Over the Edge + November 17, 2010 9

Stuff to do South of Prince George

Places to visit and things to see on the way to Vancouver!

GRACE WADDEL PHOTO EDITOR

This is the last in the series of things to do around Prince George (finally!). This part is one that most of us have driven at least once and many of us a few times a year because it’s on the way to Vancouver. Since its usually the destination that is the focus of this drive people tend to overlook some really cool stuff along the way down Highway 97 south.

Hixon 63km: This is a tiny unincorporated community south of PG that is famous for its “Hixon Burgers” which are apparently something worth the drive to have for lunch at the take-out stand that is only open during the summer. There are scenic back roads around Hixon as well, one in particular leading to the majestic Hixon Falls. The falls are 4km off the highway on a medium-difficult dirt road (depending on your car and the weather) and are well worth the venture, especially if you’re in the mood for a refreshing swim and it’s July-August. The area has several trails, many that that have wooden bridges and steps built in.

Quesnel 122km: This city is the biggest close to Prince George and is somewhere that people from PG often complain about- the smell, the lack of things to do, and the overall quality of the town but that is kind of shallow as Quesnel is a neat community and in many ways does things better than Prince George. They boast an aquatic pool, an arts centre, and a lovely downtown that includes a delicious bakery and three health food stores. If you’re into sewing or other crafts Quesnel also has a Fabricland- something much lacking in PG. There are several community events throughout the year including a fair, weekly farmers markets and Billy Barker Days. Despite its bad reputation, Quesnel is definitely worth checking out and has some great green spaces as well as a preserved wooden bridge, much like the one PG recently tore town.

Wells 184km: Taking highway 26 east just before Quesnel, Wells is located amongst cozy mountains and trees. This community is worth a visit. What would otherwise be a somewhat depressing small northern BC town is actually filled with colourfully painted buildings, quirky cafes and the studios of many artists who prefer the peace and beauty of the small town north to the larger city atmosphere. There are several campgrounds around Wells as well as the Wells Hotel which was built in the 1930s- there are sinks in the bedrooms with a tap for each hot and cold. The people are friendly and there are lots of great things to see both in and around the town.

Barkerville 189km: Just 5km down highway 26 from Wells, Barkerville is one of the main attractions of the Cariboo area. This is a historic gold rush village set up to look like 1865. The admission is reasonable and its best to plan a full day of looking around as there is a lot to see including historic buildings, a performance at the Theatre Royal, or a tour of the city either with an interpreter or on a horse drawn carriage. There are Columbian Ground Squirrels too, they’re pretty fun! There are many delicious things to eat in Barkerville- the expected old fashioned candy, as well as locally famous sour dough bread and possibly the best Chinese food in northern BC. If you’re interested in local history there are many resources available but it’s probably better to check them out before you go because it’s a bit more expensive in the town itself. If you’re staying overnight there are a few bed and breakfasts within the town itself which seems fun but it’s necessary to book early because Barkerville gets over 50000 tourists every summer!

Williams Lake 241km: This is the hometown of Rick Hansen, the location of BC’s largest stampede and the competitor of PG for the #1 crimes per capita in BC title. They have some neat stuff as well though, like an art gallery and the Scout Island Nature Reserve where there are lots of toads in the summer.

Clinton 404km: This is a quirky little town with lots of craft shops and brightly painted buildings- watch out for the Shell. Slightly north of Clinton has the Painted Chasm Provincial Park which has spectacular orange cliffs. There is also a museum that illustrates the history of this gold rush town.

Cache Creek 444km: This is one of the first stops north of Vancouver where people will thank you if you hold the door open for them. Cache Creek also boasts the busiest Dairy Queen in BC, probably because this is the natural first stop once you’ve left the amalgam that is the lower mainland and survived the Fraser Canyon. The region itself is interesting as it is a technical desert, one of the only regions of its kind in Canada. A few kilometers north of Cache Creek is Horsting Farms which has locally grown produce, as well as delicious pie, sandwiches and soup. Unfortunately their website is a few years out of date and the goats that it promised were no longer living on the farm.

GRACE WADDEL

From top to bottom: The historic town of Barkerville, Horstings Farm, and Wells BC just otside of Barkerville.