British Columbia

We've had so much response to our story on Nelson that we thought we'd give you an extra look at some pictures from there and fill you in on the backstory of my quarter-century quest to  visit. That tale begins with a road trip I took with my buddy Rick back in 1986. The prime destination was the World Expo in Vancouver , and that was fine. But as we steered the VW van through the forests of British Columbia and Alberta, we kept hearing about this great little town called Nelson.

We've had so much response to our story on Nelson that we thought we'd give you an extra look at some pictures from there and fill you in on the backstory of my quarter-century quest to  visit. That tale begins with a road trip I took with my buddy Rick back in 1986. The prime destination was the World Expo in Vancouver , and that was fine. But as we steered the VW van through the forests of British Columbia and Alberta, we kept hearing about this great little town called Nelson.

Summer is a great time to explore ski resorts in the off season. The luxury Fairmont Chateau Whistler at the Canadian ski resort in British Columbia has a package for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who like the view from the top.  It includes free tickets to ride the spectacular gondola that connects Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. The deal: The Peak for Free Gondola Package starts at $235 a night plus tax. Guests receive two tickets per night to ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola , a roughly 2.5-mile course.

Up in the northwest forest where Washington, Idaho and British Columbia converge, there's a lazy little international border crossing called Nelway, about the size of a gas station. "Where are you headed?" a Canadian border patrol agent asked when my family rolled up a few months ago, heading north from Washington. "Nelson," I told him as he began his search of our car. "It's OK," said the officer, unenthusiastically. "Kinda hippie-ish. Very laid-back. " Not a problem, sir. The town of Nelson, semi-Victorian, substantially bohemian, sportier and more artsy than your average hamlet of 9,700 souls, sits in the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia, about 30 miles north of the U.S. border.

Picket lines sprang up across British Columbia today as thousands of union workers staged a one-day strike to protest a proposed change in the province's labor laws.

Tom and Julie Desmond of Monterey Park head to British Columbia, Canada, twice a year to schuss down its snowy slopes. Last month at the Whistler Blackcomb ski area, Tom found a different way of photographing the Coastal Mountains -- courtesy of Julie's goggles. For tips on travel photography from a Times photo editor, see Page 23. * Send to "My Best Shot," L.A. Times Travel section, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; travel@latimes.com.

British Columbia Premier Bill Vander Zalm announced his resignation Tuesday, just hours after publication of a special report on his personal business dealings while in office. Deputy Premier Rita Johnson was sworn in as premier by Lt. Gov. David Lam, the queen's representative in British Columbia. She will govern until an election is held in the fall. Vander Zalm's announcement reversed a pledge he had made last week, to remain in office at least two more months.

The Nisga'a Indian tribe signed a treaty that gives members self-government and land rights in their rugged mountain homeland in British Columbia province. It was a historic day not only for the 5,500 Nisga'a but for all Indians in British Columbia. None of the other 50 Indian communities has obtained a treaty in this century, and the settlement is expected to serve as a loose model for other deals.

Quarterback Doug Flutie, 27, a free agent since being released by the New England Patriots after last season, signed with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League Monday night. Details of the agreement weren't immediately announced. "I'm very excited and happy," the 1984 Heisman Trophy winner said. "I'm here to stay. I'm not going home after all."

British Columbia became the second Canadian province to allow same-sex marriage under a court ruling, and two men were wed afterward in Vancouver. An Ontario court issued a similar ruling last month, leading to more than 250 same-sex couples obtaining licenses to marry in Toronto. A British Columbia court earlier ruled in favor of same-sex marriages but gave the federal government a year to draft a law redefining marriage.

Need to spice up your weekends? Think outside the box - and your own backyard. Adventure Weekends West, for iPhone and iPad, is an app that offers information on 99 adventure getaways in California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia andAlaska. Name: Adventure Weekends West Available for: iPhone and iPad What it does: Offers ideas, information, descriptions and photos for 99 adventure getaways in California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia andAlaska.

ZAMBIA Service and bike tour During World Bicycle Relief's cycling trip through Zambia, travelers help by building bicycles and distributing them to students (especially girls), small-business owners and medical caregivers. After the philanthropic work, there's a two-day tour of the region. Itinerary: Varies based on the nonprofit's needs, but arrival and departure is out of Lusaka. Dates: Oct. 8-16; 2012: May 19-27, July 21-29, Oct. 6-14 Price: $2,750, double occupancy, including all transportation within Zambia, food and lodging but not airfare.

Summer is a great time to explore ski resorts in the off season. The luxury Fairmont Chateau Whistler at the Canadian ski resort in British Columbia has a package for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who like the view from the top.  It includes free tickets to ride the spectacular gondola that connects Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. The deal: The Peak for Free Gondola Package starts at $235 a night plus tax. Guests receive two tickets per night to ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola , a roughly 2.5-mile course.

Her Majesty the Queen apparently is a fan of the charming Fairmont Empress hotel in Victoria, Canada. Named after Queen Victoria, her great-great-grandmother and empress of India, Queen Elizabeth II has visited the regal British Columbia landmark six times during her nearly 60-year reign. In her honor, the hotel has a set of fine china created exclusively for use during royal visits. That exclusivity, however, is about to disappear. For three evenings, April 29 and 30, and May 1, commoners will be able to dine on the posh china in the Empress Room.

INDIA Village walking tour Shakti Tours' "Kumaon Village Experience" transports travelers to a land of resplendent views and rich cultural heritage. You'll leave bustling Delhi behind for an intimate walking tour that laces together the villages of the Himalayan foothills and concludes each day with an authentic overnight home stay. Itinerary: Delhi to Sarai Rohilla, Kathgodam, Deora, Alai, Jwalabanj and back to Delhi Dates: Multiple departure dates between Oct. 1 and April 30 Price: Starting at $1,245, double occupancy ($1,995 for single travelers)

"Rookie Blue" is, to be quick about it, "Grey's Anatomy" with uniforms and guns. That you probably will find that comparison in every review you read of the series, which begins tonight on ABC — in the "Grey's Anatomy," slot — is nothing I can do anything about. But there is no way I can leave it out of this one. I don't say this to warn you off — indeed, it may be just the hook that snares you — only to tell you where we are. We are with pretty young people (two male, three female, as per "Grey's")

A potentially lethal fungus normally found only in the tropics has established a foothold on the Pacific Coast of British Columbia and has slowly made its way southward into Washington, Oregon and Idaho, researchers said Thursday. Health authorities are not unduly alarmed by the fungus because the number of cases so far remains small, but both federal and state officials — including those in California — are monitoring its progress in the fear that it will spread more rapidly as it reaches warmer climates.

At least two people were killed and 30 injured after a massive avalanche smothered a high-risk snowmobile rally in southern British Columbia, police said Sunday. "It's certainly a small miracle that we didn't end up with a complete, massive group buried under the snow," said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Most of the estimated 200 spectators and participants were accounted for, he said. An avalanche 150 yards wide and as much as 1.6 miles long thundered down a steep snow bowl at the Canadian Rocky Mountain resort of Revelstoke, where competitors were attempting to scale the treacherous slope on high-powered snow machines during an unsanctioned rally Saturday afternoon.