pacific Northwest's wine excellence. Taylor Tasting Tours is your trusted choice for an unforgettable journey. Contact us at (206) 281-0193 or visit our website at taylortastingtours.com to book your Washington private wine tour today. visit our website: https://taylortastingtours.com

[taylortastingtour]

Explore Woodinville Wineries in Woodinville Wine Country

Embark on a delightful journey through the heart of Washington State’s wine country with Taylor Tasting Tours — your premier choice for an unparalleled wine touring and tasting experience! Our seasoned chauffeur guides are committed to making your exploration of Woodinville’s wineries an unforgettable adventure.

As your wine tour concludes, reflecting on the journey becomes inevitable. What makes a tour memorable? Is it the exquisite taste of the wines, the scenic landscapes, or the expertise of your guide? Perhaps, it’s the seamless blend of all these elements. At Taylor Tasting Tours, we believe in creating experiences that linger in your memory, ensuring that every sip, every view, and every moment is etched in your heart.

[taylortastingtour]

Exploring the Best: Washington Taylor Private Wine Tour and Woodinville’s Finest

When it comes to experiencing the epitome of wine-tasting in Washington, two names stand out – Washington Taylor Private Wine Tour and Woodinville Private Wine Tour. Let’s embark on a journey through the best wineries in Woodinville, Washington, and discover why these private tours redefine the wine-tasting experience.

In the realm of the best wineries in Woodinville, Washington, and the pinnacle of private wine tours, Washington Taylor Private Wine Tour and Woodinville Private Wine Tour emerge as the leaders. These tours not only showcase the beauty of Washington’s wine country but redefine the standards of wine-tasting, promising an experience that lingers in the heart and the palate.

[taylortastingtour]

In which part of the world would you love do a wine tour?

If you're a wine enthusiast and eager to embark on a wine tour, Washington State should be at the top of your list. Allow me to share why this picturesque region is the ideal destination for wine lovers.

Taylor Tasting Tours is your go-to for private wine tours in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. They have a dedicated sommelier who will craft a personalized wine-tasting experience just for you. Whether you're a novice or a connoisseur, they ensure a memorable and educational wine journey.

Don't hesitate to reach out to them at (206) 281-0193 if you have any questions related to their services. You're in good hands with Taylor Tasting Tours.

So, if you're looking for a wine tour experience that combines exceptional wines, beautiful landscapes, and expert guidance, Washington State is where you should be heading. It's a journey that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for wine and the Pacific Northwest's beauty.

[tsghuntcountryvirginia]

Our Guide to Virginia’s Historic Garden Week

One of the private residencies open to viewing during the Leesburg tours.

As the flowers bloom and the birds sing, we know spring is upon us. While everyone is wondering how to spend their warmer days, we already know that we’ll be relaxing at the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week. Hosted across numerous locations throughout the state, from April 27th until May 4th, some of our favorites reside within our own Hunt Country. Tour ticket prices vary by location, but discounted tickets may be purchased in advance online at the Historic Garden Week website. 

The Winsor House of Little Washington

Kick off your Historic Garden Week at the Winsor House, nestled in the heart of Little Washington. Deborah Winsor, of August Georges, opens her home to the garden tour on April 27th. This tour of Little Washington begins at 10 o’clock a.m., and concludes at 5 o’clock p.m. Once you’ve gotten your fill of florals, take a quick excursion through the countryside to Wild Roots Apothecary. Treat yourself to our favorite locally-sourced and natural tonics, soaps, and other various products that always leave us feeling calmed and refreshed. 

A view of the grounds of Glen Gordon Manor.

Countryside Fare and Ambience 

To wrap up a long day of trekking through the countryside, reserve a table (or room) at Glen Gordon Manor, of Huntly. Overlooking the picturesque Shenandoah National Park, dinner here seems like a naturally-perfect ending to your day exploring Hunt Country. 

A view of the historic Oatlands Manor and Grounds.

Prestige and Peonies 

Continue your tour through Hunt Country in Leesburg, with this location’s ticket covering the cost of both days of touring, on April 28th and 29th. On these dates, The Leesburg and Fauquier-Loudoun Garden Clubs host tours to numerous locations, including four private properties and five gardens. On the 28th, tours take place from 1 o’clock to 5 o’clock p.m. The tours of the 29th kick off at 10 o’clock a.m., and conclude at 5 o’clock p.m. These tours are headquartered at the historic, iconic, and stunning Oatlands Carriage House Museum. Take a day, or two, taking in the sights that the Leesburg countryside has to offer. You won’t regret it!

Embrace the Outdoors

Take a break from touring and enjoy the quaint, small-town feel of the Leesburg Historic District. Cowbell Kitchen might just be our favorite spot for lunch, or for a quick treat. We can’t get enough of their pastries! In between tours, enjoy some speciality shopping or take a stroll past The Fine Gallery. Arouse your senses by taking in some of their incredibly unique pieces. And don’t forget about dinner! Although there’s so many delectable choices, we always bring our friends to Tuscorora Mill Restaurant or The Wine Kitchen. 

