August 14, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Parks
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Whew, temperatures are soaring in the Peace and heaven knows we need a place to cool off. Dawson Creek has just the place for that. A little man-made swimming watering hole that is located on the North end of town. The area is now open to the public and is a great location to have a picnic, or play outdoor activities, in and out of the water!
On this particular ‘hot’ day in Dawson Creek, I took my book and sat beneath a tree for a couple of hours ~ it was quite serene. For the family goers, there are public washrooms and a kid’s playground available. There is also the Walter Wright Pioneer Village just a hop, skip and jump across the way to take a tour through. The village is a wonderful break from the water activities and is a step back in time with a collection of historic artifacts from in and around the Dawson Creek area. This is a definite hot spot to check out (or should I say cool spot) on a warm summer day in Dawson Creek!
August 11, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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I have been anticipating the arrival of the annual fall fair to Dawson Creek since I got here ~~ and the time has come. Last night I was eager to take in the Chuckwagon races. Here there was a show of Western and World Class Professional Chuckwagon racers. I have to say I have never realized the importance nor the difficulty that an out-rider has in this sport. Needless to say there were already vendors set up on the mid way….food, food and more food. From what I saw there was 2 watering holes which are going to have nightly entertainment. One cannot forget that tomorrow morning is a fall parade, which is going to be huge and great for the families. Did I mention how exciting these Chuckwagon Races are!! It is non-stop action packed with horses, cowboys, outriders, dirt, dust and cheering fans. If you are in the Peace Region be sure to come and check out the fall fair in Dawson Creek.
August 07, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Outdoor Activity Tours
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This is something that I have wanted to do since the day I came to Dawson Creek, that was to get up and see the Wind Turbines (British Columbia’s first commercial wind facility). When you are coming into Dawson Creek you cannot miss the turbines lined up on the west side of the highway. There are 34 of them, and each one will produce enough energy to power 1000 homes. From the highway these turbines seem small but when up close the power of these giants is absolutely amazing and exhilarating.
I stopped at the Visitor information center in Dawson Creek and the counselors there were helpful and gave me directions as well as an informative pamphlet of the ‘Bear Mountain Wind Park’. It takes about 20 minutes to get there. Be sure to take a lunch because there are many places that are great viewpoints (picture taking) and picnic areas. There is some good hiking up there from turbine 0 to 25 is a distance of about 8km along the Rim Rocks hiking trail. Great look out on turbine #18 too!
Did I mention the size of the turbines and the power? These guys are 78 meters tall and weigh over 215 tonnes each. The blades on the turbines are 41 meters in length and weigh approximately 7 tonnes. You really have to be there to experience the marvel of these machines.
Whether visiting Dawson Creek or a resident, if you have not taken a ½ a day to explore ‘Bear Mountain Wind Park’ be sure to do it. It is something that has to be seen and experienced up close and personal.
July 30, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Biking
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One thing I have grown to absolutely adore while out riding my bike in the Dawson Creek and the surrounding areas is the rolling fields of canola, barley, wheat, etc. I am from Vancouver Coast so this is a treat! By being in the region for the summer I have been given the opportunity to see the patchwork of crops created to bloom this time of year. I sit on one of the peaks of the hills on Sweet Water Road just north of Dawson Creek and admire the many shades of yellow (canola fields), greens and browns. The back drop of the Peace Region skies amazes me as well, clouds forming and moving in many ways and speeds. My imagination can just go wild in the sky. Not to mention while riding the back roads of the area, is also the sweet, fresh smell of the farmlands. With the views and fresh air all for free in the backyard of Dawson Creek, I am very lucky to have the opportunity to observe and experience this season here in Dawson Creek. Until next time… Happy Chains!!
July 12, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
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When you are visiting Dawson Creek be sure to stop in at the Visitor Center, and ask for the Self-Guided Historic Walking Tour. This pamphlet will give you a great ‘low down’ on the community, taking you on a tour that can take you from 45 minutes to a couple of hours to complete. The length of the tour depends on how much you want to explore and take in what is offered.
The tour starts off at the Northern Alberta Railway Park, takes you through the downtown core, giving you a taste of the lively history of the city. There are murals upon murals (one of which is in this picture); there are statues and the Mile 0 post to take pictures by. There are also original photos and brief descriptions of old businesses and buildings. I particularly enjoyed the color of the downtown core which was accented with hanging baskets and flower pot on the curbs. One place you have to check out in the tour is 17A (in the tour guide pamphlet) – the Alaska Highway House. It is a wonderful collection of stories and artifacts related to the building of the Alaska Highway – they even show a video. All in all this is definitely something for your ‘back pockets’ if you are taking the adventure up the Alaska Highway. I found this walking tour even more interesting when I met some of the locals in the area! Looking like the tourist I am, they were all very friendly and helpful.
So remember whether it is you first time, you are returning or even if you live in Dawson Creek, ask about the tour, it is a great way to get to know the community.
July 11, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Biking
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In my couple of months here visiting Dawson Creek there has been a copious amount of times that I have biked past this café on the side of the highway about 20km south of Dawson Creek and it always has numerous trucks parked outside. I thought to myself where there is many, many work- trucks stopping for food there must be great food. So I planned it the other day to stop in at the Lone-Wolf Road House Café for breakfast. It is only an hour long ride up and out of Dawson Creek which definitely works up an appetite, or a 5-10 minute drive. Here you will find the biggest and best omelet made, on the spot and to your liking. The pricing will definitely be to your liking as well! The café has a nice patio to sit on and enjoy your meal. They have daily specials to indulge in and leaving you feel super satisfied. Not to mention they have fresh baked goods for sale and always a fresh cup of coffee to go. I recommend this place to the hungry individual who likes to get a good ‘bang for their buck.’ Until next time Happy Chains!!
