Edmonton's Capital EX on $25

EDMONTON - The mission was a simple one: head to Capital EX and see if I could have fun with a budget of only $25 - not including gate admission or parking.

Was it possible?

A few Capital EX-goers I spoke with didn't think so.

"You couldn't, it's just not possible," said Lyndon Furman, who had given himself a budget of $100 for the day.

"Not if you want to go on rides, it's too tempting," said Sean Zenowski. "This all costs money and $25 is not enough."

But Capital EX organizers were positive it could be done.

"We think you can find your fun regardless of your budget," said Sandra Pysklywyc, Northlands spokeswoman. "Once you're in the door, there's so much to do."

Pysklywyc was right about the last bit at least. The activities at the grounds were endless, but most cost a chunk of green to do.

I ended up spending $6 right off the bat on some carnival games in an attempt to win myself a stuffed Pikachu doll. It was a failed attempt.

Next I knew I wanted to spend some of my budget on carnival food: what's a trip to Capital EX without some mini donuts or a corn dog?

Five dollars and a ketchup and mustard-laced corn dog later, I was down to $14.

At this point the heat was kicking in and I knew that the single ride I could afford to take had to have some purpose.

Niagara Falls, the splashing water roller coaster, was an instant draw and, like most popular rides at Capital EX, would cost six coupons to ride at $1 per coupon.

But boy was I refreshed. With $8 left in my wallet it was time for a break and a search for some fun and free activities.

I managed to catch two free shows, Terrance B's entertaining hypnotist show at the Telus Stage, followed by a mesmerizing performance at Centre Stage by the Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats. Both were completely packed with people.

A stroll through the Shop Zone was enjoyable enough, but on my budget - window shopping was the most I could do.

There were some free food samples though. I ended up getting a couple slices of free pizza at the Dr. Oetker stand by the Telus Stage and rumour had it there were smores samples at one of the ground gates.

Nearing the end of my day there was still a few dollars left to spend so, parched, $6 was spent on a large glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and with my final two dollars, I played another game in an attempt to win that elusive Pikachu.

Failed again.

Still with my $25, I had managed to play some games, eat and catch some entertaining acts.

While it's definitely not easy to have fun at Capital EX with a very limited budget, it isn't impossible. You just have to be a bit strategic.

The atmosphere, sunshine, free shows and, if you're lucky enough to find, free samples, are enough to keep at least a casual Capital EX-goer entertained.

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This island really is for the birds

QUEBEC - What's it like having tens of thousands of big seabirds virtually at your feet?

Noisy. Often smelly. And absolutely unforgettable.

Bonaventure Island, off the tip of Quebec's Gaspe peninsula, boasts the world's biggest colony of northern gannets.

It's also touted as the easiest to reach. A boat ride from the village of Perce and an easy hike put you less than two metres from more than 70,000 birds.

Gannets migrate to Bonaventure every spring. The male arrives first, staking out the same nesting site used the year before.

The female lays a single egg between mid-June and late July. Both parents take turns incubating it and making forays to the Gulf of St. Lawrence for food.

So close together are the nests that you're greeted with something resembling an immense white carpet of birds, squawking, squabbling, taking off to go fishing or landing clumsily with beaks full of seaweed to add to the nest.

The gannet is a striking-looking creature, white with a butter-yellow head, piercing blue eyes and black-fringed wings with a span of two metres.

Getting a good photo is a no-brainer. There's only a rope between you and them.

Late-afternoon sun deepens the reddish brown colour of Perce Rock, photographed from the Gaspe peninsula village of Perce. (Doug English/QMI Agency)

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Best hotels in Canada

A new list released by the website hotel.info shows Edmonton hotels offer the best bargain along with a great experience.

Edmonton's value-for-money rating was 8.17 to top the list, followed by Halifax at 7.70 and Victoria. B.C. at 7.61. Niagara Falls, which previously held the number one spot, is in fourth, with a rating of 7.43 (down from 7.75).

On the list of 15 cities, Banff was rated the lowest value for money at 5.54.

Hotel.info made the list by looking at reviews submitted by customers who use their website and focused on guests who stayed in three and four-star hotels.


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A friend request from The Bard

STRATFORD, ONTARIO - Not all of the great dialogue associated with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival is uttered onstage.

Some of it is entered on a keyboard and posted on Facebook. Some is thumbed in on a tiny smartphone keypad and sent to Twitter.

The Festival has embraced social media in a big way this year and is using it to connect with audiences in a way that Shakespeare never could have envisioned more than 400 years ago.

“People used to think of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival as this ivory tower that was only accessible to a few people,” said Aaron Kropf, the Festival’s social and online media co-ordinator. “Now they’re seeing it as accessible to everyone.”

Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are a big part of that.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival Facebook site, for example, has more than 16,000 “fans,” or people who follow it. Some 7,000 fans have been added this year alone. (The actual term is “likes,” but “fans” seems more appropriate.)

Either way, a lot of people are logging in to follow the Festival — posting comments about plays they’ve just seen, making recommendations, asking questions, participating in contests and jumping at limited-time, exclusive promotional ticket offers.

Recent Facebook postings highlights the diverse nature of the dialogue.

In the last few weeks alone, there was:

• An alert about a set of free tickets hidden somewhere in Upper Queen’s Park. It was one of several special offers or discounted tickets promoted on the site.

• Advice from popular Festival actor Bruce Dow on what to wear to the theatre: “Whatever you wear, remember that you are going from hot summer weather into an air-conditioned theatre. Bring a shawl, a sweater, a light jacket.”

• A discussion about the exact age of Christopher Plummer.

• A question about fans’ favourite plays of the season, which prompted dozens of responses.

• Information about the 2011 playbill.

“We try to keep it light,” said Kropf of the Facebook site. “It’s just a fun way to get us interacting and getting involved with those who come to Stratford.”

And those Facebook fans come from far and wide. The largest group comprises Canadians, of course, but the U.S., U.K. and Spain are well represented among those worldwide fans, said Kropf.

What they all have in common is an interest in and a passion for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival that they want to share online.

“The biggest draw with social media is the fact that people just like to voice their opinions and know that someone is listening,” he said.

And someone is definitely listening.

One patron recently complained in a posting about what he thought were Nazi references in the beginning of “As You Like It,” and that comment was forwarded to artistic director Des McAnuff, who responded himself, noted Kropf.

It’s an example of the strong, and in many cases immediate, connection that’s been forged between the Festival and its patrons with these online tools.

“Traditionally you wait until the reviews come out before you know what people think,” said Festival publicity director Ann Swerdfager, whereas now there’s feedback at the first intermission of the first preview performance.

From a marketing perspective, the use of social networking still can’t rival traditional forms of advertising — print, broadcast, radio and direct marketing — said Swerdfager, but it certainly has its place.

“It’s very important not just as a tool to get the same old message out, but because it lets us get different messages out,” she said. “It lets us be responsive and it lets people talk to each other.”

And as more and more people flock to social networking sites, tapping into those resources becomes more and more important for arts organizations like the Festival, said Kropf.

“The conversation is happening. Are you going to get involved or just let it happen?” he said. “We’ve made the choice to get involved in that conversation.”

mbeitz@bowesnet.com

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Vikings descend on Gimli

MANITOBA - Viking helmets will be the headgear of choice when the annual Icelandic Festival of Manitoba kicks off in Gimli on July 30.

Known as "Islendingadagurinn," the four-day event celebrates the cultural roots of the town about two hours north of Winnipeg. Attractions include the Gimli Viking Village - a temporary living-history encampment, where costumed re-enactors depict life in Viking times and demonstrate Viking weapons and warfare - a history and culture pavilion, musical performances, and contests such as pole vaulting and Islendingadunk, a combination pillow fight and jousting match where opponents sit on poles suspended over water and try to dunk each other.

A pizza-eating contest - with a $500 first prize - is sponsored by Brennivins Pizza Hьs. Instead of pepperoni pizza, contestants gorge on "Rulapizza" topped with lamb and beef salami - a tribute to rullapylsa, the Icelandic lamb dish.

Most festival activities are free of charge. Contact 204-642-7417 or icelandicfestival.com for details.

Visitors who can№t make the festival but want to learn more about the town's cultural roots can do so year-round at the New Iceland Heritage Museum.

Contact 204-642-4001 or nihm.ca.

The area goes arty Sept. 4-5 when Gimli, Winnipeg Beach and neighbouring towns host the Wave Artists Tour, a free self guided tour of some 35 artists№ studios and galleries.

The Wave tour route follows the western shoreline of Lake Winnipeg, with its vast marshlands and charming country lanes. Participating studios will fly blue-and-white tour flags to welcome visitors in to browse, meet the artists, and discuss their work. For details, contact 204-642-4873 or watchthewave.ca.

The tour is organized by the Winnipeg Beach Art & Culture Co-op.

For more on travel to Manitoba, see travelmanitoba.com.

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10 of the best eco-chic escapes

The buzz around eco travel has never been stronger but now you can combine sustainability with style, off-set your carbon footprint without sacrificing luxury, and enjoy a wilderness break without having to rough it.

Boutique hotel specialists Mr & Mrs Smith (www.mrandmrssmith.com) has come up with 10 green getaways from eco-smart designer dens to hotels with a heart. This list is not endorsed by Reuters:

1. Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, Blue Mountains, Australia

Set in the Blue Mountains, less than three hours' drive from Sydney, the 40-suite Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa prides itself on being Australia's first conservation-based luxury resort, accredited by international group carboNZero. Pastoral fencing has been removed, 175,000 indigenous trees planted and native wildlife re-introduced. With access to over 4,000 acres of pristine wilderness, guests can go riding, mountain biking or wildlife spotting then return to private villas with in-room swimming pools and a world-class spa.

2. Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia

On southern Bali's rugged Bukit Peninsula, Alila Villas Uluwatu is a cool, contemporary clifftop resort which delivers panoramic Indian Ocean views from 61 minimalist white pool villas. Using only locally sourced, recycled and sustainable materials, Singaporean architects WOHA harnessed open-plan lay-outs, flat lava rock roofs and bamboo ceilings to allow sea breezes to circulate naturally. Wood, stone, rattan and water features rule, but stir in personal butlers, a superb spa, fine dining and a hip lounge bar.

3. Masseria Torre Maizza, Puglia, Italy

The 16th-century Masseria Torre Maizza perched on the coast of Italy's shapely heel in Puglia is a 28-room boutique hotel where everything possible is recycled - including water for the golf course - and most of the food served at its restaurant Delle Palme is grown on site or sourced from regional producers according to a 'kilometer zero' policy.

4. Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa, Chiang Rai, Thailand

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. (Courtesy The Farm at Cape Kidnappers)

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'Jaws' still haunts Martha's Vineyard

MARTHA'S VINEYARD, Massachusetts - After 35 years, people haven't tired of talking about or watching Steven Spielberg's quintessential summer movie "Jaws."

The shark-in-the-water thriller remains competitive on the Hollywood blockbuster list, having raked in over $470 million at box offices worldwide. Adjusted for inflation, the number would be around $1.9 billion today.

Composer John Williams' ominous two-note "shark" theme is known by kids and adults of all ages, whether they've seen the movie or not.

The movie flooded theaters for the first time in June 1975, and the buzz around it remains particularly strong on the original "Jaws" movie set -- the beaches and towns across Martha's Vineyard, which portrayed the fictional Amity Island in the 1975 film based on Peter Benchley's best-selling novel.

On the Vineyard, it's almost as easy find a resident who played an extra in the flick as it is to buy an ice-cream cone.

Most extras were kids back then, and paid $5 a day to swim in the ocean, play on the beach, and most importantly, run screaming from the water when Jaws -- more affectionately known by those involved with the movie as Bruce, a mechanical shark -- was approaching.

"It changed scary movies completely," said Tina Miller, a lifelong resident of the Vineyard, who was an extra in the movie alongside her father and brother.

Tom Smith, now a police officer in the Edgartown neighborhood, was a third grader when he was an extra in the original "Jaws," again in junior high when he was cast for the sequel, and he took a week from college to do special security for "Jaws: The Revenge," the fourth film in the series.

"The people who were involved in the movie are proud of that," he said. "It's part of the identity of those people."

NO CRASS PROMOTION

"Jaws" is also part of the Martha's Vineyard brand. The lore surrounding the film draws fans from across the globe for a glimpse at the beach where young Alex Kintner was snapped from his raft, or the empty plot in the sleepy fishing village of Menemsha where crews built shark-hunter Quint's cottage.

Martha's Vineyard, a 45-minute ferry ride off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is known for its low-key, private style and remains a sought-after vacation destination.

Scenic beaches, spectacular sunsets and vacationing U.S. presidents have long been a feature, but "Jaws" has contributed steadily over the years to an economy reliant on tourism dollars.

There are no stands hawking "Jaws" t-shirts near the ferry dock, nor billboards pronouncing it the home of the famous Great White shark. There isn't even an official tour of filming locations.

But if prompted, local taxi drivers will eagerly offer anecdotes from the summer of 1974 and point out "Jaws bridge," where the giant shark famously swam into the pond.

The most widely publicized celebration to date was five years ago, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the movie's release. The island hosted JAWSfest 2005, a three-day celebration with an open air screening that attracted more than 4,000 visitors and island residents.

Fans are clamoring for another such event. And island businesses, eager to recover from a dip in tourism during the recession, would be eager for the boost.

Joe Badot, general manager at The Harborside Inn in Edgartown, said occupancy during JAWSfest climbed to nearly 90 percent, when a typical June would fill just half of his 90 rooms.

Susan Sigel Goldsmith, co-director of JAWSfest, would like to see the next "Jaws" event as a tribute to the cast and crew. "These people have changed our lives, our island, our culture," said Goldsmith.

ISLANDERS TO THE RESCUE

Documenting the impact of the film on island history has been a full-time job over the last two years for Matt Taylor, who is polishing a 300-page account of how "Jaws" was made.

The book, titled "Martha's Vineyard Remembers Jaws," includes about 800 never before published photographs of the production snapped by islanders, and 65 interviews with those closest to the filming. It is set for release this fall.

Taylor said readers will be surprised to learn about the impact island residents had on the film's success, pointing particularly to contributions from Susan and Lynn Murphy.

Lynn Murphy, a Vineyard marine mechanic, was hired to help run the special effects in the water.

"They were having a terrible time with it until Lynn came along and set everything straight," said Taylor. "Lynn, and his knowledge of how to do things on the water, really saved the production."

The photos in his book were compiled by "Jaws" fan and memorabilia collector Jim Beller who, despite technology advances that make some of the "Jaws" special effects look rudimentary 35 years later, isn't worried the movie will lose its luster for the "Avatar" generation of fans.

"If you love a good suspenseful movie, a movie that has everything, or you are a Steven Spielberg fan, see it," he said. "If you like swimming -- think twice."

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Farmers, artists and sailors mix in Youngstown

NEW YORK - Youngstown is located at the northern end of the Niagara River. If you went any further, you'd land in Lake Ontario.

According to Rick Lohr, a longtime resident of this Mayberry-like village of 2,000: "It's a dead-end. You're either coming or going when you visit us."

"This is a wonderful place to live with a great group of people," the yacht-owner added.

And he is right. Youngstown (northofthefalls.com) is an eclectic mix of farmers, business owners, artists, sailors and retirees. It's a place where you can "chill" and hide from the world.

When I visited on a sunny afternoon, the main street -- called Main St. and consisting of about 10 unique stores -- was as busy as it gets. You have to step inside Artworks for truly one-of-a kind art. And don't pass up The Dory for specialty sailing items. No need to be a sailor to enjoy the whimsical items.

On the Niagara River shoreline behind Main St. is the impressive Youngstown Yacht Club. During the last weekend of July Youngstown takes on a resort-like atmosphere as hundreds of yachts flock to the harbour for the Level Regatta, one of the largest freshwater sailing competitions in the world. The sunset from the shoreline will take your breath away at any time of the year.

Anchoring one end of Main St. is the historic Ontario House, aka the Stone Jug. Established in 1842, the massive four-storey stone building with four chimneys and walls more than half a metre thick has always been a watering hole. You almost need a flashlight when you enter through the front doors of this very dark and very cool century-old bar.

When I arrived, Bill Copping -- a Canadian who moved here 17 years ago -- was sitting at the bar.

"Regulars like it this way." he told me. "We'd be upset if the owners made changes."

If the walls of this old place could talk, they could write volumes. No one knows how long the large Moose head (similar to the one in the TV commercials for Montana's restaurant) has been hanging on the wall above the well-used shuffle board game. The moose has no name; it's simply called moose.

Also on Main St. are a few fine eating spots. I tried the Youngstown Village Diner for breakfast, where a reasonably priced meal was delivered with casual care. There was no shortage of customers, and many like myself, sat on the patio. It offered a million dollar view of the yacht club as you looked across the Niagara River into Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Across the road from the diner is the Irish Rose, where I had lunch. Freshly made sandwiches are served with a bowl of soup (shrimp and corn is their specialty) and a pickle spear for around $7.

Another interesting place is historic Old Fort Niagara (open year round) on the outskirts of town. This national historic landmark was restored between 1926 and 1934 and still stands watch on a bluff overlooking Lake Ontario. From July 24 to July 25, there will a War of 1812 Encampment with a night battle taking place at 7 p.m. on the 25th. See oldfortniagara.org or call 716-745-7611.

In Youngstown there are a few places to stay for the night. I checked out Lakeview Motel and Cottage (lakeviewmotelandcottage.com) across from Lake Ontario. Chris and Wally Nowacki, originally from Hamilton, visited the area in 2003 and like the old Remington commercial guy, they liked the place so much they bought it at a public auction.

"It's nothing like it was when we first bought it," Chris said. We've done extensive renovations, additions and remodelling to make this a gracious place to stay." The motel and cottages are on 4.5 scenic hectares and it isn't unusual to see wildlife, including deer, hawks, eagles, fox and wild turkeys, outside your door.

Before you leave

Walk or drive the tree-lined streets, where you'll see handsome Victorian homes along the Niagara River with bell towers, gables, steeples and cupolas. One nice touch is the colourfully painted fire hydrants (volunteers do it each year) that add even more appeal to this lovely community.

Getting there

Cross over the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge at the Niagara border and take the Robert Moses Parkway north for about 30 minutes. GPS users can punch in 2000 Lake Rd., Youngstown, N.Y.

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Small ships set own course

Mega-ships are making a big splash these days as they set sail with their virtual cities at sea.

The biggest of the big is Royal Caribbean's 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas to be joined in December by the equally large Allure of the Seas.

Norwegian Cruise Line just launched Epic, a 4,200-passenger ship, and Holland America Line, known for its classy smaller ships, is out with Nieuw Amsterdam for 2,100 passengers.

