Kanaka Creek

Today we woke up to a sparkling clear morning. I hustled the kids to school, then we bundled up and head over to Kanaka Creek Regional Park. The name for the park comes from the term “kanakas” given to Hawaiian labourers who settled in the lower portion of the creek in the late 1800s. There is an awesome foot bridge there that I wanted to capture with the snow and blue skies. Its not even a five minute drive from our house, but I wanted to get there early while the light was the best. To get to the bridge, we had to walk through the forested area. Huge black poplars tower overhead, with thick undergrowth. This is a bird refuge so the dog was to be kept close by. Also, we didn't want him going out onto the ice. There is a well maintained trail that winds through the trees towards the Fraser River, which is on the south side of Maple Ridge. It comes out onto a diked area, which opens to the river. The sun was hitting the water and silhouetting the trees. We often see seals along here, especially when the fish are running. The posts rising from the water are made of several logs on end. strapped together with steel cable. These are used to anchor the log booms, while they await a final trip down river to be processed into 2x4s. From here, the path turns sharply west to follow along side the river. The bridge crosses the ice-skinned creek just where it enters the Fraser. Below it are the skeletal remains of the old docks which were built by the settlers to this area at the turn of the century.
This is a tidal river. It was low tide so the sandy beach was visible. But no sand castles today. We have seen beavers in this creek, sometimes as large as dogs. Not today though. Do beavers hibernate? Maybe they were off playing hockey or perhaps at work making those cell phone commercials! They have been voted Canadians favorite commercial of the year by the way!!! I love those little fellas.
The bridge was very pretty. I took loads of photos and will share more in the next few days.

Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!