July 20, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Sightseeing Tours
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The Prince George Railway & Forestry Museum is one of my favourite (kid-friendly) activities in Prince George. Driving by, it may not look like there's much there, but once you're inside the fence, and climbing aboard locamotives - you'll be surprized.
One of the great things is that it's HANDS ON - you can climb aboard all the engines, cars and cabooses with orange steps. Once inside, you won't find ropes holding you back from touching things! You can climb up into the back seats of a caboose, relax in the "Nechako" coach - used as a VIP reception centre at Expo '86, or, on some days, help operate a 1913 steam crane.
The miniature Cottonwood Railway is a hit with the kids. (Okay, I like it, too). The railway runs around the perimeter of the property, through a tunnel, an old beehive burner (picture a large, inverted badminton shuttlecock) and over a small bridge. It's an extra $2.00 for a train ride, and worth it.
It's not all for kids, either! There's many an adult visitor who dreams of riding the rails. And considering that you can sit in the conductor's seat and operate the controls, it's about as close as most of us will get!
For those with the "other kind" of kids, the museum is dog-friendly, too!
July 19, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
Last night I went to a screening of "A Place Called Chiapas" at the Mattson Farm in Rolla, BC. It was fantastic! The movie was about the 1994 revolution in southern Mexico, a very interesting subject to start with, but then the location was also great! The film was screened in the rural town of Rolla, in the loft of a barn. We sat on hay bales and ate complimentary popcorn and pop. The drive out to Rolla is beautiful to start with, and the farm there is extremely well taken care of, quaint, and quiet. Right after the movie they had a draw, which I happened to get the lucky ticket and won a gorgeous locally handmade necklace! After that they had a fire and you were welcome to stay and chat.
This event was a really great opportunity to get informed, relax, and experience some real small town hospitality!
They are planning on having some more screenings later in the summer. At the next one they are playing another movie by the same director, Nettie Wild, called "FIX: The Story of an Addicted City". I will be there.
July 19, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
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One sunny Saturday morning, I had the pleasure to ride the streets of Prince George on little 50cc scooters. With places in the city that rents them from 1 hour to whole weekends (I had rented mine from Advantage Motors), it makes them much more accessible to locals and visitors. Because the engine in the a 50cc scooter is so small, you don't even need a motorcycle license to operate.
Once I had my scooter rented, it allowed me to tour the city streets with advantages that you would never dream of in a car. For example, I was able to park in the smallest of parking spots, closest to the Farmer's Market, whereas if I was in a car I would have to park at least 2 or 3 blocks away. And while a scooter may look like a nightmare to pack you goodies in, it has a surprisingly large amount of cargo room as well as a spot to place your bags at your feet. And while they don't go very fast, it is certainly a blast to have a leisure cruise around and do your Saturday morning errands. Overall, if you have a chance to rent a scooter for a day, it is a highly recommendable way to travel. Your time will fly by and afterwards you'll wish you could spend just a little extra longer.
July 19, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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I come from a family of cars. Where my cousin's '65 mustang convertible is considered just as much a relative as its owner. So the annual Mile '0' Cruisers Summer Cruise is like a big family reunion. The annual auto enthusiast event fills the city of Dawson Creek with vintage cars for a weekend, culminating in a downtown Show & Shine on the Sunday. And this was a year to remember for the Mile '0' Cruisers. The weekend of July 11-12 was marked with decidedly beautiful weather, which helped draw 200 classic rides to line the downtown core.
The Summer Cruise is the largest car show north of Edmonton, and about 70% of the participants come from out of town, with some cars (and their drivers) hailing from as far as Vanderhoof, B.C. The rides themselves ranged from the usual car show fare (mustangs, corvettes, bel-airs) to the unusual (vintage transport trucks, motorbikes, and some things I don't even have a name for). Of course, every car-driver relationship has a story, and the drivers are always more than willing to share. One particularly interesting ride this year was a 1954 Meteor Niagara (pictured above). The car's driver purchased it as his first car in the early 60's, and it was his mode of transportation as he dated his future wife. After a few years, however, the car was parked. This lasted until just this last winter, when it was completely restored. Now, less than 6 months removed from its big makeover, the car managed to place in the top ten rides of the weekend.