Blue Ridge Beauty

Conclude your trip of Hunt Country with tours of the rolling hills of Piedmont. On May 1st and 2nd, The Warrenton Garden Club hosts countryside excursions of our region’s mountains and valleys from 10 o’clock a.m. to 5 o’clock p.m. Of all the beautiful gardens and properties, we are most-excited to what Manuel Simpson of EyeManuel, and owner Nicole Stephenson, have done with the Valhalla property. Such tours are headquartered in Old Town, which provides you with easy access to shops, eateries, and other activities, in between tours. Once you finish your day, check out Farm Station Café of Vint Hill, by the incomparable À la Carte. 

An afternoon shot of the front porch of L’Auberge Provençale.

Leisure at L’Auberge

If you’re looking for a relaxing countryside getaway to commemorate your trip, let your final destination be L’Auberge Provençale, perfectly-situated in White Post. Take advantage of their own manicured gardens, historic rooms, or gourmet picnics. Situated on the outskirt of Hunt Country, away from the bustling towns, you’ll fall in love with L’Auberge as much as we have.

A view of the beautifully-appointed gardens of Hunt Country.

Be Sure to Tell Them Scout Sent You!

Photos Courtesy of Oatlands House and Gardens and the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week.

WILD ROOTS APOTHECARY 4 River Lane Sperryville, VA C: hello@wildrootsapothecary.com Follow on Instagram: @wildroots_apothecary

GLEN GORDON MANOR 1482 Zachary Taylor Hwy Huntly, VA 22640 C: 540.636.6010 Follow on Instagram: @glengordonmanorva

THE FINE GALLERY 9 Royal St. Sw Leesburg, VA C: 571.206.4858 Follow on Instagram: @the.fine.gallery

EYEMANUEL P.O. Box 1748, Middleburg, VA 20118 C: 540.878.6876

À LA CARTE CATERING AND EVENT DESIGN   7146 Farm Station Road Vint Hill, Virginia C: 703.754.2714 Follow on Instagram: @alacartecaters

AUGUST GEORGES 195 Main Street Washington, VA C: 202.494.5894 Follow on Instagram: @augustgeorges 

L’AUBERGE PROVENÇALE 13630 Lord Fairfax Hwy White Post, VA C: 540.837.1375 Follow on Instagram: @laubergeprovencale

[taylortasting-blog]

TAYLOR TASTING TOURS

Taylor Tasting Tours is founded by the former owner of Seattle's best known wine tour company, Bon Vivant Wine Tours, Don Ward.  Leading wine tours for over 6 years, Don earned glowing Trip Advisor reviews from satisfied guests  and from wineries alike.   Don, along with his knowledgeable team of guides is proud to offer private tours that are small, informative, fun. Each tour is individually personalized   and  be as close as down town or Woodinville or anywhere throughout Washington and beyond.

seattle distillery tours, Woodinville distillery tours, Chelan distillery tours, Oregon distillery tours, Snoqualmiedistillery tours, Eastern washington distillery tours, winery, distillery, brewery, spirits, beer, wine, tours, private tours, custom wine tours, woodinville, seattle, chelan, yakima, walla walla, columbia valley, washington, seattle, Woodinville, Chelan, Oregon, Snoqualmie, Eastern washington http://taylortastingtours.com/

[newstwitter-blog]

New Post has been published on News Twitter

New Post has been published on http://www.news-twitter.com/2017/02/01/la-times-tufted-puffins-black-bears-and-you-the-small-cruise-ship-experience-in-canadas-haida-gwaii-16/

La Times: Tufted puffins, black bears and you: The small-cruise-ship experience in Canada's Haida Gwaii

The aroma of coffee drifted into my cabin along with the distant squawking of seagulls, but it was a gentle swaying that reminded me I was waking on a boat.

I leaped from my bunk, the first passenger to reach the sunny salon for a steaming mug, and curled up on an upper-deck sofa. There I watched seals pop up from the mirror-smooth waters, sending ripples across a pristine bay toward the mist-veiled rainforest slope.

I love cruising remote wilderness on small, working boats, and British Columbia has a roll call of them puttering along its coast and islands.

When Vancouver, Canada-based Maple Leaf Adventures in 2015 launched cruises aboard a converted 1912 tugboat, I signed up for a seven-night adventure exploring the nooks and crannies of the mystical Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands.

The blade-shaped archipelago of more than 400 islands is off British Columbia’s north coast. They are home to the Haida, a First Nations people known for their rich culture and craftsmanship. 

During my July trip, I wanted to walk wild beaches, hike in some of the continent’s most verdant rainforest, whale- and wildlife-watch and, I hoped, spot the elusive migratory tufted puffin in a region nicknamed “Canada’s Galápagos.”

And to putter about on a tugboat called the Swell.

There is a cheerful cuteness to the Swell that reminds me of the “Theodore Tugboat” kids’ series I watched with my nephew in the ’90s. But the Swell is the real deal, a grown-up, 88-foot powerhouse that worked hard for decades along British Columbia’s coast.

Now, after a $4-million refit, it’s plying those waters to the delight of a maximum of 12 guests in six elegant, wood-paneled, en-suite cabins.

Exploring Graham Island

My trip began with a flight from Vancouver to Masset, a no-frills fishing town on the top of Graham Island, the bigger of the two main Haida Gwaii (which translates as “Islands of the Gwaii people”).