Celebrity Cruises added Eclipse for 2,850 passengers in April and Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth, holding 2,092 passengers, sails in October.

Even so, there remains an attraction for the intimacy of small ships -- those for fewer than 500 passengers -- far from the madding crowd.

These ships provide an opportunity to "go where larger vessels cannot, including some of the most picturesque and otherwise exclusive ports in the world inaccessible to larger ships," said Lanie Fagan of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

There is an "extraordinarily diverse menu" of small-ship cruises serving up adventure, luxury, fine dining and worldwide itineraries.

How about sailing the grand rivers of Europe, along the coast of the Mediterranean, Canada and New England, through the islands of the South Pacific or the Caribbean, or even sailing around the world?

A river runs through it

River cruising is one of the most-popular voyages on custom-designed luxury vessels in Europe and elsewhere, including Asia and the Galapagos.

Amawaterways, Avalon Waterways and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises are among the leading lines offering these trips.

The ships are able to go right up to the dock in major cities as river cruising offers an immersion into the historical and cultural life of the destination.

Passengers can walk or cycle to the major landmarks, heritage sites, museums, restaurants and cathedrals without the delays of tendering from anchorages farther away.

European itineraries include the grand rivers from the Danube and the Volga to the Rhine, Rhone, Saone, Seine and Douro.

Seasonally, many itineraries include visits to the famous Christmas markets.

Next year, it will be possible to cruise essentially across Europe on an itinerary offered between Amsterdam and Istanbul.

Another option is cruising along the rivers of Asia, including the Mekong in Vietnam.

Coasting along

Coastal cruising is especially popular during the fall to see the colours of the changing season along the St. Lawrence River through the Maritimes and into New England.

American Cruise Lines' ships, including the new 104-passenger Independence, visit towns and villages tucked along the east coast that are inaccessible to larger ships. It sails inland waterways and rivers from Penobscot Bay, Maine, and the islands of New England to the rivers of Florida.

Seasonally, there are also repositioning cruises between Alaska, British Columbia and California.

In Europe, Hurtigruten has 11 ships offering Norwegian coastal voyages year-round to 34 ports of call, some only accessible by sea.

Going in luxury Luxury cruising includes the all-suite Yachts of Seabourn sailing to many out-of-the-way Mediterranean ports.

These include Zadar, Croatia; Koper, Slovenia; Le Lavandou on the French Riviera; and Bandol in France.

Among the smallest ships are the upscale SeaDream Yacht Club's Sea Dream I and Sea Dream II for 112 passengers.

They offer European itineraries that include the French Riviera in the summer and Caribbean sailings in the winter.

These include harbours in the British Virgin Islands and the Windward and Leeward islands and some lesser-travelled isles in Greece, such as Naousa, on Paros, and the unspoiled island of Sifnos.

Silversea Cruises offers numerous sailings, including world cruises of more than 100 days and its largest ship is the Silver Spirit carrying 500 passengers.

Its 132-passenger Prince Albert II travels from Europe and Scandinavia to Central and South America, Antarctica and South Africa.

Adventurous spirits

Exotic and adventure cruises include the French Polynesia on the 332-passenger Paul Gauguin.

The refurbished ship has cruises of seven to 15 nights to Tahiti, the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Cook Islands, Marquesas, Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand.

Hurtigruten's 301-passenger Fram cruises to Antarctica, Greenland and Spitsbergen in the Arctic.

Celebrity Xpedition, a 92-passenger mega-yacht, sails year-round in the Galapagos Islands with naturalist-led expeditions.

Windstar Cruises' high-tech Wind Spirit and Wind Star, each for 148 passengers, and Wild Surf, for 312 passengers, visit such exotic Caribbean spots as Iles des Saintes, Bequia and Virgin Gorda.

They also sail to Costa Rica's Quepos, Playas del Coco, Bahia Drake and Tortuga Island. In the Mediterranean, they visit Portovenere, Sanary sur Mer and Port Vendres.

--- --- ---

If you sail

To learn about the small-ship voyages, check out Cruise Lines International Association’s website: www.cruising.org

Jim and Barb Fox can be reached at outtosea50@hotmail.com

A woman of distinctionMorgan EvaGT Concept: for a sporting family

Vacation without breaking the bank

A few months ago my boyfriend, Harold, and I took a road trip in California. We spent weeks planning our route, finding hotels, searching for the cheapest airfares and figuring out what we wanted to see. And since it's California, we booked a rental car for our trip.

When we arrived at the car rental agency to pick up the car, and while the attendant brought the car around, I was handed the final bill. I looked at it, and turned to Harold and said, "This can't be right. This wasn't what it said online when we booked it."

I asked the agent to run the bill again, and the same number came up. It was hundreds more than what we were originally quoted. Turns out, California, which is in bad economic shape, has added a 29% tax to rental cars.

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I pulled out of the lot, fuming that we hadn't been told this in advance. Luckily for us, we could afford the difference. But what if it had been a family with limited means? It would have ruined their entire vacation.

"Vacations are like houses--their budget can grow much larger than you anticipated," explains Manisha Thakor, a personal finance expert who advises women making between $25,000 and $125,000 and is the author of Get Financially Naked. Thakor has some useful advice about how to plan a summer vacation without breaking the bank. Given how surprised I was by my own ballooning budget, I decided to take some notes so that I wouldn't be caught short next time.

First, says Thakor, set limits on your spending and be very open with your family about what you can and can't afford. "For parents this is a wonderful opportunity to teach your children how to stick to a budget. Let your kids know, 'We can't afford that' or 'Here's how much money we have, so let's decide together on how to split it up,'" suggests Thakor.

Once you've come up with a firm budget, you'll need to do a bit of sleuthing to avoid the kinds of hidden fees we got hit with at Enterprise. "States are really hurting now, and to make up for lost revenue, they're adding fees onto all kinds of things," she explains. Thakor recommends calling hotels and rental car companies and asking them to break down the bill, including taxes and fees, before you book.

It's also worth noting that some rental companies like Hertz and Budget are offering a 10% discount if you pay in full when you book your car. One caveat: You can't make changes to your reservation such as upgrading the car or extending or shortening the rental period.

There are ways to trim fat on your restaurant bills. Forgo bottled water and stick to plain old tap water. And when the server rattles off the list of the day's specials, make sure to ask what they cost. Instead of ordering one entrйe per person--which are usually ridiculously and unhealthily huge--split one with your spouse or another family member. And if you all can't decide on what to share, order appetizers instead. Appetizers are the right size, portion-wise, and your wallet and your hips will thank you.Vacations are the perfect time to escape the demands of the everyday world, but if you miss a bill payment, your creditors don't care if you're in the office or on the beach. Thakor recommends that consumers take advantage of online banking, and not only for vacations. "Think of it as a control tower. You can track and manage all of your e-bills from one location," she says.

Whether or not you're on vacation, you can set up automatic payments for bills such as your mortgage, utilities and car payments so you'll never have to worry about losing or forgetting to pay a bill and incurring frustrating late fees that can really add up.

Finally, remember that you don't have to take your summer vacation at the height of the season. Instead, stay home and book your travel for the off-season.

Harold and I did that with our California road trip (we went in April), and we stayed in lovely hotels that we wouldn't have been able to afford in the high season.

Our room at the Hotel Pacific in Monterey--which had an in-room fireplace, a dining area and a balcony--was less than $100 a night. In July that same room goes for $229 a night. And there was an unexpected bonus: The hotel was pretty empty, so we got the outdoor Jacuzzi to ourselves.

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Save money on summer travel

Q: How can I save money on travel this summer?

-- C. Warren, Oshawa

A: Summer is considered peak season in many destinations but if you do your homework you can still find savings.

For instance, a new survey from pollsters Angus Reid shows that Canadians want luxurious vacations with rich cultural experiences, but they are not willing to break the bank to pay for them.

"One way that Canadians could supplement their travel plans is with travel rewards cards. Although most Canadians are part of a rewards program, less than 30% of Canadians surveyed have actually booked their travel with rewards points," said Patrick Sojka, founder of the online travel rewards site Rewards Canada (rewardscanada.ca/).

Canadians who want to live in the lap of luxury on vacation should start putting their points to work, Sojka says, adding that points holders often don't do enough research on how to obtain rewards.

"Some of the programs do get confusing particularly on the airlines side so it makes it confusing on how to use the points. Sometimes Canadians don't focus on programs where they could win points and don't focus on one or two but instead they sign up for a lot of individual ones," he said.

He recommends that people also look at hotel reward programs, which can be a lot more flexible.

For instance, Starwood Preferred Guests -- the No. 1 hotel reward program -- makes it "relatively easy" to collect points.The hotel chain recently teamed up with American Express to launch an American Express Starwood Preferred Guest card (americanexpress.com).

Sojka advises consumers to focus on only a couple of programs through a rewards credit card, which means you don't have to be a frequent flier or a frequent guest to collect points. And don't forget to take advantage of bonus offers.

"A lot of hotels offer a heck of a lot of hotel bonuses ... Look for chains where the third night is free for a two night stay. Read the e-mail you get from the programs, and visit sites like rewardscanada.ca," he said.

Q: We toured the Hoover Dam years ago when we visited Las Vegas. We'd like to do this again but want to know if there are any new tours?

