July 14, 2025 - Driving from Alaska to Maryland
Dawson Creek to Quesnel, BC

This morning we leave Dawson Creek, and so leave the Alaska Highway.  Which we drove the entirety thererof!

Today would be another mostly transit day:  Highway 97 from Dawson Creek through Chetwynd to Prince George to Quesnel.   We drove the Dawson Creek to Prince George portion when we were driving To Alaska, so it would be a repeat.  Nonstop it would take about six hours.  A relatively easy day.
   
We remembered the wood carved statues at Chetwynd so we stopped this time and looked around for an hour.  First stop was the visitor's center.
   

Then it was time to look at some chainsaw sculptures!
   
It's really amazing what people can do.
   

In 2005 Chetwynd hosted the first annual Chetwynd International Chainsaw Carving Championship, hosting seven carvers from B.C. and the United States. In 2006, the number of carvers attending increased to twelve carvers from all across North America. Chetwynd is now drawing international attention, with carvers coming as far away as Wales, North Wales, and Japan. Spectators are also traveling to Chetwynd from distances as great as the lower United States.
   

In 2008, ECHO Chainsaw Carving Series and Championship picked up Chetwynd's championship as a qualifying event for the 4th Annual ECHO Chainsaw Carving Series Championship at the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival in New Mexico during fall 2008.
   
One of the few painted sculptures.
   
 
   

The carvings themselves are becoming more intricate, with details so fine it is hard to believe that they were created with a chainsaw. Now there are more than 120 carvings located in various places around town.
   

Chetwynd:  the "Chainsaw Sculpture Capital of the World"!
   
 
   

We continued on.  At one point on Highway 97, Highway 39 branched off to the north.  Only 10 miles or so to the north was Mackenzie, the first place you can get aviation fuel flying "The Trench" down from Watson Lake.  Highway 97 turns south at this junction and we continued south down to Prince George.  Here, both Lynnette and I got haircuts at the same salon!  Another first.  Prince George is a substantial city.

Leaving Prince George, we continued on Highway 97 until we reached our destination for the night:  Quesnel.  We stayed in the Tower Inn, pictured here.
   

It's funny, in planning the trip, I had never heard of Quesnel before.  I only picked it for its distance between Dawson Creek and Vancouver.  But it turned out to be a very nice little town.

Here's a map of the town.  Our hotel was just north of City Hall.  You could walk everywhere.
   
We had a very nice dinner at Mr. Mikes, a steakhouse chain.
   
Then we walked around a little.  This is the Fraser River footbridge.
   
Looking north up the Fraser River.
   
The streets were nicely decorated with colorful flowers.
   
 
   
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