Mile 0 Citizen: Experience the Mile 0 City from a local perspective

Alaska Highway House Interpretive Center

2011-08-01T05:51:00.000-07:00

I've been reading about the history of the construction of the Alaska Highway. Many of the people I grew up with knew someone who worked on the construction. Maybe you do too.

Thousands of men living together had to overcome, improvise and adapt to the harshest climates and wilderness in North America.

How would you like to eat 3 meals a day out of a can for 9 months?
How would you like to wash your army issue, green wool underwear in ice-cold water and hang them on a line to freeze-dry?
How would you like to sleep in a tent on a cot without a mattress night after night?
How would you like to be eaten alive by mosquitoes and flies for months on end?

Not much of a recruitment poster is it? But that is exactly what the thousands of troops and civilians signed up for when they came to Dawson Creek to lend their skills and strength to the enormous task punching a road through some of the north's most rugged landscapes in extreme temperatures.

When you come to Dawson Creek, make sure you take an afternoon to visit the Alaska Highway House Interpretive Center and learn about the history of this project that brought so many thousands together in very adverse conditions.

See for yourself what that green wool underwear looks like and imagine wearing it, check out the actual Willy Jeep on display and imagine bouncing around in it for 18 hours a day over corduroy roads... take a close look at the cans of 'food' and imagine eating it... check out the pictures of what being eaten alive by mosquitoes or incapacitated by frost bite actually looks like...

Then... say a big thank you to anyone you know who worked on the Alaska Highway. I know I do...

2011-07-21T06:10:00.000-07:00

We took our friends from Vancouver on an afternoon drive for an ice cream and a drive around the area.

We went up the Radar Lake Road south west of town to the Bear Mountain Wind Park. All I can say is wow, wow, wow! The wind turbines are huge! And Beautiful!

Seeing those wind towers from below and in the distance is one thing, but being up close, right underneath them is another thing entirely.

Since all the rains of recent times, the road up to the towers is a bit rough, hopefully the road crews will work on it, but the gravel road that winds along the whole 7 kilometers of the ridge is in excellent condition. We parked and got out of our car and walked along for a couple of kilometers.

Each tower is numbered and there are 34 altogether. There is a mystery though, because the first tower has the number '0' and the last one is '34' so by my calculation, that would make 35 towers, there must be a number missing. We didn't have the energy to go back and check.

The turbines are beautifully painted; the area is immaculate and undisturbed as possible. There are several cattle guards across the road as the area is a community grazing pasture. Nature has been well respected and the wind has been harnessed.

This is truly an amazing project. Be prepared to be awestruck!

2011-07-15T06:49:00.000-07:00

If you have been driving through the Peace River Country in July, you have undoubtedly noticed a lot of bright yellow fields as far as the eye can see. It's canola. And it blooms for a few weeks every July

I love it when visitors come here in Canola season, often it's the first time they've seen this remarkable sight. When the sun shines it's spectacular.

This is where much of your canola oil comes from. It's harvested in the fall after the blossoms have faded and the pods have developed.

Another common sight at Canola season is people standing beside their vehicles on the side of the road taking pictures of the landscapes. The color is a fabulous backdrop for old buildings, barns and wildlife.

Deer find the canola fields a great place to hide when they are resting and it's common to see only heads above the blossoms or a herd leaping and bounding over the sea of yellow.

We never tire of the beauty.

The Best Barbeque Food in the Peace Country

2011-06-29T18:17:00.000-07:00

Dawson Creek is home to the Butcher Block, which has been in the community since the early 1940's.

I remember my Mom taking me into the original store when I was young. I would stand in front of the big glass counter while she chose her purchases. I also remember that they kept sawdust on the floor and I would move it around in patterns with my toe while I waited.

The small original store has been replaced with a new one but the quality of the meats is still as high as ever and the prices are unbelievably reasonable.

They make the best sausage around. When we are traveling on holidays, we often take a cooler filled with various Butcher Block sausages to give as gifts to the people we visit. It is also a common for people who used to live here to stock up any time they come back for a visit.

Favorites that have withstood the test of time:

Smoked Pork Sausage & Assorted Smokies - Barbeque
Pepperoni Sticks – Barbeque or snack
Maui Ribs - Barbeque
Thuringer Sausage – sandwiches

The Butcher Block is right downtown on 102^nd Ave.

Browns SocialHouse is in Dawson Creek and it's Great!

2011-06-23T10:51:00.001-07:00

I went with a friend to lunch at this new restaurant in town. From the topiaries at the front and the hostess opening the door to welcome the guests, we had a great time!

The restaurant is big and tastefully decorated with several TVs, a great sound system with music and a Sports Bar in the center. On the day I was there, the place was full of people laughing and enjoying lunch.

The menu has a lot of fresh food dishes and I was especially pleased to have a choice of very healthy items to choose from. I had braised cabbage with feta instead rice with my lunch.

The service was excellent as well.

My prediction is this place will be around and popular for a long time. I know it will be a favorite for me.

Northern Toy Box in downtown Dawson Creek

2011-06-13T06:25:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves a toy store. The Toy Box on 10^th street Dawson Creek is one of the busiest and most popular shops in town and a real hit with visitors looking for a special souvenir. This store is known in neighboring communities as a destination for shopping as well as a favorite with locals.

The store is packed to the rafters with toys, games, crafts, books, puzzles, remote control airplanes, trains, models, art supplies, teacher resources, science kits and wind chimes.

No one gets bored in this store, it doesn't matter how old a person is, there's a lot of great stuff to check out. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to look around, you will need it.

Café Canadiano in the Sunshine and Fresh Air Downtown

2011-06-01T06:36:00.000-07:00

Right in the middle of town on 102^nd Ave is the Hug-A-Mug coffee shop and it has a couple of tables outside. I met my friend there the other day and really enjoyed just sitting in the sun enjoying my favorite specialty coffee.

There was a constant stream of people passing by consisting of both locals and visitors. It was great to say hello, have a few mini visits.

The Hug a Mug is less than ½ a block away from the Mile O Post that sits in the middle of the main intersection so we had a great view of the visitors who were jaywalking over to have their pictures taken.

The Mile O Post is one of the most recognized and photographed monuments in Canada. We noticed how patient the motorists are with the people jaywalking to get to the post and also saw a local offer to take the photo so that both visitors could get in on it. It reaffirmed what a friendly community we have.

Hug a Mug is a popular spot for lunch. Laurie and her staff are really friendly and make great food.

The Dawson Creek Farmer's Market is open!

2011-05-26T10:18:00.000-07:00

One of the best things about spring is the opening of the Farmers Market and this year is no exception!

Although May is a bit early to find produce, it's the best place to find fresh homemade baking, preserves and local eggs.

Along with the poppy seed cake, cinnamon buns and chocolate chip cookies, I bought a big loaf of unsliced white bread and a jar of local Saskatoon jam.

Cut a big thick slice of bread, toast it, butter it and slather it with jam... can a Sunday morning breakfast treat get any better than that?

There are lots of craftspeople that bring their wares to the market too.

The market is held in and around a big white tent on 8^th Street on the corner of the Co-op Mall parking lot. The tent is stuffed with vendors!

There is plenty of easy parking for RV's and such and along with the locals who make the market part of their weekly shopping; visitors enjoy the bounty as well.

A Great Hamburger at Stuies Diner

2011-05-17T20:20:00.000-07:00

Stuies Diner is one of the newest restaurants in Dawson Creek. The parking lot is often full and it is very popular with both the locals and visitors.

It's a big shiny silver metal building with a 50's retro theme. You can choose to sit in a booth or sit at the old fashioned counter.

There is a big jukebox in a corner and the music is nostalgic. The waitresses were wearing 50's style uniforms too. We listened to Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly while we ate.

