L'Ile d'Orléans - Québec

Jacques Cartier was the first to discover this green covered island, which he immediately named "Ile de Bacchus" ( Bacchus Island) after the wild vines that were growing everywhere. But well before the arrival of the Europeans, the natives were already calling the island "Ouindigo", an Algonquin word meaning "bewitched place". Still today, the islanders are sometimes referred to as the "Sorcerers of the Island". As the years went by, the island was given a succession of different names. But it eventually came down to one of its original names, Ile D'Orléans, again supplied by Jacques Cartier, who, on May 6th 1536, gave it this name after François the 1st, son of the King of France, Duke of Orleans.

The Île d'Orléans is considered as one of the earliest populating places in Nouvelle France!

The MRC of Ile d'Orleans has more than 7500 inhabitants scattered among six parishes. The island is 35 km wide long and 8 km wide. The main road, the Chemin Royal, goes all around the island and goes through each parish, and a single bridge links it to the land.

From the beginning of the colonization, the island was part of the vast domain of Beaupre. Most of the settlers called for to populate the island came from Normandie and the Poitou region, in France. A census carried in 1685 counted 1205 inhabitants (and 917 livestock).

For a short period, in 1759, the island was occupied by the Englishmen, but few traces of that presence remain.

Witnesses to the past, more than 600 buildings are recognized by the Government of Quebec as being part of our cultural and historical heritage, including the oldest church in Nouvelle France. Some bakeries dating back to the 18th and 19th century are still active today. Unfortunately, the dozen or so flour mills, tanneries, shoe-repair shops and saddle factories that made the islanders self-sufficient have all but disappeared today.

Source and more information: www.quebecweb.com

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Bella Coola Grizzly Tours - Bella Coola, British Columbia

We offer Wildlife Viewing Tours to the east and west of Bella Coola, and guided Grizzly Bear Tours in the BellaCoolaRiver watershed and Saltwater Fjords of the Mid Coast. This area is now commonly known as the Great Bear Rainforest.

With over 30 years guiding experience, your host, Leonard Ellis has learned the ways of the elusive Coastal Grizzly. The Bella Coola Valley has a high population of Grizzlies and we are able to view them in various settings while they are feeding.

The Springtime is actually one of the best times to view the Biggest Boar Grizzlies as they are forced to come down to the Estuaries to feed on the fresh Greens and Sedges that grow there. In August, September, October and November the huge Boar Grizzlies and Sows with Cubs fish salmon in the pristine rivers to fatten up for the long Winter.

Our land and ocean based Grizzly Bear Tours and Adventures originate from our luxurious resort in Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada.

Our new Post & Beam Log Cabins at Bella Coola Grizzly Tours and Adventure Resort provide all the comforts and serve as our basecamp for our Wilderness Expeditions. The cabins are set into the Timber and are quite private and independent of each other. Each cabin is beautifully finished in Aspen and has its own kitchenette complete with electric stove, oven, refrigerator and microwave. Each cabin has full bathroom facilities and hot showers so you can start fresh day or night.

Each Cabin has a deluxe Queen size Sleigh bed and two double beds with fine linen. The banisters and hand rails are all in natural curved red and yellow cedar that we have beach combed from the fjords. The Panoramic view of the 8000 foot mountains is spectacular from the large covered sundeck on the front of the Cabins.

Source and more information: http://bcgrizzlytours.com

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Goldwater Expeditions - Northern Ontario

Goldwater Expeditions came to life as an eco-tourism outfitting company when Sheri and Tony came to work for Natural Resources in a small Northern Ontario town. The idea evolved into rental equipment for the eco-tourist.

Sheri (Degree in Biology/Geography) and her Husband Tony, (Naturalist/Wilderness Guide), established service in Sioux Lookout June 2007 as Paddle Canada Seakayak instructors.

“We operate a ice climbing outpost on the Pine River in Thunder Bay Ontario with access to Lake Superior, also a new beautifully hand crafted log outpost on Pelican Lake in Sioux Lookout, ON.;We can equip the avdenturer,providing all the necessary equipment and supplies for you to base a water or land adventure for a night or two away from home, in the serenity of the wilderness.”

“Kayaking allows people the best place to take photos from and witness natures finest displays. Ducks, Eagles, Ospreys, Owls, Moose and Beavers go about there daily routines,  most animals seem undisturbed by the profile of a seakayak gliding by silently.”

Kayak rentals and tours, skiing and snowshoeing are all in the line-up of outdoor sports offered throughout the year. Equipment can be rented either by the day, week, month, or season.

Source and more information:  http://goldwaterexpeditions.com

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