-- D. Nevine, Etobicoke

A: Papillon Airways has a new Hoover Dam helicopter tour (papillon.com), which departs daily from either their Las Vegas or Boulder City terminals. The 15 to 20 minute flight over the Hoover Dam takes place in a hi-tech EC-130 Eco-Star helicopter. Passengers will see Lake Mead, America's largest man-made reservoir, the tributaries of the Colorado River and the Black Canyon before returning. Adult fares start at $94 US and include transfers to and from major Las Vegas resorts. Contact 1-888- 635-7272 or visit their website for details.

ilona@mycompass.ca

Armando Galarraga’s new Corvette is worth $8.9M in mediaParis Hilton named ‘perfect vacation buddy’

Paris Hilton named 'perfect vacation buddy'

Paris Hilton recent drug scandals haven't harmed her reputation as the perfect travel companion - the hard-partying heiress has won an online poll to find the perfect summer vacation buddy.

Thousands of Paris fans flocked to WENN.com to help the jet-setting socialite win a head-to-head battle with reality TV star Tila Tequila.

Hilton, who has been questioned by cops in South Africa and France this summer over allegations of marijuana possession, earned a comprehensive 62 per cent of the vote - almost twice as many as second-placed Tequila.

Kim Kardashian was a distant third and Diddy and Jersey Shore reality TV star Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino completed the top five with a sorry one per cent each.


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Nearly-weds take flight for pre-nup parties

Why wait for the honeymoon? Engaged couples are turning bachelor and bachelorette parties into multi-day events and flying off to Las Vegas, Mexico and the Bahamas to celebrate before they tie the knot.

"I think for most girls it's a spa weekend," said Michelle Rago, a destination wedding and event planner in New York City, who has organized many a getaway for the nearly-wed.

"Usually it's within three hours traveling time, so on the Eastern seaboard they're going to the Bahamas or South Beach, Florida. Vegas is really popular," she added.

Vegas is king, according to John T. Peters of Tripology, the travel referral website. He said 56 percent of what he calls "bach/hen" requests are for Las Vegas, with Florida second. The average bill is a hefty $1,250 per person and travel agents say most people pay their own way.

So-called hen parties and stag nights are part of a swelling round of pre-marriage festivities that are boosting the travel industry.

"Girls are having as many parties as they can possibly have," said Rago.

And whether you're going to the desert or a dude ranch, hoteliers and venues have been smart about positioning themselves to accommodate the nearly-wed.

"I think that the industry has come a long way in servicing the wedding business," said Rago.

Alex Trettin, of Travel Leaders in Tacoma, Washington, specializes in wedding travel. He said the pre-nuptial getaway is about 20 percent of that business.

"We've created a number of programs for brides- and grooms- to-be. Most popular are Vegas and short cruises," he said. "Even with the economy in a slowdown, more and more people are using this as an opportunity to get together with friends."

Kim Gray, a travel agent with Travel Leaders in North Olmsted, Ohio, has booked three and four night bachelor/bachelorette getaways in Las Vegas, Tampa, Florida and Cancun, Mexico.

"Trips typically include entire bridal parties, as well as friends and family of bride and groom," she explained.

Although the sexes may travel together, once they arrive they go their separate ways.

"The new trend is that the couples combine the bachelor/bachelorette getaway," Gray said. "The guys and girls travel together, but then the girls go to the spa, pool or beach, while guys golfing, four-wheeling or hiking."

And while the mother and mother-in-law of the bride generally accompany the bachelorettes, the fathers, perhaps wary of the all-male carousing that has been a staple of the stag party, often take a pass.

"The fathers rarely go on the bachelor trips," said Mike Weingart of Travel Leaders in Houston, Texas.

Rago thinks the popularity of pre-wedding trips owes a lot to the information age.

"Young people have a lot more information. It's a more educated consumer with a clearer point of view. With the internet they're a lot more savvy," she explained.

And yet these parties are about something old as well as something new.

"The destination experience is parallel to how weddings started out: as weeklong affairs," she said. "People are taking a greater interest in entertaining, which is lovely."

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Be an adventure tourist in your own town

ONTARIO - We all need occasional escapes from the day-to-day, but if travelling across the pond for a two-week vacay isn't exactly in the budget, think locally.

With the costly onset of HST in Ontario and coming off the heels off a recession, the affordability of fun isn't what it used to be.

While it's tempting to bust out the plastic for an overseas adventure, by getting creative with your playtime you can save you a lot of dough and reap the rewards of an invigorating getaway at the same time.

Recently I ventured off to visit the slopes at Horseshoe Adventure Park, located in Barrie, Ont., about an hour north of the GTA and based on the grounds of Horseshoe Resort.

Balmy summer days spent out on the slopes, you ask?

If you've visited Horseshoe in the past, chances are you packed on the winter layers, loaded up your skis and hit the snowy slopes. This time, you can leave the heavy gear behind, for the latest developments happening there are transforming the park into a year-round, adrenaline-pumping destination. The park is shaking things up - literally.

One of the most exciting launches is the first-ever zorb rides to arrive in the province, which has long been a popular pastime among locals and tourists alike in New Zealand and Switzerland.

Don't know what a zorb is? The best way I can describe it like a giant hamster ball meets womb.

Basically, you jump through a hole in a three-metre high ball made of inflatable transparent plastic, which contains some warm water inside, and slosh around as you roll down trails down a hill. It might sound ridiculous, but for grown-ups, I promise you this blast of hilarity will zero in on your inner child in mere seconds and you'll find yourself laughing the entire way down.

If that's not your thing (but I can't imagine that it wouldn't be), there are all sorts of action-packed, family-friendly options popping up on the sprawling landscape, backed up by a $4.25-million dollar investment rolling out this year and next, giving day-trippers the chance to step into a harness and defy gravity on Southern Ontario's longest zip line, reaching speeds up to 45 km. an hour or reach new heights on the new rock climbing wall.

Try out some daring tricks at the outdoor skateboard park or feel the rush of cruising down the hilly mountain bike terrain. Many of these sky-high vantage points offer thrill seekers a sight-seeing feast filled with the breathtaking views of Georgian Valley.

If you're looking to make a weekend out of your visit, there is an hotel on site and upscale and casual dining options. For price information or to plan your summer reprieve, visit: horseshoeresort.com.

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Lighthouses of Ontario

ONTARIO - They've been called silent sentinels that guard mariners sailing offshore and conjure up images of romance and adventure.

Here's an opportunity to explore these stately sentinels - lighthouses - right here in Ontario.

The Bruce Coast bills itself as the "lighthouse destination in Great Lakes Canada" with 15 distinctive lights and marine heritage sites along Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

The coast is dotted with rocky shoals that contributed to the demise of hundreds of ships and led to the building of warning lights.

Stretching from Point Clark to Tobermory, the Bruce Coast Lighthouse Tour covers 210 kilometres.

It's where tourists can climb a 150-year-old imperial light tower, become an assistant keeper at Cabot Head or Flowerpot Lightstation and tour the Marine Gallery at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre.

The Canadian government recently said about 1,000 unstaffed lighthouses and light stations are being declared surplus property and could be replaced with simpler cost-effective structures.

"The good thing is that most of our lighthouses are either historic sites or owned by the municipalities," said Chris Hughes, Bruce County manager of tourism.

One of the best ways to experience the Bruce lights is by car, motorcycle or bicycle.

"Some sites are very accessible (Point Clark, Kincardine and Big Tub) while others are either a boat ride or a scenic drive to get there," Hughes said.

A good place to start is at the museum in Southampton with an expanded marine gallery and where visitors can get a sense of all the sites.

Southernmost point is the Point Clark light and then "meander along the Lake Huron shoreline," a trip that could take two to three days to properly experience the lights and communities.

After touring the Tobermory sites, head back down the peninsula along the Georgian Bay side and end the tour at the Cape Croker light, another two to three days.

"Combining lighthouses with some of the regions other attractions such as the Rural Gardens of Grey Bruce, more than 100 beaches and great local restaurants makes for a spectacular one-week journey," Hughes said.

Fathom Five National Marine Park is the "crown jewel" of the tour" with a glass-bottom boat cruise over shipwrecks.

Or, take a hike on Flowerpot Island with a sunset dinner overlooking the marine park at the Grandview in Tobermory, Hughes suggested.

Here's a look at some of the light sights to see:

- Big Tub Lighthouse is a six-sided wooden tower with a red iron lantern room at the entrance to Tobermory.

- Cape Croker Lighthouse, an octagonal structure of reinforced concrete, is at the northern entrance to Colpoy's Bay.

- Cabot Head Lighthouse is a wooden structure with an automated signal beacon atop a steel tower on a cliff near the Wingfield Basin nature reserve in Georgian Bay.

- Chantry Island Lighthouse, near the mouth of the Saugeen River at Southampton and with 115 narrow steps leading to the lamp room, is located on a bird sanctuary.

- Cove Island Lighthouse on Gig Point, near Tobermory, is best viewed by boat.

- Flowerpot Island Lighthouse, built of hand-hewn timbers in 1897, is accessible only by boat from Tobermory.

- Griffith Island Lighthouse, just outside Colpoy's Bay, is an imperial tower that can be seen by boat with its white flashing light visible for 18 kilometres.

- Kincardine Lighthouse at the inner end of the harbour is a white wooden structure built in 1881 with an eight-sided tower on a stone foundation.

- Knife Island Lighthouse and Lyall Island Range Light warn ships of the rocky shoals and islands around Stokes Bay, with best access by canoe or kayaks.

- Lion's Head Lighthouse, a replica of the original from 1903, guides boats safely into the harbour from its spot on the wharf.