The menu has mostly hamburger and fries and the portions are generous. We got there just as the supper crowd was starting to come in and within minutes the place was full.

It's on the east side of 8^th Street, which is one of the main drags in town and there is easy parking. It's a great trip down memory lane.

Annual Water Fowl Migration in the Peace

2011-05-05T05:15:00.000-07:00

Bring Your Camera and Your Rubber Boots!

Now that the snow is really melting, there is water pooling in fields everywhere and the Canada Geese, Snow Geese, Swans and Ducks are arriving by the thousands and it's a great time to take photos.

About 3 miles north of Dawson Creek on Rd 219, I saw 2 other camera buffs parked beside the road taking photos of one particularly large mixed flock of big birds.

This only happens for a short period of time in the spring until the water runs off and soaks into the fields. Soon the birds will be gone and the fields will be growing a crop. In the meantime there is a lot of activity and much honking to go along with it.

Make sure you have your camera handy for those great photo opportunities when you pull to the side of the road to enjoy the water life.

A Scenic Drive to the Peace River in the Springtime

2011-04-27T07:45:00.000-07:00

Just a short 45 minutes north of Dawson Creek on the Rolla Highway is the Clayhurst Bridge across the Peace River. It's a great place to experience a big river, a big bridge, a beautiful view and peace and quiet all at the same time.

There is a place at the south end of the bridge to pull over and park so you can walk across the bridge. There used to be a plaque that dedicated the bridge to a former MLA, but it was vandalized years ago and not replaced.

There is very little traffic on the bridge and no other sounds of civilization so you can really appreciate the sounds of the water, the wind that comes down the valley and the vibration of the bridge under your feet. The power is amazing.

The center of the bridge is the best place to stop and lean over the rail to watch the water flow by under your feet carrying the occasional log downriver. The last time we were there, a pair of Canada Geese flew under the bridge right under us.

On the north side of the bridge is another old wooden bridge that crosses a smaller river that flows into the Peace, we like to cross that one too and carry on hiking up the banks for a bigger workout.

I was really impressed with the thickness of the ice on the banks of the river. Take your camera!

The Place To Go For Cupcakes in Dawson Creek

2011-04-20T05:30:00.000-07:00

There is a new coffee house in town and it's really great! It's called Cups Tea & Cakes and I spent a morning there last week. I brought my laptop to catch up on some work, sat at a high table in the corner with my favorite coffee and watched the scene on the street and the constant comings and goings in the shop.

Cupcakes are the specialty of the café and they have upwards of 20 varieties for sale each day. The mixing, baking and decorating are done behind the counter for customers to watch and I admit to watching with great interest as batches of icing were flavored and piped onto the many cupcakes.

Strawberry Shortcake, Black Forest, Coconut Lime, Cookies 'n Cream, Red Velvet, Mocha are just a few of the names. It's as hard to choose your favorite cupcake as it is to pick a favorite ice cream. I guess the best way is to just try a different one every time.

Another feature worth noting in this café is their beautiful washroom with granite counters and glass basin... everything sparkling clean.

This is going to be a favorite spot for locals and visitors, make sure you check it out when you come to town.

A House Warming Gift From Olde Creek Store

2011-04-06T07:20:00.000-07:00

Our friends just moved into their new house. They are having a house warming party to celebrate.

Knowing where to go for the right gift was easy. I headed to her favorite store: the Olde Creek Store on 10^th Street, one block south of the Mile O Post.

Finding the gift proved harder. There is so much in that store; I didn't know where to start.

What caught my eye first was the huge display of cast iron reproduction hardware. I chose a chickadee towel hook for them and a set of kitchen drawer pulls for me.

I obviously had to start two piles... one for them, one for me. I decided that a gift basket was the way to go for the party.

The next area I checked out was the bath and linens. Wow! Egyptian cotton hand towels were perfect.

I had to walk by the jewelry display on my way to the antiques, and although jewelry didn't seem like a great house warming gift, I found a great sterling silver bracelet for my pile.

My friend collects antique dinnerware, and I chose a great Royal Dalton teapot that I know she will love and a 1955 Webster's Dictionary in great shape for their collection of antique books.

A couple of stained glass candleholders for me, a sterling silver picture frame and wicker basket for them and I was done.

The woman behind the counter, decorated the basket and gifts with beautiful tissue and ribbon.

Snowshoeing & Game Trails with a Side Order of Wolf

2011-03-24T08:08:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we went out for our weekly winter exercise. This time we went snowshoeing which is one of my favorite ways to enjoy this beautiful country. It's simple great cardio exercise and we especially love the quietness. Snowshoes are light, easy to travel with and a great way to hang out with people.

We chose a spot near the little village of Rolla, about 10 miles north of the city, which has great bush trails and fields with sweeping views all the way into Alberta. It's beautiful there.

We had just about completely crossed a field when we saw something big moving in the tree line just ahead of us. It moved like a coyote but was a lot bigger. We had our binoculars and camera with us.

It was a Gray Wolf. Even though common sense told us that he would not bother us, being out in the middle of a field in deep snow with a wolf watching us was scary exciting.

We stopped and watched the wolf, and the wolf stopped and watched us. We figured we would just wait for it to make the first move and after several minutes the wolf turned and resumed his travels away from us.

When we got home, I looked up Gray Wolves on the Internet and found that there are estimated 7,500 in BC. Life isn't easy for a wolf. Living on large and small game, they only have a 10% success rate with their hunting and so live by feast or famine. I also learned that they often travel 200 kilometers in a day.

A friend told me that a Gray Wolf had been spotted about 30 kilometers from here; maybe it's the same one. The mystery is whether or not there is a pack around.

Whether a local or a visitor, it's important to keep eyes and ears open when you are out an about in the country. There are a lot of wild animals living here. Cameras & Binoculars and a cell phone are a good idea. It's also a great idea to mention to someone where you are going.

Nothing Beats the Winter Blues Like an Opening at the Art Gallery

2011-03-16T05:15:00.000-07:00

We are so lucky here in Dawson Creek to have a really active art community.

When my friend told me about the latest show and concert to open at the Grain Elevator Art Gallery I knew it was just the thing to bring some light and warmth and color into the deep days of winter.

We arrived early and from the first moment of opening the door we were wrapped in soft welcoming music. Looking up the spiraling ramp, the walls were hung with bright, colorful portraits, people were just starting to come in, and apparently with the same idea we had for breaking up the winter.

There was a big bowl of punch and a table full of appetizers to enjoy as well and we strolled up to the top of the gallery nibbling, chatting, and enjoying the art. We often stop to look down over the rails to the belly of the gallery below.

We finished our stroll and returned to the center of the gallery to fill our plates with more snacks and take a seat to listen to an intimate concert by a traveling musician. The Art Gallery hosts regular concerts and art exhibits and we try to go them on a regular basis.

Ticket prices are always reasonable and we never fail to enjoy ourselves. It's a small venue and that's what makes it so enjoyable.

It was a wonderful evening.

Annual Cabin Fever Winter Festival at Mattson's Farm in Dawson Creek

2011-03-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

The annual Cabin Fever Winter Festival hosted by the Mattson Family took place on a very cold, clear February day this year. We were all dressed up in our warmest winter clothes to be outside.

It was a day of visiting, laughing, eating, dancing, playing and stiff competition between neighbors and visitors alike.

The kids with their rosey cheeks had a great time racing the "Board Walk" (modified three legged race where they have to walk together with feet strapped into two short pieces of lumber and also testing their skills in the "Snowball Toss."

