April 27, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
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Just a short 45 minutes north of Dawson Creek on the Rolla Highway is the Clayhurst Bridge across the Peace River. It's a great place to experience a big river, a big bridge, a beautiful view and peace and quiet all at the same time.
There is a place at the south end of the bridge to pull over and park so you can walk across the bridge. There used to be a plaque that dedicated the bridge to a former MLA, but it was vandalized years ago and not replaced.
There is very little traffic on the bridge and no other sounds of civilization so you can really appreciate the sounds of the water, the wind that comes down the valley and the vibration of the bridge under your feet. The power is amazing.
The center of the bridge is the best place to stop and lean over the rail to watch the water flow by under your feet carrying the occasional log downriver. The last time we were there, a pair of Canada Geese flew under the bridge right under us.
On the north side of the bridge is another old wooden bridge that crosses a smaller river that flows into the Peace, we like to cross that one too and carry on hiking up the banks for a bigger workout.
I was really impressed with the thickness of the ice on the banks of the river. Take your camera!
April 20, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Dining
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There is a new coffee house in town and it's really great! It's called Cups Tea & Cakes and I spent a morning there last week. I brought my laptop to catch up on some work, sat at a high table in the corner with my favorite large Americano with cream and watched the scene on the street and the constant comings and goings in the shop.
Cupcakes are the specialty of the café and they have upwards of 20 varieties for sale each day. The mixing, baking and decorating are done behind the counter for customers to watch and I admit to watching with great interest as batches of icing were flavored and piped onto the many cupcakes.
Strawberry Shortcake, Black Forest, Coconut Lime, Cookies 'n Cream, Red Velvet, Mocha are just a few of the names. It's as hard to choose your favorite cupcake as it is to pick a favorite ice cream. I guess the best way is to just try a different one every time.
Another feature worth noting in this café is their beautiful washroom with granite counters and glass basin... everything sparkling clean.
This is going to be a favorite spot for locals and visitors.
April 13, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Shopping
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Any time friends come to town and want to do a bit of shopping, I always tell them about the Olde Creek Store on 10th Street, one block south of the Mile O Post. This is one of the most popular stores downtown.
People even come from neighboring towns to shop there because the merchandise is so unique.
The store is reminiscent of an old fashioned mercantile stuffed with a blend of the hottest trends in home décor and personal fashion along side great antiques.
I recently went in looking for a gift basket for friends and ended up buying a bunch of stuff for myself as well.
They have a huge collection of cast iron reproduction hardware. I found a chickadee towel bar and a set of kitchen drawer pulls that I have never seen before.
The next area I checked out was the bath and linens. I fell in love with the Egyptian cotton towels and the tablecloths.
They have really unique clothing and accessories too from around the world.
I had to walk by the big jewelry display on my way to the antiques, and although jewelry didn't fit for the gift basket, I found a wonderful sterling silver bracelet for my pile.
My friend collects antique dinnerware, and I chose a great Royal Dalton teacup that I know she will love and a 1955 Webster's Dictionary in great shape for their collection of antique books.
A couple of stained glass candleholders for me, a sterling silver picture frame and wicker basket for them and I was done.
Tina, the woman behind the counter, decorated the basket and gifts with beautiful tissue and ribbon.
When you come to Dawson Creek, make sure you give your self plenty of time to poke around this store...