The downtown show and shine took place from 8:30-2:30 and along with the cars featured many activities for youngsters, several food stations, local event tents, and some raffles. The day wrapped up with the presentation of the people's choice top ten, as well as the sponsor's favorites around the Mile 0 post.
Visit the summer cruise website for a complete gallery, as well as information.
July 17, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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Though I had never heard of them, I decided to go see Miss Quincy and the Ramblers at the Granaries on Bear Mountain. The tickets were only $10, there was a barbeque by donation, and all the proceeds were going towards the new Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre (a centre I have been using for at least a decade). I was extremely surprised with not only the band, but the location.
You see, the Granaries are not at all what I had imagined. They are so much nicer than anything I could have ever come up with in my own head. Very secluded, unbelievably well-cared for, and incredibly luxurious, I couldn’t help but think of how amazing it would be to have a romantic weekend for two there...
But let me get back to the concert.
Miss Quincy and the Ramblers were fantastic! As per usual, it took a little while before us shy Dawson Creek locals got onto the dance floor, but once we did, there was no leaving. By the end of the fantastic, toe tapping, 1 hour set, preceded by another local folk group, the Sweetwater Ramblers, everyone was on the dance floor, stomping and shouting. I have never had so much fun in such a beautifully forested and maintained location. It was simply divine. Can’t wait until Groovin’ at the Granaries 3!
July 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. James, Historic & Heritage Sites
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You might think that taking an energetic three year old to a National Historic Site would be a disaster, but not if it's Fort St. James National Historic Site!
On a sunny Sunday, the hubby and I packed up 3 year old Jacob, and headed out. After the scenic hour and a half drive (from Prince George), we found ourselves in 1896! Following the simple self-guided tour, we happily discovered that it is a HANDS-ON attraction, staffed by interested and interesting costumed interpreters.
In the Warehouse and Fur Storage building, we were able to touch the furs, barrels and supplies, smell the wood of the building, and sense the bustling activity of the past.
In the Men's House, we couldn't resist the photo op, sitting in the precursor to the La-Z-Boy, wearing a felt hat and holding a bottle of Irish Whiskey. (So what if he's three?)
The Trade Store and Office was a hit with Jacob, where he got to trade his fur (after haggling with the staff) for a "gold" chocolate coin.
We got to feed the chickens and the cat at the Officer's House, swung on the swing, and played pioneer games out on the lawn with another one of the staff.
Lastly, we built the walls of a house with the ingenious "Piece on Piece" playhouse. A cool drink in the shady house rounded out our afternoon.
We ended up spending over three hours on the site, and Jacob was happy every minute of it! For us grownups, the setting was simply beautiful, the history was interesting, and we'd definitely go again!
July 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Attractions
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Just wanted to share this gem with everyone! Beautiful, huge park located right in the heart of 100 Mile House just a minute off of HWY 97. I had no idea that such a great rest stop existed until a friendly waitress in 100 Mile mentioned it would be a great place to take my kids.
July 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Vanderhoof, Sightseeing Tours
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Vanderhoof, Geographical Center of B.C. The heart of the province, it's true. This although cannot be discovered on the streets of the town, or on the shelves of the locally owned stores. No, in order to truly discover the heart of B.C you need to pack up your belongings and wander out down the serene and breathtaking Kenney Dam road. There are many wilderness resorts on the way down towards the Kenney Dam. Each and everyone one unique in their own ways, I was given the pleasure to take a FAM (familiarization) tour around the area. I was blown away!! I know, I know, theres also more than one way of getting down there; the Kenney Dam and breathtaking view can be acessed through Fraser Lake's logging road, the Holy-Cross. Another route is still located down Kenney Dam road however is shortly after Tachick Lake Lodge, and is a left turn down the Kluskus Forest Service Road.
Each of the seven resorts in this rural area all have their own friendly canine companions, who love to mingle with all the tourists and enjoy a nice belly rub! They also all have a scenic view of a lake or river and plenty of wildlife to view. All these lodges have a boat dock or access to a body of water, ideal for canoes, kayaks, small motorized boats and even large boats as well (depending on the depth of the lakes). Also equiped with numerous hiking trails in every direction. Now what is the last important detail that would make your stay in this paradise ideal....perfect hosts! That is the reality at every lodge I visted. Friendly, outgoing and flexible to all requests. Their goal is to make you feel at home in these vast forests.