Adult Competitions:

"Tea-Boiling" - contestants had to run to grab a hatchet and kindling and light a fire with no paper and ten matches only and bring a pot of water to a rolling boil – first one to drop a bag of tea in the pot was declared the winner.

"Cross-Cut" Sawing - teams of two people sawing a slice from a big log with an antique cross-cut saw.

"Bale Rolling Race" - Teams rolling 1500 pound bales of hay a specific distance.

"Mitt Mayhem" – This was the best! Contestants struggled to open a canned drink and make a peanut butter and jam sandwich wearing large bulky snowmobile mitts.

The competitions were fierce! The winners were thrilled!

There was a beautiful team of Shire Horses giving sleigh rides. Hot food was served in the warm barn and we had a warm-up fire and hay bale wind break to make the outdoor event comfortable even with the bitter winter day.

The festival ended with a barn dance in "Albert's Loft" with old timey music by the Sweetwater Ramblers.

The festival was a great way to shake off the winter with friends and laughs.

Cafe Europa ~ a Taste of Europe

2011-03-02T05:27:00.000-08:00

When I heard that I could get my favorite Italian Gelato (ice cream) in town, I was thrilled!

The Café Europa has an international atmosphere (Italian & Hungarian) and a menu featuring specialty coffees, European sandwiches and deserts. The display cases are a work of art.

Within days of opening it's doors, this little eatery became a favorite with locals and visitors alike. The café is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. You can eat in or take out and there is a small veranda out back to sit and enjoy your food in the summer months. This is the only place in town where you can eat Tapis one week and Turkish Barbeque the next.

I'm most excited about the international nights. –Italian, Greek, Spanish, Serbian, Hungarian, German, French, Turkish menus. All those flavors in one restaurant.

It's right downtown, a block away from the Mile O Post, tucked away in a long narrow building. You can pop in when you are checking out the murals. Then you can stroll and drink your coffee or eat ice cream at the same time.

Flying on a Snowmobile in Dawson Creek

2011-02-23T07:24:00.000-08:00

We try to spend as much time outside as we can in the winter and since we get so much sunshine here in the Peace River Country, the cold doesn't seem to bother us.

Our friends invited us to go snowmobiling with them. I hadn't been on a snowmobile since I was in elementary school. The machines certainly have changed since then.

We met up at the entrance to the Bear Mountain Wind Park and spent the whole day exploring back trails.

I couldn't believe how fast we went. It was very exciting! There are a lot of places to ride around here. In addition to the oil and gas pipelines and back trails, the ditches along the highway are really wide in a lot of areas and you can go for miles and miles with ease. You have to have your own machines because there is not a business that rents them.

We weren't the only ones on the ridge that day, we heard and saw several other groups of people.

Our friend packed some kindling and small firewood along and we stopped along a trail that had a panoramic view of the valley to the east of Dawson Creek, built a small fire and roasted hot dogs. Thermos' of hot coffee and chocolate made the day perfect.

We had one problem right near the end when we crossed a field and were met by a farmer who was out plowing snow on his tractor.

We stopped and he told us that being on the fields was not allowed unless we asked permission and then it depended on the crop. Apparently it packs the snow down and can damage the crops. He said our two little trails wouldn't do much damage, but groups roaring around on a field can really affect it.

If you are visiting our area with your snowmobiles, make sure you have permission to be on private property.

A Spirit Art Festival Walkabout in Dawson Creek

2011-02-16T04:47:00.000-08:00

The Spirit Art Festival has transformed Dawson Creek streets into a city-wide art gallery for the month of February.

Many of the downtown businesses have turned their street front windows into display cases for our local artists.

Last Sunday, I bundled up, parked my car at the corner of 102^nd Ave & 10^th Street, by the Mile O Post and went for a walkabout with my camera.

I stopped at Café Europa for my favorite specialty coffee to sip and walked up and down the streets looking at the awesome local art. It was great to have the time to stop and really look at all the work.

There are displays from potters, print makers, painters, photographers and quilters.

My absolute favorite is the display inside the Alaska Highway House that features the work of a local potter who just recently lost her life. She was an avid potter and her family put her latest work on display for the community and visitors to enjoy.

Projects like this really enhance the city. We are bursting at the seams with talent and I am looking forward to taking into many other performances and displays. My congratulations to the planners who chose the winter month of February to put on this festival.

Grab a hot drink and check out the art!

City Wide Spirit Arts Festival

2011-02-09T16:08:00.000-08:00

I was one of the many enthusiastic art lovers at the progressive opening for the Spirit Art Festival in Dawson Creek.

It was pretty exciting to see the fliers for the month long city wide festival. The line up includes visual art displays, live performances, workshops and lectures

Many of the businesses downtown are sharing their street front window space with local artists. Several venues will be hosting events. The whole city is alive with art!

The opening began at the local bookstore and made its way to the Alaska Café where we were treated to several readings of poetry by celebrated Canadian Poet Ms. Lorna Crozier. Ms Crozier read several pieces of her work and was accompanied by local musician Andrew Ho on the piano. Her poem "Snow" was especially powerful and evocative for us northern folk.

It was awesome to be back in the Alaska Café, which is now only opened on special occasions.

This promises to be a great month of art!

Brrrr in the Peace River Country

2011-02-01T19:26:00.000-08:00

I woke up to -34 degrees Celsius (-29 degrees Fahrenheit) the other day. That is the coldest yet this winter and although we have been colder in years past, it's cold enough.

Temperatures like this require extra travel considerations whether you live here or are visiting:

~ All vehicles must be winterized (winter tires, block heater, anti-freeze, emergency kit, extension cord, warm clothing, ice scraper, cell phone).

~ Pets need to be monitored carefully while outside if they are not used to the cold.

My sister from Vancouver was here at the time and we had quite a discussion on the hardships of our respective winters.

Rain versus snow.
Warm weather versus cold.
Grey cloudy days versus lots of blue skies and sunshine.

We came to the agreement that both areas have pros and cons in regards to winter climates.

Then a Chinook came through and the temperature jumped from -34 to +2 (35 degrees Fahrenheit) on the same day.

Chinooks are usually accompanied by big gusty winds and this one was no exception. Drifting is another reality of northern winters and are a novelty unless they plug roads.

Several years ago, a blizzard caught quite a few people unaware and there were reports of a dozen or so motorists stuck in big drifts overnight.

Graders, snowplows and sand-trucks are winter heroes here in the north.

Flying on a Snowmobile in Dawson Creek

2011-01-26T04:42:00.000-08:00

We try to spend as much time outside as we can in the winter and since we get so much sunshine here in the Peace River Country, the cold weather doesn't seem to bother us.

Our friends invited us to go snowmobiling with them. I hadn't been on a snowmobile since I was in elementary school. The machines certainly have changed since then.

We met up at the entrance to the Bear Mountain Wind Park and spent the whole day exploring back trails.

We weren't the only ones on the ridge that day, we heard and saw several other groups of people.

We had one problem right near the end when we crossed a field and were met by a farmer who was out plowing snow on his tractor.

We stopped to chat and he told us that being on the fields was not allowed unless we asked permission and then it depended on the crop. Apparently it packs the snow down and can damage the crops. He said our two little trails wouldn't do much damage, but groups roaring around on a field can really hurt it. Oops...

Cross Country Skiing on Bear Mountain

2011-01-19T05:08:00.000-08:00

I put my cross-country skis on for the first time this year on a beautiful, sunny Sunday. We went up to Radar Lake to the Bear Mountain Nordic Ski Trails.

Being a confirmed beginner skier, I have yet to move beyond the beginner trails, but my more accomplished friends tell me that the intermediate and advanced trails are superb.

There are over 20 kilometers (12 miles) of trails and they are kept beautifully groomed by the Nordic Ski Club.

