Spring around Prince George

 Now that the snow is melting away, it makes me want to get out and do stuff. I have to admit I'm not much of a Winter person so once Spring hits it really feels like I'm coming out of hibernation. I started to think about all the things I want to get out and enjoy.

This made me realize just how many things there are to do in and around Prince George. Last year at this time I made a list of things I wanted to do over the non-winter months. Some were things I enjoy every year and some were things I always wanted to do. I never did do them all, but the good news is that I can keep working on my list this year, although I have a feeling it is going to grow before it shrinks. I thought I would put together a list of things I've found, and share the top activities with you.
 One of the things that makes Prince George so great is the access to the great outdoors. Many people who live here already make the very best of what nature has to offer. There are some however who may not, and may not even know where to start. Hiking is the easiest way to get started. There are all kinds of hiking trails that are easy to access with many options depending on your skill level. You can get a piece of the wilderness right down town or venture out for a drive. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Nature Walks:
1) Cottonwood Island Park
2) Forests For the World
3) Moore's Meadow Park


-These are all right in town and are very easy trails that do not require experience.

Hikes:
1) Eskers Park
2) Ancient Forrest Trail
3) Ferguson Lake

-These are located a short drive from town and are still relatively easy hikes.

Historic and Heritage Sites:
1) Railway Museum
2) Huble Homestead
3) Down Town Heritage Tour - Prince George Public Library


Fun Activities for kids:
1) Park Drive-In Theater & Go carts
2) Exploration Place
3) Noah's Ark


These are just a few of the things I could think of off the top of my head. There a are by far many more activities to get you out and about this Spring. Visit http://tourismpg.com/ for more idea's. I found that once I started mentioning my plans to others they started sharing their favorite things to do and the options are endless. Please share your favorite places so I can add to my list.

-Muriel Rolufs

Preparing Your Vehicle For Spring

Well, Spring has sprung...at least according to the calendar anyway!!! But, even though Mother Nature hasn't quite caught up yet doesn't mean you can't get a jump on some preparations.
Keeping up on the maintenance of your vehicle is a must if you want to get the most out of it. There are a few simple steps that you can take to improve the longevity of your ride. Changing of the Season is the perfect time to put some extra love into your investment. When you live in Northern Canada each season brings it's own challenges so when you prepare ahead it makes the transition a little easier.

1) Clean the interior. Remove all the junk that has accumulated over the winter months. You know...the stray mittens, food wrappers, and boulder sized gravel that you tracked in on your boots. Wow, that looks better already!!! Now vacuum up the small stuff (don't forget the seats) and give everything a good wipe to get rid of the thick layer of dust.  

2) Wash the exterior. You will want to get all of the dirt and salt off the exterior of your vehicle. Salt is what leads to rust, so be sure to do a thorough clean. Once it's clean, a good coat of wax is a great idea to help the Spring rain bead away and add further protection.

Note: If you aren't up for this there are plenty of options for car washes that will gladly do the dirty work for you.

3) Schedule an appointment with your mechanic. Winter temperatures are tough on your engine, you will want to have a mechanic go over everything to make sure it is in good condition. Make sure these things are done while you're there:
- Change oil
- Change other fluids
- Check belts, brakes and hoses
- Check suspension

4) Changeover tires. Once the temperature is consistently above 7 degrees it is safe to take off your winter tires. If you use studded tires they have to be removed before April 30th in B.C. If you don't use winter tires then you should give your tires a good inspection and make sure that the tread looks good and that there is no damage. Make sure to check your tire pressure too.

5) Inspect your wiper blades. Ice and snow can damage your wiper blades pretty quickly. With the rain in the spring you will want to make sure your wipers are in tip top shape. Check for cracked or dry rubber on the part of the blade that has contact with the windshield.

6) Speaking of the windshield. Check for chips and cracks and have any repaired, or have your windshield replaced if necessary.

7) Check Your A/C. You will want to be sure your air conditioning is working properly before the summer months hit ( believe me, I'm speaking from experience.) Test your A/C to make sure it is working before you go to the mechanic, that way if there is a problem you get get it looked at while you're there.

If you take the time to do these few things it will help your vehicle running smoother and looking better. Take the time to do maintenance every few months to get the most from your vehicle and it will be worth your while.
Now just sit back and wait for all this snow to melt!!!

-Muriel Rolufs