{"id":15875,"date":"2015-07-12T20:24:36","date_gmt":"2015-07-13T03:24:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wkoopmans.ca\/notebook\/?p=15875"},"modified":"2015-07-12T20:24:36","modified_gmt":"2015-07-13T03:24:36","slug":"paddle-wheeler-on-the-fraser","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wkoopmans.ca\/notebook\/?p=15875","title":{"rendered":"Paddle Wheeler on the Fraser"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rather than my usual camera write up followed by a gallery of images I thought I would do this post differently.\u00a0 I will be posting the images in the body\u00a0with text.\u00a0I had the opportunity to take a stern wheeler tour from New Westminster to Steveston along the Fraser River.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tours<\/a>\u00a0 Never having seen the Fraser from anything but the shore I jumped at the chance.\"IMGP9534\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The boat we took is the M.V. Native with it’s sole form of propulsion coming from its two paddle wheels.\u00a0 We started out at 9:30am\u00a0briefly heading up river but turning around\u00a0 before the Skytrain bridge and leaving New Westminster behind. \"IMGP9547\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One of the\u00a0first sights was the unloading of new vehicles onto Annacis island.\u00a0 Yes they are backing them off.\"IMGP9552\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nAcross the river from this is the Fraser Surrey Docks and a large mill.
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Continuing on there were more examples of the industrial operations that flank the Fraser river and use it to receive and ship their materials.<\/p>\n

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\"IMGP9972\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Of course it wouldn’t be the Fraser without a tug boat or two.<\/p>\n

\"IMGP9606\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There was also the remnants of an old cannery and the new fish processing facility that replaced it
\n\"IMGP9644\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> At this point we left the main channel and headed down along the Ladner side of the Fraser. The private lodge on Kirkland island quickly came into view. The entire island is under the administration of the Kirkland Island Waterfowl Society which may be a polite way of saying it’s reserved for the wealthy. \"IMGP9659\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\nThe number of waterfowl increases as you enter the estuary area. Here we saw some Mute swans (Yes I know that’s a picture of one swan thanks)
\n\"IMGP9689\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\nAll along this channel were a multitude of float homes all with an individual look and state of repair, from brand new to brimming with character.
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\nAnd to prove that the area is still connected to fishing the gillnetter Viking Spirit was seen preparing for fishing.
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\nOn the return trip we saw the Viking Spirit going down river but dwarfed by a large container ship that was passing us.
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\nAs we reached the end of this area a pair of kayakers were seen also enjoying being out on the water
\n\"IMGP9718\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\nPassing along another stretch of the estuary system after having a nice simple buffet lunch Steveston came into view.
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\"IMGP9749\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\nWe then spent about two hours around Steveston which is itself worthy of visiting by car or boat. .\"IMGP9845\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\"IMGP9778\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

At 1:45pm we\u00a0heading back to the M.V. Native for the 2-5pm return trip and more sights and interesting facts. (A member of the crew narrated the trip which really added to the experience) Just a few of the other images I took
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