Cross-country skiing is is a great cardio workout and I love the feeling I get when I find my rhythm. I enjoy the smell of the trees and the sound of the skis and the many wildlife sightings. It's common to see deer, moose, squirrels and an abundance of birds.

It's also great to stop for hot chocolate and lunch at one of the warming huts. The hut on the beginner trail is called the Grizzly Den, where we build a fire and warm up. I haven't been to the other warming huts because they are on more advanced trails.

There are trail maps posted along the trail, but it's recommended to have a paper one for the many intermediate and advanced trails.

Winter Fun at the Lakota Equestrian Center in Dawson Creek

2011-01-11T15:59:00.000-08:00

December 30 was a cold winter day in Dawson Creek, the temperatures plunged to -32 Celsius. Our holiday company had been up for a week and we were all feeling a bit house bound. Our 2 nephews were getting bored and we needed something different to do.

The 3^rd annual Christmas Extravaganza was being held at the Lakota Equestrian Center in the new Multiplex.

We have gone every year so far, so decided to brave the cold and check it out. The place was packed! People had come out in droves to watch the different horse clubs that use the facility put on demonstrations.

The show started with a Grand Entry of Flags, then came the jumping horses, dressage horses, a rodeo drill team, barrel racing, western pleasure horses, team roping, reining, and cow penning.

There was a young woman riding without a bridle, but the best were the little kids on ponies tying goats and riding around obstacles and a young man who had taught his miniature donkey to jump over rails.

There are a lot of thriving horse clubs in Dawson Creek and the equestrian center is in constant use There are 110 indoor stalls and each one is rented all year round.

We will definitely go again next year. If you are visiting over the holidays, I really recommend you check it out. It's free and open to the public. Even if you miss the showcase, a trip to the Lakota Center is a great place to spend time.

'Snow' When It's Not Snowing

2011-01-05T05:18:00.000-08:00

One of the prettiest sights in the Peace River Country is hoarfrost in the winter.

It happens when it's really cold and still overnight and there is a lot of moisture in the air. A thick layer of crystals forms on all the trees and when the sun hits the frost, the whole landscape sparkles like diamonds.

Any air movement causes the frost to drift off the trees, and it looks and feels like light snow is falling, even if the skies are clear and blue.

A hoarfrost morning is the perfect time for a walk, to stand under a tree and shake it or go for a drive down a country road lined with trees and bushes.

The thing about this special frost is as mysteriously as it appears; it just as quietly disappears so make sure you take time to enjoy it.

Dawson Creek to Vancouver The View From The Sky

2010-12-28T17:15:00.000-08:00

Our flight left Dawson Creek on a very cold and clear day in early winter. There were a couple of inches of snow on the ground.

For the most of the flight, we saw snow covered mountains. As we got closer to Greater Vancouver, the snow thinned and the mountains were green.

The skies in Vancouver were clear and our flight took us on an amazing sight seeing tour.

From our chairs in the sky, we saw the ocean, Vancouver Island and big empty cargo ships sitting in the Burrard Inlet, the Lions Gate Bridge with 2 lanes of traffic going one way and one going the other. We saw the Sea Wall and Industrial Parks and the Skyscrapers of Downtown Vancouver.

We really noticed the miles and miles of urban sprawl that stretched farther than our eyes could see.

Our plane landed after an hour and twenty minutes in the air and we disembarked into pleasant weather and enjoyed a city weekend in a beautiful city.

There's No Place Like Home (Dawson Creek) After An Eventful Holiday In A Beautiful City (Vancouver)

2010-12-22T14:44:00.000-08:00

On our last trip to Vancouver, we had 3 whole days to hang around and explore the city.

So much had changed since our last visit. We stayed in Fort Langley so when we went into the city, we crossed the Port Mann Bridge and saw the massive construction project and were amazed at how efficient the huge volume of traffic made it's way deeper into the city.

We were awed by the housing developments where whole hillsides being cleared for whole new communities. There was growth and prosperity evident everywhere.

Stanley Park, the Aquarium and the Sea Wall were a full day adventure and we took the long way around across the Ironworkers Bridge, along Marine Drive and back over the Lions Gate Bridge.

We hadn't been to Stanley Park since the big storm a few years ago when so much damage was done to the forest, and even though evidence of lost trees are everywhere, the park is as beautiful as always and parkway drive along the water was a real treat for inland dwellers.

For some reason, the lineups to the Vancouver Aquarium were really long, but worth the wait. The aquarium was bustling and there was so much to see.

One of our other trips into the city was to watch the Canucks play at GM Place. We took the Sky Train from Surrey right to the stadium. It's great to relax, enjoy the views and be a passenger.

I think we crossed most of the bridges in those 3 days. We got our fill of traffic and business and it was with a big sigh of relaxation when we saw the Welcome to Dawson Creek sign outside of our small city and were home.

Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire At The Old Fashioned Christmas Festival In Dawson Creek

2010-12-14T18:01:00.001-08:00

The annual Old Fashioned Christmas Festival sponsored by the Rotary Club of Dawson Creek is held at Pioneer Village and is free to the public. I went to meet up with some friends and was impressed to see so many people there.

As chance had it, the temperature climbed from a chilly -20 to a balmy -5 on the day of the outdoor festival and the community took full advantage of the reprieve from the cold.

It was already dark by the time the festivities began at 6pm and the Village was all lit up. There were two teams of horses pulling sleighs full of people, bonfires strategically placed around the village for hand warming and marshmallows and Santa hats everywhere.

Christmas carols were being played while hot dogs, hot chocolate and cookies were being passed out to everyone. Chestnuts were actually being roasted on an open fire and the gentleman who was manning the roasting pan was being kept busy by an eager audience of young and old alike. I tried my first one and it was delicious. Kind of Nutty.

Kicking Off The Christmas Shopping Season With Style In Dawson Creek

2010-12-08T08:21:00.000-08:00

We went to the Art Gallery in Dawson Creek for the annual opening of the Christmas Gift Show and Sale.

The Grain Elevator Gallery is one of the few places in the city that is big enough to house a 15 or so foot Christmas tree, and I learned that each year, the Art Gallery uses all it's decorations from the previous year to decorate trees downtown to be auctioned off as a fund raiser.

The Gallery was bursting at the seams with top-drawer work from artists and artisans from the bottom gift shop and lobby all the way up the spiraling ramps that go to the top.

I saw woodwork, jewelry, pottery, watercolors, stained glass, fiber arts, soaps & lotions, metalwork and Christmas decorations. I checked off much of my gift list for the season.

There were trays of goodies and glasses of punch being served the whole time I was there. At 2 pm a local woman's choir came in to sing Christmas carols for an hour.

This annual event is a favorite for many shoppers whether they live in the community or come in as visitors and it's always well attended. It's more than just going shopping; it's a chance to participate in a celebration of community, art and Christmas. I wouldn't miss it.

19th Annual Dawson Creek Tree Light Up Celebration

2010-12-01T05:55:00.001-08:00

The weather for this year's annual Tree Light Up was a bit chilly, it was minus 20 something on the morning of November 19, and we almost decided to stay home by the fire instead of getting all bundled up and driving in to town, but we had arranged to meet some friends, so away we went.

The City of Dawson Creek moved the Mile O Post to a temporary location at the Northern Alberta Railway Park, a block north of it's usual home and put up a 35-40 foot tree in it's place and draped it with multi-colored lights. The streets have been decorated with big white snowflakes and it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas here.

I'm glad we went because it turned out to be a great community party and the cold weather actually added to the fun. It's nice to offer events like this to both the people who live here and also the many who find themselves far away from home and staying in our hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts.

Many of the local businesses were open for the light up celebration and some were handing out hot chocolate, hot cider, popcorn and even glow sticks.