- Point Clark Lighthouse, warning mariners of a dangerous shoal extending three kilometres into Lake Huron, was the first Ontario lighthouse designated a National Historic Site.

- Range Lights at Southampton are lantern-like structures along the Saugeen River and at McNab Point offering points of reference for those out on the water.

Other lighthouses to view include the Stokes Bay light that was relocated to the museum last fall and a replica of the Big Tub light at Vaughan Mills shopping centre north of Toronto.

"One of the best times to experience the lighthouses is on the stormiest days when you can relive what the mariners might have been going through out on the lake -- truly a humbling experience," Hughes said.

Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

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Elusive beauty spotted north of London

ONTARIO - About two weeks ago, I got a request from Richard O'Reilly for more information about a dickcissel possibly seen by Reinhold Pokraka on the 14th Concession north of London.

The bird had been reported to Pokraka in that area and he thought he saw it, but was not positive.

A recent positive sighting was that of a male singing on a low bush in a field near Boat Lake just south of the Bruce Peninsula.

The bird was a beautiful adult male with unusually bright colouring and was likely singing in the vicinity of its nest.

Dickcissels are usually hard to find in summer - many have been spotted in winter along with house sparrows at bird feeders.

I once spotted a pair of dickcissels just southeast of Melbourne along the first range road.

The nest was in a very small bush, about one metre high, in an uncultivated field. I was fortunate to get good pictures of both the birds and a nest containing pale blue eggs. It was the first nesting record for Middlesex County.

These birds usually have two nests a year. The nests are built by the female in clumps of tall grass or in bushes, from just under a metre to almost five metres above ground.

The bird has a nickname, little meadowlark, because of the male's yellow breast and black bib.

They are extremely erratic in changing nesting grounds - abundant one summer in one area, then vanishing and arriving next summer in a new nesting place.

I remember seeing a good number of these birds in a few fields close together north of Erieau.

That year we saw quite a few males on the telephone wires and the farmer waited for the young to fledge before cutting his field.

Dickcissels are often host to the brown-headed cowbirds, which of course kill the young.

Migrating south in the late summer - sometimes still singing - they move to Central America.

They winter from central Mexico to northern South America and Trinidad in the West Indies, where in 1962 one observer noted flocks roosting in sugar cane or bamboo.

There were about 70,000 in one roost that year.

They return north in April and May. Then the male immediately announces his territory by repeatedly singing dick, dick, dick-cissel from a convenient perch.

They nest mainly on the prairies and east to southern Ontario and central New York, south to central Colorado, and South Carolina to eastern Maryland - in general away from the Atlantic coastal plain.

Updates The Wenn family of Byron emailed me about a female downy woodpecker. It has been taking seeds from the feeders and drinking from the oriole feeder. As a female, it would have no red on its head and could instead be a young bird taking what it can get from the nearest source.

thomasnhayman@rogers.com

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Trimming those sails at sea

Cruise liners, long considered modern-day galleons of gluttony, are also hoisting seriously sophisticated fitness and wellness centers on the high seas.

The food has not disappeared but a battery of seaworthy fitness experts are also on deck to help the health-minded cruiser resist the siren song of that endless buffet.

"Cruise lines are doing a great job of keeping up with the 21st century. You can be a fitness junkie on a cruise," said Mike Weingart of Travel Leaders in Houston, Texas. "Those who want to be fit can keep up their routine."

Or learn new ones.

Jogging tracks and state-of-the-art fitness centers are standard on most big ships, but increasingly so are wellness education classes, metabolic testing and cutting edge fitness classes, from kettlebell workouts to TRX suspension training, which borrows technology from U.S. Navy Seals.

"I had to add another TRX class at 4:30 because 4:00 was sold out," said Sarah Ward, a personal trainer aboard the 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic.

The Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, boasts 20 dining options and 24/7 pizza delivery. But most popular at the wellness center is a seminar titled "Secrets to a Flatter Stomach."

"People who are fit will find the gym," said Ward, who presides over the ship's Pulse Fitness Centre. "I like to find the others."

Princess Cruise Lines also offers more than a moveable feast on its 17-ship fleet.

"Our demographic is more the boomer generation, so obviously we understand that fitness is important to these travelers," said spokeswoman Karen Candy. "Our gyms are state of the art."

Cruisers can play Wii Fit skiing and hula hooping games, workout to exercise classes on stateroom TV, or even channel their inner Lance Armstrong in spin classes that mimic Tour de France terrains.

For those who'd rather laugh than grunt, Travel Leaders is organizing a series of Fit and Funny cruise seminars on selected Carnival Cruise Lines sailings from Galveston, Texas.

Austin Davis, a.k.a the Weight Whisperer, leads the seminars. He thinks a cruise is the perfect place to work on developing healthy habits.

"The temptations are a benefit to me," said Davis, a former comedian turned fitness expert. "No distractions. You can have anything, but you can't have everything."

Davis, a fitness consultant to hospitals at the Texas Medical Center, advocates shorter workouts of high intensity. But the heart of his message is mindfulness.

"When you write down everything you eat, endless buffet or not, you will eat less," he said. "People tell me they want to get in shape, well round is a shape, pear is a shape."

Weingart thinks the cruise-as-floating-food-orgy concept may be waning.

"Luxury cruises are finding it's more quality than quantity. Dinner portions are, in many cases, a little smaller, and a lot of lines have done away with midnight buffets."

Candy thinks today's cruisers are more keen to tone up their sea legs.

"Go to the gym on the first day of the cruise so you can see what's offered, so you're not disappointed," she said. "Some people have actually gone on a cruise and lost weight."

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See New Zealand by coach

New Zealand might look like two small islands on a map, but in reality, there is a great deal of ground to cover. Deciding what to see and how to see it is an important part of travel planning. For those of us who like the idea of hitting the open road, mapping out where to go can be a bit of a challenge. For those who want to see more of the country, but don’t want the responsibility of driving, taking a coach tour can be a great option.

For many travellers, the thought of a coach tour brings up images of either tolerating hard partying 20-somethings or being stuck on a bus with a group of grandmas that offer you mints covered in lint from their pockets. It’s a toss up; which is worse? The fact is, there’s a new breed of coach tour in New Zealand. Companies like Australian Pacific Touring (APT) provide a new approach to touring by coach that includes a range of options. Programs such as Freedom of Choice Touring and Freedom Dining let you choose which tourism activities you want to do and what quality restaurants and accommodation you want (from 3- to 5-stars). I recently toured New Zealand’s North Island with APT and discovered three good reasons why coach tours are worth considering.

You Never Have To Say “I’m Lost”

You choose your itinerary and sit back and enjoy the scenery. There’s no anxiety about following directions or driving on the left-hand side of the road. Traffic jams, detours and where to park aren’t your problem. All you have to do is relax in comfort. When you arrive at your activity or hotel, all of the details are taken care of and your luggage is brought to your room for you.

There Is A Designated Driver – And It’s Not You!

When you stop for lunch at a lovely restaurant in a small town (one that you might never get to see on your own), you are tempted to have a glass of wine. You’re hoping to sample the local Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir – or both. Why not? You are not driving! All you have to do when lunch is over is return to your comfortable seat.

Go Local

Your coach tour driver and guide both live in New Zealand. They know things that only locals know, like where to get the best lamb burger, what the best wines of the region are, where to shop – and where not to shop – for souvenirs. They can tell you the authentic history, legends and lore about the places that you are visiting and passing through – and they bring the places to life far better than any travel book.

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NY's Met Museum draws millions of visitors

(Reuters) - More than 5 million people visited The Metropolitan Museum of Art in the past year despite the global economic downturn, giving the New York art institution its highest annual attendance since 2001.

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 5.24 million people visited the museum's main Fifth Avenue location and its Cloisters museum and gardens in upper Manhattan, the museum said, ranking among the highest in its 130-year history.

In the previous fiscal year, there were 4.7 million visitors.

The high number of visitors for the latest fiscal year "sends a signal about the enduring importance of culture and cultural institutions to the public, especially during this period of recession," museum director Thomas Campbell said in a statement.

One of the most heavily attended shows of the past year was Vermeer's Masterpiece "The Milkmaid," which ran from September 10 to November 29 and brought in 329,446 visitors. Picasso in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which opened April 27 and closes August 15, had brought in 380,574 visitors as of June 30.

The museum's "recommended" admission price is $20 for adults. The museum said the number of memberships, which range in cost from $60 to $20,000, rose to a record 138,000. In addition, school group visitors increased by 50 percent from the previous year period to more than 195,000.

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Double-decker bus tour keeps history alive

LONDON, ONTARIO - For nearly 40 years, there has been a sole red double-decker bus touring the streets of London.

It has ferried tourists and brides alike through the city on regular tours as well as charters. Just don’t ask for the air conditioning to be turned on.

The current, authentic British made double-decker bus is the second one that our London has had, and it has been in service since 2002. “The original double-decker bus, which was a Bristol was donated to the city by radio station CJBK, back in 1972, they got it from Windsor, I think,” says Mike Harris, a manager with Tourism London.

In early 2000 it was time to start looking to replace the original bus.

“It was just costing us more than we wanted to spend so we went over to England and got another one. It was shipped to Canada after it was remodeled to North American specs over there, in other words, they installed doors on both sides if the bus,” Harris says. “The safety concerns was one of the main reasons why the old bus was put out pasture so to speak, cause it only had doors on the left side.”

While the bus is owned by the City of London, it is operated by Tourism London and it has become recognizable symbol of London.

