It was good to see the MV NATIVE paddlewheeler back in Harrison on its 4th annual visit this past week, and many people enjoyed its cruises once more. However, as one of the historical speakers on all its trips, I should like to point out that recent cruises have not included the long journey to Port Douglas at the north end of our lake.
We were lucky enough to get in there on the first cruise in 2008, but could not make it on the second visit with time and tide, wind and water, against us. Since then Capt Doug Leany and Frank Froebel, operators of the paddlewheeler, have offered two days of local cruises around Harrison lake and river and Echo Island, plus a stop at Rainbow Falls, to entertain clients.
Talks on places and events of historical and cultural interest are still given on every occasion — last Friday’s sail from Harrison to New Westminster saw Gerry Borden and Denis Leclerc of Fort Langley, and Harrison residents John Allen and myself, all on board with much information about our colourful past.
Many passengers came from a wide range of places, proving that Harrison fur trade and gold rush history does indeed pull in tourists . What an opportunity this should be for us to do more with this resource!
Elisabeth Scotson
Harrison Hot Springs
