The first of three boats paddles to the Hudson's Bay Slough (photos Opinion 250 staff)

 

Prince George, B.C – Paddlers from the Fort Langley Canoe Club arrived in costume at Fort George Park today to re-enact Simon Fraser’s voyage 200 years ago.  

 

In order to begin the first leg in Fort St James on July 20, the voyagers left Fort Langley on July 18 with trailers carrying the canoes. They have stayed at a number of campgrounds and historic sites along the way.

 

The canoeists stayed at Wilkins Park last night and took approximately 2 hours to paddle to Fort George Park today.

Rita Holmes from Mission, B.C. says this is her first voyage and she would definitely do another one, ”A lot of us are dragon boaters, when I got the email for this event I was very excited to learn and be part of history, we are only the fourth group to do this since 1960.”

 

Canoeists say they have been through a number of rapids and have had to fight the elements somewhat as the temperature drops at night and the sun blazes during the day.

 

The group carryied the canoes to higher groundstopped before stopping at The Exploration Place who organized a barbeque and scavenger hunt as part of the historical event. 

 

The 18 canoeists will spend the night at Fort George Park and will leave for Quesnel tomorrow morning.

 

Dave Bliss, who is travelling in a vehicle with his wife as part of the support team that is carrying the food, tents and other supplies, says experts have advised the team to take the canoes to Stoner, “The water apparently is just too turbulent at this point, so we will drive to Stoner, pick up two more people and carry on to Whites Landing which is 30 kilometers from Quesnel.”

 

The team will go from Quesnel to Alexandria and then take the boats out of the water where they will drive to Hope.

 

The voyage will conclude with a celebration at Fort Langley on B.C. Day, August 3, and a last paddle from Fort Langley to Vanier Park.

 

 

The Simon Fraser Journey is part of the BC150 campaign.