Pitt River, British Columbia, Canada

Rather than write a lot about Pitt River, B.C., Canada
today, I thought I'd just post a recent photo
I have done.

She reveals her spirit to me in subtle ways
that I am becoming attuned to.

I am learning to listen
to her wisdom.

DeBoville Slough to Pitt River, Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada

I took a walk along the Traboulay PoCo Trail
in Port Coquitlam, B.C. Canada
and was treated to some soul soothing scenery.
The Traboulay Trail is 25 kms long, and
encircles the city of Port Coquitlam.
I haven't discovered all of her secret spots
and vistas yet, but I think that is
a project I can take my time and
work on.
I've been discovering a lot of things lately,
and maybe life is making more sense
to me. Like the trails and vistas I visit,
secrets and wisdom come over time,
its nothing you can rush. You
need to go back and listen
at different times, different seasons,
to hear all the truths revealed slowly.
Every season has its own version
of enlightenment.

For Derek Mata, my friend, my life mentor.
Thank you for your wisdom
and insights. You were taken from
life too early, and I, among many,
will miss you.

Para Derek Mata, mi amigo, mi mentor de la vida.
Gracias por su sabiduría
y penetraciones. Le tomaron de vida
demasiado temprano, e yo, entre muchos,
le faltará.

Colony Farm Regional Park, Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

Colony Farm Regional Park in Coquitlam, B.C., Canada is stunningly beautiful in any weather. It happens to be eerily fascinating in the fog.

I have written about this gem before. I still keep returning to her to discover more of her secrets. Like the otter than now live in her waters and have photographers venturing out in any weather trying to catch a glimpse, and maybe that rare photo, of the sleek animal.

There are birds galore here ... today I watched
a Blue Heron hunched over in the fog, eyes trying to bewitch fish to come for dinner. Ducks fluttered and quacked their annoyance at me for disturbing their peaceful morning. Hawks soared lazily overhead watching the whole scene unfold.

There are several km's of walking trails here, as well as a new bike rental and tour company. The Coquitlam River winds her way through on the way to the big blue Pacific Ocean.

I like the peace you can find within the big city. You are a heartbeat away from nature, and a blink away from some spectacular wildlife viewing. You might even catch the otters watching you!

Spirit of the River #2

I think everyone finds a place in the world where you feel at peace.

Where tranquility seeps into your bones and makes your forget anything could possibly be wrong with a world that has this much beauty in it.

The Polder did it for me. Until last summer I had no idea what a polder was. It still sounds like some new exotic way to cook chicken to me.
I discovered her quite by accident. Driving along a country road one day I glanced out my window to a view that took my breath away. Scary thing to do out there since the ditches are huge. Now I do my gaping from the trails instead of the car window. Much easier on the paint job.
She has gifted me with her spirit of coming home. Even on those days that just aren't that pretty.
Like life. We all have those "in-between-the-pretty" days. She still lets me live there and find the beauty on those days.
I've been spending a lot of time there lately. The world seems to be having an "in-between-the-pretty" time right now. But the beauty is still there. I saw it.
And I felt her spirit, still alive and well.

Trails, Dikes, and Lakes

Pitt Polder on a bad day is good. The Polder on a good day is the epitome of natures poetry.

Part of the Trans Canada Trail follows along one of the dikes. If you've never heard of the trail, it's a very impressive project. The idea is to have an 18,000 km trail across Canada through every province and territory. That's a lot of kilometers! Longest of it's kind in the world when completed. Wonder if you will be able to see it from a satellite.

An interesting thing I found out the other day. Pitt Lake, which is part of the whole Pitt Polder system, is tidal. Yup, I never knew a lake could have tides. It's also the largest lake in the world that's tidal. Okay why don't we know these things? It's not a fact that could change the world, knowing this couldn't help feed or clothe those that need it. It just something that you can use when playing tour guide for the out-of-towners that come and stay with you every so often. The "Wow--you are knowledgable!" factor. So I pass this along since my company for the summer has left and now there won't be anyone to wow for awhile. Except for all of those that live here that don't know this either.

I hear there is a glacier at the top end of Pitt Lake. I haven't been there yet. Another adventure for another day.

Spirit of the River

I think everyone finds a place in the world where they feel at peace. Where the tranquility seeps into your bones and makes you forget that anything could possibly be wrong with a world that has so much beauty in it. The Polder did it for me.

I had no idea what a polder was, quite frankly it sounds like a new way to cook chicken. I had to look it up. Now it makes sense.

This is one of the first shots I took there, quite by accident. Driving across a bridge on the way back to the highway, I looked to the east and almost drove off the road. Something you really don't want to do out there, the ditches are huge. Kiss that paint job goodbye.

I kept going back, she kept letting me. I kept snapping pictures, she kept gifting me with some of the best shots I have ever done. It's really not about me and a camera anymore, it's about her. Her spirit, her essence. I still go back, and she still embraces me. Go figure...a polder stole my heart. And made me fall in love with photography. Some things are so meant to be.

All you need to do is add water. It's so simple.