Ihave driven past this small park pretty much daily for years and have never stopped to visit it. The park is a mile from my home, but I never really had a reason to visit. I kept wondering about it as from the main road it looks like it is mostly unkept bush and trees. One could see part of a kids’ play area tucked in the back but nothing looked that appealing and so I just drove past wondering about it. The history of the park had a strong connection to my childhood and as such I was interested in what has happened to the land, but I guess not really that much.

Back when I was a teen and living in Ocean Park my parents would have many dinner parties. They would normally employ a lady by the name of Nora Guest to do cooking and catering of the meals alongside my mother. Nora became a good friend of my parents and was at the house quite regularly. She owned a 5-acre property on 24th avenue. Over the years she subdivided it in half and sold the western piece, living in a small house at the back of the eastern half. Over the years trees grew in her front yard and obscured the back and house. She eventually passed on and the property changed hands a few times. When the area around the property was redeveloped into condos and townhouses the property was given to the city to become a park. The western half became a condo building, but eastern was joined with a few other properties and became Orchard Grove Park.

Well, I finally got in my car with my camera and drove the short distance to the park, let’s not comment on why I didn’t just walk there.  Parking alongside the park I grabbed the camera and followed a paved foot path into the park. The northern end (furthest from 24th Avenue) is open green space with a few picnic tables and a good-sized play area. The area is criss-crossed with walkways and would offer some nice areas for groups to spread out and enjoy the open space. To the south is the grove of trees and unkept bush though there were dirt trails leading into it, teen hide-outs I presume. Though not a destination park, it does offer the locals a lovely area and the trees block a lot of the noise from busy 24th avenue traffic. 

I walked a circle around the area and then set out for the green space across the street on the south side of 24th. Here there is a large water reservoir, and the city works building for south Surrey. The city building has a lovely garden area in front with a water slowing stream bed along its western side. It offers signs talking about the biodiversity of the various plants growing in the garden and how the area is pollinated by more than just bees. It is really quite pretty even if not overly cultured. It was worth the few minutes I took to explore the property instead of just driving past.

Done with the two locations I wandered the streets in the area next to the park thinking about the number of people enow living in the condo buildings and the numerous townhouses. The area was definitely getting filled with people and houses and the green space provided by Nora’s property is very well appreciated. I enjoyed the short visit and the nostalgic reminiscing about events from 50+ years ago. I am sure Nora would be pleased to see what became of her home and the lovely big firs that she lived with.

W e have enjoyed having two of our youngest grandchildren stay with us for a week while their parents were globe-trotting to Mexico. I hope they enjoyed their trip to the south, I quite enjoyed having their children with us for a few days. One of our adventures was to Cascade Falls Regional Park. This park sports a lovely waterfall viewable from a suspension bridge over a 40-foot gorge, but I digress. Our story begins at home getting the kids ready for the adventure.

Our adventure begins with migrating the car seats into my car and strapping in the youngsters for a long drive to the park. Once we were all loaded, I asked the navcom for the best route to the park. It selected one that took us along 16th avenue which was about what I had expected. Time estimated to be 1 hour 21 minutes. We set off for the park. By the time we were approaching 216 the navcom determined that the original route was now congested and proposed a new route. I turned on 216 for 40th. We followed a number of back roads trying to avoid slow downs, but we still were stopped at two points for road work. It was a bit annoying, but I guess we all want better roads.

Eventually we were driving along Sylvester Road alongside Miracle Valley on the final leg of the drive. One final turn and the park entrance was before us. The paved lot was about a quarter filled and we were able to pick a stall not too far back from the trails. It being now 12:20 we grabbed our lunch and wandered over to the picnic area. Here there are two covered tables and one open. Eva wanted the open one as it offered a view of the creek below us. We doled out the sandwiches and drinks but I was the only one eating. The two kids were too excited to eat. So, we packed up the food and wandered down the trail to the creek. 

The route was short, but it had a steep section that the kids avoided on the way down but eventually they were climbing it. At the creek we saw several families playing in the water despite it being quite cold. The hot sun kept them warm enough to enjoy the coolness. Then Elijah and Eva clambered over the rocks and felt the water. After a few minutes we wandered back to the bank and made our way to the car to drop off the food before we started on the main trail to the waterfall. The trail is not long but is quite steep. In the steepest sections stairs were installed so the whole walk was quite easy and safe with the stairs. A solid fence kept us away from the shear drop a few meters from the trail.

After a few minutes of hiking, we arrived at the side of the suspension bridge. There were a few people standing around enjoying the view of the waterfall. The kids were quite amazed with the waterfall but also quite enjoyed walking the bridge. It isn’t very long but has a steep angle as it dips down and up on the far side. In the middle they tried swaying it, but it was too solid for any movement to be noticed. On the far side of the bridge is a small viewing platform where one has an excellent view of the waterfall. The water flow was fairly decent for late July, and the waterfall had a good roar to it. Though the sides of the gorge were very steep and hard to navigate, we saw one couple near the base of the fall enjoying the water. After a few minutes of enjoying the view, and with me finished gathering a number of photos, we set off back across the bridge and then reached indecision as to which route to take back to the car. We followed the trail up and the kids were thinking of taking the roadway back but in the end, they decided the trail would be more fun.

