Prince George, BC: Frostbite and Faded Dreams (and a Surprisingly Good Donut)
okay, so. prince george. i didn’t plan to end up here. touring with the band, right? usual chaos. van broke down. ended up stranded. and honestly? it’s… something.
I just checked and it’s hovering around -4.8 Celsius right now, with a feels like of -9.22. yeah, bring a hat. seriously. a really good hat.
I’m staying at this… interesting motel. The Pine Centre Motel. It’s got character, let’s put it that way. The carpet is… vintage. Like, really vintage. I’m pretty sure I saw a dust bunny wearing a tiny hat. I’m not even kidding. Check it out on TripAdvisor if you’re feeling brave: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g171716-d663773-Reviews-Pine_Centre_Motel-Prince_George_British_Columbia.html
Honestly, the vibe here is… quiet. Like, really quiet. It’s not a bad quiet, just… subdued. There’s a certain melancholy hanging in the air. I think it’s the snow. Or maybe it’s the fact that everyone seems to be bracing themselves for something.
I wandered around downtown today. It’s… small. But there are some cool murals. Found a little coffee shop, “Bean Around the Block,” which was a lifesaver. Seriously, go there. The barista, a guy named Liam, gave me some drunk advice about finding decent live music. Apparently, there’s a place called The Spirit Bear Pub that sometimes has local bands. I’m checking it out tonight. https://www.yelp.ca/biz/the-spirit-bear-pub-prince-george
Someone told me that the unemployment rate here is… not great. Apparently, the forestry industry took a hit a while back. It’s a shame. You can feel the history in the buildings, the faded grandeur of a town that once thrived.
I stumbled across this amazing donut shop, though. “Donut Time.” Seriously, the best maple bacon donut I’ve ever had. Like, ever. I’m not exaggerating. It was worth the frostbite. https://www.yelp.ca/biz/donut-time-prince-george
“Heard a local say, ‘Don’t trust anyone who smiles too much in this town. They’re hiding something.’”
If you get bored, Quesnel and Williams Lake are just a short drive away. I’m thinking of checking out Quesnel tomorrow if the van’s fixed. Apparently, they have a pretty cool museum about the Cariboo Gold Rush. https://www.quesnel.ca/en/live-and-play/things-to-do/Museums-and-Galleries.aspx
I’m trying to find some local art. There’s a community board at the library with flyers for workshops and events. I’m hoping to find something cool. Maybe a pottery class? Or a painting workshop? I’m feeling… inspired, somehow. Even in this quiet, slightly depressing town.
I also saw a notice about a local history group meeting. Might check that out too. I’m a sucker for a good story. https://www.pgpl.ca/
*Spruce Street is surprisingly charming, despite the snow. The Nechako River looks freezing. Cottonwood Island Park is probably beautiful in the summer, but right now it’s just… white. The Railway and Forestry Museum is apparently a must-see, according to a local I chatted with. The Exploration Place* is another option for a rainy day.
Honestly, Prince George isn’t going to win any awards for excitement. But it’s got a certain… grit. A quiet resilience. And the donuts. Don’t forget the donuts.
Okay, gotta go. Liam from the coffee shop said there’s an open mic night at a bar called The Raven. Wish me luck. And bring a hat.
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