Our group of 10 was met by Cody Waller, a local Haida Gwaii guide who led us to Old Massett, one of just two remaining Haida villages on the island.

“There were once over 500 Haida communities in the islands, with a population of over 7,000,” he said. In the late 1800s smallpox epidemics reduced their numbers to fewer than 700.

Haida culture, once almost lost, has revived in the last 50 years, evident by the smell of fresh cedar shavings scattered around a totem pole being created by master carver and Old Massett Mayor Jim Hart.

At Sarah’s Haida Arts & Jewelry, in a stylized longhouse in Old Massett, we browsed the works of dozens of local painters, printmakers, sculptors and other artists.

We saw three sandhill cranes and a bear on the way to a picnic on pebbly Agate Beach in Naikoon Provincial Park. We picked wild thimble and salmonberries, and hiked into forests of giant Sitka spruce and cedars where cashmere moss blanketed fallen logs and fence posts.

We spent our first night ashore at the native-owned seaside Haida House near the village of Tllel. We dined on local razor clams, Dungeness crab, salmon, halibut and other local goodies.

“We have a saying here,” our waitress said. “‘When the tide is out, the table is set.’”

The next morning we drove to Skidegate, the second Haida community on Graham Island, where, in 2008, the $26-million Haida Heritage Centre opened with a museum, amphitheater, aboriginal cafe and canoe/totem carving shed.

The complex, in a contemporary series of longhouses, lies along a crescent-shaped beach. Six totems erected in front were created by local carvers such as Bill Reid, whose monumental works are showcased throughout Vancouver and at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

By early afternoon we were chugging on a 20-minute ferry from Graham to Moresby, the second-biggest island.

After an hour on a bumpy forest logging road, we reached our launching point, where a Zodiac waited to take us to the Swell, anchored just offshore, for the wild part of our adventure.

Riding the Swell

Stepping aboard the 104-year-old Swell was a trip back in maritime history. It has also been a fishing boat, a private yacht and a live-aboard scuba boat.

After warm muffins and a warmer welcome, we pulled up two traps and counted 151 fresh spot prawns destined for dinner.

We set sail southward for a cluster of about 150 small islands accessible only by float plane and boat, most of them part of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, jointly managed by Parks Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation.

We sailed past ruins of old salmon canneries and logging operations that once clear-cut these lush rainforests.

That evening we anchored at Ikeda Cove on Moresby Island, where, in the morning, we hiked amid the mossy remnants of an early 1900s copper mine complete with rails from a horse-drawn tramway.

I kayaked every morning after breakfast, spotting sea otters, raccoons, oystercatchers, countless bald eagles, and small herds of Sitka deer munching on sea asparagus at low tide.

One day we bobbed for an hour watching a black bear — Haida Gwaii has one of North America’s biggest black bear populations — browse the shoreline.

Every afternoon after our shore expedition I settled into the hot tub on the upper deck with a glass of beer and listened to the gentle chug of the tug.

On our second day on the Swell a very excited Jane Taylor from Boston snagged a 15-pound lingcod that became part of that evening’s Thai chowder, along with salmon and halibut caught by a guest on the previous trip.

“The halibut weighed 60 pounds and the girl who caught it was only 10!” chef Oliver Burke said.

In front of two longhouses on Windy Bay on Lyell Island, part of Gwaii Haanas National Park, we met Vince Collison, our first Haida Watchmen. The Watchmen spend their summers protecting their heritage and guiding at Haida sites in the park.

Collison explained that in August 2013, Haida and Parks Canada staff raised the Legacy Pole at Windy Bay.

“It was the first monumental pole raised in Gwaii Haanas in 130 years,” he said. It represents 20 years of the groups working together to preserve the Gwaii Haanas region. 

We visited the remains of the villages of Skedans on Louise Island and Tanu on Tanu Island, where massive, fallen roof beams and poles made distinct mossy bulges on the forest floor.  And we heard about the mass graves of villagers who died of smallpox.

At the abandoned Rose Harbour whaling station on Kunghit Island, where a pair of giant metal rendering drums rust on the beach, we met Götz Hanisch, who runs a guesthouse on-site and is one of only three island residents.

“In the early 20th century,” he said, showing off a fin whale jawbone, baleen and flipper bones, “4,000 whales were processed here, their meat and bones reduced to fertilizer.”

The highlight of the trip was the village of Ninstints on the tiny island of SGang Gwaay at the archipelago’s southernmost tip.

As I walked on a mossy boardwalk through the earthy, pungent rainforest I glimpsed eyes and great, gaping mouths through the trees ahead.

Goosebumps rose on the back of my neck. One weathered totem pole after another appeared, a stacked cedar menagerie of killer whales, ravens, beavers and bears, until there was a grove of ancient columns, tilted and vulnerable. The sacred Haida site was named to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1981.

It was hard to imagine the trip could get better. But then, as the Zodiac was taking us back to the Swell, Capt. Dave Holliss pointed.

An ungainly flock of birds had lifted off the waves, displaying chunky orange beaks and bright yellow Mohawks flapping in the wind.

