Monday, July 04, 2011

Y is for YALE


Sorry I missed last week's letter X, but my computer was in the shop. Of course, I really didn't have a destination beginning with that letter (that I'd actually visited). Anyway, I'm back this week with YALE, no not the university town, but a historic place right here in British Columbia.

The town is located at the southern entrance to the spectacular Fraser Canyon and is one of BC's oldest communities, having been the steamship navigation capital during the Gold Rush. Before the Coquihalla Highway was completed in 1986, we always travelled this route to get to our cabin at Shuswap Lake. The famous explorer Simon Fraser camped here in 1808 after his horrendous trip down the river that now bears his name. Why was it a horrendous trip? The Fraser River is famous for its rapids. Hell's Gate is a narrowing of the river where the water roils in a tremedous maelstrom. It's a sight to see and a "hellish" experience for the more than 2 million spawning salmon who need to get through this part of the river every year. You can safely experience this area by hopping on the Hell's Gate Airtram in nearby Boston Bar OR you can experience it "hellishly" by riding the rapids yourself. Other things to see and do in YALE:

* step into the past when you visit the Church of St. John the Divine, the oldest church in BC, built in 1863 to serve those seeking their fortune during the Gold Rush.
* the Pioneer Cemetery has headstones dating back to 1862. * hike the Spirit Caves Trail with fabulous views of the Fraser River Canyon and the Cascade Mountains. The caves emit an eerie whistling sound when strong winds blow. The views are fabulous once you reach the summit of the Mount Lincoln Trail.
















* go on a guided walking tour of YALE, where you'll see the original Fort Yale, founded in 1847, on Front Street. Down on the waterfront, look for the old rings embedded in the rocks to moor the old sternwheelers at the riverboat landing that was here between 1858 and 1885.

For tourists, it's absolutely de rigeur to travel the Trans Canada Highway along the Fraser Canyon! The views are spectacular and you'll be travelling the same route as those men of old who went seeking their fortunes by panning for gold.

ABC Wednesday is the brainchild of Denise Nesbitt, from Yorkshire England! Some of her mighty assistants are Yankees, others might be Yodelers, some are Young while others may just be Youthful in spirit like Moi. Regardless, we all Yearn for a connection with others via this very popular meme. I enjoy it because it challenges me to come up with something original each week - I'm already thinking about what theme I'll use for the next Round. To join in the fun, click here. The more the merrier.

22 comments:

  1. Seems educational, in a different way. Glad the 'puter's workin' again.

    ROG, ABC wednesday team

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  2. Beautiful y's! The church is quaint and watching the salmon fighting to get upstream!! That I'd like to watch.

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  3. Great post. Being an American Eastcoaster - I only thought of the locks or the univeristy. Thank you - I leave more educated and informed.

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  4. Oooh... have long wanted to ride those rapids... And see the salmon spawning... Yale was a super Y word. Hope your PC woes belong to Yesterday.

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  5. Terrific travelogue Leslie. Makes me want to jump in the car and come visit.
    Watching salmon spawn is just fascinating. Thanks for the photos.

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  6. Wonderful post for the Y Day, Leslie! Marvelous captures! I love the rapids! Hope your computer woes are over -- they are the pits!! Have a great day!

    Sylvia
    ABC Team

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  7. Cool! I MUST visit Yale next time I travel to B.C. :)

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  8. Love those rides in the gondolas. We did that in Tahoe.

    Very nice array of pictures.

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  9. lovely church,
    amazing highlight,

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  10. A great post Leslie, - so much history associated with Yale and it is a wonderful spot.

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  11. Excellent! I'd like to have been there for the gold pannning. River rafting, not so much. Beautiful photos and wonderful narrative. Yahoo - glad the puter's up!

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  12. Well....I never knew about THIS Yale! How beautiful! Just thinking about riding that gondola over the rapids gives me the eebie jeebies.

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  13. Thanks, before reading your post, I only knew yale University.

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  14. Your Yale is far more real than mine! Thanks for sharing this beautiful part of the country! I wish I could see it myself!

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  15. What a great choice for Y day. I enjoyed my tour, and you made a wonderful tour guide today. Thanks.

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  16. Gorgeous place!

    My ABC, please come and see.

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  17. I lived in Ashcroft for seven years, and drove "the canyon" often — somewhere between several and many times a year, LOL — but I never stopped to explore Yale.
    Thank you for the lesson, and I'm taking it as something of a reprimand for this gap in my knowledge of my own home province.
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  18. I didn't know there was another Yale. Learned something new again!

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  19. What a beautiful place to visit, (I really must get to Canada one day) but I think I'd pass on the rapids! So glad you are back on-line, I would rather have my teeth drilled than to lose my internet connection.

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  20. i like breezy!!

    just to say hi from my new space...

    hope you know who 'Alice' is...

    my nom de plume of here...

    a little more freedom to be me...away from watchful eyes and ears...

    luv Alice
    xxx

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Join the fun and even go off topic if you want! :D