June 13-15 - Dawson Creek & Pouce Coupe, BC
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Before we left Chetwynd Saturday morning, we checked out the carving competition - remember this is a 4-day event. We had a wander around the "carving" area then headed back to the van. Just as we approached the van, a lady came out of the rec center and invited us to the pancake breakfast inside.
Canfor was sponsoring the breakfast as part of the competition. So Jen and I chowed down on scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon, home fries, and coffee/tea. Canfor also gave us a couple of reusable shopping bags, some lip balm, a pen, and a baseball cap. Thanks very much, Canfor!
We returned to the rig, hooked up, and headed east to Dawson Creek, about 1 hour's drive.
We got to Mile 0 RV park and set up in a nice lightly shaded site. Later Saturday afternoon, we drove into the Visitors Centre, picked up some tourist literature and had a look around the museum. Very interesting – admission by donation. We then went looking for a coffee shop. After stopping at one – open M-F – I asked a local if there were any coffee shops in the area. She suggested Hug-a-Mug but she wasn't sure if it was open. Remember this is Saturday afternoon! We eventually found the café and enjoyed a light bite of lunch.
Sunday night the rain clouds moved in.
Monday, our last day in Dawson Creek. We drove out to Pouce Coupe (pronounced Poos Coup-eh) to view the local museum and the timber railway trestle. Both were very interesting. One of PC's claims to fame was that in 1924 it opened the first government liquor store. Apparently, for many years, it was the only liquor store between Grande Prairie and the Yukon! Business must have been brisk!!
We also visited Mile 0 House on the corner by the Mile 0 marker. We didn't want to be like typical touristas, so we put our invisibility cloaks on and had one of the staff take our picture. I think the fact that there are no bodies detracting from the view of this famous marker makes it special.
In the Mile 0 House, there is an incredible model of the Kiskatinaw bridge which we will drive over tomorrow. The model is in HO scale – model train buffs will know that is 1:87 scale. The model is really well done, incredibly detailed, even down to the guy painting the railings.
Later in the afternoon we had a wander around Walter Wright Pioneer Village, next to where we are camped. I must say in all the places we have been in and around Dawson Creek, admission is by donation only. A very pleasant departure from the obligatory established fee before you even step inside.
Finally, here is Mattie about to exit the rig. Can you suggest an appropriate caption?
