A Scenic Drive to the Peace River in the Springtime

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!

A Scenic Drive to the Peace River in the Springtime

The Place To Go For Cupcakes in Dawson Creek

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.

The Place To Go For Cupcakes in Dawson Creek

A House Warming Gift From Olde Creek Store

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.

A House Warming Gift From Olde Creek Store

Snowshoeing & Game Trails with a Side Order of Wolf

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.

Snowshoeing & Game Trails with a Side Order of Wolf

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

Cafe Europa ~ a Taste of Europe

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.

Cafe Europa ~ a Taste of Europe