|
 Wally
and Sharon Martin of Langley, BC , have converted
the historic Traveller's Inn (oldest hotel in the
province that is still operating) into a charming,
unforgettable bed and breakfast operation. We've
had a full tour by the owners and are pleased to
recommend it to our viewers or honeymoons, small
group tours or any occasion.
Traveller's
Hotel,
Murrayville, Five Corners.
21628 48th Avenue, Langley, BC Canada V3A 3M8
(45 minutes from Vancouver)
Phone - 604-533-5569, Fax - 604-530-7858
E-mail: sales@travellers-hotel.langley.bc.ca
www.travellers-hotel.langley.bc.ca/
Fort
Langley - A Site For All Seasons
Heading east
from Vancouver on the Trans Canada Highway to
Abbotsford (at Exit 66), a favourite side trip
anytime of t he day or year, is the laid back
community of Fort Langley, where you can buy ripe
berries of tree fruit in season or fresh fish from
a stand near the river. Are you in the mood for
some fabulous food? Try Bedford House, a 3-storey
former lumber baron's Victorian style residence,
which faces the Fraser River in a treed, park like
area. Across the road from Bedford, near the Albion
Ferry Dock, is another pleasant dining spot with a
river view and a broad patio. After lunch, dinner,
browsing the art stores and antique shopping,
you'll want to visit the 'fort' operated by
Heritage Canada. Speaking of antiques, the town is
loaded with treasures of early Canadiana-
reflecting the lifestyles and souvenirs of many
generations.
The Fort:
A National Historic Site
In a book that profiled the Sto:lo First
Nations, I learned that Fort Langley's position on
the river made it a focal point for activity, since
the aboriginals had established trading networks
for millennia prior to the Europeans arrival. The
first fort was built in 1839 as the Hudson's Bay
Company's Western outpost part of a vast fur trade
network. Nineteen years later during the Cariboo
Gold Rush, Fort Langley was where Sir James
Douglas, officially proclaimed British Columbia a
Crown Colony. Strange fact - as the first
commercial settlement in the area, Fort Langley's
staff was recruited mainly from Hawaii, and were
called "Kanakas." Thus the name Kanaka Creek across
the Fraser River, which became a regional park.
Remnants of the old fort are still evident; one
original building is still standing, and several
have been carefully reconstructed. For special
effect and to benefit camera bugs, all interpreters
wear period costumes. A variety of features at the
'fort' include: Archaeological evidence of early
activities by Coast Salish people; 1858 Gold Rush
relics, and gold panning; Fur trade and its impact
on First Nations lifestyle; Formation of the Colony
of British Columbia; Cultural and social landscape
of 1858; Hands-on activities, such as
blacksmithing; Early forms of
agriculture.
Transportation:
The Fraser River Connection, a replica of an early
river boat, visits Fort Langley regularly during
the tourism season. The river cruise operates
between here and Westminster Quay in New
Westminster.
The Ferry at
Fort Langley takes cars across the river, where you
can visit a variety of Mighty Fraser communities
and attractions. 23433 Mavis Ave., Fort Langley,
BC
Hours: 10 am
to 5 pm daily.
Admission $4, Seniors $3, Children 6-16 $2, Family
$10.
Information (604) 513-4777
Domaine
De Chaberton Winery Tours
1064 - 216th Street, Langley, BC
Tel. (604) 530-1736 or 1-800-332-9463.
It took several journeys between France and
British Columbia before Claude Violet found the
exact combination he desired; a soil and a climate
similar to his home in the wine-producing area of
Southern Alsace. Eventually Mr. Violet settled in
the Fraser Valley in South Langley on a 33 acre of
property that's a stone's throw from the
Canada-USA. Here in a pastoral setting, ringed by
the snow capped peaks of the Coast Mountains,
Violet found the micro-climate and soil types that
would enable he and his family to establish Domaine
de Chaberton. That moment of discovery was in 1982,
and now 18 years later, the winery is yielding the
finest of white wines. On our last visit to his
vineyards we sampled three popular whites -
Madeline Angelvine, Madeline Sylvaner and the
reigning favourite in my opinion - Bacchus.
I first interviewed Claude Violet in 1992, and
have recommended the company's products ever since.
