San Franciscans passing through Justin Herman Plaza May 17th got a big surprise!

Tourism British Columbia flipped the switch on the BC Moments Machine which is a one of a kind, 14-foot tall, 10-foot wide vending machine. The BC Moments Machine offered items like mountain bikes, kayaks and made in BC surfboards.

Take a look at the surprise on these guys face when when they received a mountain bike souvenir from BC!

The BC Moments Machine will be in San Francisco until May 19 and is part of the ’100 BC Moments’ Campaign encouraging travellers to experience what BC has to offer this summer.

To explore other BC Moments visit http://www.100BCMoments.com

Chris Wheeler Media is catching the action and look for another video coming out showing more of the BC Moments Machine!

The Rick Hansen Relay journeys to his hometown in Williams Lake, BC. The community of Williams Lake celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Rick Hansen Man In Motion tour with the unveiling of the Rick Hansen Monument.

Rick Hansen at the unveiling of the Rick Hansen Monument

It is inspirational for Chris Wheeler Media to film the Rick Hansen Relay across Canada and the Williams Lake homecoming was extra special as the town embraces their local hero.

Join the relay and make a difference at: http://www.rickhansenrelay.com

The Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay travels into Calgary, Alberta. The relay is celebrating difference makers and sharing their inspirational stories with the next generation. This was a very special time for Chris Wheeler Media as we spent some more time hearing the stories of these inspirational Difference Makers. They really do show the next generation of what is possible and to never give up.

One of the Medal-Bearers, an 18 year old named Julie Macdonld, shared her difference maker story with us: “A year ago a very close friend of mine was injured in a ski accident, which left her paralyzed.  Her experience exposed me to the world of spinal cord injury and those who have gone through it, live with it, and have recovered from it.  I have since been interested in learning more about the injury and the lifestyle afterwards, which is where I came across the Rick Hansen Foundation.  I was inspired by his work and decided that his efforts were something I wanted to support.  In my friend’s honor I organized a wheelchair relay event to raise funds and awareness for those living with disabilities.  We raised over 72 thousand dollars and donated all of it to the Rick Hansen Foundation. We hope to make the event an annual occasion in support of the foundation and all of those living with the effects of spinal cord injury.  I am now in my first year of university studying Human Kinetics and working towards a degree in occupational therapy”.

Difference Maker Julie Macdonald and the Man In Motion Rick Hansen in downtown snowy Calgary during relay.

Hearing these stories of how people have overcome all odds sure makes one think about what life throws us and how we handle it. These Difference Makers choose to continue on, support and inspire others.

Join the Rick Hansen Relay & hear more stories at http://www.RickHansenRelay.com

When exploring the corridors and paths of Machu Picchu, you will be in complete awe of the Inca stonemanship of this ancient city built over 500 years ago. Nestled in the Andean Mountain Range and flanked by majestic peaks, this “Lost City of the Incas” continues to inspire travelers from around the world. The theories of why Machu Picchu was built in this location vary, but one is that this place was the Inca civilization’s foremost observatory. The Incas relied on signs from the sky and believed that it was through elements of nature that the gods communicated; and when you see this place for yourself, you can understand why.

One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu has just celebrated 100 years of being rediscovered by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911.

View from the guard house of the the Lost city of the Incas Machu Picchu

After touring the lost city, make sure you hike up Wayna (Huayna) Picchu for an amazing view of Machu Picchu! You can follow an Inca path up the side of this mountain to the summit where you will find sacred temples and terraces. A steep, and at times, exposed climb takes a good hour to get to the peak that is 8,920 ft above sea level. You may arrive at the peak of Wayna Picchu out of breath, but the trek is well worth it for the remarkable views.

View of Machu Picchu from the peak of Wayna Picchu

While hiking Wayna Picchu we met up with the Bolivian President, Evo Morales, who was visiting Peru to talk with his Peruvian counterpart Ollanta Humala about integration and tourism exchange.

Ailsa Lapp, Chris Wheeler, and Bolivian President Evo Morales on Wayna Picchu Inca trail

Trip tip: The number of visitors allowed to enter Wayna Picchu are restricted to 400 per day so get tickets in advance online at http://www.machupicchu.gob.pe and find more info about Machu Picchu at http://peru.travel

Find more adventures at 48 Hour Traveller Facebook and Twitter

The Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary travels to downtown Toronto, where medal-bearers and thousands gather to celebrate the arrival of Rick Hansen in Younge Dundas Square.

Among the medal-bearers in Toronto are former CTV Anchor Llyod Robertson, Race Car Driver Paul Tracy, TSN host Michael Landsberg, Motivational speaker Spencer West, and Canadian Paralympian Tracey Ferguson.