There were kids of all ages mingling around and of course Santa was there too.

Finding a GeoCache Stash in Dawson Creek.

2010-11-24T06:55:00.000-08:00

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. (Tomslake)

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 with a compass 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.

Hungry Little Fox

2010-11-21T05:15:00.001-08:00

Winter has finally come to the Peace River Area, and with it cold temperatures and the beginning of snow.

I was walking by my living room window the other day, and saw a movement out of the corner of my eye.

My dogs were sleeping on their beds in the house so wondering what the movement was; I looked closer and saw a red fox eating kibble out of our dog food bowl. He/She was right up on the deck.

By the time I got my camera, she must have sensed that she was being watched, because she left the deck and moved farther out to the yard.

I am wondering if this is the same fox that lives in the old abandoned farmstead down the road. People know to watch out for her although as the saying about 'smart as a fox' goes, she seems pretty good at looking after herself.

One of the best things about this part of the country is the closeness to wildlife. All you have to do is drive around; you are bound to see a wild animal doing what wild animals do.

A Man Made Marvel of the Peace River Country.

2010-11-14T05:25:00.000-08:00

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...

Up the Alaska Highway: Pink Mountain, Mile 143

2010-11-10T05:36:00.000-08:00

We set out from Dawson Creek, Mile O of the Alaska Highway while it was still dark, with a full tank of gas and fresh coffees.

About an hour and a half up the highway, just as the sun was rising, we found out how Pink Mountain got its name. Fire weed 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.

Rainbows Like This Need a Big Sky

2010-11-07T06:02:00.000-08:00

Living in the Peace River Country has always meant big skies and big weather.

One particular day this fall started out with a big clear blue sky. It was the perfect day for being outside.

Later in the afternoon, the sky darkened and we could see a storm brewing in the west. We watched the black clouds move in accompanied by thunder and lightening.

We timed the intervals of the bolts of lightening and the claps of thunder and could tell that the lightening was very close and moving east.

We stayed outside as long as we could, eventually having to seek shelter from the driving rain.

It poured hard for 45 minutes!

The storm continued it easterly path, and the thunder and lightening receded off into the distance.

Then, the most amazing set of rainbows we have ever seen filled the eastern sky behind the storm.

My camera captured two rainbows, but there was a third, much fainter that the others. WOW!

Visiting a Cemetery on Halloween

2010-10-31T07:35:00.000-07:00

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 Sudeten 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 stone and bronze 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 huge 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.

Chilling Out at The Sukunka River

2010-10-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

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.

The Sukunka is also well known for some great waterfalls. They are beautiful and easy to get to as well.

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!

Mother Natures Peace Country Patchwork Quilt

2010-10-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

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.

The Scoop on the Alaska Highway Road Conditions

2010-10-20T04:40:00.000-07:00

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.

Yield the Right Of Way... to Moose!

2010-10-17T06:13:00.000-07:00

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 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. Once they sauntered over to the field on the other side of the road, they 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.

Driving carefully is a must!

Power & Serenity on the Mighty Peace River

2010-10-13T05:05:00.001-07:00

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 from the Dam and the boat ramp that had been so high on the beach was completely submerged under water. What a difference! There was 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.

Awesome!

Peace Country Gold & Canada Geese

2010-10-10T06:34:00.000-07:00

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 site to see a few thousand geese converge on a field while driving 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.

Alaska Highway History: Surviving (or not) the Cold

2010-10-03T07:14:00.000-07:00

My Dad came to Dawson Creek to work on the Alaska Highway as a civilian in 1942. He operated heavy equipment along side the American soldiers.

In what was one of the earliest and coldest autumns ever recorded, Dad said the equipment took a real beating that year. The temperatures froze lubricants, seized transmissions and snapped axels. Equipment had to be kept running 24 hours a day, shutting them off was out of the question.

Wrecked and abandoned vehicles were a common sight on the sides of the road as it grew in miles. The combination of the brutal cold weather conditions and the scarcity of spare parts meant many were left to rust where they broke down.

A lot of the creeks that had to be crossed were swift water and resisted freezing even in the harsh cold. Often rushing through the interior of the smaller vehicles, cold water drenched men and steel alike. The underside of any vehicles that crossed became immediately ice coated and had to be kept moving or else the ice would lock the wheels within seconds of standing still.

The cold temperatures not only froze the equipment, it brutalized the men too. Dad said one of his friends froze to death alone when his bulldozer broke down and no help was available. Many of the men who worked the road experienced frostbite that year.

When you travel the highway you will see the rusting relics of the abandoned equipment. A fitting tribute to the effort it took to build the Alaska Highway.

Appreciating Wildlife in the Peace River Country

2010-09-30T04:35:00.000-07:00

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.

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 field machinery 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.

It's important 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.

Dawson Creek, WWII and the Alaska Highway

2010-09-26T06:12:00.000-07:00

My Mom came to the Peace River Country as a young woman in 1939 with her family. They were political refugees fleeing Nazi Germany. She found work at the original Dawson Creek hospital where the nuns taught her to speak English.

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, the leaders in Washington decided they needed to have a supply route to Alaska. They wanted it done in less than one year. They needed men and equipment and lots of both.

Mom remembered the arrival of the US troops and Canadian civilians along with all the equipment that came to build the Alaska Highway in 1942. She said the quiet agricultural town burst at the seams overnight. There were soldiers and equipment and noise and mud everywhere.

My Dad was one of the civilians who came here as a young man to operate heavy equipment on the construction of the highway. They met at a dance hall on a Friday night.

There are great original photographs of the period at the Alaska Highway House downtown by the Mile "O" Post and also at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery.

The Sudetan Hall at Pioneer Village also houses a great collection of original photos of the Czechoslovakia pre and post WWII as well as the building of a new community in a new land.

The Cost of Building a Hotel in 1951: The Windsor.

2010-09-21T07:49:00.000-07:00

60 years ago, you could build a 54 room hotel for the same amount as a modest single family dwelling today.

The Windsor Hotel was a Dawson Creek landmark for 54 years. Built in 1951 at a cost of $250,000.00 the hotel had 54 rooms, a modern dining room, 2 beer parlors (one for "Men Only" and the other for "Ladies and Escorts"), a 250 seat banquet room, and room rental rates that were $2.50 a single, to $6.00 a double occupancy per night.

They added a hard liquor lounge later as it was illegal in BC during the time of the original plan.

Sadly, this grand Dawson Creek landmark endured years of hard times, delinquent property taxes and disrepair. The hotel was taken over by the City of Dawson Creek and when they were unable to find a buyer, it was demolished in 2005.

The whole town watched the demolitions and remembered the grand old hotel's better days.

Today a grassy lot sits on the corner where once stood the grand old Windsor Hotel, waiting for it's next occupant.

Memorial Roses in Gardens North!

2010-09-12T08:30:00.001-07:00

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.

Mystery on the East Pine River

2010-09-08T08:26:00.000-07:00

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, taking the little side trip to drive across the 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 a great local coffee shop and picked up specialty coffees for our journey and of course batteries for the camera.

The next part of our tour around the neighborhood is to Hudson Hope 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. 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. One of my favorite parts of this jaunt is the railway bridge over the East Pine River. Some brave soul spray painted "Dread Pirate Roberts" on one of the concrete pillar supports. Much speculation was involved in figuring out how it was accomplished and who did it. Does anyone want to fess up to the deed?

Rocking at the SweetWater905 Music & Arts Festival

2010-09-05T07:13:00.000-07:00

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 individualart galleries, there are films offered in Albert's Loft, the small performing art center above the main barn, butter churning and ice-cream making in the yard and stock dog 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!

