HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2025 bring you abundant blessings from above!
Any similarity with the popular 1998 TV show ends in the city’s name. In fact, no part of the six-season TV series was ever filmed in this Canadian city. Why, then, am I featuring it this week? My eldest son lives here now, and I’m spending the holidays with my only granddaughter, my “Little Princess,” his firstborn (another one is coming soon), the apple of my eye.
The Peace Region, named after the Peace River that runs through it from west to east, is the largest regional district in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is located in its northeastern corner. Nestled in the heart of this Peace Region is Dawson Creek, a small city by Western standards but made increasingly prosperous by its main industries—construction, oil and gas, and mining.
I’ve often wondered why such a small city has so many hotels. Driving around the city, I saw practically all the international chain hotel brands—Ramada, Days Inn, Staybridge (an Intercontinental hotel), Holiday Inn, Travelodge, and many more. This is because many workers come in from other parts of the country and the U.S. on short-term deployments. Naturally, these hotels run an enviable 90 percent occupancy all year round.
What else makes Dawson Creek worth a visit? You don’t have to travel to Scandinavia or Alaska just to be mesmerized by the famous Northern Lights. It’s a common sight here in this city during the winter months, and they shine bright between 10:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. when the skies are at their darkest.
The last time I came, this awesome display of nature shone brightly in different shades of red, green, and blue. I couldn’t get enough of it; I must have taken almost a hundred photos of the different shapes of the colorful celestial display. It was spectacular.
Right at the city center is Mile “0,” the start of the great Alaska Highway, which was constructed during World War II to connect the continental U.S. states to its 49th state, Alaska. Running across Western Canada, this 2,232-kilometer expressway makes traveling to Alaska by land much easier and more picturesque.
Erected at the center of the city’s rotunda is the Surveyor statue, cast in iron, paying tribute to the tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians who arrived in Dawson Creek in the spring of 1942 to build the Alaska Highway. It has its arm and finger pointing northwest to what used to be a challenging muddy path, now the well-paved and wide Alaska Highway.
The Pioneer Village is another must-see attraction. It is a heritage site that explores the history of the early pioneers who settled in Dawson Creek. Visiting it transports you back in time, experiencing life at the turn of the last century when milk came straight from the cow, clothes were hung to dry, and meals were cooked on a wooden stove. Inside the village is a beautiful flower garden composed of eleven themed gardens plus a memorial rose garden, certainly a feast for the eyes.
For sports enthusiasts and adventure seekers, they will love Dawson Creek’s “backyard”—Bear Mountain. Not only does it offer breathtaking views of the city and its suburbs, but it is also popular for its exciting activities.
During summer, the authorities open hiking trails all the way to the Wind Park at the top of the mountain, where 34 turbines producing a combined 102 megawatts of power have been built. These wind turbines supply the energy requirements of 3.5 million homes in the southern part of British Columbia’s Peace Region.
Of course, daring hikers may also come face-to-face with mule deer, whitetail deer, moose, or even bears. There are also many reported sightings of eagles, ravens, and hawks. During winter, Bear Mountain is the favorite destination for skiing and snowmobiling.
There are many more interesting destinations in the city and its suburbs, like Tumbler Ridge’s Global Geopark, which attracts nature lovers from all over the country and the U.S. Its roaring waterfalls and exciting riverboat rides thrill even the most jaded adventure seekers. This popular attraction is only a little over an hour’s drive from Dawson Creek. More exciting destinations next week.
For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com
