My neighbour and I went to the National Historic Site of the original Fort Langley today. As we stepped through the high log palisade built on the banks and overlooking the Fraser River, we joined a guide enacting the early fur trade days. She got 2 boys to don Hudson Bay coats and tie the red sashes on the left as they weren't married. They pretended to paddle
their large Voyaguer bateau as we all sang Allouette marking t
he beat of 45 strokes per minute. Next, one fellow hoisted a 95lb pack of furs by a headband which was used to carry 200 lbs on the portages from Ft. St James down the Fraser to St. Langley. (think Hell's Gate)
Next was a visit to the cooperage where the guide was a Sto'lo native born in Hope. He showed the cutting, planeing and curving of the boards used to make the barrels which were used to ship salmon and cranberries to California and Honolulu primarily. He told about the native women who did all the picking, curing and packing of the exports. There is a huge stuffed sturgeon in the background.
They staged a fur trade wedding where the Fort Manager acted as the priest and the couple had to get married again whenever a cleric came along. The HBC encouraged the men to marry native Kwantlen women from across the river on McMillan Island and both parties gave gifts to the other to show their worth.
We even tried our hand a gold panning but didn't strike it rich. The guides had really researched the history and told us many amazing facts.
their large Voyaguer bateau as we all sang Allouette marking t
he beat of 45 strokes per minute. Next, one fellow hoisted a 95lb pack of furs by a headband which was used to carry 200 lbs on the portages from Ft. St James down the Fraser to St. Langley. (think Hell's Gate)
One favourite is on the waterfront, down the stairs, between two buildings with a view of the ocean and Keats Island in the background. it is only about 6' wide and chock full of plants and colour.
I went past a small Mall that had the radio station there, a balloon arrow to attract customers and the hairdresser with green hair working on the front sidewalk. I always get a kick out of the chairs sitting out by the bus stop signs along the road. they are starting to get real bus shelters and to me it's a pity to lose this spontaneity.
training ride, getting ready for his Vancouver to Whistler Charity ride in Sept. He did 'The Wall Climb' this spring. Firefighters wore their turnout gear (15 lbs) and Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) 25 lbs, then climbed the 48 floors at the Wall Center in Vancouver to raise money for the BC Lung Association. James completed the climb in 12 minutes and 36 seconds. I really admire him. I could die just thinking about it. He and Suze really believe in giving back to the community and this is how James chooses to do his part.
