August 15, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
View a larger image on flickr.com
Going for a spin with friends on the Tilt-A-Whirl is one thing, but hanging upside down and being whipped around for 5 minutes in a gravity defying machine is quite another.
It's Fall Fair Days in Dawson Creek and it seemed like the whole region and friends from far and wide show up to celebrate.
A big part of the Fair is the Midway. This year, as usual there were bumper-to-bumper line-ups of people of all ages waiting to get on one of the rides for an adrenalin rush.
Several of those rides are not for the faint of heart.I love the way the Ferris Wheel faces to watch the Chuck Wagon races. We were lucky this time and were loaded first on the Wheel so we got extra airtime while they loaded the rest. We watched a Pro Chuck Wagon race thunder around the track from the best seat in the house, high above.
The Midway wouldn't be the same without the smell of cotton candy, loud music that almost drowns out the screams of delight and the sight of people walking around with stuffed toys they won at a game.
I spent my usual amount tossing rings at little floating duckies and even threw a few darts... no luck this time...
but there is always next year.
August 14, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Farms & Markets
There truly is nothing like a day under the pines, in the fresh air with you family. Even when you live on a farm, it’s a nice break to go berry picking along a quiet country road. I had the chance to do just that on one of my recent days off.
It was the first time that I ever picked huckleberries on Puggins Mountain. For years I’ve heard about how wonderful huckleberries are, bigger then blueberries and easier to pick because they grow on slightly higher bushes. People talk about filling 5 gallon pails in no time at all. That said, you must keep in mind that we are experiencing another drought this year in the Peace, so the berries weren’t as big and plentiful as they might have been.
Although it does take time to clean the berries, the huckleberry pies, muffins, cheesecakes, and summer memories make the effort worthwhile.
August 13, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Campbell River, Biking
Find more information about Campbell River - Biking
July 2010 adventure in B.C. with sea kayaking around Johnstone
Strait, camping, hiking, over 900 km of cycling between Campbell River
and Kelowna, plus some whitewater rafting too.
August 12, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
The other day while picking up some visitors from Switzerland at one of the local airports it occurred to me how HUGE the Peace Country really is. A drive just over the Alberta border to one of the nearest cities and back is only roughly a two and a half to three hour drive, which is about 270km.
Having spent all my life living in the Peace Country I don’t think I have ever truly stepped back and taken a look at it from a tourist’s perspective. One of our guests even uttered, “I was born in the wrong country” when he was staring out the window at the endless fields. From the small town in Switzerland where the travelers came from a 3 hour drive in any direction except south towards Italy would put them in a different country all together. Therefore I guess it was not surprising that they were in awe over the size of just this infamous region.
Having come from families where farming sixty acres is the norm it is incredibly shocking to ponder the hundreds sometimes thousands of acres that farmers in the Peace Country put up each year. Stepping back and taking a closer look at the boundless beauties in the vast countryside of the Peace Country is definitely something that everyone should do from time to time.
August 12, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Beaches & Swimming
View a larger image on flickr.com
When traveling in hot weather, nothing beats stopping at Seeley Lake located 10 Km west of Hazelton on Highway 16.
My friend and I stopped at this lake when heading east on a road trip and went for a quick dip in the lake. The lake was not as cold as I had expected (thank goodness!) and was clean to swim in. The beauty of the lake makes it worth stopping at as well. It is nestled in the Hazelton Mountains and is home to a variety of wildlife. There is a trail that wraps part ways around the lake and it is a beautiful walk with interpretive signs along the way. It is a good lake for camping, fishing, canoeing, swimming and picnicing. There are picnic benches and a sandy beach there for your enjoyment.
Next time while traveling Highway 16, be sure to make a stop at Seeley Lake and take in some of this beauty you can only find in Northern British Columbia.
August 11, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Attractions
View a larger image on flickr.com
Today a friend and I went for a drive towards Prince Rupert to go on an adventure to find John Little Falls. We pulled into Exstew Rest Area about 35 km west of Terrace and there was a memorial sign for John Little, a soldier from Terrace who died in Hong Kong in 1942 at the age of 20. The water falls are located 5 km on the right hand side of the road after this rest area and can be seen directly from the highway.
We could not find a trail or road that took you directly to the falls, but there is a small pull out where you can park and view the falls from a distance. It is a beautiful waterfall nestled among the green trees in the valley of a mountain. Keep your eyes open for these falls while traveling Highway 16 west between Terrace and Prince Rupert.
August 11, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Attractions
On a sunny afternoon, my dad and I were in a mood for a board game; however, it was a gorgeous day outside. The solution we decided was to go play Chess or Checkers on the massive game boards in the Village of Hazelton!
If you’re looking for a picnic location this facility has a nice picnic table, a basketball court, and two awesome board games! We had a ton of fun, and I’m sure you and your kids will enjoy it as well!
August 11, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, River Rafting
View a larger image on flickr.com
On a particularly sweltering July day, my family and I rafted the scenic Kispiox River. We started from an old forestry recreation site and rafted to the Kispiox Valley Rodeo Grounds. Rafting the Kispiox River is a particular favourite of ours because of the easygoing stretches where you can relax and observe the varied wildlife and scenery, while still enjoying the excitement of rapids.
There are several excellent beaches and sandbars to stop along the way. We stopped at one to eat lunch and get in a little fishing. My brother-in-law nearly became submerged in his attempts to catch one of the large salmon jumping within several feet of him. The Kispiox River is world famous for its steelhead fishing which begins in the fall.
Along the way, we saw an array of wildlife. We saw beavers, river otters, a Marten (a small weasel like animal), fox, black bears, deer, and moose. For the birdwatcher, we saw a Golden Eagle, Bald Eagles, Kingfishers, Sandpipers, Blue Jays, Merganser ducks with ducklings, and my personal favourite Cliff Swallows. The Cliff Swallows make their homes in sandy cliffs along the river banks. These cliffs are littered with numerous burrows where the swallows make their homes.
It was another great day on the Kispiox River. The Kispiox River is located approximately 20 kms outside of Hazelton in the Kispiox Valley.
Editor's note: Learn more about boating and rafting in the Kispiox River here.
August 11, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Kitimat, Museums
Find more information about Kitimat - Museums
North Coast Taxidermy is a neat place, great for anyone interested in wildlife. It is considered a Wildlife Museum and is home to many displays of wild animals in natural poses. The animals are all prepared on site, and are picture perfect works. They have a variety of animals in the museum, from tigers to wolverines to boars, all interesting sights. Many of the displays are in the act of feeding, or being territorial, making them appear ferocious. The displays give you a glimpse of animals lives as they occur in the wild. The studio downstairs is where all the magic takes place, stuffing, tanning and bleaching animal skins and skulls to create works of art that mimic the natural world inside the safety of a house. While in the area I encourage you to check out the wildlife museum, located in Cablecar just outside of Kitimat.