Black Bear In Back Yard... again

2010-09-01T04:48:00.000-07:00

We had an unexpected visitor one Saturday afternoon a while back.

A young black bear sauntered into the yard without a care in the world. We think it was a young male looking for food.

He walked as thought he owned the place, sniffing various things in the yard. Thankfully everyone happened to be in the house at the time, even the dogs were inside.

Crowded around the kitchen window, we watched as Mr. Bear made his way across the lawn on his way to the forest nearby. He must have liked our yard because he stopped to eat some grass and decided to lie down for a couple of minutes in the same spot we had just walked through minutes earlier. He was probably making his way to the wilderness on the banks of the Kiskatenaw River a few miles away.

Closeness to wildlife was one of the reasons we chose a country lifestyle here in the Peace River Country. This is the fourth bear in our yard in the years we have lived here.

Fire in the Sky in the Peace River Country

2010-08-29T05:32:00.000-07:00

Fall is such a wonderful time of the year here in the Peace River Country. The nights are getting longer and cooler and there is a smell in the forest that is hard to describe and signals the change in season.

When family and friends come to visit, most evenings are spent outside around a fire-pit, kids roasting marshmallows and adults talking late into the dark.

What a sky we have! It's like an amphitheater above stretching from horizon to horizon.

Autumn sunsets can be spectacular! The sunsets are followed by the most amazing night sky full of countless stars and a waning moon and if we are lucky, northern lights. Being serenaded by coyotes completes the scene.

There is something timeless and mesmerizing about being outside late into the night, telling stories of childhood adventures and sharing hopes for the future.

This is a great time of the year!

Alaska Highway History: The Collapse of the Peace River Bridge

2010-08-25T05:27:00.000-07:00

The big blue bridge you drive to cross the Peace River in Taylor, BC when you travel the Alaska Highway is not the original, it's actually the replacement.

My Dad operated heavy equipment during the building of the Alaska Highway in 1942, long before I was born.

I remember driving north with him and when we crossed over the long Peace River Bridge he told me that the original had collapsed in 1957. Dad said a landslide caused it.

The original wooden suspension type Peace Bridge was built in 1942 as an essential piece of the Alaska Highway and was considered one of Canada's great bridges at the time of it's opening. It was the longest on the whole highway.

Everything appeared to be fine until fifteen years later in 1957, when a truck driver noticed some unusual settlement in the road. The army (responsible) immediately closed the bridge. Over the course of the next day, the bridge structures continued to shift and just after noon on October 16, 1957, the bridge collapsed into the Peace River.

They determined that the bridge failed due to a landslide in the shale bedrock that it was built on. Shale is simply mud that has hardened over millions of years... from the time when dinosaurs walked the earth.

The problem with shale is that once it's exposed again to water, it will eventually turns back to mud.

It's believed that the bridge foundation likely began to deteriorate soon after it was constructed and continued until the time of the collapse.

A portable Bailey bridge was erected for immediate use while the Train Bridge was planked for traffic until the new bridge was built and completed in 1960.

Now, when you cross the big blue bridge, you will notice a strange feel and sound. Don't worry, it's the steel deck. It's a unique sensation and no matter how many times you drive across it, you will notice it. We all do.

Watching the Best of the Peace Compete at the Dawson Creek Fall Fair & Exhibition

2010-08-18T04:47:00.000-07:00

We have such a great Fall Fair and Rodeo here in Dawson Creek. I have been going every year since I was a kid.

I love to go early on Saturday morning with a fresh cup of coffee, a few bucks in my pocket and fresh batteries in my camera to take in all the exhibits and competitions.

Every type of animal has it's own facility and over the years, it keeps getting better. All the barns are brightly decorated, there are flowers everywhere and so much to see and appreciate about the agriculture that is the backbone of this community.

I spend the whole day walking around talking to people, looking at the exhibits and watching the various shows. Children handling big cows, heavy horses pulling great skids of weights, llamas wearing halters, dressage in the light horse ring, displays of grains and quilts and jams and sweet peas. It truly is a wonderful fair!

Over the years, the booths have been built to resemble a western town. There is excellent fair food offered by the local service groups and everyone has their favorites.

There is always great country band in the Watering Hole Beer Gardens and it seems that everyone knows how to two-step! People from all over the world make this weekend a holiday destination!

Staying to watch the nightly fireworks is the perfect end of a great day of fun and community.

Defying Gravity at the Fall Fair

2010-08-15T06:11:00.000-07:00

Going for a spin with friends on the Tilt-A-Whirl is one thing, but hanging upside down and being whipped around for 5 minutes in a gravity defying machine is quite another.

It's Fall Fair Days in Dawson Creek and it seems like the whole region comes out to celebrate.

A big part of the Fair is the Midway. As usual there were bumper-to-bumper line-ups of people of all ages waiting to get on one of the rides for an adrenalin rush. Several of those rides are not for the faint of heart.

I love the way the Ferris Wheel faces to watch the Chuck Wagon races. We were lucky this time and were loaded first on the Wheel so we got extra airtime while they loaded the rest. We watched a Pro Chuck Wagon race thunder around the track from the best seat in the house, high above in the sky.

The Midway wouldn't be the same without the smell of cotton candy, loud music that almost drowns out the screams of delight and the sight of people walking around with stuffed toys they won at a game. I spent my usual amount tossing rings at little floating duckies and even threw a few darts... no luck this time... but there is always next year.

What do you love about the fair?

Help Wanted 1942: There's Plenty of Work on the Alaska Highway

2010-08-11T05:16:00.000-07:00

I read the following Help Wanted Ad in an old recruitment notice for the building of the Alaska Highway.

"Men hired for this job will be required to work and live under the most extreme conditions imaginable. Temperatures will range from 90 degrees above zero to 70 degrees below zero. Men will have to fight swamps, rivers, ice and cold. Mosquitoes, flies and gnats will not only be annoying but will cause bodily harm. If you are not prepared to work under these and similar conditions, do not apply."

I wonder how excited the men who considered the ad were about the prospect of getting the work.

I went to the Alaska Highway House in Dawson Creek and looked at the artifacts and original photos of daily life on the highway construction project. Some of the words that immediately came to mind were: brutal, harsh and unimaginable.

Even with today's equipment, the project would be awesome. But the crude equipment, the challenges of the untamed wilderness, and the harsh climate made the realities and scope of the project unbelievable.

The recruitment poster said a lot, but for the rest of the story, make sure you check out the Alaska Highway House Interpretive Center when you come to Dawson Creek. See for yourself what the day to day life was like for the builders of the highway.

Stepping Back in Time to a Country Fall Fair

2010-08-08T05:16:00.000-07:00

Every year we go to the Kiskatenaw Fall Fair. Tucked away on a country road just off the Hart Highway about a half hour west of town, this old time community fair is a reminder of simpler times.

There is none of the glitz and glimmer found at the large exhibitions, this country fair is like home cooking. A barn filled with local handcrafts and preserves, a few rows of prize farm animals and 2 days of horse shows.

I am inspired to get a couple of geese but have been told their looks are nicer than their personalities so will do more research.

We always go on the Saturday for the heavy horses pulls. I love to see those huge animals showing what they were raised to do. They skid heavy logs through obstacle courses just like they skidded logs out of the forest when horses did logging. The teams also compete to see who can pull the heaviest loads. It truly is teamwork at it's finest.

The food is home cooked, generous and very affordable. The admission price is by donation and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming.

The fair is held at the beginning of August every year and is well attended by locals and visitors alike. This year we sat and chatted with a couple from Nebraska on their way up the Alaska Highway.

A Round of Golf Anyone?

2010-08-04T04:57:00.000-07:00

I am not an avid golfer, but I do enjoy a round with friends on a beautiful day and Dawson Creek and area has 2 great courses to enjoy.

