Part 2 of the log of the Fort Langley Canoe Club's expedition from Fort St James to Vancouver, plus a ghost story from club member Sylvia Langmann:

We continued paddling through New Caledonia and our three 26-foot canoes arrived with a steady drum beat and a voyageur salute on the shores of Fort George.

Dressed in full voyageur costume we were greeted by a crowd of cheering people welcoming us to Prince George. Our Govenor Bourgoisie Grant Rawstron gave a short speech to explain his dream of re-enacting Simon Fraser's incredible voyage of 200 years ago and the significance Fraser had of opening the trade routes of British Columbia is perfect timing to celebrate B.C's 150th birthday.

Rawstron presented sashes to Dan Wingham, representing Integris, our major sponsor of the northern branch of Credit Unions of Fort St. James, Vanderhoof, Prince George, Quesnel and Clinton, and to Faye Hallett, representing the Credit Union of Prince George. She was very helpful in facilitating this event and is herself an avid canoeist, having paddled 55 times this year. She advised us on how to paddle through the Cottonwood Canyon rapids. "Just paddle straight through the centre and steer clear of the eddies to the right and left."

Another sash was given to Tom Dielissen, president of Exploration Place, which is a spectacular museum and science centre and our host for accommodating our camping arrangements. Dielssen is very excited about hearing how our events unfolded, saying, "Most people have no concept of the magnitude of waters here. It opens up so many different aspects of the province."

Still a ways to go yet before reaching Quesnel the paddlers were up at 5 a.m to be on the water by 7 a.m. They were joined by historian and paddler Jeffrey Dinsdale and members of the Black Water Canoe Club from Quesnel.

The Black Water River, which runs crystal clear, is where Alexander MacKenzie did his historic treck overland to Bella Coola. We continued on the mighty Fraser through the Cottonwood Canyon and on to Quesnel.

Another civic welcome awaited. CBC TV and the local press interviewed Grant Rawston, who presented another sash to Mayor Nate Bello of Quesnel.

The evening camping was a barbecue hosted by the Black Water Canoe Club and food donated by Save-on Foods.

Jeffrey Dinsdale appeared dressed as Simon Fraser and introduced us to his friends James Stuart, John Babtist Buches, amd Jules Morris Quesnel. An historic skit ensued as we learnt the life story of each of these famous voyageurs.

The next morning we finished our New Caledonia trip at Alexandria, to begin again at Hope, August 1.

We have travelled approximately 350 kms and saw the countryside as Simon Fraser had 200 years ago. We did not see any other watercrafts on these great rivers. We experienced the beauty of New Caledonia and appreciated the hardship Fraser and his men endured without the modern camping conveniances that we have today.

More to come as the paddlers return to complete the trek from Hope on August 1, arriving in Agassiz that night, Chilliwack the next night, with a stop in Mission before arriving at Fort Langley on August 3 at 1 p.m. and Vanier Park in Vancouver on B.C. Day, August 4.

Ghosts of the past at Fort St James

By SYLVIA LANGMANN

I don't know if it was two ghosts I saw or a figment of my imagination. Either way it was so real and different to anything I have experienced before.

I don't dream. When I sleep a black curtain comes down and then I awake at first light and don't remember anything of my sleeping experience.

The night I spent sleeping in the original house at the old fort at Fort St James, now a heritage museum I was the last person to bed down and I had gone to the farthest room at the back of the house to sleep alone. I later found out from site superintendent Bob Grill that it was popular belief that the building is occupied by ghosts.

I spread out my sleeping bag on the floor, moving aside some furniture and lay down to sleep. A little while later I felt someone next to me so I turned over and saw two young teenage girls sleeping on the floor next to me. They popped their heads up and looked at me, smiling.

I presumed them to be around 12 and 14 years old with long braided hair, fully clothed and no blankets covering them.

I was so tired, having not slept the previous night after driving from Fort Langley, that I said to myself that as they were not bothering me I would try to sleep instead of interacting with the girls.

During the night I awoke two more times to look at the girls. They lay sleeping together next to me and because I did not feel alarmed I figured as they were not bothering me I would just go back to sleep and leave them to sleep.

In the morning light they were gone.

The girls seemed very real and very human. Was it my imagination or were they really there? I don't know nor will I say it was anything but a mysterious experience.