The town that surprised me: Chetwynd through the eyes of a lifelong RV traveller

After 40 years on the road, Phyllis Goffin didn’t expect this northern B.C. town to leave such a lasting impression

For more than forty years, Vancouver Island RVer Phyllis Goffin has been chasing the kind of moments you can’t plan; those unexpected encounters, small‑town surprises, and backroad discoveries that stay with you long after the trip is over. She and her husband split their time between exploring their home island in the shoulder seasons and heading out for long summer wanderings across British Columbia and the prairies. Instead of rushed or rigid travel, their journeys are shaped by curiosity, conversation, and the simple joy of seeing what’s around the next bend.

On a recent journey to Chetwynd, Goffin found exactly the kind of experience that keeps her rolling. What she expected to be a quick stop turned into an immersive encounter with a community that treats art as part of everyday life. From towering chainsaw carvings to the easy friendliness of locals, Chetwynd left a mark as one of those rare places that lingers in your mind long after leaving. We connected with this adventurous RVer to learn more about her travels and life on the road, and she was kind enough to share her world with us.

How long have you been an RVer, and do you RV full-time?

I’ve been fortunate to enjoy the RV world for over forty years now. Being from Vancouver Island, we really do get the best of both worlds. We spend our spring and fall here at home, travelling around our beautiful island. When summer rolls in, we roll out for about three months to explore the backroads and small towns of mainland British Columbia and the prairies. 

Can you tell us a bit about your recent trip to Chetwynd and what made it so memorable?

What made it truly memorable wasn’t just the spectacle, though that alone is worth the drive. It was the feeling of stepping into a place where art is made in real time. The streets felt like part of the gallery. You’d turn a corner expecting a quiet town moment, and instead find towering wooden sculptures. I remember thinking—this is exactly why I travel these backroads.

What were some of the highlights of your experience there?

The biggest standout was, of course, the International Chainsaw Carving Championship. It wasn’t just an event—it was a full sensory experience. The atmosphere itself was just as memorable. There was a friendly, small-town energy. People lingered, chatted, pointed things out to strangers—because in Chetwynd, it felt completely normal to stop and appreciate a 10-foot wooden moose mid-conversation.

What advice would you give to other RVers planning a trip to that area?

First piece of advice: don’t be in a rush. The drive itself is part of the experience. In Chetwynd, plan your timing if you can. If the chainsaw carving event is on, it’s worth aligning your trip. You’ll want time to wander slowly rather than just pass through. Good walking shoes help—because you’ll end up circling sculptures you didn’t notice the first time, then circling them again just to make sure they really are that detailed. In short: go slow, stay flexible, and before you know it, you’re adding “just one more night” to the itinerary with zero regret.

How long was your trip, and what kind of setup were you travelling with?

We spent a few days in Chetwynd in our 24-foot Thor Chateau Citation motorhome.

What surprised you most about Chetwynd or the surrounding area?

One of the biggest surprises is just how many carvings there are. Not one or two tucked into a park, but scattered all over town—on street corners, outside buildings, quietly standing guard like wooden locals who’ve seen it all. We found ourselves doing double takes because we missed a towering wooden bear first time around. 

And maybe the most surprising part? How quickly it sticks with you. You think you’re just stopping in Chetwynd… and then weeks later, you’re still talking about the carvings and the atmosphere.

What role does community or local interaction play in your RV travels?

The Chetwynd Visitor Centre isn’t just a quick stop. Rolling up in the motorhome, there’s that small, familiar moment of hope: please let there be room to park without performing a ten-point turn in front of an audience. And sure enough, it delivers. Inside, it’s less “information desk” and more “friendly launch pad for whatever adventure you didn’t know you were about to have.” Maps appear, suggestions flow, and before long you’re rethinking your entire route—in the best possible way. In RV travel, those stops matter. Not just for directions or brochures, but for the feeling that you’re not just passing through—you’re being let in on a few local secrets before you roll on.

What makes a destination truly stand out for you?

A destination really shines when it surprises you. Maybe it’s a place you didn’t have high expectations for, and then—bam—it delivers something unforgettable. A hidden trail, a roadside bakery, or a chainsaw carving competition that sounds slightly unhinged but turns out to be pure magic.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your experience?

It’s not always about the destination—it’s the journey, and this stretch of road had a way of reminding me of that. About an hour north of Chetwynd, the highway gently delivers us to Hudson’s Hope. Perched along the banks of the Peace River, it is one of the oldest European-Canadian communities in the province. If you’ve got even a hint of adventure, Hudson’s Hope will deliver. You can paddle your way down the Peace River or hop on a jet boat and tear across Williston Lake. As for us? We chose a slightly more… refined approach. We watched it all unfold from the comfort of a lawn chair beside our RV—no paddling required, no windblown hair, just front-row seats.