The return walk saw more people coming up and the place was a bit busier than when we arrived but still not crowded. Once back at the car the kids decided they were now hungry and so we grabbed the food and returned to the picnic table for them to eat. Once satisfied, we revisited the creek, and the kids climbed several large boulders that lined the creek bed. It was getting hotter in the afternoon sun, and we still had over an hour of driving to get home so we left the creek and returned to the car. 

Once loaded into the car seats, I asked the navcom for the route home. It suggested one very close to the route I had often taken when driving the backcountry in my old truck. Estimating about hour and quarter, arriving home at 2:55. The drive proceeded smoothly this time, we avoided any construction zones and long backups. We pulled into the carport at 2:54! I am still amazed at how close these driving estimates can be. It had been a lovely day though most of it was driving, the visit to the waterfall was worth the effort. And the grandkids were tied but felt that the adventure was a good one.

O ur trip to Victoria this time had a few wrinkles to our normally organized travel. As I was getting our suitcase and packages ready for loading, I went to organize our Ferry reservation. I discovered that it had not been made! Our reserved spot on the 11am trip was not there. Not a nice start to the trip. I immediately made a reservation for the return direction which went through, so we would be fine coming home but this morning we had a problem. I mentioned the problem to Carolyn, and we quickly finished our packing and set out for Starbucks earlier than normal. Carolyn ordered on-line so that there would be no wait at the store.

We soon were driving to the ferry and saw the posted signs that the 10am still had a bit of room. We were not expecting to be on the 10 but wanted to get in the line early to ensure we made the 11. At the terminal we parked and after only about 10 minutes the 10am ferry started loading. Without a reservation we would unfortunately be on the lower deck which would be harder for Carolyn. Well, as the line of cars flowed onto the ferry, we reached the front and were waved forward to the upper deck! We in fact were the last car loaded! We made the earlier run.

Once in Saanich we drove to Boston Pizza like usual and had our lunch including a free birthday dessert I had saved up. The extra hour we started with evaporated at the restaurant as service was quite slow. It wasn’t a huge issue as we played our word game to keep busy. After our normal stop for groceries at the Market on Yates, we arrived at the hotel about the usual time. That’s when I noticed we had forgotten to bring our wagon. Reception stated they had none to loan, but they did have people and two staffers helped us carry in our stuff. As we crowded into the elevator, I thought how this actually was easier than normal! The day wrapped up with us relaxing as normal.

On Monday I took time to visit Mount Newton to operate my radio and contact friends back home and see who else I could reach. (See my story on that trip which had its own troubles). Come Tuesday I was picked up by my cousin Jim and we set out for Goldstream Park to hike along an abandoned rail line to a trestle bridge. We arrived at the entrance booth and were directed to a day-use parking spot. After a short break and a review of the maps we set out for the trails and the side trail leading to the tracks. The short spur between the trail and the tracks was quite steep and in the dry weather the surface was very dry and being dirt, it was very slippery. We carefully picked our way up and soon were walking the tracks.

The old line still had the steel rails in place though they were over-grown in many places and the ties needed replacement should the track ever be reused. The unevenness made paying attention to one’s step essential. As we made our way we came upon a side trail to an open raised area which we explored to see what view it offered. It had a nice look to the South-east and of Mount Finlayson to the north-east. Back on the track we soon arrived at the trestle. The way was barred by a tall fence. As we got closer, we noticed that the fence was cut open and much traffic had continued on. We decided we would walk out a short way to gather a few photos. We really weren’t interested in crossing the entire structure. The track bed was over 150 feet above the creek below and looking through the ties made one wonder why we were here.

Back on firm ground we wandered to the side of the trestle to gather a few photos from under it. The slope was steep and slippery, so we didn’t explore to far, but I did get a few photos. It is hard to get a good image depicting the height of the bridge. 

We had the area to ourselves, enjoying nature and the warm sun. While hiking the track we saw only one other walker who was out with her dog. The return walk went without incident, but the short steep spur took some navigating to ensure one didn’t fall. I did manage to get down without injury though it took longer than I wanted. Once back at the car we drove to Tim Hortons for a cool drink and a muffin. It had been a nice walk and we both saw some new sights.

The next day was a cooler one and we decided to rest in the room and not do any outdoor adventures. Our final day was also one of normal activity though we did finish a bit earlier than normal. Our next trip was booked for October and then in January. So, we are well prepared now and need to remember to book the ferry. On the return ferry we were one of the first to load and we were able to get a seat that we often sit in at the bow. Being first on also let us be one of the first off which allowed us to make good time to home and to be mauled by our dogs in greeting. Over-all a very good time in Victoria.