On Saturday June 22, “All aboard!” rang out loud and clear in Cloverdale when Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts rang the bell to clear the track from Cloverdale to Sullivan. With a full slate civic and provincial dignitaries and packed crowd of onlookers the refurnished interurban 1225 rolled back into service as the City of Surrey’s newest tourist attraction.
Years of dedication by FVHR Society members, coupled with matching city grants and support from high powered sponsor like BC Hydro, kept the project on track. The inaugural ride was a triumph for all concerned.
“Surrey finally has rapid transit!” said Mayor Watts as she complimented society chairman, John Sprung.
Clearly delighted, Clr. Barbara Steele remarked, “I can see that many Surrey tourism events will now begin, or end, with Fraser Valley Heritage Rail.”
You too can ride the rails every weekend until Thanksgiving. No doubt it will bring back memories for you, and make new ones for the grandchildren.
For more information got to www.FVHR.org or call 604-574-9056 for full details.
Between the event above, and riding the range in northern Saskatchewan, this has been a clearly Canadian month for me.
Sturgeon River Ranch: Riding this range beyond Prince Albert, the forests, lakes and meadows of the north are – despite all the spring rain – impressive. Lead by ranch boss, Gord Vaadeland, my 3-hour ride on Dane landed us at our camp for the night. Two tipis pitched in a peaceful dry meadow would be home for the night. A herd of free-range bison roamed in the distance, with assorted wildlife tentatively making their presence known during the night. Accompanied by a buckboard hauled by two impressive black Percherons our supplies arrived intact and in time for dinner over a wood campfire. Like Dane’s 2-months-old filly, Hazelnut,we were glad to rest and enjoy tall tales told in the wild. Long northern summer days make for short nights and early mornings, but campfire eggs, sausages and coffee put us in gear by noon for the 3-hour ride back to base. A wonderful pioneering experience – which also reminded to value hot showers and indoor plumbing!
For more information go to
http://www.sturgeonriverranch.com
Ursula Maxwell-Lewis tweets from @YouTravel, and can be reached at utravel.com