“Tufted puffins!” we all shouted.

travel@latimes.com

If you go

THE BEST WAY TO HAIDA GWAII, CANADA

From LAX to Vancouver, Canada, Alaska, Air Canada, American, Delta, United and WestJet offer nonstop service, and Delta, Alaska, United, Air Canada and WestJet offer connecting service (change of planes). Restricted round-trip fares begin at $277, including taxes and fees. From Vancouver, Pacific Coastal Airlines flies nonstop to Masset. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $400. The flights are not included in the cruise fare.

Pacific Coastal AirlinesAir Canada

Maple Leaf Adventures, (250) 386-7245. Seven-night/eight-day excursions on the Swell to Haida Gwaii from May 23 through July 13. From $5,000 per person, double occupancy. Includes tours and one night on Graham Island as well as all meals and wine with dinner, guided activities, shore trips, permits, fees and transfers. 

Maple Leaf Adventures also offers Haida Gwaii trips on a 92-foot schooner, the Maple Leaf.

TO LEARN MORE

Destination British Columbia

Northern BC Tourism

Haida Gwaii Tourism

Gwaii Haanas National Park

This post has been harvested from the source link, and News-Twitter has no responsibility on its content. Source link

[newstwitter-blog]

New Post has been published on News Twitter

New Post has been published on http://www.news-twitter.com/2017/02/01/la-times-tufted-puffins-black-bears-and-you-the-small-cruise-ship-experience-in-canadas-haida-gwaii-15/

La Times: Tufted puffins, black bears and you: The small-cruise-ship experience in Canada's Haida Gwaii

The aroma of coffee drifted into my cabin along with the distant squawking of seagulls, but it was a gentle swaying that reminded me I was waking on a boat.

I leaped from my bunk, the first passenger to reach the sunny salon for a steaming mug, and curled up on an upper-deck sofa. There I watched seals pop up from the mirror-smooth waters, sending ripples across a pristine bay toward the mist-veiled rainforest slope.

I love cruising remote wilderness on small, working boats, and British Columbia has a roll call of them puttering along its coast and islands.

When Vancouver, Canada-based Maple Leaf Adventures in 2015 launched cruises aboard a converted 1912 tugboat, I signed up for a seven-night adventure exploring the nooks and crannies of the mystical Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands.

The blade-shaped archipelago of more than 400 islands is off British Columbia’s north coast. They are home to the Haida, a First Nations people known for their rich culture and craftsmanship. 

During my July trip, I wanted to walk wild beaches, hike in some of the continent’s most verdant rainforest, whale- and wildlife-watch and, I hoped, spot the elusive migratory tufted puffin in a region nicknamed “Canada’s Galápagos.”

And to putter about on a tugboat called the Swell.

There is a cheerful cuteness to the Swell that reminds me of the “Theodore Tugboat” kids’ series I watched with my nephew in the ’90s. But the Swell is the real deal, a grown-up, 88-foot powerhouse that worked hard for decades along British Columbia’s coast.

Now, after a $4-million refit, it’s plying those waters to the delight of a maximum of 12 guests in six elegant, wood-paneled, en-suite cabins.

Exploring Graham Island

My trip began with a flight from Vancouver to Masset, a no-frills fishing town on the top of Graham Island, the bigger of the two main Haida Gwaii (which translates as “Islands of the Gwaii people”).

Our group of 10 was met by Cody Waller, a local Haida Gwaii guide who led us to Old Massett, one of just two remaining Haida villages on the island.

“There were once over 500 Haida communities in the islands, with a population of over 7,000,” he said. In the late 1800s smallpox epidemics reduced their numbers to fewer than 700.

Haida culture, once almost lost, has revived in the last 50 years, evident by the smell of fresh cedar shavings scattered around a totem pole being created by master carver and Old Massett Mayor Jim Hart.

At Sarah’s Haida Arts & Jewelry, in a stylized longhouse in Old Massett, we browsed the works of dozens of local painters, printmakers, sculptors and other artists.

We saw three sandhill cranes and a bear on the way to a picnic on pebbly Agate Beach in Naikoon Provincial Park. We picked wild thimble and salmonberries, and hiked into forests of giant Sitka spruce and cedars where cashmere moss blanketed fallen logs and fence posts.

We spent our first night ashore at the native-owned seaside Haida House near the village of Tllel. We dined on local razor clams, Dungeness crab, salmon, halibut and other local goodies.

“We have a saying here,” our waitress said. “‘When the tide is out, the table is set.’”

The next morning we drove to Skidegate, the second Haida community on Graham Island, where, in 2008, the $26-million Haida Heritage Centre opened with a museum, amphitheater, aboriginal cafe and canoe/totem carving shed.

The complex, in a contemporary series of longhouses, lies along a crescent-shaped beach. Six totems erected in front were created by local carvers such as Bill Reid, whose monumental works are showcased throughout Vancouver and at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

By early afternoon we were chugging on a 20-minute ferry from Graham to Moresby, the second-biggest island.

After an hour on a bumpy forest logging road, we reached our launching point, where a Zodiac waited to take us to the Swell, anchored just offshore, for the wild part of our adventure.

Riding the Swell

Stepping aboard the 104-year-old Swell was a trip back in maritime history. It has also been a fishing boat, a private yacht and a live-aboard scuba boat.

After warm muffins and a warmer welcome, we pulled up two traps and counted 151 fresh spot prawns destined for dinner.