“It is to introduce visitors to what the highlights of London are over a two hour period, a little bit of history, a little bit of the economics, the different areas of London,” Harris says. “And to a lesser degree, we get a lot of Londoners taking the trip with their kids for the experience of a double-decker bus ride. The bus also serves a secondary purpose of allowing us to emphasize – or to sell – London to Londoners, and let them discover what is in their own backyard.”

Companies and individuals, Harris says, also use the bus for private charters.

“People or companies will come in looking for a private tour for their convention groups. Things like Special Olympics may use it for a special tour for athletes or parents, and the other use of it primarily is for convention or one of the hotels may want to take it to the Grand Theatre,” Harris says. “So they will charter it for that run, from the hotel to the theatre, wedding parties will book it. We get a lot of that actually.”

And even though the bus is chartered throughout the year, the bus does have some limitations; for starters it is not designed for a southwestern Ontario summer climate.

“Well, yes, a couple of downsides to the bus, to be quite candid, it is an authentic British double-decker bus, there is no air conditioning in it. So, the weather we have had for the last couple of days can be a little challenging. One time we used to run two tours a day, morning and afternoon, and we found that the afternoon tour was a bit of a challenge,” Harris says. “In the last two years we have had people go in the morning. We have thought about this, but there is no way. We had the city people have looked at it, trying to figure out if there is a way to put an air-conditioning unit in there, and putting a box on top just doesn’t work, because the thing is 13-feet high as it is.”

It is that sheer size of the bus that Harris says creates perhaps the biggest concern over operating the double-decker.

“When we put the bus out for charters, and we do about 45 charters a year, whenever we do a tour, or we have to take people from point A to point B, we go out and drive it in our van to make sure that there is nothing overhanging that may damage the bus or you know damage the bus. At one time, with the older bus, we used to go through Springbank Park, and after a rain the branches on trees get heavy and they hang lower than they would during a dry day, and we would lose front windows all the time; it was just terrible. It gets to be a challenge to make sure the bus can go down a certain street to make sure there tree branches are not hanging down, so to put an air-conditioning unit on top just wouldn’t work.”

And keeping a British designed and built vehicle running on North American city streets keeps a number of city mechanics busy.

“Quite honestly, it does get to be a little bit expensive because of breakdowns, and with the old bus, we had the old bus North Americanized, where we had a GM diesel engine donated by GM and an Allison transmission, and once we did that, the breakdowns were kind of minimized, to almost zero,” Harris says. “This bus, we can’t do that, because of the configuration of the engine, because it is sideways not lengthways. We can’t find a North American engine to put in there, so that if something goes wrong we could fix it right away. Two years ago, it was down for six weeks because we couldn’t find a part for it. And we had to go over to Britain to find the part. So, this becomes a challenge, in it also becomes a challenge in keeping up with the maintenance costs of it, so while it has not been a loss-leader, it’s a challenge in keeping going and breaking even in the process.”

For over nearly 40 years, and even with the mechanical and climate control challenges, the bus has engrained itself into the city’s culture.

“We get it from Londoners, the double-decker bus is not even unique to London, there is a couple dozen in Toronto, there is a couple dozen in Niagara Falls, and I would suspect in Victoria and Vancouver as well,” Harris says. “But certainly to Londoners it is an icon of London and our connection to London England, in a very proud sense.”

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Shoppers wing it in Buffalo

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - If the lifeless 20-pound pig didn't look so much like a small child, the sight of a 150-pound python devouring it might have been less disturbing.

That's the image I was trying to shake while strolling the few blocks from the Buffalo Zoo to Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House Complex, where I enjoyed a private tour of the stunning American national treasure. A study in contrasts these two Buffalo memories, not unlike the city itself best known to sports fans as home of the NHL's Sabres and the NFL's Bills and to fine art aficionados as an enviable haven of world-class art galleries and architecture.

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Of course Buffalo is also no stranger to eager cross-border shoppers who seek out its malls and area outlets. So it is no surprise that Buffalo makes a great quick-hit tourist destination full of contrasting attraction.

Above it all

Buffalo's city hall offers a spectacular panoramic view from an open-air observation deck 28 storeys up. It's free and well worth the three-flight walkup once you've taken the elevator to the 25th floor. You'll get great views of Lake Erie and the Niagara River plus many of the city's marvellous buildings.

City hall itself is an Art Deco masterpiece worth exploring from the ground. It was built between 1929 and 1931 and is credited with setting the architectural tone of the downtown business district. . See ci.buffalo.ny.us

Beer and wings?

Serving some 2,000 pounds of chicken wings a day, business is brisk at the world famous Anchor Bar. The novelty of chowing down at the eatery that invented Buffalo wings in 1964 is more than matched by its rowdy, yet family friendly atmosphere and the meaty, flavourful wings themselves. Our 15-minute wait for a table -- that's the norm -- was fun too, checking out the extensive memorabilia including a half dozen vintage motorcycles. See anchorbar.com

Architectural inspiration

The Martin House Complex, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is a marvel whose tour times are worth consulting before planning a visit. Wright, considered to be America's greatest architect, built the "Prairie House" for businessman Darwin D. Martin between 1903 and 1905.

In stark contrast to contemporary Victorian-style homes, its exterior is low-lying and the interior free-flowing.The complex features 394 art glass windows in 15 distinct patterns.

"A building should appear to grow easily from its site ..." says Wright in his writings, a thought that will stay with you as you walk the floors of this National Historic Landmark. See darwinmartinhouse.org.

Naval gazing

There is so much to see at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, history buffs could easily spend a day. The park, opened in 1979 and billed as the largest inland floating history museum in the United States, is a short drive from downtown. Museum displays include Desert Storm and Women in the Military. Simulator rides on a Harrier Jump-Jet are available plus a fun ship's store where you can buy customized dog-tags.

The main attraction, however, is touring the guts of the big vessels, docked at the park. Among them, the USS Little Rock, the only U.S. guided missile cruiser open to the public and the USS The Sullivans, a destroyer named for five brothers who died together in 1942.

Our two-hour self-guided tour of all three -- up and down hundreds of metal steps, along winding narrow passages through a small mess that served 2,000 meals a day. and into cramped quarters where sailors slept several hammocks deep -- was fascinating. See buffalonavalpark.org.

Amazing art

Awestruck is the best word to describe our brief tour of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. Strolling through airy halls, glimpsing works by Salvador Dali, Marc Chagall and Vincent Van Gogh it was apparent we'd arrived at a world-class museum. Be prepared to spend at least a half day at this enormous facility but if you can only manage an hour or two, a little research on the gallery's website will help you fine tune your visit. See albrightknox.org.

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48 hours in Dakar

(Reuters Life!) - Africa's most westerly point, Senegalese capital Dakar jams 2.5 million people onto a peninsula that spikes out into the Atlantic. Its heart is a ball of noise and pent-up energy fed by the sun, but the city breathes on its beaches.

Reuters correspondents with local knowledge help visitors get the most out of a 48-hour visit.

FRIDAY

4:00 pm - The moment you cross the exit of the airport, don your shades and the mien of a seasoned, unflappable traveler as you cut through the crowd of hawkers, scammers and money-changers, somewhere among whom are taxi drivers. Once downtown in Plateau, close to the presidential palace and main square, take a walk and absorb Dakar at its most colorful. The largely Muslim city likes to dress up for Friday prayers, men and women dressed in the 'boubou', a traditional Senegalese robe worn in iridescent blues, pristine whites, and bold patterns adorned with sparkling trim.

6.00 pm - While it's still light, make it to the Almadies district and Le N'Gor Tapas, a peaceful seafront bar that sits above the breakers. Cool off with a bottle of chilled Gazelle, the better of the two local beers, or a nicely built mojito as the sun sets over the Atlantic.

9:00 pm - Not far away is Le Mogador (lemogadordakar.com), one of a handful of restaurants which serve top-quality French cooking. There is little if any fusion between European and Senegalese cuisine, but the cultural influence of former colonial power France lingers in Dakar's best kitchens as much as in its language.

Dakar's dining scene, far superior to many other African capitals, grows more cosmopolitan every month. Take a look at dakarrestaurantreviews.blogspot.com, a popular local guide which keeps on top of new openings.

While eating, take advantage of what is practically year-round warmth well into the night to sit outdoors. Visitors in the June-September rainy season may find their balmy evening interrupted by apocalyptically violent rainstorms illuminated by lightning, an amazing sight to view from behind plate glass, but less fun to be caught in. 12:00 am - Traveling around, especially at night, can be an adventure. Most of the city's taxi drivers know only a few major landmarks from which everything else has to be triangulated, and street names beyond a couple of main roads are generally meaningless. Passengers should always agree on a fare in advance, a good-natured barter that routinely begins with an attempt to hugely overcharge Western visitors.

En route, women passengers can often expect a marriage proposal or at the very least a date, while men are frequently offered an introduction to a woman who may or may not be the driver's sister.

1:00 am - Relish the vanity of the Senegalese capital. In nightclubs, watch men and women take positions in front of mirrors running the length of walls, eyes only on their own clothes, hair, footwear and moves.

Visitors less proficient at physically interpreting the fast, snapping rhythms of local dance music Mbalax have been known to try it, attempts which usually earn the 'dancer' nothing worse -- or better -- than cold indifference.

In the early hours, before when no self-respecting Dakarois would even approach a dancefloor, check out Patio in Almadies, where an outdoor bar and pool table offer alternatives to narcissism, and the flash-acting Golden in Point E.

