We’re having a dreary day today. It’s raining down here by the river, but snowing higher up, reported by a friend during an early morning call. I really should be outside working in the greenhouses, but I think I’ll have another cup of tea instead, and share some of the photos my son took a few days ago, when the sun was shining and spring seemed much more committed to staying than it does this morning!
Right now the river is as low as it gets all year, and we’re taking advantage of that to explore the sandy side channels which are usually full of water the rest of the year.
Down along the main river bed itself, rockhounding bliss at low water – new territory to explore!
And here’s our quarry – glowing agates.
Naturally polished Fraser River gems.
Returning home on higher ground, the sagebrush buttercups are out in full force on the hillsides.
This is the high point of the farm – the house in directly below this spot, though you can’t see it for the trees – and looking upriver to the North.
And from the same spot, looking the other way, downriver to the South, a few days later, after some days of rain, and enough warmth to result in melting snow in the high places. Our rockhounding grounds are seriously diminished; the river is on the way up once again.
Leaves & Pages 
Q: Do you skip rocks on the river and if so what is your record for number of skips with a single rock?
I’m afraid that when I was put together the rock-skipping gene was left out. I get teased a lot – mine skip once. Sploosh. But my husband and son – Wow! Into the twenties, if the conditions are right. Out at the Cottonwood River, which is a respectable size though nothing like the Fraser, my son has skipped rocks right across it, edge to edge. It’s definitely an art. The Fraser isn’t so good – very whirlpooly & swirling currents where we are, not good for skipping, though that doesn’t stop the family addicts. 😉 (Plus it’s WIDE.)
Great photos, Barb! It is so fun to get a glimpse of your part of the world.
Beautiful photos. I am visiting your part of the world in June and you have made me look forward to it even more!
Oh – I do hope you enjoy your visit! All of BC is quite extraordinarily lovely, in many different ways.
Beautiful!
Oh my gosh. Thanks for sharing these. My memories of driving up (then down) the Fraser some years ago are filled with the word “breathtaking”. And you have it right at your doorway, in all its seasons.
(I must dig out my pics and get them digitized.)
It’s breathtaking, but also a bit scary – not a friendly river, this one, at least not here. Many people have come to grief on it. We treat it with a whole lot of respect! But it sure is beautiful here. 🙂 (As it is, in different ways, right across Canada. Gorgeous country we live in!)