Dan_Millsip
Paddler
On Monday October 12 (Thanksgiving Day) ebluethner, Maddie and her friend Brendan, and I set out from the Port Mann Bridge in Coquitlam to paddle along the Fraser to the SkyTrain Bridge, just south of the Pattullo Bridge. It was a beautiful day -- sunny but a bit on the cool side. The tide was rising so we had to paddle against the current all the way to our destination -- a small beach near the foot of the SkyTrain bridge. On our return we had the current in our favour and made it back in amazing time.
Getting the boats ready at Maquabeak Park:
Setting out down the river with the Port Mann bridge in the background:
What are the chances? We met up with this elderly gentleman who was out for a paddle. He lives in New Westminster and says that he paddles on the Fraser three times a week. He said that in the several years he's been paddling here, we are only the second group of kayakers he's ever come across on this section of the river:
Looking back at the Port Mann bridge:
Crossing over to the south side of the river with New Westminster in the background:
There are still a few saw mills left on this part of the river:
An old fishing boat being towed up the river:
Residential highrises in New West:
There were several large barges and scows tied up alongside the shore in Surrey, just north of the Pattullo Bridge:
ebluethner paddling against the current:
The Pattullo Bridge and the much lower Pattullo Train Bridge:
Maddie and Brendan paddling under the Pattullo Bridge. The SkyTrain Bridge is on the left:
Stopped for lunch on a small beach:
Looking up at the east tower of the SkyTrain Bridge:
They don't build them like this anymore:
A train was crossing over the bridge as we paddle beneath it -- the noise from the train was deafening and we could feel the vibrations through the water as it passed by:
Lots of bullrushes as we paddle past a small island on our return trip.
ebluethner and I decided to paddle between some log booms and the shore on the way back -- fortunately, we found a small passage that we could pass though so we didn't have to paddle back the way we came:
Big claw at a sawmill -- it reminded me of those arcade games where you have to pick up the stuffed animal and drop it into the bin:
A few tug boats went by as we paddled along the river. Even on holidays you'll find working boats -- it's a good idea to give them a wide berth:
Port Mann bridge in the distance on our return:
The Port Mann Bridge with the temporary bridge below that is used to take supplies and equipment out onto the river while the new bridge is being built:
Cement and steel. Looking through the footings of the Port Mann Bridge at the iron work on the far side:
Kayaks loaded on the car at the end of our trip:
All in all, it was a very enjoyable day paddling somewhere just a little bit different.
*****
Getting the boats ready at Maquabeak Park:
Setting out down the river with the Port Mann bridge in the background:
What are the chances? We met up with this elderly gentleman who was out for a paddle. He lives in New Westminster and says that he paddles on the Fraser three times a week. He said that in the several years he's been paddling here, we are only the second group of kayakers he's ever come across on this section of the river:
Looking back at the Port Mann bridge:
Crossing over to the south side of the river with New Westminster in the background:
There are still a few saw mills left on this part of the river:
An old fishing boat being towed up the river:
Residential highrises in New West:
There were several large barges and scows tied up alongside the shore in Surrey, just north of the Pattullo Bridge:
ebluethner paddling against the current:
The Pattullo Bridge and the much lower Pattullo Train Bridge:
Maddie and Brendan paddling under the Pattullo Bridge. The SkyTrain Bridge is on the left:
Stopped for lunch on a small beach:
Looking up at the east tower of the SkyTrain Bridge:
They don't build them like this anymore:
A train was crossing over the bridge as we paddle beneath it -- the noise from the train was deafening and we could feel the vibrations through the water as it passed by:
Lots of bullrushes as we paddle past a small island on our return trip.
ebluethner and I decided to paddle between some log booms and the shore on the way back -- fortunately, we found a small passage that we could pass though so we didn't have to paddle back the way we came:
Big claw at a sawmill -- it reminded me of those arcade games where you have to pick up the stuffed animal and drop it into the bin:
A few tug boats went by as we paddled along the river. Even on holidays you'll find working boats -- it's a good idea to give them a wide berth:
Port Mann bridge in the distance on our return:
The Port Mann Bridge with the temporary bridge below that is used to take supplies and equipment out onto the river while the new bridge is being built:
Cement and steel. Looking through the footings of the Port Mann Bridge at the iron work on the far side:
Kayaks loaded on the car at the end of our trip:
All in all, it was a very enjoyable day paddling somewhere just a little bit different.
*****