We set sail southward for a cluster of about 150 small islands accessible only by float plane and boat, most of them part of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, jointly managed by Parks Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation.

We sailed past ruins of old salmon canneries and logging operations that once clear-cut these lush rainforests.

That evening we anchored at Ikeda Cove on Moresby Island, where, in the morning, we hiked amid the mossy remnants of an early 1900s copper mine complete with rails from a horse-drawn tramway.

I kayaked every morning after breakfast, spotting sea otters, raccoons, oystercatchers, countless bald eagles, and small herds of Sitka deer munching on sea asparagus at low tide.

One day we bobbed for an hour watching a black bear — Haida Gwaii has one of North America’s biggest black bear populations — browse the shoreline.

Every afternoon after our shore expedition I settled into the hot tub on the upper deck with a glass of beer and listened to the gentle chug of the tug.

On our second day on the Swell a very excited Jane Taylor from Boston snagged a 15-pound lingcod that became part of that evening’s Thai chowder, along with salmon and halibut caught by a guest on the previous trip.

“The halibut weighed 60 pounds and the girl who caught it was only 10!” chef Oliver Burke said.

In front of two longhouses on Windy Bay on Lyell Island, part of Gwaii Haanas National Park, we met Vince Collison, our first Haida Watchmen. The Watchmen spend their summers protecting their heritage and guiding at Haida sites in the park.

Collison explained that in August 2013, Haida and Parks Canada staff raised the Legacy Pole at Windy Bay.

“It was the first monumental pole raised in Gwaii Haanas in 130 years,” he said. It represents 20 years of the groups working together to preserve the Gwaii Haanas region. 

We visited the remains of the villages of Skedans on Louise Island and Tanu on Tanu Island, where massive, fallen roof beams and poles made distinct mossy bulges on the forest floor.  And we heard about the mass graves of villagers who died of smallpox.

At the abandoned Rose Harbour whaling station on Kunghit Island, where a pair of giant metal rendering drums rust on the beach, we met Götz Hanisch, who runs a guesthouse on-site and is one of only three island residents.

“In the early 20th century,” he said, showing off a fin whale jawbone, baleen and flipper bones, “4,000 whales were processed here, their meat and bones reduced to fertilizer.”

The highlight of the trip was the village of Ninstints on the tiny island of SGang Gwaay at the archipelago’s southernmost tip.

As I walked on a mossy boardwalk through the earthy, pungent rainforest I glimpsed eyes and great, gaping mouths through the trees ahead.

Goosebumps rose on the back of my neck. One weathered totem pole after another appeared, a stacked cedar menagerie of killer whales, ravens, beavers and bears, until there was a grove of ancient columns, tilted and vulnerable. The sacred Haida site was named to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1981.

It was hard to imagine the trip could get better. But then, as the Zodiac was taking us back to the Swell, Capt. Dave Holliss pointed.

An ungainly flock of birds had lifted off the waves, displaying chunky orange beaks and bright yellow Mohawks flapping in the wind.

“Tufted puffins!” we all shouted.

travel@latimes.com

If you go

THE BEST WAY TO HAIDA GWAII, CANADA

From LAX to Vancouver, Canada, Alaska, Air Canada, American, Delta, United and WestJet offer nonstop service, and Delta, Alaska, United, Air Canada and WestJet offer connecting service (change of planes). Restricted round-trip fares begin at $277, including taxes and fees. From Vancouver, Pacific Coastal Airlines flies nonstop to Masset. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $400. The flights are not included in the cruise fare.

Pacific Coastal AirlinesAir Canada

Maple Leaf Adventures, (250) 386-7245. Seven-night/eight-day excursions on the Swell to Haida Gwaii from May 23 through July 13. From $5,000 per person, double occupancy. Includes tours and one night on Graham Island as well as all meals and wine with dinner, guided activities, shore trips, permits, fees and transfers. 

Maple Leaf Adventures also offers Haida Gwaii trips on a 92-foot schooner, the Maple Leaf.

TO LEARN MORE

Destination British Columbia

Northern BC Tourism

Haida Gwaii Tourism

Gwaii Haanas National Park

This post has been harvested from the source link, and News-Twitter has no responsibility on its content. Source link

[newstwitter-blog]

New Post has been published on News Twitter

New Post has been published on http://www.news-twitter.com/2017/02/01/la-times-tufted-puffins-black-bears-and-you-the-small-cruise-ship-experience-in-canadas-haida-gwaii-14/

La Times: Tufted puffins, black bears and you: The small-cruise-ship experience in Canada's Haida Gwaii

The aroma of coffee drifted into my cabin along with the distant squawking of seagulls, but it was a gentle swaying that reminded me I was waking on a boat.

I leaped from my bunk, the first passenger to reach the sunny salon for a steaming mug, and curled up on an upper-deck sofa. There I watched seals pop up from the mirror-smooth waters, sending ripples across a pristine bay toward the mist-veiled rainforest slope.

I love cruising remote wilderness on small, working boats, and British Columbia has a roll call of them puttering along its coast and islands.

When Vancouver, Canada-based Maple Leaf Adventures in 2015 launched cruises aboard a converted 1912 tugboat, I signed up for a seven-night adventure exploring the nooks and crannies of the mystical Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands.

