Clebrity Night Shot

I would have to say the best way to describe Quesnel, BC is like a beautiful wall hanging that has been added to, taken from and changed in different parts. A bit frayed around the edges because of years of handling and yet somehow as you gaze at the workmanship you realize just how much love has gone into it. This town is no different.

The First people in the region came to have a summer camp here in Quesnel. It was a great spot for the various different First Nations people to come and make their trades. It was during the summer that Alexander Mackenzie first came up the Fraser River, named for Simon Fraser after his visit in 1808, in search of the outlet to the Pacific Ocean, in 1793. The Dakelh people showed Alexander the trade route of the Indians on the Nuxalk Carrier Grease Trail that followed along the edge of Blackwater River. He eventually found his way down to Bella Coola along this route.

The Nuxalk Carrier Grease Trail is still accessible for hiking along it is challenging, 347km/260mi to Bella Coola. If you are interested in doing this hike I suggest a stop in at the Visitor Centre for information, and bring plenty of water, food, bear spray, good hiking gear and a guide if you are doing more than just a few hours. The Visitor Centre staff will be happy to give you directions to the trail head if you just want to see it, have a picnic and hike a bit. Please remember, what you take in with you, take out as well.

Throughout our BC history we see hints of the Chinese visits as early as 400 BC, but not until the Gold Rush of the 1800s did BC see a population growth that immigrated to the northern Cariboo. The Chinese miners that settled in Quesnellemouth, later shortened to Quesnel, had a large impact on the growth and wealth of the town. During the late 1800s, it was believed that Quesnel would become the capital of BC because of the distance to Barkerville gold fields and the mines in Wells.

Today visitors will find that Quesnel is agriculture and lumber based community. However, the locals have never forgotten where they came from and treasure their mining and fur trading history. They have celebrations surrounding their historical culture, the Carrier people's history, artifacts preserved in the Museum, the well kept cemeteries not to mention the Chinese Memorial Cairn.

There is so much that Quesnel offers their guests that it would be hard to name them all here in this article. I will however name a few suggestions:

- The north Cariboo Farm Tour shows off 11 farms that have llama and alpaca ranching, horseback riding, to different places and styles of dining.
- The Farmers' Market has much to offer for great gifts or take homes such as wool blankets, Birch syrup and local art, carvings and local food
- Walking trails throughout Provincial parks, not to mention wildlife viewing
- Fishing, camping
- Historical sites

So much to do please stop by and check out http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/RegionsCities/Quesnel.htm for more ideas on activities, places to stay and times to go.

Until next time, Happy Travels!