September 30, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Wildlife Tours
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Anyone traveling the main or back roads here in the Peace River Country is bound to see wildlife near the roads.
Just this last week alone, we have seen two bears, several moose, countless deer, 4 hawks, thousands of Canada Geese and a grey owl on our way to town. It's harvest season and the animals are taking advantage of the easy food left by the machinery in the fields.
Bears are intent on putting on weight to get ready for hibernation, moose, deer and elk are taking advantage of the ripe grains being left behind by the combines and the birds of prey are having a field day with the mice in the swaths and stubble.
The animals are in peak condition with shiny coats and healthy weight.
We need to be watchful on the roads. Dusk is a favorite time for wildlife to be close to the roads and they can be hard to see.
I keep my camera handy in my car. There are so many great photo opportunities.
September 26, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Tumbler Ridge, Historic & Heritage Sites
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We looked forward to going to the Dinosaur Museum in Tumbler Ridge all summer. It was well worth the drive. It is only an hour and a half or so from Dawson Creek.
The museum is located in a refurbished elementary school and contains a full-scale model of a 100 million year old dinosaur track environment, including impressive life sized replicas of the dinosaurs that made the tracks and lived in the region.
We sat in a small dark theater and watched a big screen movie of how all the dinosaur tracks were found. Apparently 2 young boys found a track-way in the bedrock along Flatbed Creek while playing. Their discovery led to the confirmation of Tumbler Ridge as the dinosaur capital of BC.
I bought a cast of an actual dinosaur footprint to keep as a souvenir.
Later in the evening, at dusk, we took a lantern tour of the Wolverine Creek track-way. In the dark with only the lights from our lanterns, we wound our way through the forest down to the river and saw the depressions made by the dinosaurs all those million years ago. The sound of the river in the background and the shadows in the night made the experience almost eerie and very exciting.
September 22, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Parks
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When we travel, we take picnic lunches with us so that we can stop, stretch our legs and let the dog out for a walk.
We were told that Heart Lake is a beautiful place to stop in the Pine Pass between Dawson Creek and Prince George. It's on the Hart Highway about 230 km (142 miles) northeast of Prince George. We had never been there so decided to check it out.
A simple sign on the side of the highway says "Heart Lake." A short winding, well-maintained road took us to a pretty little lake in the actual shape of a heart. Beautiful indeed. What a hidden treasure.
We stopped, let our dog take a swim and sat on a picnic table beside the lake, spread our tablecloth and enjoyed the beautiful alpine surroundings while we are our lunch. There were people out in a canoe enjoying the water.
There is a nice looking campground in the trees winding along the banks of the lake. There is a sign that says the lake itself is regularly stocked with Rainbow Trout. We didn't have time to fish, but we have plans to go back with our kayaks and fishing gear. We will leave the dog at home.
September 15, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Biking
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There is nothing like a leisurely bike ride on a beautiful winding path on a Sunday morning. We had a beautifully designed walking-biking path through the heart of our city.
It stretches from one end to the other and it gets better each year. The path is almost 5 miles long from one end to the other and winds along the creek, surrounded by park and trees and fields, it is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. It's easy to find and easy to walk or bike.
I have met people from all over the world while on the path.
Riding my bike along the whole path is a gentle way to get some exercise and fresh air. I used to ride along the city streets but after a couple of near misses with vehicles, I decided that the walking path is a much better alternative.
Along with the flowers and shrubs, there is a renga-haiku poem inscribed in pieces on a series of big stones along the path. It was a special project of our late mayor and several artists in town. You have to read each rock to get the whole poem.
The seniors outdoor fitness park is also a point of interest along the path. It is right beside the hospital and it is great to stop and use the equipment.
The path is enjoyed by walkers, joggers and bikers of every age and ability. You are bound to pass strollers and children and dogs on leashes. People are respectful and friendly and everyone is welcome.
September 12, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Gardens
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There is Chinese proverb that says "A little fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses" and I'm sure the people who tend the flowers at Pioneer Village's Gardens North have experienced that.
At the entrance to the Village is a memorial rose garden. Beautiful rose bushes greet you as you begin your journey into the lives of our pioneers. The roses have little memorial plaques at their bases.
I found plaques with the names of several former community members I recognize and varieties of roses I had never seen before. It is a touching tribute.
The rest of the themed gardens in Gardens North are beautiful and lovingly cared for. There were many folks from the neighboring RV Park strolling through enjoying the flowers. I chatted with a couple from Texas and talked about the differences in climate and types of plants we grow. They had photos on their camera and showed me their desert garden.
I had a pad of paper with me and wrote down a couple of new rose names and went to the local nursery and was thrilled to find both varieties for sale and hardy to this zone.
September 08, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Sightseeing Tours
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We took a friend from out of town for a sight seeing drive around the area. We started here in Dawson Creek and drove to Fort St. John, (75km/47miles). We took the little side trip that is clearly marked to drive across the famous Kiskatenaw Bridge. I was disappointed because the batteries in my camera were dead and we had to use our cell phone to take some pics of the three of us on the bridge.
In Ft. St. John, we stopped at Cosmic Grounds, a great local coffee shop and picked up a treat of specialty coffees for our journey and of course a store for batteries for the camera.
The next part of our tour around the neighborhood is to Hudson Hope (86km/53miles) and to the W.A.C. Bennett Dam. Because we had plenty of time, we went in and bought tickets for the underground tour.
Our friend was blown away by the sights and sounds under the dam and no matter how many times I go, I am always awed as well.
From Hudson's Hope, we drove to Chetwynd (22km/14miles). I love Chetwynd, it's home to dozens of chainsaw carvings. They are huge and spread out all over town. It's amazing that a chainsaw can do such delicate work. We walked along the main drag and took a close look at the carvings there.
From Chetwynd, it's an hour to get home again (100km/60miles). One of my favorite parts of this jaunt is the railway bridge over the East Pine River. Some brave soul dangled down one of the concrete bridge supports and spray painted "
Dread Pirate Roberts" on it. Much speculation was involved in figuring out how it was accomplished and who did it. I would love to learn who did it.
September 05, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Festivals & Events
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Just outside of Dawson Creek in the hamlet of Rolla, a yearly Music & Arts Festival is held each September. The talented artists come from all over western Canada to participate in this jewel of an event.
I've gone every year as an enthusiastic supporter and am continually amazed at how far people travel to enjoy this festival. A field of campers and tents attest to the numbers and dedication.
The festival is held on a private working farm and the artistry of the owners is apparent with each building and garden. All the stalls in the farm's two barns have been turned into individual art galleries, there are films offered in Albert's Loft, the loft performing art center, butter churning and ice-cream making, stock dog-sheep demonstration and pony rides for the kids.
I also took a tour of the farm on a wagon pulled by a beautiful team of Fjord horses as an extra treat.
On Friday night, after a short but intense storm, we were rewarded with the most spectacular triple rainbows I have ever seen. We gathered around bonfires well into the night visiting, listening and dancing to great music.
Sitting on a bench near a flower garden, I especially enjoyed the Saturday morning offerings in the main yard. A group of women poets who have recently published a book graced an enthusiastic audience with selected readings.
If you are looking for something extra-ordinary, this 3-day event is not to be missed!