Follow the journey at http://www.rickhansenrelay.com

Chris Wheeler Media filming Rick Hansen Relay celebration at Dundas Square in Toronto

The Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay arrives in Ottawa, Ontario. Rick Hansen visits the nation’s capital to acknowledge 25 years of progress, celebrate Canadian difference makers, and recognize the support of the Government of Canada. Follow this inspiring relay as it crosses Canada at http://www.rickhansenrelay.com

Chris Wheeler Media filming at Centre Ice during ceremonial Puck Drop at Ottawa Senators Game

Chris Wheeler Media filming in Prime Minister’s office as Stephen Harper marks 25th anniversary of Rick Hansen Man In Motion Tour

Chris Wheeler Media is providing video production services for the Rick Hansen Foundation and sharing inspiring stories of the Rick Hansen Relay as it journeys across Canada.

Inspiring stories are shared as The Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay journeys through Montreal, Quebec. Meet Samuel, who has spina bifida and has been in a wheelchair since he was 2 years old and tells us “… you have to keep pushing and you’ll  be able to do it”. Dr. Albert Aguayo, a Montreal-based spinal cord expert, has known Rick for over 25 years and said that the Rick Hansen Foundation has supported and inspired incredible medical advancements in the field. You will also see Chris Kennedy, a quadriplegic who has been a leader in developing the Rick Hansen Global Accessibility Map – http://www.rickhansenglobalaccessibilitymap.com , fly free in a wind tunnel all because the facility was accessible to everyone. These are the inspiring difference maker stories along the relay that show the importance of making this world a more accessible and inclusive place. Follow the journey at http://RickHansenRelay.com

Des histoires d’inspiration lors du passage du Relais du 25e Anniversaire de la Tournée mondiale Rick Hansen à Montréal. http://RelaisRickHansen.com

Chris Kennedy Flying Free at the SkyVenture during Rick Hansen Relay

Chris Wheeler Media continues to be inspired by these difference makers while filming the Rick Hansen Relay.

Le Relais du 25e Anniversaire de la Tournée mondiale Rick Hansen poursuit sa traversée pancanadienne et visite la Belle province! De Rivière-du-Loup à Trois-Rivières, en passant par Québec, le Relais continue de rendre hommage aux personnes qui font une différence dans nos collectivités et nos communautés. Le Rouge et Or, le paralympien Dean Bergeron et l’accueil chaleureux des Québécois et Québécoises; le Relais en voit de toutes les couleurs! Unis en mouvement, les porteurs de la médaille Rick Hansen personnifient l’esprit du Relais : un esprit qui inspire! http://RelaisRickHansen.com

Rick Hansen and Chris Wheeler during Rick Hansen Relay in Quebec

The Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay continues its journey through la Belle Province! From a football game at ULaval to Paralympian Dean Bergeron, Québec proves that Many in Motion have the power to change anything! http://RickHansenRelay.com

Chris Wheeler Media is enjoying providing video services for Rick Hansen and his Relay Team.

UBC launches Canada’s largest fundraising and alumni engagement campaign – Start an Evolution

The University of British Columbia has launched a $1.5 billion fundraising campaign with a twin goal of doubling the number of alumni engaged in the life of the university by 2015. By combining philanthropic gifts and alumni talents, UBC seeks to enhance student learning, expand research capacity and extend its community engagement initiatives.

UBC generates ideas that start evolutions. Ideas that change the way people think and the way the world works. We see this change as an evolution, one that improves upon what has come before and inspires the generations that follow.

Chris Wheeler Media is providing video services for the UBC Alumni Engagement producing videos to showcase on the campaign website and also multicamera coverage and interviews at their launch event. It is inspiring to interview the brightest minds of Canada that are making a real difference in the world (see From Discovery Into Practice success story about UBC cancer researchers making medical history). UBC Alumni Engagement team is definitely ahead of the curve in embracing the use of video and social media to engage their community and build support. It is a pleasure to work with such a forward thinking team.

For a number of communities that were not on the original Man In Motion World Tour route, the Rick Hansen Foundation is partnering with local municipalities to recognize local difference makers at celebratory events, as part of its coast-to-coast-to-coast 25th Anniversary Relay. Rick Hansen traveled to Iqaluit, on September 25 and 26, 2011 where he spoke to local teens at Iqaluit’s Youth Centre, recognized kids who are making a difference through volunteerism in Iqaluit’s elementary, middle and high schools and attended a town square dance along with Premier Eva Ariak, the Honourable Edna Elias, Commissioner of Nunavut and Her Worship Madeleine Redfern, Mayor of Iqaluit, Nunavut. Follow the journey at rickhansenrelay.com

Rick Hansen square dancing with Nunavut Premier Eva Ariak

Rick Hansen quote displayed at Inuksuk High School in the amazing community or Iqaluit, Nunavut.

Chris Wheeler Media is proud to be part of the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay team providing video production services for web and broadcast purposes of this inspiring journey .