Among the brash young rollers of the city, there is money to spend, and when cash is dropped here, it is dropped ostentatiously. Pricey club Nirvana (nirvanadakar.com), on the same strip as Patio, has recently hosted big-name acts such as Sean Paul and Jah Rule at around $50 a ticket, well outside the reach of most Senegalese.

SATURDAY

10.00 am - Blast out the toxins of the night before with a morning on a surfboard. Sticking far out into the Atlantic on the tip of the Cap Vert peninsula, the beaches and rocky reefs surrounding Dakar catch swells from almost every direction, meaning rideable waves can always be found somewhere.

When conditions are right, huge waves break off the reef at Ouakam Beach, a fishing village with a spectacular mosque and framed by tall cliffs. Ouakam's waves are considered the best in West Africa and can give experienced surfers big tube rides.

A short boat trip in a traditional pirogue can get you out to N'Gor Island, a charming spit of land with cobbled lanes, restaurants, bars and beaches. It was here that two Californians first introduced surfing to West Africa in 1964, filming the iconic surf travel movie "Endless Summer." The waves on N'Gor Island's reef may not be Ouakam's perfect shape, but they can get huge. A surf camp, called Endless Summer after the flick, caters to international surf tourists. For the amateur surfer, the gentler waves of Virage or Yoff Beach are a good bet. Tribal Surf Shop in Virage gives lessons.

3:00 pm - Spend some cash at Sandaga market, which buzzes with noise and activity near Place de l'Independance. Inside the market are fish, meat, fruit and vegetables and outdoors is a cornucopia of stalls selling fabric, clothes, hats, electronics, ornaments and, if the hectoring vendors are to be believed, the cheapest genuine Gucci sunglasses you'll ever find, with a starting price of around $10.

6:00 pm - Settle in for dinner at Cabane des Pecheurs on N'Gor beach, a friendly Dakar institution where the catches of the day are chalked up on a blackboard, the freshest seafood is unfussily cooked, and the ambience encourages lengthy meals.

11:00 pm - At open-air bar and music venue Just 4 U (just4udakar.com) on Cheikh Anta Diop, chances are you'll see one of Senegal's best loved bands, Orchestra Baobab. Veteran performers who don't need to try too hard to entertain even a discerning crowd, their well-travelled West African music is inflected with jazz, Cuban rhythms and blues guitar licks.

SUNDAY

10:00 am - Take a ferry from Dakar's main port to Goree Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The island's main attraction, the House of Slaves, is a memorial to slavery, and the departure point for boat after boat of Africans bound for the New World, though some historians argue the site's importance to the transatlantic slave trade has been overstated.

3:00 pm - Form an opinion about one of Africa's most controversial artworks in recent history. The monument to the African Renaissance, brainchild of President Abdoulaye Wade, is a bronze statue atop a hill near Dakar's coastline of a man, woman and baby.

Taller than the Statue of Liberty, it is either a tasteless eyesore, a waste of money in a poor country, an insult to women, an un-Islamic idol and a misrepresentation of African life, or a celebration of hope, a recognition of progress, a unifying symbol of African strength and vitality. You decide.

6:00 pm - Finish the day with a leisurely drink at the poolside bar of the Radisson Blu (radissonblu.com), Dakar's newest hotel, where the sun goes down to the sound of a jazz quartet. Most flights to Europe and the United States leave between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.

(Additional reporting by Richard Valdmanis; editing by Paul Casciato)

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Canada wide summer fun

Baby, it's hot out there. 

As Canadians, we wait with bated breath for the seasons to change. And hallelujah - summer is officially upon us! While skiing and snowmen are a definite upside to those dreary winter months, summer is that one time of year where the family can get together and make the most of that lovely sunshine and time off. Here are some ideas to help appreciate the outdoors while the heat is on.

1. Skip the massive air-conditioned theatres and hit the drive-in. You can watch a movie under the stars and enjoy the fresh air. Visit driveinmovie.com/Canada to find one near you.

2. Hit up a ski resort, like Mont Tremblant or Lake Louise, which are teeming with summer activities like waterparks, golf and spa treatments, but not line-ups.

3. Make the park your gym. Convince your booty camp instructor to take get creative and try out those monkey bars you so excelled at as a kid.

4. Nothing screams summer like S’mores, so make the graham cracker, marshmallow and chocolate treat over the BBQ or stove, or find a restaurant near you that serves it for dessert – Characters in Edmonton, Murray Street in Ottawa and Harbour Sixty Steakhouse in Toronto all provide this gooey option.

5. Act like a kid heading off to sleepover camp and stay at Toronto’s Drake Hotel. Camp Drake offers a packed gourmet picnic lunch and two cruiser bikes or Tuesday’s cheap movie night, where for $5 you get admission, a sloppy joe, a beer and popcorn.

6. Party like it’s 1999 and buy yourself tickets to Lilith Fair, the Sarah McLachlan-founded all-female music festival. Though plagued by some dropouts, as of now it's set to go in all of its feminine glory.

7. Missed out on that whole Lost phenomenon? Rainy days (or sunny ones when you're feeling lazy), get caught up with a TV show that totally passed you by. Suggestions: Mad Men, The Wire, Band of Brothers, Friday Night Lights.

8. Vancouver Urban Spaces Initiative likes to throw a good dance party. This not-for-profit is committed to utilizing unexpected spaces to showcase music and art. Drink, dance and eat all day long on July 24th and 31st's “Courtyard Special”, and August 15th's “New Brighton Special”.

9. “TV sucks, ride your bike.” Those harsh words are the motto of the Bloomfield Bicycle Company, located in Ontario's Prince Edward County. Take their advice and participate in a club ride or take a tour of the surrounding area.

10. To celebrate 100 years of existence, Girl Guides of Canada is hosting a 10-day “Guiding Mosaic” camp for 2,300 girls from Canada and around the world at Guelph Lake Conservation from July 8-17th. Self-esteem and leadership workshops are rounded out with activities that include yoga, sports, rock climbing, zip-lining – and veterinarian workshops at the University of Guelph. Find more information at girlguides.ca.

11. Take your towel and hit a public pool. Seriously. It’s a lot more fun than you remember.

12. Next week, from July 16 to 18th, Yellowknife, NWT, hosts the 30th anniversary of Folk on the Rocks, the now-famed festival that this year features Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, Basia Bulat, Buffy Sainte-Marie and many others. If you've been looking for a excuse to visit Canada's north, you may have just found it.

13. Charlottetown, PEI, might be mistaken for Broadway during its annual summer musical theatre festival, running this year from June 17 to September 25. Catch hot shows in this charming town.

14. While the kids are at camp, act like you are too and head to Manitoba, where they take their fishing seriously. Catch some monsters in one of the 100,000 lakes, or get competitive with the Master Angler Program for the really, really big fish.

15. Take this break from the young ones to act like a university student on summer vacation by making a vodka watermelon. Cut a hole in your watermelon and fill it with as much vodka as will fit until is absorbs, wait a day, and do it again until your bottle is all gone. Serve to a responsible number of people and let the giggles begin.

Summer is great and all, but but there are also times when you want nothing more than to get the heck out of the heat. Here are some of the best cool summer activities across the country:

1. Head to Quittinirpaaq National Park of Canada in Nunavut. It is absolutely beautiful in July and August, one of the most popular times to hike there. But beware, hikers should be very experienced, seeing as the weather can change on a dime and can go from sunny to snowy. Polar bears also call the park home and there are plenty of glacier crossings. 

2.This summer, go skiing. Yup, with real snow. The Whistler Blackcomb Resort in BC has summer glacier snow sports throughout the summer, on top of all their regular summer activities.

3. Does the idea of turning on the oven in your house make you sweat just thinking about it? Break out your crockpot, which will not change the temperature in your kitchen in the slightest, and it makes for an easy dinner to boot!

3. Be practical, smart and safe. Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, cover your head and make an effort to only exercise early in the morning or later in the day.

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Lake Huron a star attraction

ONTARIO - When you're young and the hormones are hopping, the summer hotspot on Lake Huron is Grand Bend. When you're older, and those juices are on simmer, you look for something a bit quieter - Bayfield or Goderich. What knits all three together is the lake. Make no mistake, it's Huron County's star attraction.

That's why, on an end-of-May weekend that felt more like mid-July, I was plopped on a deck chair transfixed by a seemingly limitless expanse of blue.

The deck was at Upper Beach House, a new rental property near St. Joseph built by Joan and Peter Karsten. Their nearby B&B, Brentwood on the Beach, is a rarity, having a virtually unobstructed view of the lake.

I could take root in a place like that, but there were back roads to explore and menus to taste-test.

In Bayfield, just minutes away, village archivist Ralph Laviolette dons a black bowler on Saturday mornings in July and August and does a guided walking tour. He focuses on Main St., a Provincial Historic District. There are three others in Huron - Seaforth's main street, and two in Goderich - the eight-sided Courthouse Square and West St. from the Square to the harbour.

Another sightseeing option is renting a pedal-powered cart at Cryart Studio - $15 an hour, proceeds to the historical society.

Take a picnic to Pioneer Park, which overlooks the lake, and check out the sailboat-filled harbour, the largest recreational one on the Canadian side of Huron.

Falls Reserve Conservation Area, on the Maitland River, is another gem, with camping, a fishing pond, and hiking/biking trails. Call 1-877-325-5722.

County Road 31 crosses the Maitland, via the Menesetung Bridge, into a town that has long claimed to be Canada's prettiest.

