November 24, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
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GPS in hand, I went with a Geo-caching friend on a high-tech treasure hunt to find a cache box near a cemetery just south of Dawson Creek.
We had checked out GeoTourismCanada online and found a whole list of locations in and around Dawson Creek.
Even though I live in the area and knew where we were going for this hunt, it was very exciting to forget that and just follow the GPS coordinates. I used to love orienteering when I was in school, so this gave the same thrill.
Learning how to read the GPS device was the tricky part and I'm sure it would get easier with practice. We stopped the truck several times along the way so I could learn and practice how to read coordinates.
Finding the box itself just by following the coordinates was a challenge as well as a lot of fun.
Inside the box was a plastic bag with a small pencil and a logbook to write in. Several other people had written in the book ahead of us. We made sure everything was tucked away for the next adventurer.
I can certainly see why people love this sport.
November 17, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Fishing
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We did our last boating trip of the season at Moberly Lake, a hour or so north of Dawson Creek
We were not alone. We met a great group of people who were there to spend their last day on the lake as well. We hooked up and toured the lake together.
We had the whole day so we stopped lots and just floated, put our fishing lines in and visited. We had both made great picnic lunches and we enjoyed getting to know each other a bit over our boats.
We saw an eagle hunt right on the lake. Actually it caught a fish while we didn't.
Moberly Lake is quite big and the water can change from quiet to very choppy in a short period of time. By late afternoon, the wind picked up, and because of the white caps, we stayed off the middle of the lake and kept close to shore for the rest of the day.
Evening came shortly after another picnic supper and we decided to stay and watch the sun go down on the lake one last time.
November 14, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Hudson's Hope, Attractions
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I have evolved into the unofficial tour guide for friends and family when they visit.
A favorite day trip from Dawson Creek is to the W.A.C. Bennett Dam on Williston Lake. It takes about an hour and a half to get there and is the perfect way to spend a day visiting and seeing something amazing at the same time.
It's a real treat to drive across the dam itself, it's huge!
The trip wouldn't be complete without taking the bus tour deep into the belly of the dam on the bus. You will have to wear a hard hat.
The guided tour costs six dollars for adults and lasts about an hour.
Once I get over my immediate feeling of claustrophobia, I really enjoy the tour. The air once you are underground is cool and you can feel the energy vibrate and hum in the stone all around.
Visitors are always blown away by the project.
My Dad worked on the Dam from start to finish, so I have lots of stories to tell them, like the day the water was first released and the bear clinging to a floating log being swept away...
Editor's note: Learn more about the W.A.C. Bennett Dam and the Peace Canyon Dam
November 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
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We set out from Dawson Creek, Mile O of the Alaska Highway while it was still dark, with a full tank of gas and a fresh cup of coffee-to-go.
About an hour and a half up the highway, just as the sun was rising, we found out how Pink Mountain got its name. Fireweed grows everywhere up the mountain and in the ditches. We must have hit peak season because along with the pink flowers, there were butterflies everywhere. Sadly, many butterflies got caught in the grill of our vehicle.
The air was fresh and clean and the views were awesome. We stopped at an interesting place called Sasquatch Crossing Lodge to fill up our coffee and ask about the butterflies. We were told that these are yearly phenomena and are Arctic Yellowtail Swallow butterflies.
We didn't see any sasquatches though, maybe next time.