October 24, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
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Friends from Oregon told me that one of the things they love the best about their visit to Dawson Creek is the square block of fields that stretch from horizon to horizon. She said it reminds her of a big patchwork quilt.
I agree. Even after living here my whole life, I still admire the panoramic views of green and gold fields, separated by dirt roads and hedges of trees.
No matter the season, it does look like a patchwork quilt. The view is especially spectacular in the July Canola season. The yellow-est yellow imaginable, all set out in perfect squares as far as the eye can see.
I also appreciate the soft browns of late fall when the crops have come off and the fields are getting ready to rest for the winter. The grain left by the harvest machinery makes easy pickings for the wildlife that lives so close to us.
October 20, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
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~ Do we need 10 sets of spare tires?
~ Will our windshields get smashed out by rocks?
~ How many miles of gravel will there be?
~ Is there still muskeg?
~ Do we need to carry spare gas?
These are the questions that came up around the fire with our friends who were on their way up the highway this year. They had heard horror stories from people who had traveled the Highway years and years ago.
The Alaska Highway is a fairly smooth road all the way from Dawson Creek. BC to Fairbanks, Alaska. It is pretty much paved all the way.
The ongoing issue is that every year the ground freezes and thaws and the pavement ripples and heaves and cracks in spots.
Maintenance crews are constantly repairing the road and you will have periodic waits while flag people get you through safely.
You will undoubtedly come across patches of loose gravel and occasional rough spots but as long as you are well prepared to begin with, you will be just fine.
The road is a pleasure to drive.
October 17, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Wildlife Tours
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It seems like more often than not when I'm driving the back roads of the Peace River Country and up & down the Alaska Highway in the fall, I see moose and deer.
Yesterday I came around a corner and had to stop my car for Mama and Baby Moose who were taking their time crossing the road in front of me.
Once I stopped my car, they stopped as well. They did not seem afraid of me in the least.
I just happened to have my camera with me and they obliged me with several minutes of photo opportunities. They sauntered over to the field on the other side of the road, and started grazing in the oats stubble left by the harvest.
It was getting dark when I took this photo and if you look closely you can see the light from my headlights shining on their long legs. I am confident I will see this pair again over the coming months and I just hope that their lack of concern for vehicles does not cause them harm.
Thankfully, it is a common practice here for the highways departments to clear the roadside ditches of shrubs to make it easier to see the wildlife. We are all used to scanning ahead in the ditches when we drive.
Please drive carefully.
October 13, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Attractions
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When we need to take a break from the daily routines we head down to the ClayHurst crossing over the Peace River 45 minutes north of town on the Rolla Highway and enjoy the fresh air that sweeps down with the water through the valley.
The Peace River is an interesting body of water. Up river is the W.A.C Bennett Dam and all the water that flows is first collected in Williston Lake and then goes through the turbines of the dam to generate hydro before being returned to the river.
The week this photo was taken, the river was low. The bottom of the boat ramp was 30 feet or so above the water. The river seemed calm and steady. We watched several river boats come and go.
We took our folding chairs, a small picnic and relaxed while afternoon turned to evening, listening to the sounds of the water and the almost eerie cries of a couple of hawks hunting on the far banks.
The following week, BC Hydro released more water and the boat ramp that had been so high on the beach was completely submerged under water. What a difference! There is a completely different energy. What had seemed like an almost lazy river had become a fast torrent that had risen way up under the bridge. The water was full of logs and debris as it rushed along.
October 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Attractions
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This is the most beautiful time of the year to live in or visit the Peace River Country.
The leaves are all shades of red, orange and yellow. The wheat has been harvested and big golden bales of straw sit glistening in the sun.
The Canada Geese are gathering by the thousands in the fields to fatten up on the grains left by the machinery. It's quite a sight to see a few thousand geese converge on a field on the way to work.
Huge flocks fly overhead and if they are low enough you can hear the honking and sometimes hear the sound of their wings swooshing the air.
We just had a beautiful full harvest moon and fall equinox within days of each other. The air is cooling, the sky is clear, the stars are out. It doesn't get any better than this.
October 07, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Accommodation
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We just spent the most wonderful weekend of peace and tranquility and disconnect from the modern world of technology at
Torwood Lodge just 2 hours away from Dawson Creek.
It was a much-needed weekend to get away from our usual routines that include TV, phones and computers and busy schedules that leave little time for relaxing.
The lodge is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with Williston Lake in the front yard. Wow! A scenic drive from Dawson Creek, to Hudson's Hope and a few miles farther takes you to wilderness paradise!
We couldn't have chosen a better time of the year either. Fall was in full bloom with leaves of orange, red and yellow. The air was fresh and cool and clean and smelled of spruce trees and cold water. We played golf and hiked and sat and soaked up the sounds of the lake and the forest and thoroughly enjoyed being catered to by really friendly staff.
We could have gone fishing and for a horseback ride and next time we hope to.
We ate like royalty and slept in big comfy beds way past our usual morning routine. We will definitely go again next year!
September 30, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Wildlife Tours
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Anyone traveling the main or back roads here in the Peace River Country is bound to see wildlife near the roads.
Just this last week alone, we have seen two bears, several moose, countless deer, 4 hawks, thousands of Canada Geese and a grey owl on our way to town. It's harvest season and the animals are taking advantage of the easy food left by the machinery in the fields.
Bears are intent on putting on weight to get ready for hibernation, moose, deer and elk are taking advantage of the ripe grains being left behind by the combines and the birds of prey are having a field day with the mice in the swaths and stubble.
The animals are in peak condition with shiny coats and healthy weight.
We need to be watchful on the roads. Dusk is a favorite time for wildlife to be close to the roads and they can be hard to see.
I keep my camera handy in my car. There are so many great photo opportunities.
September 26, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Tumbler Ridge, Historic & Heritage Sites
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We looked forward to going to the Dinosaur Museum in Tumbler Ridge all summer. It was well worth the drive. It is only an hour and a half or so from Dawson Creek.
The museum is located in a refurbished elementary school and contains a full-scale model of a 100 million year old dinosaur track environment, including impressive life sized replicas of the dinosaurs that made the tracks and lived in the region.
We sat in a small dark theater and watched a big screen movie of how all the dinosaur tracks were found. Apparently 2 young boys found a track-way in the bedrock along Flatbed Creek while playing. Their discovery led to the confirmation of Tumbler Ridge as the dinosaur capital of BC.
I bought a cast of an actual dinosaur footprint to keep as a souvenir.
Later in the evening, at dusk, we took a lantern tour of the Wolverine Creek track-way. In the dark with only the lights from our lanterns, we wound our way through the forest down to the river and saw the depressions made by the dinosaurs all those million years ago. The sound of the river in the background and the shadows in the night made the experience almost eerie and very exciting.
September 22, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Parks
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When we travel, we take picnic lunches with us so that we can stop, stretch our legs and let the dog out for a walk.
We were told that Heart Lake is a beautiful place to stop in the Pine Pass between Dawson Creek and Prince George. It's on the Hart Highway about 230 km (142 miles) northeast of Prince George. We had never been there so decided to check it out.
A simple sign on the side of the highway says "Heart Lake." A short winding, well-maintained road took us to a pretty little lake in the actual shape of a heart. Beautiful indeed. What a hidden treasure.
We stopped, let our dog take a swim and sat on a picnic table beside the lake, spread our tablecloth and enjoyed the beautiful alpine surroundings while we are our lunch. There were people out in a canoe enjoying the water.
There is a nice looking campground in the trees winding along the banks of the lake. There is a sign that says the lake itself is regularly stocked with Rainbow Trout. We didn't have time to fish, but we have plans to go back with our kayaks and fishing gear. We will leave the dog at home.
September 15, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Biking
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There is nothing like a leisurely bike ride on a beautiful winding path on a Sunday morning. We had a beautifully designed walking-biking path through the heart of our city.
It stretches from one end to the other and it gets better each year. The path is almost 5 miles long from one end to the other and winds along the creek, surrounded by park and trees and fields, it is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. It's easy to find and easy to walk or bike.
I have met people from all over the world while on the path.
Riding my bike along the whole path is a gentle way to get some exercise and fresh air. I used to ride along the city streets but after a couple of near misses with vehicles, I decided that the walking path is a much better alternative.
Along with the flowers and shrubs, there is a renga-haiku poem inscribed in pieces on a series of big stones along the path. It was a special project of our late mayor and several artists in town. You have to read each rock to get the whole poem.
The seniors outdoor fitness park is also a point of interest along the path. It is right beside the hospital and it is great to stop and use the equipment.
The path is enjoyed by walkers, joggers and bikers of every age and ability. You are bound to pass strollers and children and dogs on leashes. People are respectful and friendly and everyone is welcome.