Browsing “Unplugged”

Location: Robson Square So maybe I’m just a sucker for high-contrast black and white photographs. With flawless composition. And timing. Thanks again, Jianwei.

There was a lot of amazing photography in the pool this week folks, please keep posting and spreading the word about the Unplugged Flickr Pickr.

It’s that point in your consciousness where you can feel at one with nature, escaping the trappings of the day-to-day to an almost dream-like place where nothing else seems to exist besides you and your natural surroundings. It is our opinion here at VIA that Vancouver holds a unique place in the civilized world in that reaching this state often requires no more effort than simply pulling off to the side of the road, pocketing your keys and taking a few steps into the forest

SOMETIMES, ITS HARD TO UNPLUG. That’s sometimes what Ontarians might say – we have no excuse. One of the most attractive qualities of living in Vancouver is how easy it is for anyone to ‘unplug’. While you might not have the money, time or resources to get out of the city – you always have access to the city’s finest parks. One of my most recent favorites: Queen Elizabeth Park. PLACE: Queen Elizabeth Park (CLICK FOR MAP) LOCATION: Vancouver, B.C.

Queen Elizabeth Park is a ‘Swiss Army Park’, for city folk who need to unplug. It is where I go when I need to take a breather and relax during the week, but still need enough time for my regular routine. There is a large list of activities and happenings QEP offers. Here are some of my favorites:

The views! If you are like me, you stare in awe when you catch a great view in Vancouver. Well, QEP is the highest point in Vancouver and boasts some of the finest views of the North (attracting tourists and locals alike).

…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

Location: Pitt River, Port Coquitlam (Click for map) What a beautiful way to spend a day, only miles away from our awesome city and what a beautiful image which really does convey a feeling of solitude, calm and a connection with nature. It’s always lovely to welcome new contributors to our fabulous Flickr pool…welcome, Jianwei and thank you so much for sharing this with us.

There was a lot of amazing photography in the pool this week folks, please keep posting and spreading the word about the Unplugged Flickr Pickr.

It’s that point in your consciousness where you can feel at one with nature, escaping the trappings of the day-to-day to an almost dream-like place where nothing else seems to exist besides you and your natural surroundings. It is our opinion here at VIA that Vancouver holds a unique place in the civilized world in that reaching this state often requires no more effort than simply pulling off to the side of the road, pocketing your keys and taking a few steps into the forest

Cycle through the countryside. Slow it down. Speed it up. Enjoy the fruits of someone’s labour. Appreciate the rich soil that gives us the misshapen potatoes that are perfect in every way. Ogle at the striped cows and take photos beside the giant sunflowers. Enjoy fresh berries and homemade bread. Cycle some more and then chill out under a willow tree. This week, I bring you to the annual Slow Food Cycle. PLACE: Pemberton Valley(CLICK FOR MAP) LOCATION: Pemberton, BC

Now in its eighth year, Pemberton’s Slow Food Cycle was founded to help bridge the gap between local farmers and people who love food. Now, some 3,000 locals and tourists alike, make their way along the 50 kilometer farm belt that runs along Pemberton Farm Road.

The crowd is mixed: teens; young families; senior citizens; 20-somethings; those who like to go fast; and those who like to go slow. Anything goes as you make your way down the long stretch of flat farmland set against the backdrop of the dramatic Coast Mountain Range.

At each stop, the treats are plentiful and cheap. My favourites were Bannock with fresh Huckleberry jam made by a local First Nations woman; and the authentic fresh tacos from The Collective Kitchen.

This year’s participating farms and suppliers included: Rootdown Farm, Across the Creek Organics, Araxi Restaurant, Ice Cap Organics, Helmer’s Organic farm, Pemberton Valley Coffee Company, Purebread, Schramm Vodka Distillery and so much more.

While the 2012 Slow Food Cycle  has come to an end, the good news is that you can do your own Pemberton farm cycle. Head on over to the local bike shop, Bike Co. and rent a bike. While many of the farms featured in the Slow Food Cycle only open their doors for Slow Food Cycle Sunday, there are still some that welcome visitors. North Arm Farm, which is closer to Mount Currie, is my favourite for berry picking in the summer and squash and pumpkin picking in the fall.

After visiting the farms, I have a deeper appreciation for how and where my food is produced.

Learn more about why it’s important to support our local farmers in the Slow Food Cycle video:

View VIA UNPLUGGED in a larger map

This image took my breath away and I felt that it just had to be shared. Beautiful animals in nature together with perfect composition and exposure are a combination that should not be glossed over. Thank you, Tony. PS. I’d love to know where you made this Tony, could you please leave a comment to let us know?

There was a lot of amazing photography in the pool this week folks, please keep posting and spreading the word about the Unplugged Flickr Pickr.

It’s that point in your consciousness where you can feel at one with nature, escaping the trappings of the day-to-day to an almost dream-like place where nothing else seems to exist besides you and your natural surroundings. It is our opinion here at VIA that Vancouver holds a unique place in the civilized world in that reaching this state often requires no more effort than simply pulling off to the side of the road, pocketing your keys and taking a few steps into the forest

A TRIP TO SEATTLE IS the perfect destination to explore a new town with rich history, great shopping, fantastic dining and quirky activities. However, for the unplugged-centric traveler, visiting another city can be a little overwhelming. That’s why, in the midst of a fun city-themed trip to Seattle, I managed to escape the hustle and bustle in search of calm seas and a mellow vibe.This week I introduce you to two ways to experience a city outside of the city.PLACES: Discovery Park & Bainbridge Island (CLICK FOR MAP) LOCATION: Seattle, WA

A recent Klout-sponsored weekend in Seattle had all the elements of a great city get away: delicious and trendy dining, fantastic shopping, kitschy souvenirs and Underground Tours of the underworld.  But our favourite moments of all were the ones that brought us out of the heart of the city.

While we enjoyed other Seattle activities and experiences, our most relaxed moments were splashing on the cool shores of Bainbridge Island with our dog Mickey. By the way, the ocean doesn’t get much warmer than 68F (20C).

Here are my two favourite picks for unplugging in Seattle:

Discovery Park

Located a 30-minute drive from downtown Seattle, Discovery Park boasts 534 acres of State Park. The area has it all: beautiful vistas, open meadows, forested trails and 2 miles of quiet beaches. Dogs are also allowed on leash on the trails, however are not allowed on the beach…oops. Many Seattlites can be seen mellowing out in Discovery Park – and some of the brave ones even bike up and around the undulating park roads.

Come for a day or camp overnight, there’s plenty to explore in Discovery Park.

…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>