Domaine de Chaberton wines participated at the 1st
Business to Business Show at Abbotsford Airport
terminal, hosted by Abbotsford Chamber of
Commerce.
Winery tours: April 18 - August 30, Sat. & Sun.
, 2 and 4 pm.
Langley, BC , have converted the historic
Traveller's Inn (oldest hotel in the province that
is still operating) into a charming, unforgettable
bed and breakfast operation. We've had a full tour
by the owners and are pleased to recommend it to
our viewers or honeymoons, small group tours or any
occasion.
Traveller's
Hotel,
Murrayville, Five Corners.
21628 48th Avenue, Langley, BC Canada V3A 3M8
(45 minutes from Vancouver)
Phone - 604-533-5569, Fax - 604-530-7858
E-mail: sales@travellers-hotel.langley.bc.ca
www.travellers-hotel.langley.bc.ca/
Langley
Airport: Island
Valley Airways
link to Victoria, Nanaimo and Comox
It was a great idea and we
enjoyed the inaugural flight, however the service
was suspended in mid 1999. This was a much needed
connection for thousands of people in both areas of
British Columbia. For the record, here it the gist
of an article we prepared to describe the concept.
Soar with the eagles, above
the gridlock, exhaust fumes and frustrating ferry
lineups.
It
doesn't take rocket science or amarketing guru to
see the problem or spot the opportunity just drive
the Trans Canada, from Horseshoe Bay to Hope
...
or join the snail's parade, inching its way to BC
Ferries' Tsawwassen terminal. Gridlock has grounded
Islanders and Mainlanders in a sea of cars. What's
the answer? Brent Kerr chose to rise "above
it all.' Years of street savvy and guerilla
marketing prompted Kerr to launch Island Valley
Airways, an airline that gives the Fraser Valley's
700,000 residents a fast, direct, low cost link to
their Island neighbors.
We recently
joined Kerr's group in an inaugural flight to
Comox, via Victoria and Nanaimo. This was a double
whammy for Valleyites, who celebrated the marriage
of WestJet and Abbotsford Airport not long ago. The
two parties met at a 1996 trade show hosted by Air
Highways Magazine; how about that? This new "Fraser
Valley Combo" of two airports-two airlines, gives
passengers dozens of options for business travel,
vacations, or visiting friends and relatives in BC,
Alberta and the Prairies. Island Valley Airways
Hotline: 877-359-6837
From
Green Valleys to Green
Airports:
In the
wake of Open Skies, creative operators like Brent
Kerr of Island Valley Airways and WestJet's Clive
Beddoe are teaching the airline establishment a
lesson in Marketing 101. Both chose airports on
Vancouver's doorstep, where most of the area's
population resides. These gateways are people
places, easily accessible, with unclouded,
user-friendly terminals and free parking for all.
My friend, Dr. Rashmi Bashur of the United Nations
and Globe 2000 calls them "Green Airports ...
Agoras of the Future." While looking ahead to
aviation's new Millennium, Langley Airport reflects
the Canadian spirit my generation remembers so
fondly.
The same can
be said for Island Valley Airways other gateways:
Victoria's new air terminal plans to bring the
outside in; Nanaimo's Cottonwood Golf Course
parallels the airport runway, and Comox Valley
Airport is top class, thanks to defense dollars and
community spirit. Langley and Fort Langley are on
the "Country Side" of Vancouver, laid back, yet
sprouting new hotels, shopping areas and
residential villages.
Our
Langley-based airline also saves travelers the
stress of crawling along in traffic to get to the
ferry terminal, or waiting to go through security
clearances and paying airport improvement fees at
Vancouver International Airport. Reduced stress
levels come at no extra charge." Now, that's a
healthy idea!
Island
Valley Airways has the winning
spirit:
At the
BC Business Summit '98, one of our favorite
hotelmen, Kevin Walker emphasized "linkages,
packaging and partnerships." As owner of Oak Bay
Beach Hotel and Victoria Pride Cruises, President
of COTA (Council of Tourism Associations) and Past
President of BCYHA (BC & Yukon Hotels' Assn),
Kevin is a pioneer in tour packaging. His theme was
echoed by Jimmy Pattison, Frank
McKenna and other keynote speakers. Island
Valley Airways "can do" attitude reminds me of BC's
true pioneers, who seized the moment,and went where
others fear to tread. Island Valley Airways'
partnership with National- Tilden Auto Rentals, and
its friendly relations with WestJet, will lead to
new strategic alliances, as the airline adds more
destinations to its schedule, plus charters to
Interior, Adventure Islands and Inside
Passage.
