October 31, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Attractions
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We stopped into the historic cemetery in Tomslake, 20 minutes south of Dawson Creek on the day before Halloween.
This beautiful place is more than just a cemetery. It contains the cultural identity of the small Sudetan German Community whose members immigrated here in 1939 to escape persecution and death in Hitler's Germany.
A museum has been built to house the many artifacts donated by the community to tell the story of the journey to a new life of freedom in a new land.
The original Roman Catholic Church is now part of the museum. We stood on a stool and peeked in the windows. Nothing fancy, just hand built pews and some old pictures on the wall. Plastic flowers in a vase on the alter.
There is an impressive commemorative monument to the immigrants and their new home in Canada. It is quite emotional to read what the community went through for freedom. They came on transport ships and each ship and the date it sailed from Liverpool is listed along with the list of family members on the roster.
The cemetery itself is beautifully maintained with a simple rural backdrop. Entering through the iron gates was like entering a history book. The names on the granite headstones are mostly German and date back to the early 40's. I was struck by the short lives of many of the people laying to rest there.
Peaceful.
October 27, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Camping
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One of the prettiest places to go for a weekend of camping, especially in the fall, is the Sukunka River, about an hour and a half west of Dawson Creek.
We went in early October when the fall leaves were at their colorful peak. We found a great place to camp a short distance from the road that is right on the banks of the river.
Getting to the Sukunka is a bit of an adventure itself because all traffic must share the road with coal trucks going back and forth. The road is radio controlled, so the best thing to do is wait for a truck going the same way you are and get in behind it. Stop when it stops and go when it goes.
The Sukunka is in bear country so it's really important to be smart. We are very careful with our garbage and cooking methods and very watchful as well.
The fishing is great! The river is awesome and the setting is spectacular! A real favorite!
October 25, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Bowen Island, Kayaking & Canoeing
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When you're dodging umbrellas on the way to work, you know fall has officially hit. If you're dreaming of summer plans already, here's a great idea: head to Bowen Island for some ocean paddle-boarding.
Bowen Island is only 45-minutes from Vancouver, but it felt miles away: it's small, quaint and laid-back. After the ferry docked, a short stroll led us to an open-air market, galleries, studios, stores and restaurants (we stopped for fresh fish-n-chips on a patio).
Soon we were in need of cooler temperatures, so we headed to the dock to try paddle-boarding. This not-so-extreme water sport is like a cross between kayaking and surfing: there is a wide, long board and an equally long oar, and you're supposed to stand up and paddle.
Sounds simple, right? Well it's trickier than it looks (balance is key) - and I definitely made the first splash into the ocean (luckily the water was cool and refreshing).
After a few wobbly moments, we all picked it up and spent the rest of the hour cruising around - even spotting a pack of glossy seals likewise enjoying the water. Another great thing about paddle-boarding? It's very affordable! This left us plenty of money to snack on the delicious, authentic tacos, conveniently located on the pier next door to the kayaking/boarding shop.
Paddle-boarding available from Bowen Island Sea Kayaking.
October 24, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
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Friends from Oregon told me that one of the things they love the best about their visit to Dawson Creek is the square block of fields that stretch from horizon to horizon. She said it reminds her of a big patchwork quilt.
I agree. Even after living here my whole life, I still admire the panoramic views of green and gold fields, separated by dirt roads and hedges of trees.
No matter the season, it does look like a patchwork quilt. The view is especially spectacular in the July Canola season. The yellow-est yellow imaginable, all set out in perfect squares as far as the eye can see.
I also appreciate the soft browns of late fall when the crops have come off and the fields are getting ready to rest for the winter. The grain left by the harvest machinery makes easy pickings for the wildlife that lives so close to us.
October 20, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
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~ Do we need 10 sets of spare tires?
~ Will our windshields get smashed out by rocks?
~ How many miles of gravel will there be?
~ Is there still muskeg?
~ Do we need to carry spare gas?
These are the questions that came up around the fire with our friends who were on their way up the highway this year. They had heard horror stories from people who had traveled the Highway years and years ago.
