July 31, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Hudson's Hope, Fishing
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The Peace Country of Northern BC shares a special place in the hearts of many. This country boasts nature's delights: plentiful fields, snow capped mountains, rolling hills, lush forests and sparkling lakes—it is no wonder that this often chilly region is warmly regarded as an excellent travel destination. Hidden in the Peace Country are many unbeatable resorts. One of these resorts is the Williston Lake Resort. Whether you are looking for adventure, quality family time or relaxation, the Williston Lake Resort is the place to vacation.
Situated outside of Hudson’s Hope, the Williston Lake Resort is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains on the shore of the breathtaking Williston Lake. The Williston Lodge was built in the traditional log cabin style, with each of its logs hewn by hand for a beautifully seamless fit. The lodge is a beautiful work of art that everyone can enjoy and appreciate.
My name is Erin, and recently my co-workers and I got the chance to visit the Williston Lake lodge. As soon as I walked in the door, I loved it! It’s incredibly beautiful and welcoming. The staff was very friendly and we definitely enjoyed our stay! One of my favorite things about the lodge was the sun-drenched balcony that is perfect for relaxing on. It felt like we were on a private island somewhere scenic. The view from the lodge overlooks the lake and it is wonderful.
The location of the Williston Lake Resort is terrific for enjoying activities of both the mountains and the lake. Williston Lake is the largest reservoir in Canada, making the lodge an outstanding stay for the fishing enthusiast. Not only can the summer guest enjoy fishing, there is also hiking, horseback riding, ATV tours and guided wilderness watching. Our guide also told us that it is a good destination for winter travel as well, and there’s tons of fresh powder to ride all winter long. During the winter season there is also snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross-country skiing and wildlife observation. The amount of activities makes for days of family fun, group adventures and individual recreation. Although my group didn’t participate in all the activities, it was a great place to spend an afternoon.
Recreation and relaxation go hand in hand at the Williston Lake Resort, as guests can enjoy the first class food in an intimate environment. Campfires are a common way to wind down after a day at the lodge and are enjoyable for all guests. Not only will the guest enjoy the activities, they will enjoy and appreciate the lodge itself. The Williston Lodge features exquisite décor and charming touches of warmth. Easily becoming the traveler’s home away from home, the Williston Lodge leaves every visitor with the yearning for more. I loved it so much I intend to go back for a second visit and bring my family. The resort is a perfect place to get away and do camping activities while not actually not having to camp.
July 30, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Outdoor Activity Tours
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One of the many pleasures of working at a Visitor Centre is meeting incredible people with a unique story; those who have traveled the world and seen many faces. My name is Erin and I I have been interviewing visitors to Dawson Creek all summer. This is the story of Ian Coates, the Dawson Creek VC staff had the pleasure of meeting on a beautiful July day.
Rarely can an energetic and adventurous man like Ian Coates be found. Coates has been traveling around the world for more than 10 years, and is still riding. Around sixty years old and a native of West Yorkshire, England, Coates has traveled thousands of miles on his trusty Honda African Twin motorcycle. Coates has visited every corner of the world and is currently making his way to Siberia via Alaska. After spending some time traveling Africa, Coates set his sights on Siberia and decided Alaska was the way to get there. As a result of a life on the road, Ian and his wife, Judith, have seen each other only six times in eleven years. Judith plans on flying to Canada to be with Ian while he waits to go to Siberia. Needless to say, Judith’s visit will not only be a sight for sore eyes, but the highlight of Ian’s trip. Ian does not depend on financing or support from others unless it is from those he meets in his travels. With no support vehicle, Ian has to depend on himself and the goodwill of others to get him through tough times. Beginning in 1999, Coates decided to tour the world, but did not set a date for when he wanted this feat accomplished. It seems as though Ian is perfectly content being a world traveler for now. Those who are curious to know how Ian’s travels are going can see many of his adventures on YouTube and Google.
Good luck, Ian, and happy trails to you!
July 26, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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This weekend my friend and I took her two year old daughter to the circus. Jordan World Circus is traveling around Northern British Columbia and Northern Alberta. There were many terrific performances and some unbelievable stunts. For animals they had poodles, bears, and elephants. They also had moterbikes, a bounce slide, pictures with the bears and poodles, rides on the elephants, and stunt performers. The stunts performed were amazing and displayed unique talents. Our favorite part was the elephants and we really enjoyed ourselves.
July 24, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Camping
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My name is Erin and I work at the Dawson Creek Visitor Center. One of the many pleasures of my job includes meeting incredible people from all over the globe. One of these encounters occurred on a June day when a group of Australians dropped by.
The trek up the Alaska Highway is one that thousands of tourists make every year, drawing people from all ends of the earth to experience the adventure of Northern BC. This week, the Visitor Center staff were able to make a few new mates from the land Down Under. Gillian and Keith Traviss hail from Howlong, Australia, which is located about 350 km North of Melbourne. Both couples are headed to Anchorage, Alaska and have been planning for a lifetime. For the Traviss family, the trip to through BC to Alaska was a birthday gift to Gillian from Keith. “It’s what we have always dreamed of” says Gillian.
Bob & Louise Snowball live in Buderin, Queens-land, which is located on the Sunshine Coast of Australia. The Snowballs loved the fact that “we turned on the snow tap” for their travels in Northern BC.
Both couples agree that the snow and the mountains have been the highlight of the trip so far. Once the group reaches Alaska, they will be traveling to Vancouver Island by boat, and then heading home.
