February 23, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
View a larger image on flickr.com
My Dad used to talk about how brutal life was working on the Alaska Highway, but as a kid, I had no context to understand what that actually meant.
I slept in a warm bed each night and ate Mom's home cooking every day.Did anyone you know work on the Highway?The building of the Alaska Highway; the daily life faced by the men who built it and the conditions they endured rival any Olympic games in diversity, endurance, spirit, teamwork, speed and challenge.
Endurance and Spirit: Those men were tough! They had to be. Pushed till they dropped day after day after day in the harshest weather conditions through an untamed wilderness with supplies and equipment that would be considered even less than sub-standard today.
Mud, muskeg, icy waters, freezing/frostbite in the winter, being tormented by mosquitoes and black flies in the summer, 3 meals a day of army-rationed food from tins, cold steel and daily back-breaking labor.
Speed: Over 1500 miles of road was punched through vast untamed wilderness in 9 months.
Challenge: Some of the toughest and most unforgiving wilderness in the world. One example was "Suicide Hill" where the marker read "prepare to meet your maker."
Teamwork: Seven regiments of American engineers (approximately 11,000 men including three regiments of men with African American heritage) 16,000 civilians from Canada and the United States, and 7,000 pieces of equipment.
Make sure you check out the amazing story at the Alaska Highway House museum in Dawson Creek when you come on holidays. Step back in time, relive the epic story and see what it was like for yourself.
You'll gain a whole new appreciation for your air conditioning.A Gold Medal Accomplishment for sure!
February 16, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
View a larger image on flickr.com
Let's face it, here in the Peace River Country, we don't fool around when it comes to winter. We are a hardy lot and we know how to thrive in our northern climate.
Ask anyone who lives here and they will say that with an adventurous spirit, some planning, a positive attitude and a sense of humor, winter is an enjoyable season.
Have you been here in the winter? Did you get around OK? Did anyone give you some basic advice on how to prepare your self and your vehicle?
Here are 5 Down to Earth Travel Tips:1. Make sure your vehicle is winterized. Make sure you have a block heater and extension cord, ice scraper etc. There's nothing like the satisfaction of turning the key on a cold winter morning and being rewarded with an easy start. You'll also want winter antifreeze and good winter tires.
2. Make sure you keep a cell phone, extra warm clothes, a blanket and a flashlight etc in your vehicle. It's like insurance... you hope you never need it, but it gives you peace of mind. We all do this.
3. Drive smart. If you aren't familiar with winter driving conditions... adopt a slower is better attitude. Take your time and keep your distance.
4. Keep your gas tank filled. Winter is not the time to be living on the edge with a near empty tank.
5. Please watch for wildlife. Our moose are really big and really plentiful. Our deer are really big and really plentiful too. We like them and we want to keep them safe. You should know they have a tendency to hang around the roads when the snow is deep in the bush.
For this Mile O Citizen, winter is an adventure and being prepared makes it fun!
February 15, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
View a larger image on flickr.com
Just ask anyone who lives here now or has lived here in the past what comes to mind first when they think of the Peace River Country and sure-as-shootin' they will bring up our incredible big blue skies, sunshine, clean air and Northern Lights.
Nestled in a lovely valley, we are so spoiled with our panoramic view above and our easy access to complete solitude a couple of minutes out of the city.
Have you gone for a walk in the country on a clear Peace Country night? With every star vying for your attention? With the full moon lighting the fields for miles and miles? With the Northern Lights dancing in brilliant colors above?
Have you ever just stood in the silence... away from all sounds of humanity and listened?
I did a couple of nights ago... and I heard some crashing in the bush way off in the west... it was probably a moose moving about... I heard the coyotes yipping and I heard... silence... no motors, no sounds...
The next time you come to Dawson Creek, make sure you take a night drive out into the country, park and go for moonlight walk...
For this Mile O Citizen this is heaven here on earth...