July 02, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Camping
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While out riding the other day I came across Matthews Centennial Park, which is located approximately 1 hour biking or 10 minutes driving north of Dawson Creek just off Highway 97 on the corner of Road 237 and Sweetwater. This little park is ideal for families or friends to get together and camp, have a wiener roast and of course pull out the s’mores & or marshmallows. You can take the short trip to the out-skirts of the city and stay for an hour or a couple of days! There was even wood chopped and sitting by the outdoor site campfires. The park has a couple of public washrooms, lots of room for parking and a huge ball diamond. Matthews Centennial Park would be a great little vacation outdoors, without having to travel too far. You can really enjoy the ‘royalties’ of outdoor adventures; fresh air and no city lights or traffic. Once again, while out biking the rolling country-side of Dawson Creek I have stumbled across a little treasure in Dawson Creek's backyard. Until next time Happy Chains!!
July 02, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Farms & Markets
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Starting at 8:30 am in the Coop Mall parking of Dawson Creek is the Farmers Market which runs through to 12:30pm. This attraction has become a ritual for myself, going down weekly to one of the local vendors to purchase homemade oatmeal raisin cookies (which are to die for!!). I love coming to this market because I have the opportunity to buy top-quality farm-fresh products directly from the person who produces them. These products stem from jewellery, to wool, to wood carvings to homemade pies/jams, and bath soaps. Another bonus to going to the market is that you will not find these products anywhere else!! I also like the fact that you can actually see and talk to the person who made or grew the product I am purchasing.
What is great about this farmers market is that it is an attraction that brings people together, tourists, local businesses and the local people. It generates activity in an otherwise quiet parking lot, hosting a friendly & welcoming atmosphere. They even set up picnic tables so you can mingle with family and friends.
This farmers market is a great way to support locals in the area and connect with them. They love what they sell and put so much time and hard work into it. So in my effort to help farmers and local vendors keep doing what they do and bring fresh products to the community and I am sharing this tid-bit with you, to check it out. There is something at the Dawson Creek Farmers Market for everyone!!
June 28, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Well, I have not been able to do too much biking in the Dawson Creek area over the last couple of days, so due to my quest for adventure I decided to take on some attractions that were under roof and were dry. This led me to a venture into a town yet unexplored (by myself) Tumbler Ridge, population of approximately 3300 and only an hour drive south of Dawson Creek.
First stop in Tumbler Ridge was the visitor center. They are a ‘mammoth’ of information on things to see and explore in the area. Unfortunately due to weather restrictions I was not able to partake in any of the outdoor activities that the community of Tumbler Ridge has to offer. Such outdoor-adventures suggested are, the Dinosaur Trackway Tours or one of the 23 developed hiking trails in the area which will escort you to waterfalls (Kinuso Falls), caves, lakes, panoramic views and fascinating historical/geological formations.
By suggestion of the tourist counselor, I headed to the Dinosaur Discovery Gallery which opened its doors to the public in 2007. WOW, did this place ever create a sense of falling back in time. It is hard to believe that the peaks of the mountains in the Tumbler Ridge area were once the bottom of the ocean. Or that dinosaurs once walked this terrain and the evidence is in the Dinosaur Trackway Tour. There really is so much to take in; a guided tour by a paleontology researcher is highly recommended. The museum has many other themes to offer the curious historian, such as railway exploration and mining even local sports hall of fame. Definitely this museum is a must see if you are in the Tumbler Ridge area!
So until next time and sunnier skies ahead, Happy Chains!
June 25, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Biking
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Biking the back roads in an around Dawson Creek really does hold some little hidden treasures that can be easily missed if you are going the wrong way or just going too fast. Some days I enjoy a nice scenic ride out of Dawson Creek on Highway 49, and then cut up behind into Pouce Coupe on Blair Ridge Road. This ride proves time and time again to be laden with crops, rolling hills and fresh air. I journey through the town of Pouce Coupe, I have stopped at the Museum in the old train station that was built in 1930 and later moved to the community center and take in a bit of history on the town. Then instead of taking Highway 2 back into Dawson Creek, I venture down Railway Avenue and take the back roads back into Dawson Creek.
I have been down this route many times with fellow cyclers and never realized that just south-west of Pouce Coupe is historical wooden trestle that was built in 1930, by the Northern Alberta Railways. This is was probably and engineering marvel at the time, when I come up to the valley that the trestle connects my knees actually become week. Little did I know that this trestle is a part of a historical self guided tour that takes you through the town which including the post office, town hall, library, Hart Hotel and an old church. This trestle is no longer in use, when I was out there, there was actually some brave souls venturing across the bridge via foot, but I passed! The town of Pouce Coupe is just a short ride from Dawson Creek and definitely worth taking the afternoon and checking out. Advertising throughout the town shared the up and coming July 1st celebrations, which is themed “Pioneers….our Heritage.” They are having a bunch of events, a parade, bbq’s, and my favorite fireworks!!!
Until next biking excursion, Happy Chains!