A Nature Lover s Adventure Journal

1. A Nature Lover�s Adventure Journal  Denise North�s Digital Travel Bio bikenorth@yahoo.ca University of British Columbia LIBR 500 - Fall 2006

2. Sacred Places� What follows is a compilation of my ultimate favourite local, national & international places� Unique regions I�ve had the opportunity to travel to in my 20�s and 30�s� ~ Whether explored by bike, kayak on foot or skis, each region holds a special place in my heart ~

3. Arches National Park  An artists, geologists & hikers dream� ~ Where sunrises & sunsets linger deep in the valleys, painting a majestic masterpiece along canyon walls ~ ~ Where canyons are etched with thousand year old pictographs created by Anzazi tribes ~ LOCATION: Moab, Utah TRIP LENGTH: 4-6 days OPTIMUM TIME: April or October Double O Arch

4. Paria Canyon  Imagine�the ultimate solitude ~ Encountering no other humans while hiking through 70m high slot canyons Spending 1.5 days in a shoulder-width canyon (Buckskin Gultch) Hiking up and over boulders and log jams in knee deep water The stillness only interrupted by the echo of an offsprey�s call Searching for pictographs left by the Anzazi Tribes TRIP DESCRIPTION: 5 day back-country hike LOCATION: �Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness� (112,500-acres) Canyon entrance: Grand Junction, Colorado, USA End point: 10 miles West of Page, Arizona Exiting Buckskin Gultch (at the confluence)

5. Moab, Utah The ultimate canyon country adventure vacation! Extraordinary sandstone formations ~ Majestic slot canyons ~ Indulging in natural beauty ~ Envision paving any rocky, off-road trail, then creating total traction for hiking and cycling An ideal place to learn to mountain bike on solid �slick rock� grip terrain ~ Even the �gonzo abusive� trails are manageable yet exhilarating! > Just watch out for the sand traps and Prickly Pear cactus!

6. Cycling the Oregon Coast An incredible freedom, wheeling down dramatic ocean-side roads, savouring the steady tailwind at my back ~ ~ Gazing down towering/jagged cliffs, listening to the thunderous waves and bellows resonating from the sea lion caves ~ ~ Camping at pristine �hiker/biker� camp sites (a bargain at only $4 / person!) with peaceful beaches, rugged sand dunes and lush forests as neighbors~ ~ Hiking through fragrant rainforests, encountering ancient towering Metasequoia trees, large enough for a van to pass through!

7. Captivated by Cambodia Once the most powerful kingdom in SE Asia (802 AD-1800�s) during the Angkorian Era; all that remains now are the Temples of Angkor. Magnificent architectural masterpieces ~ Every surface is an intricately hand carved design in stone ~ It�s amazing the temples are still standing over one thousand years later! Now the Khmer people are trying to recover from the horrors of war under the brutal Khmer Rouge Regime ~ The poverty stricken yet resilient Khmer continue to try to rebuild their lives and re-claim their land that is littered with thousands of active landmines.

8. Vibrant Vietnam ~ Vietnam is a progressive culture with paved super highways, a dream to cycle on compared to Cambodia! Surrounded by evidence of thriving industry and entrepreneurs at every bend ~ ~ Artists and craftspeople abound; from superb seamstresses, to amazing painters, potters & and talented carvers ~ ~ A country where women wear beautiful, hand sewn, silk pantsuits; while teenage girls cycle to school wearing elegant school uniforms made of white silk ~

9. Laid-back Laos Recently developed tourism ~2003 Incredible cycling and side trips along the main Northern road to tiny, rustic villages. Passing through tropical forests, with crystal clear rivers that beckoned for many refreshing swims Friendly, well-educated and kind locals who welcome travelers. Vibrant Buddhist temples and statues abound along quiet back roads.

10. Costa Rica�Naturally The largest concentration of national parks and protected regions in the world ~ Manuel Antonio & Monte Verde National Parks have spectacular flora and fauna, including Howler and White Monkeys, Three-toed sloths, hundreds of rainforest birds and magnificent tropical flowers ~ A major highlight is trekking through rainforests and taking a nocturnal hike in Monte Verde where the rainforest remains active all night ~ A tingling feast for the senses! Pristine beaches on the NW, Pacific Side ~ Unique black sand beaches on the Caribbean, Atlantic Ocean side ~ Trip duration:10-15 days Best time of year: Spring or Fall

11. Cycling The Maritimes Stunning ocean side views and picturesque rural scenery Quaint country towns and cities, full of vibrant characters & culture Beautiful Victorian & Elizabethan historic homes with �widow walks� Maritimers are the most thoughtful, genuine and fun-loving people I�ve met throughout my travels in North America LOCATION: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island DURATION: 2 weeks DISTANCE: 1400+ km (3 separate trips: 1996, 1998 and 2001)

12. Cycling in British Columbia My favorite cycle touring trips include� The Rocky Mountains ~ �The Golden Triangle� (330 km) Banff, Alberta > Radium > Golden, BC 3 days The Kootenay Region ~ �The Silver Triangle� (270 km) 3 days Nelson > New Denver > Kaslo �The Slocan Triangle� (300 km) 3-4 days Revelstoke > Kaslo > New Denver > Nakusp South/Central Region ~ �Trans Canada Trail� (400 km) 8/12 days off-road Merritt > Hope > Chilliwack Mountain > Vancouver > Nanimo > Victoria Goldrush Circuit: (650 km) 10 days Vancouver >Whistler> Pemberton >Lillooet >Litton >Mission

13. Kayaking BC   The Johnstone Strait (4 days) ~ Imagine� waking up to the sound of Killer Whales� as they pass by the campsite�Being entertained by dolphins and salmon jumping and performing during their evening water ballet. � And trying to photograph seals before they disappeared into the kelp ~ Male & female Killer Whales Quadra & Cortez Islands & Desolation Sound (6 days) ~ Stunning, multi-coloured ocean life including starfish, sea urchins, fish, octopus & flowing kelp ~ The Broken Islands Group (5 days) ~ It is exhilarating exploring seven of the 100 islands, paddling past blowholes, through arches, savouring stunning panoramic island views and the pristine wilderness camping ~ A seals playground Bowron Lakes (7 days) ~ A 7-10 day paddle, in crystal clear lakes and wetlands ~ Portaging between this magnificent chain of 7 lakes, while mesmerized by moose and seeing black bears up close! ~

14. Back-country skiing  A mecca for experienced, back-country ski enthusiasts One of the most consistently pure powder back-country ski regions in the world An unparalleled powder haven!

15. Credits All photos are my own personal photos, with two exceptions noted below. For permission to use my photos, e-mail Denise at dnorth@vsb.bc.ca Cabot Trail photograph used with written, e-mailed permission from http://www.allinclusivetours.net/t_nova_from_ny_02.htm Peggy�s Cove photograph from Canadian Tourism Commission http://www.explore.canada.travel Photo used with verbal permission from the Canadian Tourism Commission Office #1400-1055 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC V7X 1L2� Music courtesy of Windows Media sample music