The Alaska Highway is a fairly smooth road all the way from Dawson Creek. BC to Fairbanks, Alaska. It is pretty much paved all the way.
The ongoing issue is that every year the ground freezes and thaws and the pavement ripples and heaves and cracks in spots.
Maintenance crews are constantly repairing the road and you will have periodic waits while flag people get you through safely.
You will undoubtedly come across patches of loose gravel and occasional rough spots but as long as you are well prepared to begin with, you will be just fine.
The road is a pleasure to drive.
October 19, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Burns Lake, Accommodation
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While staying at Ootsa Lake this time of year one sees so much beauty. The groups of deer are everywhere, and the evergreen trees seem to be getting decorated for Christmas early with all the golden leaves resting on there dark green branches.
To stay in the beautiful log home,
Wistaria Manor, sitting on the deck, having a coffee and enjoying the sunset completes the experience of natural beauty and peacefulness. A great place to read a book or even write one if you are so inclined.
October 17, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Wildlife Tours
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It seems like more often than not when I'm driving the back roads of the Peace River Country and up & down the Alaska Highway in the fall, I see moose and deer.
Yesterday I came around a corner and had to stop my car for Mama and Baby Moose who were taking their time crossing the road in front of me.
Once I stopped my car, they stopped as well. They did not seem afraid of me in the least.
I just happened to have my camera with me and they obliged me with several minutes of photo opportunities. They sauntered over to the field on the other side of the road, and started grazing in the oats stubble left by the harvest.
It was getting dark when I took this photo and if you look closely you can see the light from my headlights shining on their long legs. I am confident I will see this pair again over the coming months and I just hope that their lack of concern for vehicles does not cause them harm.
Thankfully, it is a common practice here for the highways departments to clear the roadside ditches of shrubs to make it easier to see the wildlife. We are all used to scanning ahead in the ditches when we drive.
Please drive carefully.
October 13, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Attractions
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When we need to take a break from the daily routines we head down to the ClayHurst crossing over the Peace River 45 minutes north of town on the Rolla Highway and enjoy the fresh air that sweeps down with the water through the valley.
The Peace River is an interesting body of water. Up river is the W.A.C Bennett Dam and all the water that flows is first collected in Williston Lake and then goes through the turbines of the dam to generate hydro before being returned to the river.
The week this photo was taken, the river was low. The bottom of the boat ramp was 30 feet or so above the water. The river seemed calm and steady. We watched several river boats come and go.
We took our folding chairs, a small picnic and relaxed while afternoon turned to evening, listening to the sounds of the water and the almost eerie cries of a couple of hawks hunting on the far banks.
The following week, BC Hydro released more water and the boat ramp that had been so high on the beach was completely submerged under water. What a difference! There is a completely different energy. What had seemed like an almost lazy river had become a fast torrent that had risen way up under the bridge. The water was full of logs and debris as it rushed along.
October 11, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Chase, Wildlife Tours
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The Adams River sockeye run is known around the
world as a miracle of nature. Sockeye salmon that have lived for four
years in the Pacific Ocean make an epic 400km journey back to the
streams where they where born. Their bodies change colour from
silver-blue to bright red as they reach the spawning grounds. Many are
caught or die along the way, but astonishing numbers reach their
destination. How many are expected to make it back to the Adams River
in 2010? More then 2 million!
So make sure to check out the
"Salute to the Sockeye Festival" in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park
near Chase, BC in October to view the incredible wildlife spectacle.
You may even spot a black bear having a salmon lunch! More videos at:
http://chriswheeler.ca
October 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Attractions
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This is the most beautiful time of the year to live in or visit the Peace River Country.
The leaves are all shades of red, orange and yellow. The wheat has been harvested and big golden bales of straw sit glistening in the sun.
The Canada Geese are gathering by the thousands in the fields to fatten up on the grains left by the machinery. It's quite a sight to see a few thousand geese converge on a field on the way to work.
Huge flocks fly overhead and if they are low enough you can hear the honking and sometimes hear the sound of their wings swooshing the air.
We just had a beautiful full harvest moon and fall equinox within days of each other. The air is cooling, the sky is clear, the stars are out. It doesn't get any better than this.