Hanging Around Downtown

The hanging baskets in the center of town are lush and fresh. The lack of hot weather agrees with small container plantings, which can tend to dry out quickly in the heat.

Taken on 224th street looking east, into Memorial Peace Park.

Bikes on Dikes Rides Again

If you are a regular here, this may be a familiar photo.

I published it previously on this blog in 2007. See the original post by CLICKING HERE.

I have also got this picture along with others being used with my permission on a local realtors website CLICK HERE TO VIEW IT .

Today I went to look at the Maple Ridge Municipal Web Page...and what should I see? This photo has been published again on the header of the city website. CLICK HERE TO SEE IT. Click on the word HOME at the top of the municipal website. You may have to wait a few seconds for my photo to scroll in.

I am thrilled to have had it selected. I Knew when I first took this shot that it was the epitome of what Maple Ridge is all about. I am thrilled that it has been used in this capacity!

Canadian Pastime!

This is the latest fashion trend around town. Crazy hockey fans can be seen all over this region.

This is my hubby after the Vancouver Canucks won the Western Conference finals and now head into the Stanley Cup Finals. We will be Playing the Boston Bruins. The Best is the West versus the Best in the East.

WE ARE ALL CANUCKS!!!!!!!!!

Shipping Out.

Canoeing is a traditionally Canadian pastime.

Local boys strap the old canoes on and get set for a long weekend of paddling. This past week end, was Victoria Day in British Columbia.

A Row of Red

A row of red stables make an interesting contrast amongst the greenery. The clouds begin to gather over the Golden ears Mountains, making for a gorgeous sky.

Rusty Bike

Leaning up on the side of Haney House, this old bike makes an attractive piece of garden bric-a-brac, its basket doubling as a flower planter.

Kanaka Park Footbridge

The footbridge at Kanaka Regional Park.

Another one from the files.

Reflection

This shot was taken from the Pitt River Bridge in a moving Vehicle. This bridge is the main access into the Pitt Meadows/Maple Ridge area. It is a traffic nightmare as routes on either side bottleneck at this bridge at peak commute hours. I am happy to say, that I no longer need to use it very often as I am now working in town, about five minutes from home. One thing I always loved about crossing this bridge, is the amazing unhindered view of the mountains. This was taken at twighlight yesterday. The setting sun casting a golden hue onto the snow and trees. The temperature has dropped below zero again, as the blanket of cloud that has been covering us for a week have finally lifted.

Haney Wharf

The old part of town is know as Haney. This is a shot of the wharf along the Fraser River taken at about 9am. There was still a little fog on the river. The damp of the mist made for a nice sparkle on all the surfaces as the sun hit. Every summer, the city hosts jazz & musical nights on the wharf. You can take your lawn chair down and sit with your ice cap in the lazy evening sun and be entertained. Its a real community feel.This wharf lays between the train tracks and the tugs. Always something going on. I enjoy mornings there the best, watching the tugs maneuver through the waves.The train engineers always wave as they toot by.

Frozen Food

Are'nt you glad you are'nt a bird. If you were, you would be looking at dinner. A few seeds cling to this husk. Taken at the side of the road at the North end of 224th. Just at the edge of the cranberry bogs. Maybe our feathered friends hop over to the bogs to seek out a few leftover berries for dessert!

Cranberry Bogs

Maple Ridge, in recent years has become home to many Cranberry farms. The fields are diked on all sides. To harvest the berries, the fields are flooded and the berries float up off their stems. Then the farmers scoop up their crops with large nets. There is an extensive system of irrigation and drainage in place. The red huts, house the irrigation pumps. This particular bog is located at the north end of 224th Street. Two weeks ago, Maple Ridge experienced severe flooding in this area, and this area was underwater. Far in the distance you can see Burke Mountain which is in Port Coquitlam, the town west of the Pitt River.

SNOW

For my first post, I think most Maple Ridgers would agree that a Shot of the Golden Ears Mountains would be fitting. These peaks are synonymous with this town. Located at the north-east corner of the municipality, in Golden Ears Provincial Park. They tower over the town and are its crowning glory.