Wednesday and Thursday, September 21 and 22, 2016 (Fort Camping, Brae Island Regional Park, Fort Langley, BC)

Wednesday we both had things we wanted to get done around the trailer, but first we thought we'd get out for some exercise...so we hopped on the bikes and headed off across the river to the trail to Derby Reach.

A close-up of Mount Baker...

This time, instead of continuing on to the campground, we stopped at the Heritage Park...a 4.6 km (2.85 mile) bike ride. It has been a few years since we have stopped here. We checked out the heritage site...

Derby Reach Park was, at one time, the original site of Fort Langley, during the early 1800s. The fort operated as a Hudson's Bay Trading Post dealing in furs, canning and farming goods. The historic fort, since then, has moved south 12 kilometres to its new location where it is on display as a Historic Site of Canada.

Vancouver history is still on display in the Derby Reach Regional Park. There is currently a plaque and cairn recognizing the original site of Fort Langley, the Houston House and the Karr/Mercer Historic Barn. The Heritage Area includes historic sites, a day use picnic area, Derby Bluff sightseeing viewpoint, interpretive signs and some washrooms.

Built in 1909 by Alexander Houston, the Houston Residence is important for its historic significance in terms of its association with the Houston family, its location, and the period in which it was built. It is also an important example of a community-led restoration that combined the resources of the Langley Heritage Society and the Greater Vancouver Regional District.

The Houstons were an important family in British Columbia's history. Alex's father, James, is credited for being the first European to discover gold along the Fraser River, the first independent farmer in the Fraser Valley, one of 33 men to petition the government for an incorporation of the district, and one of the first councillors when Langley was incorporated as a District in 1873.

Alex took over the family cattle and dairy farming business in 1902 (after the death of his father). He was the only son of James and was himself an important pioneer in the Derby area. His family was very active in the community until the 1950's, having established and hosted the community May Day celebrations and donating land for a commemorative cairn across the street from his house, marking the site of the first Fort Langley. 

The farmsite stands on what was originally land occupied by the first Hudson's Bay Company Fort (1827) and later by the Townsite of Derby (1859). It is a focal point for Derby historical interpretations.

The Houston farmsite reminds visitors that resource-based industries found throughout the province (mining, logging and fishing) were only some of the major forces shaping British Columbia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The resource-based industries were comprised primarily of single men, while the small farms were comprised of families. Small-scale family farms like this one provided an economic base for the industries mentioned above, and they provided the social stability that was necessary for a growing colony.

With the bikes locked up, we found the trailhead for Houston Trail, a 4 km (2.5 mile) loop. We came across a garter snake sunning himself...

The trail makes its way through forested land along a gravel trail that sits above boggy terrain and mud...

See me in the tree. This tree looks like it started out growing out of a nurse stump that has since decayed away...

This tree is covered in ferns...

Unusual growth pattern...

After a great walk through the forest, we rested at a picnic table for a bit before getting on our bikes again and riding home.

Well, we certainly got our exercise this morning...before heading out, we had also done our resistance exercises! My knees (particularly my left knee) were screaming at me...what the heck was all that?! LOL

The rest of the afternoon was spent doing some chores...I did laundry and cleaned inside, while Steve did a little maintenance work on the boat loader. The motor has sounded laboured the last few times we've used it so he wanted to clean all the wire connections from the control box to the motor. Steve doesn't want to load the boat until we get a few miles on the truck to see if we still have a squeal issue with the truck.

Thursday morning we were up and out shortly after 9:00...on our way to Abbotsford and the Snowbird RV Show. As expected the squealing noise reared it's ugly head again just as we were nearing the Tradex Centre. Will this ever end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Steve called Dave at Goldkey and gave him the good news. They agreed that we should put a few more miles on it to create a soot trail so they can pinpoint the leaky area.

Seminar area...

 I kinda like this Newmar Class A motorhome...

It has two bathrooms...this is the en suite...

 Interesting...

A few hours later, we had seen everything and were on our way back out to the truck. It was nice checking out the RV's on display but we really didn't see a fifth-wheel with a floor plan that we liked better than ours.

Since we were in Abbotsford, we decided to go to Costco to fill our propane tanks...and grab a bite to eat. We made a stop at the new Cabela's store...without any success in finding anything for our Africa trip. We are looking for a couple of safari-type hats...they had some Tilley hats, but we really don't want to pay the $85 each for them. Hopefully, we can find some similar type ones that are a lot less costly! Too bad we didn't get them when we were in Quartzsite last winter!