So sure you can enjoy any of these activities through other resorts. However the highlight of my tour, is in my opinion the most extravagant area, right up by the Kenney Dam. The Dam, miraculouse, but the hosts at the Nechako Lodge didn't want our experience to end there. They then offered to take us up in their float plane! He took us on a twenty minute exploit over the mountainous landscape and for the finale of our overhead adventure, the Cheslatta Falls. An astonoshing exposure of how regal this water display really is. I've seen these falls on foot, but nothing compares to how this aerial view amazes.
Overall my involvment with the Kenney Dam tour and all of its brilliant assets easily makes this destination the true heart of British Columbia!
July 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Stories of Hazelton’s history flow as plentiful as the water that runs through the rivers that surround the Hazeltons. One story, which I find particularly fascinating, is the story of the arrival of the first car to Hazelton. In mid- 1911 the rumours of motorized vehicles being used, elsewhere in North America, ignited an excitement and curiosity throughout Hazelton! Soon after, the folks of Hazelton decided that they too would like to see a car drive the dusty streets of Hazelton. Anticipation grew around the idea and finally a hefty $1000 dollar reward was offered to the first person who could bring a car to Hazelton on its own power. “A fairly large number of enthusiasts entered the race but most of them withdrew after coming to know that there was no roadway.” In the end Mr. P.E Sands, the president of Seattle’s Studebaker automobile agencies, decided that he would brave the difficult terrain and desolate wilderness of British Columbia. Sands had a Flanders 20 with a three speed transmission. On August 28, he left Seattle and took a route over the Snoqualmie Pass to Ellensburg, Washington, then to Kamloops through the Nicola Valley and on to Ashcroft. Next he travelled via the Cariboo Wagon Road to Quesnel and then headed northwest following the Yukon Telegraph Line. He was on a challenging mission. There were no proper roads to speak of; rugged terrain, forests, steep mountains and swamps added to his obstacles. He drove through rain, made bridges on creeks, cut down trees, made roads, and sometimes had to haul the car by ropes. When they reached Quesnel, ‘men and women flocked about to view the novel vehicle – the first motor car many of them had ever seen.” At Aldermere near Smithers, they were given a warm reception, good food and entertained by dance. Most unforgettable was the party arranged for Sands when he finally reached Hazelton. He was given the reward the next day and started back to Seattle with his car on a sternwheeler to Prince Rupert.”
Now Sands had a secret, he had deceived the Hazelton folks and a man named Bob Montgomery knew it! “Apparently, Sands didn’t make it to Hazelton entirely on his own. He hired a pack team, dismantled the car and carted it for quite a distance. This was discovered by Montgomery”, an ex-convict and one time bank robber, “as he met the contestants on their way to Hazelton.” Sands paid Montgomery half of his winnings in order to keep his mouth shut; therefore, as Sands “waved goodbye to Hazelton” he was “in fact not as happy as he may have appeared.” Somewhere along the line the secret seeped out and is now a legend that locals love to talk about, laugh about, and even re-enact the story of the first car to Hazelton in theatrical performances!
This summer, I had the pleasure of meeting the daughter and granddaughter of one of the men hired to pack the car by donkey. The pair came into the Information Centre with their father’s story and pictures to prove it. I was delighted to have the opportunity to see a photo album filled with hundred-year-old photos in it, one of which was a picture of a donkey bearing the weight of a recognizable, disassembled car. True evidence of Sands deception!
Stop by at the Visitor’s Centre in New Hazelton, located at the junction of Highway 16 and 62 to learn more about the car and other legends, and pictures of the pioneer days in Hazelton!
July 15, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Museums
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On July 8, 2009 we met our inspirational motorcyclist friends from Brazil! They are on over a yearlong journey, which is taking them across Canada, on to Europe and beyond! They started out in Boston and from there they came across the USA and up the west coast of Canada, eventually leading them to New Hazelton in Northern BC! They are planning their journey 24 hours at a time and enjoying every moment of where their adventure leads them! Between their record breaking four stops at the Visitor’s Centre we managed to learn what their plan is and they inspired all of us at the centre to want to impulsively travel just like them. Stop by our Visitor’s Centre located in New Hazelton, at the junction of Highway 16 and 62, and tell us your inspiring travel story!
Hello to Frederico, Regina, Pedro and Paulo- hope your travels are going well!