The blade-shaped archipelago of more than 400 islands is off British Columbia’s north coast. They are home to the Haida, a First Nations people known for their rich culture and craftsmanship. 

During my July trip, I wanted to walk wild beaches, hike in some of the continent’s most verdant rainforest, whale- and wildlife-watch and, I hoped, spot the elusive migratory tufted puffin in a region nicknamed “Canada’s Galápagos.”

And to putter about on a tugboat called the Swell.

There is a cheerful cuteness to the Swell that reminds me of the “Theodore Tugboat” kids’ series I watched with my nephew in the ’90s. But the Swell is the real deal, a grown-up, 88-foot powerhouse that worked hard for decades along British Columbia’s coast.

Now, after a $4-million refit, it’s plying those waters to the delight of a maximum of 12 guests in six elegant, wood-paneled, en-suite cabins.

Exploring Graham Island

My trip began with a flight from Vancouver to Masset, a no-frills fishing town on the top of Graham Island, the bigger of the two main Haida Gwaii (which translates as “Islands of the Gwaii people”).

Our group of 10 was met by Cody Waller, a local Haida Gwaii guide who led us to Old Massett, one of just two remaining Haida villages on the island.

“There were once over 500 Haida communities in the islands, with a population of over 7,000,” he said. In the late 1800s smallpox epidemics reduced their numbers to fewer than 700.

Haida culture, once almost lost, has revived in the last 50 years, evident by the smell of fresh cedar shavings scattered around a totem pole being created by master carver and Old Massett Mayor Jim Hart.

At Sarah’s Haida Arts & Jewelry, in a stylized longhouse in Old Massett, we browsed the works of dozens of local painters, printmakers, sculptors and other artists.

We saw three sandhill cranes and a bear on the way to a picnic on pebbly Agate Beach in Naikoon Provincial Park. We picked wild thimble and salmonberries, and hiked into forests of giant Sitka spruce and cedars where cashmere moss blanketed fallen logs and fence posts.

We spent our first night ashore at the native-owned seaside Haida House near the village of Tllel. We dined on local razor clams, Dungeness crab, salmon, halibut and other local goodies.

“We have a saying here,” our waitress said. “‘When the tide is out, the table is set.’”

The next morning we drove to Skidegate, the second Haida community on Graham Island, where, in 2008, the $26-million Haida Heritage Centre opened with a museum, amphitheater, aboriginal cafe and canoe/totem carving shed.

The complex, in a contemporary series of longhouses, lies along a crescent-shaped beach. Six totems erected in front were created by local carvers such as Bill Reid, whose monumental works are showcased throughout Vancouver and at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

By early afternoon we were chugging on a 20-minute ferry from Graham to Moresby, the second-biggest island.

After an hour on a bumpy forest logging road, we reached our launching point, where a Zodiac waited to take us to the Swell, anchored just offshore, for the wild part of our adventure.

Riding the Swell

Stepping aboard the 104-year-old Swell was a trip back in maritime history. It has also been a fishing boat, a private yacht and a live-aboard scuba boat.

After warm muffins and a warmer welcome, we pulled up two traps and counted 151 fresh spot prawns destined for dinner.

We set sail southward for a cluster of about 150 small islands accessible only by float plane and boat, most of them part of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, jointly managed by Parks Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation.

We sailed past ruins of old salmon canneries and logging operations that once clear-cut these lush rainforests.

That evening we anchored at Ikeda Cove on Moresby Island, where, in the morning, we hiked amid the mossy remnants of an early 1900s copper mine complete with rails from a horse-drawn tramway.

I kayaked every morning after breakfast, spotting sea otters, raccoons, oystercatchers, countless bald eagles, and small herds of Sitka deer munching on sea asparagus at low tide.

One day we bobbed for an hour watching a black bear — Haida Gwaii has one of North America’s biggest black bear populations — browse the shoreline.

Every afternoon after our shore expedition I settled into the hot tub on the upper deck with a glass of beer and listened to the gentle chug of the tug.

On our second day on the Swell a very excited Jane Taylor from Boston snagged a 15-pound lingcod that became part of that evening’s Thai chowder, along with salmon and halibut caught by a guest on the previous trip.

“The halibut weighed 60 pounds and the girl who caught it was only 10!” chef Oliver Burke said.

In front of two longhouses on Windy Bay on Lyell Island, part of Gwaii Haanas National Park, we met Vince Collison, our first Haida Watchmen. The Watchmen spend their summers protecting their heritage and guiding at Haida sites in the park.

Collison explained that in August 2013, Haida and Parks Canada staff raised the Legacy Pole at Windy Bay.

“It was the first monumental pole raised in Gwaii Haanas in 130 years,” he said. It represents 20 years of the groups working together to preserve the Gwaii Haanas region. 

We visited the remains of the villages of Skedans on Louise Island and Tanu on Tanu Island, where massive, fallen roof beams and poles made distinct mossy bulges on the forest floor.  And we heard about the mass graves of villagers who died of smallpox.

At the abandoned Rose Harbour whaling station on Kunghit Island, where a pair of giant metal rendering drums rust on the beach, we met Götz Hanisch, who runs a guesthouse on-site and is one of only three island residents.

