Imagine making your living writing tourist brochure copy for Prince George, B.C..
Here's an excerpt from some such "literature" I picked up during my travels in late August in northern B.C.:
Regardless of your age, background, or interests, you are sure to find something of interest in our little city. Families like Prince George, and find that the wide-range (sic) of activities here allow those of all ages to have a wonderful time.
Maybe you'll like us for a couple of peaceful nights around the campfire, followed-by (sic) a canoe excursion; or, perhaps you'll enjoy some of the unique dining and entertainment experiences that Prince George has to offer.
Here is some excerpts from the fax on stuff to do, sent by Tourism Prince George to my motel (and presumably others). These events transpired between Aug. 27 and Sept. 3:
- Canfor offers guided tours of their sawmill, pulpmill and nursery! (their exclamation point, not mine; evidently a true PG highlight)
- 2006 Senior Men's Fastpitch Tournament (Note: the biggest since 1995)
- BCHL exhibition game: Prince George Spruce Kings vs. Quesnel Millionaires
- Prince George Community Policing Grand Opening
- Canadian Senior C Invitational Lacrosse Championships
How's that pulse rate? Starting to zoom yet?
Back to the guide for a second. We learn in the "nine things to do in Prince George" section that "bowling is big in Prince George." They've got five-pin and 10-pin! They even have places to work out!
Now, before that you think that PG sounds ... unsophisticated, they have a "Lower Mainland Trendy" bar: Publik, where the "huge couches and chairs give you a big leathery hug as you bite into a thin crust Italian pizza or sip your war wonton soup." Fabulous! Who needs Yaletown? And with Loverboy for tunes, how can you go wrong?
They even serve hipster cocktails, like ... rye and Coke! (I made that last part up, but unfortunately, it's probably true).
But don't worry: PG has franchise favourites too, like Moxie's, Boston Pizza and Earl's Place, so you can dodge the "Lower Mainland Trendy" joint (which I suspect is not seen a good thing in PG) and enjoy a regular person's dining night out if you wish.
This graf caught my eye too:
If you're thinking of moving up to the North, you're on the right track -- that is if you crave short commutes, cycling, skiing, hiking, fishing, swimming and basically all things outdoors. But if you're looking for a gritty little mill town, you're about 10 years too late (Note: Emphasis is mine - BD)
Oh really?!?! This from the place that brought us the hockey fight tournament? Here's an excerpt from an Aug. 27, 2005 CTV.ca story:
Organizer Darrel Wolski tried to stage the event in at least two other cities in North America, but ran into obstacles. It took him 18 months before he was able to land the Prince George venue.
And some local residents say they wish Wolski kept looking.
"I think Prince George could have represented itself in a better light," one resident told CTV Vancouver.
Resident Rick Barsched said he wouldn't go to the puckless event if he had free tickets, but said it's perfect for Prince George.
"This belongs here, really," Barsched told CTV Vancouver. "This is our image, there's no doubt about it. And we're proud of it."
Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley said he was glad to be hosting to the event.
"This is an event that, apparently, there is an appetite around the world for. So hosting it in Prince George as a world premiere, I think, is a good thing," Kinsley told CTV Vancouver.
Now, back in my forestry days, Prince George would have been seen as a destination gig compared to most places a forestry graduate could end up working (although back then, I thought the guys who had it made worked for Vancouver-based consulting companies). I visited it on a regular basis when I worked in Burns Lake, which is about 220 km west, in the summer of 1980.
Drunkenness, fighting and fornication were considered the essentials of a good evening out there -- although the first two would do for most.
Based on my very brief recent stopover, PG doesn't feel like it's gotten that much more sophisticated in the intervening quarter-century, but I'm sure long-time residents could challenge that statement and point to improvements.
While I wouldn't recommend an extended visit there* , it's probably a good place to live if you like outdoorsy stuff, live a fundamentally home-based life and don't place much weight on urban comforts and diversions.
* In fairness, when I lived in Regina, I used to tell people: "It's a nice place to live, but you wouldn't want to visit here."
And as the brochure says, a house can be had for $150K. What more could you want?
Perhaps a little Hit to Pass: It's a race where stock cars have to hit each other before passing! It's extreme, baby! Beats monster truck rallies all to hell -- maybe even tractor pulls too! Observe:
Hit to Pass Championship!- This year PGARA will be spicing up the old Hit to Pass favorite! Instead of the usual two weekend double header shows, this year we will be hosting three single day Saturday shows and the usual Labor Day weekend double header. Points will be added up from the four weekend shows and we will crown our first ever Hit to Pass Champion!
And I missed it. Darn.