Goderich's lakefront is certainly something to brag about. There's a 1.5-km boardwalk, three sand beaches, washrooms, changing facilities and free parking.

TOURISM INFORMATION

For getaway suggestions, contact the Huron Tourism Association at ontarioswestcoast.ca or 1-888-524-8394.

I ate at the Black Dog Pub & Bistro in Bayfield and Hessenland Country Inn near St. Joseph. Black Dog is owned by cookbook author Kathleen Sloan-McIntosh and husband Ted, an expert on wine, beer and scotch.

Hessenland has been in the Ihrig family for more than 25 years. The cuisine is German with typical dishes including rolladen and four kinds of schnitzel. Thyme on 21 in Goderich and Eddington's in Exeter were also recommended.

Look for yellow perch on menus, "Lake Huron candy," as one fan calls it.

Perch, plus pickerel and whitefish, are often available as daily specials.

The patio at Park House in Goderich is a good spot to hoist a cold one. It's beside Harbour Park, home of the Celtic Roots Festival in August.

Huron Country Playhouse, Grand Bend, and Blyth Festival, Blyth, are in the county, and it's an easy drive to Stratford.

ACCOMMODATIONS

- Brentwood on the Beach. Nine guest rooms and an indoor saltwater pool and sauna. It hosts quilting, needlework, knitting, and scrapbooking weekends, and spa getaways in winter. The sign at the front, "Enter with a happy heart,'' hints at what to expect.

"It's like coming home again,'' said a Michigan woman who visits regularly.

Contact brentwoodonthebeach.com or 519-236-7137.

- Astoria B&B, Goderich. An attractive, high-ceilinged house built in 1890.

Rates for the three guestrooms include a full hot breakfast. Contact astoria-bed-n-breakfast.com or 1-877-943-6969.

- The Red Pump, Little Inn and Robson Suites, all in Bayfield, were also recommended.

denglishtravel@gmail.com

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Adirondacks drive one to behold

NEW YORK - Climbing the fifth-highest mountain in New York State might be the easiest thing tourists visiting the Adirondacks do, thanks to an 80-year-old American engineering triumph.

Veterans Memorial Highway, a Depression-era project leading to the mountain top, provides visitors with one of the most scenic drives in this beautiful region, so much so that drivers are cautioned by authorities to keep their eyes on the road while ascending and descending.

Climbing the slow, steady incline of a mountain road from downtown Wilmington, going past North Pole, N.Y. and the obligatory Santa’s Village, Whiteface visitors must first check in at a toll building ($10 US per vehicle and $5 per passenger) before starting the serious part of their drive to the top.

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The 8 km highway is not currently in good shape, adding to the adventure and underscoring how drivers must pay attention to the curves, bumps and dips while leaving the vista-gazing to passengers. Consider switching drivers at one of the nine scenic lookouts along the way as a safe way to share the view.

Ample parking near the peak for an assortment of cars, SUVs, motorcycles and motorhomes and a small, quaint, castle housing a visitors centre signals the end of the drive and beginning of a trek to the summit.

Visitors can walk about 130 metres through a cool, damp tunnel where an elevator awaits to slowly lift them 27 storeys to the summit, 1,485 metres above sea level. Alternatively, a pathway with some sections of handrails makes for a more fun choice for fit adults and energetic children. The pathway is the only choice for people hiking with dogs. And be warned, on damp days this rocky route is slippery.

At the top, there’s Summit House, a small castle-like building, and a weather research centre. The castle has had its share of famous visitors, including members of the Kennedy clan.

On a clear day visitors can see Quebec and Vermont and, of course, the peak is a defining photo spot for Adirondack vacationers.

The drive down the mountain warrants a talk with personnel staffing the parking lot before leaving. They will advise you not to ride the brakes, but rather use a low gear to keep speed in check. The drive down is trickier than going up.

While Whiteface is now more famous as a ski and mountain biking venue, the highway and castle were its first attractions, predating development as a ski resort by 20 years.

For more information, go to whiteface.com.

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Haunted walks in Gananoque

Gananoque, Ontario - Joel Stone's skull was kept by a gravedigger for some 50 years before it was finally laid to rest.

The Gananoque Boat Lines office is filled with sounds of wailing, footsteps and a feeling of unease.

Ghost stories are prevalent at the old Donevan's Hardware building, which is now the recently-sold RJ Deir and Sons building.

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These are just a few of the stories of Gananoque's rich and unique history as ghost walks are now offered Thursday to Saturday nights through the summer, starting at 8 p.m. at the 1000 Islands Gananoque Chamber of Commerce office on King Street East.

Haunted Walks Inc., founded in 1995, offers a variety of unique historical walking tours in Kingston, Ottawa, and now in Gananoque.

"We are best known for our evening tours of local ghost stories and darker history," said Glen Shackelton, executive director Haunted Walks Inc.

"These tours take place when the lights are low and the atmosphere is just right for a good ghost story. You may recognize our tour guides who wear cloaks and carry a lantern as they lead their groups through the quiet streets."

The walking tours present the town the way it was meant to be seen — up close and on foot. None of the stories are exaggerated and several years of research have gone into each tour.

"Half are ghost stories and half are history but more often than not, the stories are offbeat and fun and there are some quirky adventures," Shackelton said.

The Gananoque walking tours are 90 minutes in length and take in 12 stops, including one at the Gananoque Boat Lines office on the waterfront.

Shackelton says he received lots of help from local historian John Nalon, the McCarney family at the Gananoque Boat Line, Donevans, the library staff and those at the 1000 Islands Gananoque Chamber of Commerce.

Tickets can be purchased at the visitors' centre and for more information, visit www.hauntedwalk.com.

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Greenland melts, big oil moves in

Greenland is ground zero for global warming, according to National Geographic.

When I was there many years ago a supply ship arrived each spring bringing a great deal of food - to say nothing of a large selection of wines from Europe.

I was there as part of an experimental tourist attraction. Apart from taking in the spectacular views, we spent time walking on a glacier, which might easily have calved the iceberg that sank the Titanic.

In addition to some fishing, we roamed some of the green hills nearby and saw the remains of many Viking wooden houses.

Many Vikings ventured to Greenland to settle there when Erik the Red arrived from Iceland with a small party of Norsemen (Vikings).

In 982, he landed along a fjord near Qaqortoq, then returned to Iceland to spread word about the country he had found. He called it Greenland because he thought people would want to move there if it had a favorable name.

Erik's marketing worked. About four thousand Vikings eventually settled in Greenland.

The Norse settled Greenland during a period of exceptional warmth. The settlers held on for four centuries, then vanished.

By 1300 Greenland became much colder and living there ever more challenging.

The last documented event of Norse life in Greenland was a wedding held at a church near Qaqortoq in September 1408. Nothing more was ever heard from the Viking settlements.

The warming today might be a cyclical event. But the speed at which the ice is melting points to an additional influence. More semi-agricultural land has appeared already on the south and west coasts of the island.

National Geographic shows a picture of a man picking cabbage, a new crop for Greenland. He is dressed in a short-sleeved shirt. The edge of the ice sheet lies just 12 miles away.

When I was there, there were no sign of growing crops. Such small crops will not keep Greenland going. The shrimp crop that many of the islanders depend on - they call it "pink gold" - is shrinking drastically.

Reasons for the decline of the shrimp are unclear. The Greenland Climate Research Centre says that Greenland's climate is getting warmer and more unpredictable. Winter freeze-ups are not as severe as in the past. The biggest glacier, called Sermeq Kujalleq, has retreated almost ten miles up the fjord.

The receding glacier is Greenland's biggest tourist draw. About 20,000 people went to see global warming in action in 2008.

But it would seem that Greenland's future economy lies out beyond Disko Island - that's where the oil is. The sea remains ice free for a month longer than 25 years ago.

With the greater ease of working in Greenland's waters, ExxonMobil, Chevron and other oil companies have acquired exploration licenses. Cain Energy, a Scottish company, plans to build its first exploration wells this year.

Many Greenlanders think oil will damage their way of living. The future will tell the tale.

thomasnhayman@rogers.com

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Stampede spirit selling like hotcakes

CALGARY - Got pancakes?

While the Stampede is known for cowboy hats, corndogs and late-night revelry, few consider the 10-day party complete without paying homage to a flat favourite — the humble flapjack.

Some even go on a pancake breakfast tour, hitting as many free feedings as possible, said Lisa Gorchinski, the Stampede’s marketing manager.

“There are people out there who make it their priority to see how many free flapjack breakfasts they can get to,” she said. “It’s very organic and rooted in western hospitality.”

Back in 2008, the Stampede decided to make it easier for pancake connoisseurs to make the breakfast rounds, launching www.flapjackfinder.com, a one-stop guide for the hungry cowpoke.

This year, the site lists148 breakfasts, ranging from Stampede Caravan shows, political meet-and-greets and community bashes that all focus on the same iconic offering griddle grub.

Yes, the pancake.

The tradition, unique to Alberta, traces its roots back to a chuckwagon driver named Jack Morton, who in 1923 parked in the middle of downtown Calgary, turned on his grill, whipped out a spatula and started serving any and all. “It was truly started by a cowboy and that tradition kept on,” Gorchinski said.

The website has picked up steam since it launched, fielding 13,000 views last year.

Hoping to better the site’s batter average, Gorchinski said it has expanded to Facebook and Twitter as well as an iPhone app that will allow pancake fans to sate their craving.

She added the site’s popularity continues to grow with as many as 10 new breakfasts being listed every year.

shawn.logan@sunmedia.ca

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