“In the early 20th century,” he said, showing off a fin whale jawbone, baleen and flipper bones, “4,000 whales were processed here, their meat and bones reduced to fertilizer.”

The highlight of the trip was the village of Ninstints on the tiny island of SGang Gwaay at the archipelago’s southernmost tip.

As I walked on a mossy boardwalk through the earthy, pungent rainforest I glimpsed eyes and great, gaping mouths through the trees ahead.

Goosebumps rose on the back of my neck. One weathered totem pole after another appeared, a stacked cedar menagerie of killer whales, ravens, beavers and bears, until there was a grove of ancient columns, tilted and vulnerable. The sacred Haida site was named to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1981.

It was hard to imagine the trip could get better. But then, as the Zodiac was taking us back to the Swell, Capt. Dave Holliss pointed.

An ungainly flock of birds had lifted off the waves, displaying chunky orange beaks and bright yellow Mohawks flapping in the wind.

“Tufted puffins!” we all shouted.

travel@latimes.com

If you go

THE BEST WAY TO HAIDA GWAII, CANADA

From LAX to Vancouver, Canada, Alaska, Air Canada, American, Delta, United and WestJet offer nonstop service, and Delta, Alaska, United, Air Canada and WestJet offer connecting service (change of planes). Restricted round-trip fares begin at $277, including taxes and fees. From Vancouver, Pacific Coastal Airlines flies nonstop to Masset. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $400. The flights are not included in the cruise fare.

Pacific Coastal AirlinesAir Canada

Maple Leaf Adventures, (250) 386-7245. Seven-night/eight-day excursions on the Swell to Haida Gwaii from May 23 through July 13. From $5,000 per person, double occupancy. Includes tours and one night on Graham Island as well as all meals and wine with dinner, guided activities, shore trips, permits, fees and transfers. 

Maple Leaf Adventures also offers Haida Gwaii trips on a 92-foot schooner, the Maple Leaf.

TO LEARN MORE

Destination British Columbia

Northern BC Tourism

Haida Gwaii Tourism

Gwaii Haanas National Park

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New Post has been published on http://www.news-twitter.com/2017/02/01/la-times-tufted-puffins-black-bears-and-you-the-small-cruise-ship-experience-in-canadas-haida-gwaii-13/

La Times: Tufted puffins, black bears and you: The small-cruise-ship experience in Canada's Haida Gwaii

The aroma of coffee drifted into my cabin along with the distant squawking of seagulls, but it was a gentle swaying that reminded me I was waking on a boat.

I leaped from my bunk, the first passenger to reach the sunny salon for a steaming mug, and curled up on an upper-deck sofa. There I watched seals pop up from the mirror-smooth waters, sending ripples across a pristine bay toward the mist-veiled rainforest slope.

I love cruising remote wilderness on small, working boats, and British Columbia has a roll call of them puttering along its coast and islands.

When Vancouver, Canada-based Maple Leaf Adventures in 2015 launched cruises aboard a converted 1912 tugboat, I signed up for a seven-night adventure exploring the nooks and crannies of the mystical Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands.

The blade-shaped archipelago of more than 400 islands is off British Columbia’s north coast. They are home to the Haida, a First Nations people known for their rich culture and craftsmanship. 

During my July trip, I wanted to walk wild beaches, hike in some of the continent’s most verdant rainforest, whale- and wildlife-watch and, I hoped, spot the elusive migratory tufted puffin in a region nicknamed “Canada’s Galápagos.”

And to putter about on a tugboat called the Swell.

There is a cheerful cuteness to the Swell that reminds me of the “Theodore Tugboat” kids’ series I watched with my nephew in the ’90s. But the Swell is the real deal, a grown-up, 88-foot powerhouse that worked hard for decades along British Columbia’s coast.

Now, after a $4-million refit, it’s plying those waters to the delight of a maximum of 12 guests in six elegant, wood-paneled, en-suite cabins.

Exploring Graham Island

My trip began with a flight from Vancouver to Masset, a no-frills fishing town on the top of Graham Island, the bigger of the two main Haida Gwaii (which translates as “Islands of the Gwaii people”).

Our group of 10 was met by Cody Waller, a local Haida Gwaii guide who led us to Old Massett, one of just two remaining Haida villages on the island.

“There were once over 500 Haida communities in the islands, with a population of over 7,000,” he said. In the late 1800s smallpox epidemics reduced their numbers to fewer than 700.

Haida culture, once almost lost, has revived in the last 50 years, evident by the smell of fresh cedar shavings scattered around a totem pole being created by master carver and Old Massett Mayor Jim Hart.

At Sarah’s Haida Arts & Jewelry, in a stylized longhouse in Old Massett, we browsed the works of dozens of local painters, printmakers, sculptors and other artists.

We saw three sandhill cranes and a bear on the way to a picnic on pebbly Agate Beach in Naikoon Provincial Park. We picked wild thimble and salmonberries, and hiked into forests of giant Sitka spruce and cedars where cashmere moss blanketed fallen logs and fence posts.

We spent our first night ashore at the native-owned seaside Haida House near the village of Tllel. We dined on local razor clams, Dungeness crab, salmon, halibut and other local goodies.