The Dawson Creek Golf and Country Club is nestled in the junction of the Hart and Alaska Highway. It is beautiful spot just minutes from the heart of the city. This 18-hole, par-72 course is well groomed and is enjoyed by visitors and residents alike. There is a pro shop, a driving range, rentals, restaurant and lounge.

The last time we played there, it was a beautiful warm sunny day and we shared the course with a small herd of deer. They were obviously used to people, because although they kept their distance, they didn't leave. Our visitors were from the city and really enjoyed this added bonus. Many photos were taken that day.

There is also a great par-36, 9-hole course a short 10 miles out of town north on the Alaska Highway. It's called Farmington Fairways and is really popular with people who want to relax and stay for a couple of days at the on-site RV park & campground. This is a really pretty spot in a very natural setting.

Farmington has a 300-yard driving range, a pro shop, cart and club rentals and a fully licensed clubhouse. The campground and RV park has everything a traveler could need/want.

As a resident/host, I am so proud of what we have to offer.

I found my thrill... on Saskatoon Hill...

2010-08-01T06:28:00.000-07:00

Ask anyone who lives in Saskatoon Berry country and they'll tell you they have a favorite spot to pick.

Mine favorite spot is way off the beaten path and I tend to be a bit vague when I tell people where I go.

The Saskatoon Bushes are twice as tall as I am with berries the size of small cherries. Of course, the size of the berries also depends on the amount of rain we've had, but I have a great spot regardless.

Being a serious picker I go equipped with a great system. A small bucket attached to a belt at my waist for hands free picking and several bigger buckets to empty my full one into. I like to keep the bigger buckets in a cooler in the trunk of my vehicle.

I also take lots of water, my camera, binoculars (my spot has a fantastic view of a valley and the wind towers), some mosquito spray and hand wipes for very sticky hands.

The berries are ready and I had my first picking. Someone else likes my spot and this year they got there before me. I'm OK with that because not only is there more than enough berries, but they made trails through the underbrush so I have less scratches on my legs.

So, if you are here in Saskatoon Berry season, grab your buckets and your belt and head out of town on any one of many country roads that are lined with Saskatoon bushes.

Make sure you eat as many as you put in the bucket. Do you have a great recipe for Saskatoon pie? Mmmmm...

A Picture Tells a Thousand Words: our downtown murals

2010-07-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

It's pretty hard to miss all the wonderful murals while walking or driving around Dawson Creek.

My favorite is the one of the three woman standing around the telephone pole in the alley near the Mile O Post. I wonder who's mothers they are, surely they were local women during the building of the Alaska Avenue.

These murals bring the history of our city, agricultural roots, local wildlife and the building of the Alaska Highway alive. They tell our story in art and color.

The Dawson Creek Art Gallery, the South Peace Art Society, and the City of Dawson Creek have been sponsoring the annual mural project in the business center of Dawson Creek since 2000 and a diverse selection of talented artists of all ages have created them.

Local residents and tourists watch with fascination the creation of a mural during the warm summer months.

It's not uncommon to see a group of artists in paint-splattered clothes climbing up and down scaffolding wielding paintbrushes and carrying paint buckets.

We never know what's in store for the upcoming season and where the next mural will be created. I guess we'll just have to watch for the signs... a bunch of people standing in front of a blank wall, sketch books in hand, making sweeping arm movements with contemplative looks on their faces... what else could it be?

Fly! Fly! Fly! The Dawson Creek Air Show

2010-07-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

Swooping and looping, upright and upside down... We just had another amazing Air Show here in Dawson Creek.

Hundreds of people showed up to be thrilled and delighted... ooohing and aahhing as plane after plane performed in the sky.

It was very exciting. My favorite is always the daredevil on the bi-plane. I've seen that in movies, but seeing it up close and personal is a whole other thing.

The snowbirds were spectacular as usual. They just get better and better.

A real crowd pleaser was the Sailplane. No motor, great music and pyrotechnics on the ends of the wings. My friend described it as " a beautiful dance in mid air."

What a great yearly event!

Summer Cruise Fun!

2010-07-14T05:42:00.000-07:00

We just attended one of the largest show and shines in BC.

Most of the streets in downtown Dawson Creek were blocked off for the day as hundreds of shiny vintage cars and trucks gathered for the grand finale of the annual Summer Cruise.

We met people from all over BC and Alberta. Some of the locals actually drove the vehicles here and many hauled them here in special trailers.

The streets were alive with proud owners, vintage car enthusiasts and eager spectators.

There were sandwich signs in front of each of the vehicles telling us about them.

Most of the hoods were up and the owners were happy to answer any questions and tell stories about them. While some were for sale as the owners were planning their next restoration project, it was obvious that many were considered family members and would never be for sale.

One man jokingly told me that he would sell his kids before he sold his car.

Later in the afternoon, awards were given in several categories.

Bison, Wild Pigs and Mountain Goats! Sewell Valley Game Farm

2010-07-11T06:00:00.001-07:00

I love it when we can find the perfect activity to do with our out of town guests! Our "city-folk" friends were up for a visit with their children. They live in a big southern city and this was their first trip to the north.

On Sunday, after a leisurely start to the day, we piled in the vehicle and headed out to the Sewell Valley Game Farm about a half hour drive north of Dawson Creek. I had thought ahead and made an appointment for our visit.

What a treat to watch the kids meet the baby animals. We saw young fallow deer, wild boars, bison and a mountain goat and lots of other animals. Our 2 legged 'kids' met their 4 legged 'kids'.

The farm is amazing. Clean and organized, the owners obviously take their role as caretakers very seriously. The animal's environments seem well designed for comfort. All the animals are the picture of health and seemed to have names and a story.

My favorite was seeing a large herd of bison with their young grazing peacefully in a field. It was a flash back to the times when they roamed free.

When we finally had to leave, my friend bought a necklace made from an antler in the gift shop and I bought some bison meat to barbecue that night for dinner.

It was a great day! Our friends really enjoyed themselves.

"Wild and Lawless" Horse Show in Dawson Creek

2010-07-07T04:57:00.001-07:00

I admit to being a horse enthusiast. When I heard that we were having another Wild and Lawless Horse Show at the Lakota Equestrian Center, I was thrilled!

I couldn't believe how much the show had grown in one year. There were over 120 riders of all ages and all disciplines.

Horses were everywhere! In stalls, aisles, pens, in the huge bathing room and in the arena. The atmosphere was pure energy, the sound was a symphony of whinnies and laughter and the smell was pure horse.

I got a chance to visit with old friends and new friends from as far away as 100 Mile House and White Court. I even met some tourists up from Omaha, Nebraska, who although they were here for their grandson's graduation, couldn't resist sneaking out for a few hours to watch the show! Horses bring people together!

All the disciplines were represented: English Equitation, Pleasure & Jumping, Western Equitation, Trail, Pleasure, Barrel Racing and Pole Bending.

The equestrian center is a great venue for a show of this size, and more than capable of handling even more growth. What a top-notch center! I couldn't count how many times I heard out of town competitors praise the riding center and the organization.

Sometimes a person just knows that an event has taken root and will just get better and better year after year... well, 's the feeling with the Wild and Lawless! I'm putting it on my calendar for next year! And I know I won't be the only one!

Happy Birthday Canada!

2010-07-04T07:11:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves a parade! Everyone loves a party and everyone looks great in red and white.

I have been going to watch the Canada Day Parade in the little village of Pouce Coupe near Dawson Creek for more years than I can remember.

The best part of it for me is that a small community has created an important cultural event that brings people together year after year.