Flight
seeing Aboard the Twin Otter:
Having
just read Sean Rossiter's latest book "The
Otter and Twin Otter," on the eve of Island
Valley's Airways' inaugural flight to Comox from
Langley Airport, I noted the upgrades Kerr's team
made to this popular Canadian built aircraft. Those
who joined us en route shared my appreciation.
Among them were hoteliers, airport management from
Victoria and Nanaimo, bankers, the Comox-Courtenay
MLA, and others with a keen interest in this new
service. The route offers some of the continent's
most awesome scenery ... and we saw it all
close-up.
A Fare
Comparison: Fares are as low as $39 one-way between
the Mainland and Victoria or Nanaimo, and $29
one-way between Victoria and Nanaimo. Langley
Airport was selected as the company's Mainland
location due to the airport's close proximity to
North Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster,
Coquitlam, Surrey and the Fraser Valley. To get to
BC Ferries' Tsawwassen terminal from North or West
Vancouver for the Victoria ferry takes the same
time as the drive to Langley airport. The big
difference is that when you arrive at Langley, you
park your car for free and arrive in Victoria half
an hour later. "Think about that while you stand in
the ferry line," Kerr added.
Getting to
Langley Airport
As we expected, it's a convenient and car-friendly,
with easy access, plus $29 specials on National
Tilden rental cars at Island Valley's four
airports. To get to Langley Airport from Trans
Canada (Hwy 1), we took the 200th Street exit, then
turned east on Fraser Highway. Suddenly, Island
Valley Airways' new terminal loomed front and
centre ... the first airport building complex we
spotted. We are always surprised how little time it
takes from downtown Vancouver. As Kerr says, "You
can leave the Island in the morning, hop into a
rental car on the Mainland; do your business or
shopping and be home by dinner time." Want to make
the Fraser Valley your base for a week long
business trip to the Lower Mainland, we spotted
several hotels recently completed in the area. I'll
name some great dining spots later in Langley and
the Fort.
Jerry
W. Bird, Editor
Canada's
Flying Otters
Tested
in the Arctic, Antarctic and Vietnam, short take
off and landing (STOL) aircraft, such as the
19-passenger Twin Otter used by Island Valley
Airways are rugged, dependable and stable in
flight. Having flown in small to medium sized
aircraft for decades, I was pleased with how noise
proof it was. The executive-style burgundy leather
seats, the quiet ride, quick take offs, smooth
landings and superb visibility, make the entire
4-stop trip a short, but pleasurable flight-seeing
experience, with a half hour or less between
touchdowns. As Brent Kerr says, "We sell time. Time
is money, and we'll save Vancouver Island- Fraser
Valley travelers a lot of
both.
|
By
her side sits a more humble, homelier craft, once
common as geese on Canada's wind-swept prairies (or
so it seemed); the rugged, reliable Harvard Mark
IV. This black and yellow 'bumble bee' was the
backbone of Canada's large training fleet, and the
first solo experience for many NATO pilots.
Saluting these stalwarts of my air force days,
including the Beechcraft Expeditor perched nearby,
certainly stirred the emotions. But here at the
Canadian Museum of Flight my opening question was
this. "How did these aircraft, and over 70 other
treasures of the aviation world end up here at
Langley, BC?
Looking
back: It's a true life adventure story; one of
dedication, recovery and restoration, plus the
initiative that created a force of several hundred
volunteers. A local action to prevent the export of
historic aircraft, grew into a crusade, ranking
this BC attraction among Canada's leading air
museums. Each aircraft in this elite group has its
peculiar story to tell. Few arrived intact; many
are true reincarnations --fished from rivers,
lakes, swamps and fjords, painfully restored from
piles of debris, rescued from the jaws of
'cannibals' , junk dealers and scavengers. You'll
see craft from every chapter of the aviation
history book; early bush planes, gliders and
home-builts, amphibians, spy planes, transports,
fighters, bombers and several generations of jets,
plus the denizens of what they called "helicopter
hill" at the museum's first location near Surrey's
Crescent Beach.