“We have a saying here,” our waitress said. “‘When the tide is out, the table is set.’”

The next morning we drove to Skidegate, the second Haida community on Graham Island, where, in 2008, the $26-million Haida Heritage Centre opened with a museum, amphitheater, aboriginal cafe and canoe/totem carving shed.

The complex, in a contemporary series of longhouses, lies along a crescent-shaped beach. Six totems erected in front were created by local carvers such as Bill Reid, whose monumental works are showcased throughout Vancouver and at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

By early afternoon we were chugging on a 20-minute ferry from Graham to Moresby, the second-biggest island.

After an hour on a bumpy forest logging road, we reached our launching point, where a Zodiac waited to take us to the Swell, anchored just offshore, for the wild part of our adventure.

Riding the Swell

Stepping aboard the 104-year-old Swell was a trip back in maritime history. It has also been a fishing boat, a private yacht and a live-aboard scuba boat.

After warm muffins and a warmer welcome, we pulled up two traps and counted 151 fresh spot prawns destined for dinner.

We set sail southward for a cluster of about 150 small islands accessible only by float plane and boat, most of them part of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, jointly managed by Parks Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation.

We sailed past ruins of old salmon canneries and logging operations that once clear-cut these lush rainforests.

That evening we anchored at Ikeda Cove on Moresby Island, where, in the morning, we hiked amid the mossy remnants of an early 1900s copper mine complete with rails from a horse-drawn tramway.

I kayaked every morning after breakfast, spotting sea otters, raccoons, oystercatchers, countless bald eagles, and small herds of Sitka deer munching on sea asparagus at low tide.

One day we bobbed for an hour watching a black bear — Haida Gwaii has one of North America’s biggest black bear populations — browse the shoreline.

Every afternoon after our shore expedition I settled into the hot tub on the upper deck with a glass of beer and listened to the gentle chug of the tug.

On our second day on the Swell a very excited Jane Taylor from Boston snagged a 15-pound lingcod that became part of that evening’s Thai chowder, along with salmon and halibut caught by a guest on the previous trip.

“The halibut weighed 60 pounds and the girl who caught it was only 10!” chef Oliver Burke said.

In front of two longhouses on Windy Bay on Lyell Island, part of Gwaii Haanas National Park, we met Vince Collison, our first Haida Watchmen. The Watchmen spend their summers protecting their heritage and guiding at Haida sites in the park.

Collison explained that in August 2013, Haida and Parks Canada staff raised the Legacy Pole at Windy Bay.

“It was the first monumental pole raised in Gwaii Haanas in 130 years,” he said. It represents 20 years of the groups working together to preserve the Gwaii Haanas region. 

We visited the remains of the villages of Skedans on Louise Island and Tanu on Tanu Island, where massive, fallen roof beams and poles made distinct mossy bulges on the forest floor.  And we heard about the mass graves of villagers who died of smallpox.

At the abandoned Rose Harbour whaling station on Kunghit Island, where a pair of giant metal rendering drums rust on the beach, we met Götz Hanisch, who runs a guesthouse on-site and is one of only three island residents.

“In the early 20th century,” he said, showing off a fin whale jawbone, baleen and flipper bones, “4,000 whales were processed here, their meat and bones reduced to fertilizer.”

The highlight of the trip was the village of Ninstints on the tiny island of SGang Gwaay at the archipelago’s southernmost tip.

As I walked on a mossy boardwalk through the earthy, pungent rainforest I glimpsed eyes and great, gaping mouths through the trees ahead.

Goosebumps rose on the back of my neck. One weathered totem pole after another appeared, a stacked cedar menagerie of killer whales, ravens, beavers and bears, until there was a grove of ancient columns, tilted and vulnerable. The sacred Haida site was named to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1981.

It was hard to imagine the trip could get better. But then, as the Zodiac was taking us back to the Swell, Capt. Dave Holliss pointed.

An ungainly flock of birds had lifted off the waves, displaying chunky orange beaks and bright yellow Mohawks flapping in the wind.

“Tufted puffins!” we all shouted.

travel@latimes.com

If you go

THE BEST WAY TO HAIDA GWAII, CANADA

From LAX to Vancouver, Canada, Alaska, Air Canada, American, Delta, United and WestJet offer nonstop service, and Delta, Alaska, United, Air Canada and WestJet offer connecting service (change of planes). Restricted round-trip fares begin at $277, including taxes and fees. From Vancouver, Pacific Coastal Airlines flies nonstop to Masset. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $400. The flights are not included in the cruise fare.

Pacific Coastal AirlinesAir Canada

Maple Leaf Adventures, (250) 386-7245. Seven-night/eight-day excursions on the Swell to Haida Gwaii from May 23 through July 13. From $5,000 per person, double occupancy. Includes tours and one night on Graham Island as well as all meals and wine with dinner, guided activities, shore trips, permits, fees and transfers. 

Maple Leaf Adventures also offers Haida Gwaii trips on a 92-foot schooner, the Maple Leaf.

TO LEARN MORE

Destination British Columbia

Northern BC Tourism

Haida Gwaii Tourism

Gwaii Haanas National Park

This post has been harvested from the source link, and News-Twitter has no responsibility on its content. Source link