The Fraser River

With snow melt and bountiful rain, the Fraser River is overflowing its banks, and once again, my husband and I risk being labeled as scofflaws.

Given our shared fascination with water in all its forms, we took ourselves up to Derby Reach this weekend, one of our favourite Langley spots to visit.

 Over the years, we've seen this river at times fiercely frozen, and even seen it dwindled markedly in the heat of summer...but never have we seen it overflowing. Mindful that flooding puts people at risk, we simply could not resist a chance to see the river cresting.

 We found the parking lot full, though the camp ground host had sensibly pulled out his trailer, and large signs made clear the inadvisability of entering the camp sites.

In our defense, there were a good number of us squeezing by the warning signs for a peek.

 Still, it must be said that of the dozens of adults and children lining the riverbank, we were the only two who ploughed along the flooded road to see how deep the water got...well above my knees, as we went further along!

 Somewhere in the heavens, I'm sure my mother looked down, tsk-tsking about her flighty daughter, (who never had an ounce of sense), and bemoaning the muddy ruin of a perfectly good summer frock!

Sorry, Mum...but we enjoyed our whimsy. Of course, when the weather took a turn with wind and rain battering against my bare arms and sodden dress, I might have questioned the veracity of our decision, had I any sense indeed.

 We saw one adventuresome couple who'd carried in wood and built a fire...several fishermen who threw in their lines with optimistic enthusiasm, and when the sun put in a very brief appearance, it became just another Sunday in the park. It seems we're all so desperate for summer on the Lower Mainland that we'll celebrate the season, no matter what the weather throws at us!

With any luck, the river has done all it means to, and further damage can be averted.  Our prayers go out to those in peril and our heartfelt wish that they stay safe.

Sandy Shadows

All week long, our little dog waits patiently for Sunday. While she is walked several times each day, Sundays are for adventure, given over to shady groves, woodland trails and the joy of new things to explore!
.
We're fortunate to have many parks within easy reach. A favourite with us all is on the edge of the Fraser River, underneath the Patullo Bridge.

.
Its main appeal is a huge mountain of sand that borders the park. It is not picturesque sand in an idyllic beach setting, but is strictly utilitaran...a great mound piled onto an empty lot in an industrial site to prepare the ground for construction.
.

No matter...Meeghan and I love scampering through sandy dunes of any sort, (though it's more accurate to say she scampers and I plod clumsily behind her)!

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I love to watch as long afternoon

shadows mark deep, dark creases across the dunes. The drifting sand with its peaks and swirls mimics perfectly the landscape of the world's great deserts.

I grab my camera to get pictures of Meeghan as she and her shadow lope happily across the rippled sand.
.
.
.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.
There is something about this sand that reminds me of the moon with its cool, pocked surface and oddly shaped formations. Of course, my imagination has a tendency to run away with itself.
.

I see much beauty in this cluster of weeds, the light tracing spindly shadows outward from each plant, as if penned by a calligraphic hand.
.

The shifting silver sand and sharp shadows are a perfect place to explore the play of light and dark that I so love.

.
Many thanks to 'Hey, Harriet' for hosting this Sunday event! To see more shadowy shots, do drop by her page at...

.
http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/