The parade itself is not large, but the crowd is loyal and appreciative and you never know what you are going to see. ( My all time favorite was a small woman who thought it was a great idea to bring a very uncooperative miniature donkey; they stole the act, and many hearts that day, I actually followed her along the route so I didn't miss the antics.)

This year I noticed the variety of license plates on the parked vehicles: Montana, Wisconsin, Texas and one from Georgia were mixed in with the locals.

Right after the parade, everyone makes a beeline to Pouce Park for a big community barbecue. There is entertainment and craft booths and lots and lots of families.

What a great way to have fun, relax and celebrate being Canadian eh?! And this year we had lots of sun too!

The "Surveyor" Keeps Watch on the Alaska Highway

2010-06-30T05:13:00.001-07:00

We have a remarkable statue sitting atop a tower in the middle of the traffic circle in the center of Dawson Creek. You can't miss it.

Known as "The Surveyor" he was created by one of our local artists, Karl Mattson. Karl used old rusty scraps of metal he found laying around the region to create this monument to the building of the Alaska Highway. His clothes and transit are iron replicas of those from the 1940's.

Powerful and haunting, "The Surveyor" stands outside in all elements, pointing north showing everyone the way to Alaska just as his real life counterpart did all those years ago.

Dawson Creek is proud of the artistry behind our landmarks. You'll see for yourself when you get here.

The Mile O Post: One Of The Most Photographed Landmarks In Canada

2010-06-23T05:04:00.001-07:00

Anyone who lives here in Dawson Creek is used to driving carefully through the downtown core so as not to run over the frequent tourists jaywalking into the middle of the intersection to have their photo taken on our world famous Mile O Post.

Its quite common to see local residents offering to take the photo so that everyone gets in the picture. I wonder how many photos of our post exist. I know I've taken my fair share for all of our out of town guests.

The Mile O Post is one of the most recognizable and frequently photographed landmarks in Canada. It symbolizes the beginning of the Alaska Highway and lists the distances to major destinations along the highway in miles.

Fort St. John 48
Fort Nelson 300
Whitehorse 918
Delta Junction 1398
Fairbanks 1523

The original post sat a couple of blocks away at the traffic circle, but apparently someone ran into it in 1946, so it was replaced and moved to the center of town especially for visitors to our community.

Make sure you touch a piece of history when you come to Dawson Creek and have your picture taken at the Mile O Post.

Don't hesitate to ask one of us to take the photo for you, we're always glad to do it.

Summer Means Farmers Market in Dawson Creek

2010-06-20T06:52:00.000-07:00

Saturday mornings in the summer finds me headed out armed with my reusable bags early to stock up on the bounty at the Farmers Market.

There is no comparison between fresh, homemade goodies and produce bursting with flavor and nutrients and their store-bought counterparts. I especially love the bread and eggs and local honey for our tea.

And of course, there is always a new lily variety or two to add to my collection!

There is a festive atmosphere at the market, a sense of community where old friends and new friends meet and visit and shop and sell. There are a wide variety of vendors selling everything from wire jewelry to local beeswax candles and everything in between.

Last Saturday I found a couple of amazing pottery mugs to take home for our morning coffee and all the fresh food we needed for our weekend at the lake. The family favorites are fresh salads for lunch and thick sliced bread, roasted over a campfire with a dollop of homemade Saskatoon jam on top. Camping just doesn't get any better than that for us.

The market is open on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm from May to October. Look for the big white tent at the Co-op.

The Grain Elevator Art Gallery In Dawson Creek

2010-06-16T05:50:00.000-07:00

A favorite place to take our out-of-town visitors is the big brown grain elevator Art Gallery right in the heart of the city.

Located in the N.A.R. park which is also the home of the Mile "O" Cairn and the Museum and Visitors Center, the Art Gallery is a must see when you come to visit.

The building itself is a renovated grain elevator that was moved to its present location in 1982 by the City of Dawson Creek with the help and support of a group of dedicated Art Society members to save it from demolition.

When you walk in the front doors, you enter the actual belly of the elevator, where the grain was kept all those years ago. I love the original wooden floor.

A ramp was built that spirals up and around the walls to the top. The walls themselves are the gallery space and you simply stroll along, enjoying the art, going higher and higher. At any time, you can stop and peer over the sturdy railing for a great view of the whole space.

The Gallery also has a great gift shop with lots of local treasures. It's a favorite shopping spot for both locals and visitors looking for something hand crafted and unique.

The back staircase of the building is a gallery within a gallery. It is chock full original photos of the building of the Alaska Highway. Make sure you remember to check it out.

As a side note: there is plenty of RV parking at the N.A.R. park. It's the best place to stop and stretch your legs and explore the city.

Catching the Wind on Bear Mountain

2010-06-11T04:52:00.000-07:00

Ask anyone who lives in the Mighty Peace River Country and you'll hear that we've always had plenty of wind.

We decided to do something worthy with all that power...

The next time you are driving into Dawson Creek on the Hart Highway, from Prince George, Vancouver and all points south, you'll know you are getting really close when you see our Bear Mountain with its 34 brand new wind turbines... turning... turning... producing clean, renewable energy.

Along with everyone else in our city, I watched the installation with fascination and amazement. The turbines are very impressive to say the least. They stand like bright sentinels on our ridge and you can see them from practically everywhere around.

Each one stands 78 meters (256 feet) to the hub with a rotor diameter of 82 meters (269 feet) The equivalent of 50 loads of concrete was poured for each foundation.

The land they sit on has been used for hikers, cross country skiers and other recreational users for years as well as providing both private and community cattle grazing as well.

Great care was taken to respect the environment and leave as little impact as possible. Cattle still graze there, restoration of the habitat is ongoing and the public is very welcome to visit.

Make sure you plan your own trip to experience the Wind Turbines up close and personal... feel the wind on your face and enjoy the awesome view.

Our Quirky & Colorful Past

2010-06-10T04:44:00.000-07:00

I love history. I just learned the great story about how Dawson Creek came to be in its present location. Quirky indeed!

Back in 1930, Northern Alberta Railway (N.A.R.) decided to extend the railway beyond Alberta and into British Columbia.

They originally wanted to build the rail end and depot in Pouce Coupe, a small town about 6 miles south of present day Dawson Creek but couldn't come to an agreement over price of the land with its owner.

Tired of the money dispute, the railway decided to pass on the Pouce Coupe land and go another 6 miles north within 2 miles of the village of Dawson Creek. They bought a prize oat field from a local farmer.

The pioneers were thrilled to have the railway, but knew they needed to be closer than 2 miles, so what did they do? They simply moved the whole town. The put all the buildings on skids and moved them by horse and by caterpillar to the rail end. The whole kit and caboodle!

The original town site slowly melted back into the forest and only hints of it remain today. Present day Dawson Creek has grown around the center point of the rail-head.

Our beautiful Visitors Center and museum is located in the original (1931) structure of the railway station and stationmasters residence.

Make sure you stop in and visit when you come to Dawson Creek. Parking is free and plentiful in the N.A.R. Park and the welcome mat is always out for you.

Get to Know Dawson Creek and Win...

2010-06-09T14:48:00.002-07:00

Win $1000 in free gas and more by visiting Dawson Creek’s local attractions! That’s right, pick up a Summer Staycation passport at the Dawson Creek Visitor Centre; receive a total of six stamps on the passport by visiting each of the six passport destinations and be entered to win $1000 gas card. Stamps can be collected at the Dawson Creek Visitor Information Centre, Pioneer Village, Dawson Creek Art Gallery, the Safeway Gas Bar, Pouce Coupe Museum, and the Alaska Highway House. The contest goes until August 31st, so don't delay. For complete contest rules, and more information on the attractions and events in Dawson Creek visit, www.stayandplay.ca