Snow in June, Powwows, and Community Fun

We've been up to a lot lately in Fort St John, so I thought I'd upload some photos from my smartphone. 

Community Pitch-in Day!

As part of Community Pitch-In day, Janier and I volunteered to help beautify Fort St John.  The City provided garbage bags, reflective vests, gloves, and garbage pickers.

Pictured here is me and Jill, one of my summer students at the Visitor Centre.  This photo was later featured in the local paper, under "People of the Peace".

Municipal Government Day

On Municipal Government Day, there were activities for kids, music, community groups, a BBQ, and booths set up for each department of the City.  I helped set up and man the booth for Community Services.

At our booth we were giving away seed packets, tattoos, and eco-pens.  The seed packets were the most popular!

Line-up for Municipal Gov. Day BBQ (it was free)

We had a surprise Arctic front come down to Fort St John this June, and for a day it snowed!  This was right after having highs around 23C.

Poor bear at the Visitor Centre

 In June, the Visitor Centre organized  a week full of activities, calling it "Be a Tourist In Your Own Town Week".  The idea is to educate local people about all the fun things there are to do in town, and to celebrate community pride.

The goal is that after events like these, if tourists are talking to local people and asking: "what's there to do in town?", local people will be less likely to say: "Oh nothing really, you should keep driving!".

Janier with other volunteers

 For the first day of "Be a Tourist In Your Own Town Week", we organized the "Energetic Amazing Race".  There were clues we set up around town, and people were split into groups to get the clues and finish the race.  We had prizes lined up for the winners. 

We found people got quite competitive!  We kept all the activities kid-friendly.

After the event I was interviewed by 2 local TV stations.  Local celebrity!

Janier's station

The beautiful Peace River & Valley, from "The Look-out"

Old cars that went over the side of "The Look-out"

Drumming Circle in Taylor, BC

Most recently, we attended a Powwow in Taylor, BC which is about a 15 minute drive South-East from Fort St John, along the Alaska Highway.

There were singers, dancers, and lots of spectators.  There was also free bannock and stew for people.  We brought Hermoso, but had to leave him in the car since the event was indoors.

Spring in Fort St John, BC

Hermoso and his brother

Yes, that is a moose in my rear-view mirror

Kiskatinaw Bridge, the largest curved bridge in North America

A windmill farm in Northern BC

Spring Melt in Fort St John

Wow, things are heating up fast.  And our parking lots are all turning into swimming pools.

Today after work, I had to park on the far side of our apartment, because our parking lot was completely flooded.

In some parts, it's probably around 2 feet deep.

City crew pumping out our parking lot.

At least it's not this bad (yet):

Road Trip to Grande Prairie

Last weekend we decided to take Hermoso to Grande Prairie, Alberta.  The weather in Fort St John is much warmer right now than Yellowknife, and the snow is starting to melt! 

We've had a long winter...almost 6 months of snow.

Hermoso is growing really fast, and getting lots of exercise outside.

Peace River, Fort St John

 

 

New Member of Our Family

Hermoso!

On my birthday last week, we picked up a new member of our family: Hermoso!  His name means 'handsome' in Spanish.  He is a 2 1/2 month old Black Lab/German Shepherd cross.

Wow he has LOTS of energy.  We have his pee-pads spread around our place, and we're working on getting him potty-trained as soon as possible.

His favorite chew toy is his pig's ear.  He's been out in the snow a couple times already, driven in the car with us, and he was even left alone at our place for the first time the other day, with no problems. 

Arrival in Fort St. John, BC

This was taken in Northern Alberta, after driving the ice roads

After two and a half days on the road, we made it from Yellowknife to Fort St. John, BC.  Janier drove the uHaul truck with all of our stuff in it, and I drove our little car.

The roads were really icy, so we took it easy.

The Peace River in the Peace Valley

Provincial Government buildings in Fort St. John, BC

On the Road Again

Janier dressing for the cold.

We have some exciting news: We're moving back to BC!

Recently, I landed a job with the City of Fort Saint John, in the Peace River area of Northeastern BC.  This will be my first municipal job, and also the first time I will be a unionized worker.

Fort Saint John is the second largest city on the Alaska Highway, after Whitehorse.  It is the oldest European settlement in BC, being established in 1794 as a trading post with the Hudson's Bay company.

After much discussion, Janier and I decided to take the jump.  It seems like housing is much cheaper there than in Yellowknife, and there are definitely more amenities.

We both gave notice to our employers last week, and I have organized housing in Fort Saint John through the same property management company that we are renting from in Yellowknife.  Eventually we'd like to get a house (and a dog!) but the first thing to do is get settled and make the move.

This time of year, the Mackenzie River ferry crossing is out of service, because the river is frozen.  The ice roads have been put in place, and we should have no problem crossing.  It'll be just like the TV show.