After the Snowballs arrived at home safe and sound, I received this e-mail:
G'day Erin,
Firstly, thank you very much for your email and the attached article in Dawson Creek's " Tourist of the Week" publication. We didn't get your email until we arrived back in Australia on 12th June and sorry for the delay in replying, but we've been pretty busy since.
We had the most wonderful holiday in Canada and Alaska - we toured with a group (twenty-six in number) of Aussies in 12 Motorhomes, taking 22 days to travel from Seattle to Anchorage, via the Canadian Rockies, the Yukon and Fairbanks. We don't get much snow in Australia and your late winter season gave us the most magical experience ever! The majestic snow-covered mountains, the still-frozen lakes, the wildlife and scenery were just to die for! In addition to all that splendor, because we were driving at a fairly leisurely pace and staying at RV parks each night, we were able to visit and spend time in many towns and villages and meet so many wonderful and friendly local people. Especially so in Dawson Creek. The day we spent in your town, my wife and I were with another couple taking pictures of each other in front of the "Mile 0 Alaska Highway" sign, when a complete stranger driving past, actually stopped and parked his car to offer to take a picture of us all together.
It was great being the first tourists to be featured in your local paper and yes, we have bragged about it to our friends !!
Cheers,
Bob and Louise Snowball.
July 23, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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Last week the Dawson Creek Visitor Center hosted their 2nd Annual Kids Festival out front of their building on the lawn. A four year old little girl that I know participated in the afternoon events. Even with a cast on her leg she was able to do most of the activities and have a blast. She got to decorate moose shaped cookies with brown or white icing. Then she hobbled over to the WOW bus and got a tour. After the tour she went and watched some local fiddlers playing music in the shade. Nearby she was also entertained by circus performers on stilts. Unfortunately she couldn’t participate but other children were walking around on the tall wobble sticks with the aid of a performer. There was also a tunnel, holla-hoops, and toys to play with. However, the coloring contest and prizes was the biggest hit of the afternoon. The pictures were of moose or deer; those that colored a picture and handed them in to the Visitor Center staff got prizes! During all of this fun she found time to go into the museum and listen to the story telling. A local lady with the Historical Society dropped in and read a story, and she also brought popcorn! Then it was back out side to get in line for the face painting. A lady from the Art Gallery, next door, came over and did some phenomenal art work on the childrens’ faces.
July 21, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
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Hello my name is Brenna and I live near Dawson Creek. Yesterday I was in town and had a few hours to kill so I decided to do the Walking Trail through town. I was pleasantly surprised at how lovely the walk was. I didn’t have time to do the entire trail so I started at the Dawson Creek Public Library and walked west. At first I met a number of people on the trail; most had baby strollers or visitors going out for an afternoon jog. But as I got further from the Library and out beside the farm fields there were very few people. As I walked along the fields, the grass was rippling in the wind; I hope to go back in the beginning of August when the canola is in bloom – it would be very picturesque. I walked past some beautiful houses and through gorgeous parks. The entire trail is paved but I was able to get off to the side and jog in most places. I wound up and down along the trail and through the trees, with the Dawson creek always close by. Near the end of my adventure at Pioneer Village, I crossed the creek on a quaint little wooden bridge. I personally did not really enjoy the few blocks that I had to walk along 17th street but the rest of the trail more then compensated for those five minutes. After I walked from the Library out to Pioneer Village and back, I decided that I had not walked enough so I wondered through Kin Park. There was a nice playground and tennis court near the Hospital, which I walked through on my way down to cross the creek on another wooden bridge. After the two hours of brisk walking, I decided that the stone benches across the road from the Library were looking pretty good to rest on. It was definitely an enjoyable walk and I hope I can do it again soon.
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 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 14, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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On July 1st the Tourism Dawson Creek staff celebrated Canada’s Birthday by making our way to Pouce Coupe to attend the Annual Canada Day Parade. The Dawson Creek Visitor Centre and the Dawson Creek Art Gallery spent weeks painting and decorating an Olympic themed float to celebrate the 2010 Olympic Games coming to Vancouver, BC. On the float were skiers, snowboarders, and hockey players which landed us a third place ribbon. After the parade ended there were many festivities taking place in Pouce Coupe Park which included games, entertainment for all ages, BBQ and fireworks that evening. The staff was unable to attend because we all had to return to work. We didn’t let missing the festivities get in the way of celebrating Canada Day. The Visitor Centre had BBQ hotdogs, cupcakes, Canada trivia, and gave out pins, and tattoos. Then on July 4th we celebrated Independence Day with our American Tourists with cake, hotdogs and trivia. Fun was had by all.
July 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Outdoor Activity Tours
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On Sunday July 12, I made my way across the bumpy road to the longest wooden curved bridge in North America. It is located off of Highway 97N between Fort St John and Dawson Creek, close to the Farmington Store. I was surprised by the amount of motor homes and fifth wheels that were parked on the road, right beside Kiskatinaw Provincial Park. The owners of the vehicles were actually walking across the bridge rather then driving. So I followed suite and parked my truck. Once I got onto the bridge, I understood why people were walking. The scenery was beautiful out there! It was a gorgeous day to begin with but it is nice and quaint out there. The wooden bridge is definitely something that you can’t just drive over and keep on trekking along the highway. There is more then enough room for travelers to pull over, get out and enjoy the scenery as well as the structure of the Kiskatinaw wooden curved bridge.