Local walks and sites – Explore Some More

Like so many others, I am waiting for the time when we can meet friends for coffee, have family dinners and travel even if it is only in our own province. That time is not here yet. So I continue to walk familiar trails daily, but I am now challenging myself to see things I may have missed before.

The obvious changes come with a new season. The hills and mountains are greener, there’s an abundance of blossoms, and the weather is warmer. Here are a few things that I had not noticed before:

Aldergrove Regional Park

I probably walk here about once a month and typical paths are the Rockin’ Horse Trail and the Peppin Creek Trail. A while ago I discovered the Marsh Pond Look and I am looking forward to seeing some Western Painted Turtles in the coming weeks. Last week, I wandered on to a small side trail and came upon a picnic table with a hitching post! There are a few equestrians that use the park…I wonder if they know about this table!

South Vedder River Trail

Love to walk both the North and South Vedder River trails. On the North Trail, there is lots of activity right now in the Great Blue Heron Reserve.

Today I started my walk near the Browne Wetlands on the south side. Walking east I soon came across the Vedder River campground. The last time I was here was in the winter and it was empty. This weekend was bustling (all BC licence plates!) The first thing I noticed was the camp host…he looked very relaxed.

Walking past the campground, again I took a slightly different trail and discovered a mini-mountain bike park for kids, complete with a small ramp. It look me a while to find it again on my return walk. Such a fun thing for the kids…with parental supervision of course

The trail has some amusing signs about sharing the trail between walkers and cyclists.

But today I noticed new, more explicit signs for those who didn’t understand the humour

There were lots of other small things that I hadn’t noticed before, and I will continue to find new things in my neighbourhoods until time allows us to venture out a little further.

Check my website for photos and narratives on several walks and trails. This is a work in progress so things will be updated frequently.

Stay safe, think of others.

Lucky Star Saloon

I have driven by this place a couple of times when visiting Campbell Valley for a walk. It’s out of the way, and unless you have a reason to go to High Point Equestrian Centre, or the High Point neighbourhood, you would never see it. After parking at the 200th Street lot for Campbell Valley Regional Park, I started walking the Perimeter trail, with the goal of walking the Shaggy Main Trail. As I approached 200th and 8 th Ave, I thought, “Why not walk by the little western town to take a few pics?”

As I approached the gate, a couple of pups came to greet me, and I noticed a man and woman sitting on the porch having a coffee. That’s when I met Sharon and Rick. Sharon engaged in conversation right away. I asked what the story was behind the property and found out that it is a passion project for this couple. Their goal is for the film or music industry to use the location. Sharon asked if I would like to come on the property and have a look around. Of course I said yes! Every piece on the property has a story. Unfortunately I don’t remember most of them!

In the saloon, they have hosted BC Back Country Horsemen meetings in the saloon, and the jail is actually a washroom.

Sharon, in her youth, played in a female pool league in the lower mainland. The name of the Lucky Star Saloon is a tribute to her dad who was well-known in the race-track industry. Rick is retired from Telus. They have build a collection of all things old-west from a number of local sources, and beyond.

They are now building a brand new theme-focused home on the property, part of which will be set up as a bank, boarding house and cafe.

Here’s a few more photos: