August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Food or Wine
Found right along the Highway 16, right through New Hazelton, is a restaurant with a rustic ski lodge feel that serves some really amazing homestyle meals. The restaurant, Rob's Restaurant Comfort & Style, is a great little restaurant that cooks some really great meals at an affordable price. The building is a log house with a great atmosphere for everyone and their families. While I was there the restaurant was very busy with many different groups of people. It seemed like a perfect little local restaurant where people came and met for an evening meal. From talking to a few of the locals, it seemed like a great meeting spot and had a line waiting to be seated. Rob's Restaurant has the perfect feeling of the local restaurant and watering hole that you only read about in books or see in the movies. Make a stop into Rob's Restaurant for a great quality meal and you won't be disappointed.
August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Attractions
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I always enjoy my walks down Main Street in Smithers and, being in a small town, I always run into someone I know. Because of the mountainous backdrop this community has embraced an Alpine theme, which suits Smithers quite well. Smithers has been given the nickname of "BC's little Switzerland," and, if you walk down Main Street, you'll see why. There are many murals and statues within the town that tell stories of pioneer settlement, record-breaking hunting, local wildlife and solemn remembrance. One of our oldest statues is Alpine Al; he is located on Main Street and adds a lot of character to the area. Whether you are driving down Main Street or walking, this seven foot high statue with a ten foot long horn will grab your attention, so stop and take a picture or just admire him from a distance.
August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Hiking
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If you look over the skyline in Dawson Creek you are bound to notice the wind turbines turning away on Bear Mountain. This beautiful scene is part of the Bear Mountain Wind Park, located 12.5 km outside of Dawson Creek. This wind park is the first of its kind in British Columbia and one of the most technologically advanced wind parks in the world. The type of turbines installed on Bear Mountain are called Enercon E-82’s which are gearless turbines that emit virtually no mechanical sounds making it the quietest wind technology available globally today. The wind turbines in Dawson Creek produce between 2,000 and 3,000 megawatt hours each in a year, that’s enough energy to run up to 300 households per wind turbine! With 34 turbines currently on Bear Mountain that means that in total the wind park produces enough electricity to power 10,200 households per year! The turbines are also outfitted with the most modern blades possible. These turbines are not only a marvel of modern technology they also provide an opportunity to experience the great outdoors while learning more about the benefits of green energy. Along the wind turbines (starting around turbine 24) there is a 9km walking trail. This trail provides some of the most spectacular views of Dawson Creek and the Peace Region. On a clear day it is possible to see all the way out to the Rockies. I have been out there a few times myself and I have to say that turbine 14 has the most amazing view a person could hope to see. If you’re lucky enough to arrive for sunrise or sunset it is incredible to watch the sky, valleys, mountains and of course turbines be painted with orange, purple, pink and red in the warmth of the sun. A picnic lunch, dinner or breakfast are definitely all options up on the mountain and make for a beautiful and memorable day.
August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Shopping
Dawson Creek, though small, has some wonderful shopping opportunities. In the downtown area there are some spectacular locally owned and run shops that cater to almost every whimsy. One of the local treasures is the Olde Creek Store, located a block down from the Mile “0” Post. I love going into this store, their stock is always rotating and they always have amazing things in: old and new. If antiquing is your thing, then this store is a definite must. They carry an eclectic mix of new and vintage, some of the vintage stock is absolutely breath taking. My personal favourite collection of theirs is the antique books they have in the back. They are marvellous! There is an eccentric mix of books: from old medical journals to Hardy Boys. My mothers favourite part of the store is their jewelry collection. You honestly cannot leave this store without buying at least one trinket. The staff is always friendly and super helpful.
If after Olde Creek Store you’re shopping itch still has not been scratched be sure to check out Simple Pleasures, for another locally owned store with an array of stock: from kitchen items, to hand made soaps, to bags and purses. If you are shopping for little ones, next door to Simple Pleasures is the Northern Toy Box, a store that is sure to satisfy the kid in everyone! And, at last, if you’re a crafter, knitter, crocheter definitely drop by B&T Ceramics for all your hobby’s needs. Shopping in Dawson Creek’s downtown area is perfect for everyone and a great side expedition if you’re taking part in the Historical Downtown Walking Tour. If after all this walking and shopping, you’d like a cup of coffee and something to eat, drop by one of the many locally owned coffee shops and cafes in the area.
August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Beaches & Swimming
The Kiskatinaw River is a wonderful river to spend the afternoon. It is my favourite place to pack a picnic lunch and head out to! The Kiskatinaw is a generally pretty shallow, slow moving river which means that it is fantastic for swimming! All along the river bed you can find either polished river stones or wonderful sandy beaches. If river swimming isn't your thing, a hike along the river valley just might be! My favourite thing to do (after swimming of course) is to wander along the Kiskatinaw, there are some beautiful things to see! The best swimming is right under the historical curved wooden bridge, the river is slow and the sand is so soft!
Attached to the river is the Kiskatinaw Provincial Park, which is a nice place to stay the night after a long day of swimming or hiking. Each campsite comes with a fire pit and a picnic table, but no power hook ups or water supplied. The Kiskatinaw river valley is full of natural beauty and wildlife, and is a great place to spend an afternoon or even a couple days. The first thing you will notice is how quiet it is here, even though you're not that far from the highway, it’s still a very serene place to stop.
August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Auto/Transportation (Air, Land)
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The Kiskatinaw Curved Wooden Bridge is a section of the original Alaska Highway and a true engineering wonder! The new highway is now rerouted due to safety concerns over heavier commercial activity on the bridge. The Kiskatinaw River stumped engineers because of its sharp turns and steep banks and because of this natural twist and turns of the river, the famous curved bridge was created in 1942 during the construction of the Alaska Highway. This marvel was constructed in only nine months and is still standing strong today.
I frequently take the trip out to the Kiskatinaw curved bridge; it is quite a simple trek! The bridge is located about 25 minutes from Dawson Creek, at mile 21 of the Alaska Highway. All you have to do is travel North on the Alaska Highway (97 North), and on your right hand side there will be a sign notifying you to turn off onto this historic route! The road is a little bumpy, but it is definitely do-able, even if you are in an RV. A lot of people, me included, park off to the side and walk the bridge. I highly recommend this, because the views of the river valley are absolutely breath taking and a must take picture for the photo album. This small detour is worth the history and the views!
August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Parks
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The BC Peace Region is full of a wide assortment of wonderful wildlife. Since we are situated in vast areas of open wilderness, wildlife is never far from your front door. A very common visitor to country gardens is deer. You will probably see these everywhere, especially in the early morning and at dawn. They are frequent residences of farmer’s fields which, when you travel through the North East BC Region, are generally right beside the road! These guys are the smaller cousin’s of moose and elk. In our area, we have two species of deer: white tail and mule deer. You can distinguish these two apart by the colour of their tails! White tails, as you can probably guess, have a white, fluffy tail where as mule deer have a black tipped tail. Mule deer are the most common out of the two kinds you’ll see here, but every now and then you will catch a glimpse of a fluffy white tail bouncing through a field!
Another common face you’re going to see in the BC Peace is the deer’s big cousin: the moose! The moose has become synonymous with Canada, and is one of our most recognizable wildlife visitors. Moose are large, awkward, and generally placid animals but they should not be confused as being friendly. Their funny faces and knobby knees make it seem like they would be great company, but in reality these guys are better left alone. It's always best to use caution when traveling early in the morning and the evening, as moose are more active on the roads around this time.
There are more than just moose and deer in this area though! There are brown bears, black bears, elusive cougars, lynx in the mountains and of course the infamous grizzly bear. If birding is more your thing, natural wetlands that litter the Peace Region country side attract a large variety of birds that are sure to peak your interest! From loons, to Canadian geese, to (my personal favourite) the friendly whiskey jacks (or grey jay/camp robber, etc). There are many different kinds of small mammals in our area as well! Such as the temperamental wolverine, sly weasel, and majestic flying squirrels! The squirrels obviously don’t have wings up here, but they do have extra flaps of skin that work like wings as they leap and glide from tree to tree.
The Peace Region offers a wide range of different wildlife that you are sure to encounter up here, what I’ve talked about is not even the tip of it all! There is such a large variety here to discover that I am sure you’re constantly going to be entertained by our region’s wonderful wild animal activity.
August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Attractions
One of the most frequently asked questions I encounter as a Tourism/Visitor Information Councilor in Dawson Creek is: “what can I do in this part of the country?!” My answer to this is usually “what can’t you do in this part of the country!” The Peace Region is filled with natural beauty, historical interests and adventure packed outdoor recreation for all you adrenaline seekers! So, to make things a little simpler for your Peace Region trip planning needs here are the top ten things to see and do around the Peace!
1. Learn about the rich histories that this region has to offer! Dawson Creek has some of the best museums and historic walks you can find! Stop by the Northern Alberta Railway museum located in the Visitor’s Centre, which is the original building that once housed the railway station from 1931; the same station that brought American Soldiers to build the Alaskan Highway! After you are done make sure to check out the other side of the museum which houses natural history of the region as well as history on Dawson Creek! For more historic tales about Dawson Creek, ask one of the T/VIC councilors about the Dawson Creek Downtown Historical Self-Guided Walking Tour and they would be happy to show you on your way for a fantastic tour of all the historic monuments and murals of the Mile “0” city. After you have finished at the NAR Park be sure to head down to the Walter Wright Pioneer Village. This heritage museum is a recreation of Dawson Creek pre-Alaska Highway. Walk along the boardwalk and check out historic houses, schools, churches and shops. Once you are done reliving the 1920s, head to the Village of Pouce Coupe and stop in at the Pouce Coupe museum. Though small in size, this museum is a treasure trove of different information on the region as well as the Village its self! For a little bit of a different history, be sure to take a trip down to the Tumbler Ridge Dinosaur Museum to learn about the Peace Region’s prehistoric inhabitants! Be sure to investigate the museums in Fort St. John, Chetwynd and Hudson’s Hope for even more of historical journeys through time.
2. Fulfill all your hiking needs on one of the many beautiful hiking trails in the region! Enjoy a leisurely hike with gorgeous views of the valley along the rim rock trails located at the Bear Mountain Wind Park. If you’re looking for a bit of variety, be sure to stop in at the Dawson Creek or Tumbler Ridge visitor centers to pick of a map of all the hiking trail heads in and around Tumbler Ridge. These trails come in a range of difficulties and lengths; there is sure to be a trail that will fit everyone’s needs and wants!
3. From August to May be sure to catch magnificent displays of northern lights in the night sky. This ten month span is the best to catch some of the most breath taking lightshows! So once the sun sets, be sure to turn your head towards the skies for a chance to catch one of the world’s most brilliant natural performances.
4. Get an insider’s peak at life in natural wetlands at McQueen’s Slough. Located about fifteen minutes outside of Dawson Creek, this boardwalk through a nature preserve is sure to excite birders and wildlife enthusiasts a like!
5. In early August, come down to Dawson Creek to check out the Annual Fall Fair and Rodeo. This event has been dubbed “The Biggest Event in the Peace” and is sure to please everyone in the family! There is a full sized midway, with rides for little ones and adrenaline seekers alike. The rodeo portion holds all sorts of events from bull riding to barrel racing. If you stick around long enough, you can catch the Pro Chuckwagon races, which draw in crowds from all over the USA and Canada.
6. Drive a portion of the old Alaska Highway and experience history and an engineering marvel as you cross the world famous Kiskatinaw curved wooden bridge. Located at Mile 21 of the Alaska Highway, this is a must see if you’re going North or if you’re just in the region.
7. The views off the bridge are spectacular but the swimming under the bridge is even better! So pack a lunch, bring your camera and a swimsuit because you’ll be sure to spend the afternoon enjoying all the Kiskatinaw River has to offer.
8. Go to the Rolla Pub, located fifteen minutes outside of Dawson Creek. This little pub out in the country is jammed packed with local history, endearing locals and friendly staff.
9. Dip your feet in the mighty Peace River! Drive ten minutes on highway 2 outside of Dawson Creek to Pouce Coupe and head down to the Pouce Coupe Park. The river is a five minute walk away.
10. Lastly, partake in one of the amazing day trips around the BC Peace. Leave from Dawson Creek, goto Fort St. John, Hudson’s Hope, Chetwynd and loop back to Dawson, or go from Dawson Creek to Chetwynd down to Tumbler Ridge... really which ever route you want to take is sure to be alight with majestic wildlife, quaint towns, and gorgeous natural scenery.
There are so many things to do in the Peace that it’s hard to fit them all onto one list. Be sure to stop in at a Visitor Centre or ask a local and you’ll embark on an experience of a lifetime!
August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Houston, Science, Nature or Animals
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It always makes me smile when visitors come and ask where they can find wildlife, especially moose. Living in Houston all my life I take the wildlife for granted because I always see them; moose and deer, coyotes and foxes, and the smaller mammals that live in our forests. I always end up telling people that if they are lucky they will find animals, but we can never guarantee anyone will find anything. Last night I was very lucky. Driving down Buck Flats I ran into a variety of animals. Buck Flats is an area just passed the main town with a lot of forests and open fields, which is why animals enjoy the area I guess. The very first animal I saw was moose, and it wasn't just one moose it was a pair. I was able to pull over and just watch them as the crossed the road and into the bush. As I continued my drive I saw a mother black bear with two cubs. She ran across the road with the two babies following her; she quickly disappeared into the overgrown bush. They looked so sweet and moved so quickly I felt bad for disturbing them. Around almost every corner I saw wild rabbits sitting on the side of the road watching the vehicles pass. I also saw chipmunks scurrying around but they were faster than the rabbits and I was unable to get a good picture of them. Finally I saw a coyote wandering through the open fields close to the end of my trip. Now I know where to send people when they ask to see wildlife, even though it isn't guaranteed and there isn't a specific stop along the road that you can watch animals. In fact I was looking for Buck Falls when I ran into all of these animals. I guess you never know what to expect in our beautiful Northern wilderness.
August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Recreation Sports
If you haven't been out on the lake canoeing yet this summer, sit back and enjoy a virtual canoe ride. Charlie Lake is a wonderful recreational lake that is occupied by many swimmers, fishermen, boaters, or canoers at any given time. I encourage you to gather up some close friends, launch your canoe in Charlie Lake and paddle the day away!