Saturday, June 22, 2013 (Northern Lights RV Park, Dawson Creek, BC)

I woke up to bright sunshine streaming through the window blinds...it was only 4:30 a.m.!  To top it off, the birds were chirping away...no way was I getting back to sleep, so I gave in and got up at 5:00.

Today we were going to be tourists in Dawson Creek and check out all of the touristy spots.  So at about 10:30, we headed into town.  Our first stop was the Farmers' Market...where local farmers offer a wide variety of locally grown produce as well as baked goods, preserves and fresh eggs. There were all sorts of goodies...homemade jewelry, soaps and furniture all made by the people of the Peace.

Reminder:  Click on picture to enlarge

Then we headed downtown to the main attractions..."Northern Alberta Railway Park (N.A.R. Park)".   NAR Park is the true “Mile 0” of the Alaska Highway. Within this four acre parcel there is the Mile 0 Cairn, Dawson Creek Station Museum, Dawson Creek Art Gallery and the Dawson Creek Visitor Centre.  The gift shop in the Visitor Centre carries a variety of souvenirs, postcards, clothing, books and videos relating to Dawson Creek and Mile 0...so Steve bought himself a Mile 0 t-shirt.

Stone Cairn Marker--located on the southeast corner of the Northern Alberta Railway Park, this cairn officially marks the beginning of the Alaska Highway. Our truck is parked in the background...hmmm...it just might be in a lot of photos since this is a popular spot to have your picture taken...






Walking up to the Visitors Centre and Museum...

Housed in the original 1931 Northern Alberta Railway Station, this historic museum offers a glimpse into the notable past of Dawson Creek. Railway memorabilia, pioneer artifacts and wildlife displays.  For more information on the history of Dawson Creek, check out this website...Heritage BC Stops, Dawson Creek, BC

 

 

 

 

Wildlife from the past to the present...

 

 

 

There was also quite a lengthy video that we watched...okay, Steve watched it all but I got kinda got bored and had to get up and walk around...entitled "The Alaska Highway, 1942-1992".

 

After spending about 2 hours at the museum, we went to the Walter Wright Pioneer Village. This historic village portrays a theme of Dawson Creek before the Alaska Highway construction period. "It will transport you to the time when our community was on the edge of the frontier. While at the village, stroll around the fields and view farm machinery from our past."

 

Right beside the Pioneer Village is Rotary Lake...so Steve took this picture on our way into the village. "This outdoor man-made lake is unique to the entire Peace Region. Used for summer swimming and the annual Polar Bear Swim, this is a perfect place for picnics, beach volleyball, BBQing and other outdoor fun."

 

Now for a tour of the village...

 

 

The lady sitting in the chair in this picture is real...just sitting with her needlepoint...too funny!

 

 

Onto the Fire Hall next door...Steve's standing next to a very long covered burl log...

 

 

 

Schoolhouse...

 

 

Telegraph and Telephone Office...

 

 

The General Store...

 

 

Street views, one to the right...

...and one to the left...

Another Schoolhouse on the left...and a Church on the right...(see pictures below)...

 

 

There was also a Barber Shop behind the schoolhouse...

  

 

 

Marion House...

 

 

 

The Barn...

 

 ...with all sorts of neat carriages...

 

 

 Lots of old farm equipment and machinery...

 

 

An old Mack Truck...

 

Of course, a Blacksmith Shop...

 

 

 Then we strolled down the other side of the street...

 

 

 

 This Bi-plane flew over...

 

We picked up an ice cream cone (only vanilla available @$1.50/cone)...

 

...and watched as a variety of bands played...

 

 

 

Once finished our tour of the Village, we drove to Safeway where I went in to pick up a few groceries while Steve went over to the Marks Workwear Store to get some new shorts.  We filled up one of our gas containers and then headed home. It had been a beautiful, hot day...with temps in the upper 20's C (mid/high 80's F). 

 

Time to sit outside and enjoy a cocktail...

Steve had a heck of a reaction to some kind of bug bites...didn't see or feel them and it's not itchy!

After dinner we went for a walk around the campground...here is a picture at the entrance of the campground...with Dawson Creek in the background...

We stopped at our neighbour's site for a chat...Phillip and Kathy are from Texas and on their way north to Alaska as well.  Another reason why we love this lifestyle...we get to meet lots of great people! Here's to hoping that our paths cross again!

While we were chatting, this extraordinary car drove by. Steve ran out to get a picture and the driver was kind enough to stop and give him some history on the car. The Dawson Creek resident said that it's a 1937 Cadillac...was the first car over the Golden Gate Bridge when it opened...the Queen has ridden in it...and the previous owner before him was a Hells Angel that disappeared in 2008. Very cool!