Kwéleches" from Fort Langley!  Said to be the birthplace of British Columbia, it was the site of the Hudson Bay Company's prolific monopoly to outfit the Gold Rush moving up from California back in 1858.   Also said to have taken a somewhat different approach than the Americans to settling themselves on native land, the site was founded by a handful of Brits, surrounded by the fishing Stó:lõ people, who had little interest in fur trading or firearms. And so, instead, they traded on the export of salmon to Hawaii and the outfitting of the gold rushers. Which, by the way, (as read on a plaque today) had HBC making $1500 A day. That's like the equivalent of, I don't know, a lot! ... The internet is telling me $43,200...to be precise.  So this morning we took on Fort Langley as a first...with a modern day twist. A super cute town lined with antique shops and cafes, in the shadow of the great Fort; keeping watch and offering protection... Ok, maybe a tad over dramatic for the soccer field sized, wood stockaded collection of buildings. But with the Fraser River running through the deep green valley, alongside the brilliant cranberry bog fields and the blue skies above, and you have the makings of something special.  ... A major pancake breakfast, a great display of local vendors and food trucks and you have the fort Langley Cranberry Festival! Complete with helicopter rides to take it all in.   It was really one of those perfect autumn days amongst pumpkins and flowers, crisp air and changing leaves, baked goods and warm tea. Sun on your face and bannock in your belly. We be happy.  |
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