 |
| Fort Langley hike starting point |
Today seventeen Happy Wanderers set out from the Senior Center for an adventure to another country: Canada. We gathered in several cars, with the idea of driving across the border and to a very nice trail along the Fraser River which ends at the Fort Langley National Historic Site. It was about 6 miles total with negligible elevation gain, with almost all of the walk on wide, flat, level park trails. The Fort Langley National Historic Site is a reconstruction of the old Hudson's Bay Company fort and trading post, the first British settlement in what is now British Columbia.
 |
| Nice wide, easy trails |
It was cold and foggy when we began our hike, but it was really pretty and easy hiking, other than the cold. We kept warm by continuing to move and not stopping much. John, our leader, helped us understand the significance of this area.
 |
| The site of the first trading post |
The trading post was moved to another site, but this was the first place that the British built their trading post along the Fraser River. These days, you must pay a separate entrance fee to visit the present site, and John assured us it is well worth the price, but much too long for us to visit today.
 |
| Bog in the fog |
We then visited the overlook showing the Langley bog, which wasn't much to look at, since we were looking at it through quite a bit of fog. It must be quite the sight when you can see all those wonderful critters.
 |
| Our first view of the mountains |
As we left the bog behind, we got our first view of the wonderful mountains that had been hidden from us by the fog. From this point on, we had more sunshine and happy hiking as we made our way back to our starting point.
 |
| Walking alongside the river |
We continued to hike along the river's edge, and as the fog lifted, we began finally to get warm enough to begin to take off gloves and hats. Once we got to the town of Fort Langley, and to where we had left half of our cars, the drivers made their way back to the starting point, where others of us were forced to enjoy a really nice repast. I had wild mushroom quiche and a fantastic hot soup.
 |
| Don, me, Persis, and Bill |
It was a really full and enjoyable day, with some of my favorite people. I am so happy to have discovered the Happy Wanderers segment of the Senior Trailblazers, and I continue to visit places that I previously didn't know anything about. And now I am home and ready to relax.
:-)
