Friday, May 15, 2009

Heron Island

Diane,

Here is a 1935 map of the Island of Heron (Ile au Heron) wich is a large bird wich inhabits the area. It is facing Ville LaSalle near the Verdun border in the middle of the Lachine rapids and facing the old Hydro Power Dam. There are some chalets there but other than that I don't have any information.

Guy

9 comments:

Diane Roberts said...

Thanks for the information Guy...learn something new every day!...Diane

pauline garneau said...

http://www.slv2000.qc.ec.gc.ca/plan_action/phase2/biodiversite/habitats/herons_a.htm

Andre is telling me all about his adventures to Heron Island. At 15 years old he ventured across the rapids in an 18 foot wood boat with a friend many times.He would leave LeBlanc marina on 2nd ave and would head up river to Rock Island and would sometimes stop for a swim then continued across the Three Sisters to Heron Island.As they approached the Island they had to raise the propeller as the water was very swift and shallow.......Pauline

Les F said...

Hi Pony, my grandfathers' initia;ls are carved into a rock on Rock Island,.I remember my oldman taking me there as a kid,.& you could swim in the rriver on the lower side,but don't stray out to far,or the current came into play.
Remember the Snow family in Verdunwere known as real river rats, they & a few other Verdun (ers ,- ites) knew that river well..........
Few people ever mention Rock Island,....good memory prompt ,Thank you.

Diane Roberts said...

Pauline, what are the Three Sisters? I remember going to the area as a kid, but I only knew that it was the Lachine Rapids. Probably I was looking over at Heron Island and I thought it was the southshore!...Diane

pauline garneau said...

Diane the Three Sisters are three BIG waves in the rapids between Rock Island and Heron Island.From the shore it would be difficult to see these waves . Heron Island is visible from the shore as an Island but the South Shore is much much further away,
Pauline

pauline garneau said...

Diane go to the site that I sent you above and click on the map. It will be easier to understand what I mean.Pauline

pauline garneau said...

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9802E3D81239EF3ABC4950DFB1668389639EDE

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2254/2199270493_73eea126a0.jpg%3Fv%3D0&imgrefurl=http://flickr.com/photos/70715193%40N00/2199270493&usg=__szSGVRU8tvs2QKCmk5HlxjgXHLw=&h=500&w=378&sz=145&hl=en&start=5&um=1&tbnid=YW87clVN7jzgfM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=98&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthe%2Brapids%2Bprince%2Bship%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

Story fromThe New York Times July 1922

Les F said...

Diane ,it seems you were on to something when you suggested that you thought there was a Heron Island in Austrailia.
read this excerpt from a website :
Heron Island is an idyllic coral cay located right on the Great Barrier Reef. Swim straight off the beach to an endless garden of coral where waters are teeming with beautiful marine life. There’s a relaxed island lifestyle, a sophisticated yet casual atmosphere. The emphasis on Heron Island is on exploring and discovering the natural attractions, learning about unique ecology of the Great Barrier Reef and exploring of one of the worlds best reef diving, great for beginners too! Other activities available are snorkelling lessons, guided reef and island walks, turtle nesting tours, tennis, birdlife walks, stargazing, wildlife presentations, fishing trips, semi-submersible tours, moon ceremony, night dives, PADI scuba courses, scenic helicopter flights, wine and cheese cruises, spa and massage treatments. Facilities include restaurant, cafe, pool, library, games room and Junior Ranger Kids club (7-12 years) during Australian School Holidays.


Heron takes great pride in maintaining the highest standards of food and service and breakfast is included in the room rate. In the evening guests can enjoy movies under the stars, live entertainment, dancing or a quiet drink at the Pandanus Lounge.


There are 5 different grades of accommodation, some ideal for couples and others more suited to families. Including 1 Beach House, 4 Point Suites, 2 Wistari Suites, 20 Heron Suites, 34 Reef Suites, 16 Reef Family Suites, 24 Turtle Rooms and 8 Turtle Family Rooms. Only the Beach House, Point Suite and Wistari Suites are air-conditioned and have a telephone and mini-bar. All rooms feature private facilities and tea/coffee making facilities. No television or room service.


Arrive at Heron Island by coach/launch from Gladstone Airport (2.5 hours) or by chartered helicopter transfer (30 mins.) from Gladstone Airport. Passengers on Australian Helicopter transfers to Heron Island are restricted to one suitcase (maximum weight - 15kg). Excess Luggage storage is available at the airport free of charge. There are courtesy coach transfers departing Gladstone Airport at 10 am to Gladstone Marina to connect with the launch and transfers from Marina to Airport at 17.00 pm onwards.

Prices
4 nights from £407 including breakfast and return launch transfers from Gladstone.

........now Diane ,it seems you can even take a Helicopter over to this tropical oasis,....maybe with a bit of prompting you can have them pry the doors off (just so you feel at home)......hahahahaha let us know if you make hubby take you to this place,for being wrong & correcting you about a Heron Island.......lol
http://www.bridgeandwickers.co.uk/travel-experience.aspx?productid=44663
Diane scroll down a ways and you can read te same excerpt I posted above.......... Cheers !!! this Heron Island looks a little nicer ( at least weatherwise,for half a year or so) Have Fun & Remember Verdun

Diane Roberts said...

Isn't it a gorgeous place Les. Haven't been there but we've snorkelled on the Great Barrier Reef and spent time in Northern Queensland in the Daintree Forest, Port Douglas and Palm Cove. Beautiful part of the country with the rainforests and tropical atmosphere. There are many beautiful islands off the coast of Queensland with eco-friendly resorts, but unfortunately most of them cost an arm and a leg to stay there!....Diane