Anyone who has read my piece about Canada ( Purely Canadian) will know how I feel about Canada. Here are a few images that paint my view of British Columbia, Canada.

Born in Saskatchewan, raised in British Columbia, resided in Ontario, visited Nova Scotia and travelled the trans-Canada highway to Montreal, I have been from coast to coast, in every province with the exception of small eastern shore provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. I now live in Alberta. My heart is scattered throughout Canada. Despite my wandering, British Columbia is truly my home. In my heart, the mountains and streams forever call to me, “come home”. I can be anywhere and the thought of “home” makes me pine for the smells, the vision and the memories of family living in a close-knit neighbourhood in the beautiful East Kootenays.

If you make a mid-summer trip through Canada’s first and the world’s third national park, you will experience the awe-inspiring journey offered up by Alberta’s and British Columbia’s beautiful Rocky Mountains. Here, Banff National Park’s panoramic viewpoint is framed by the blooms of common fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium). This awe-inspiring spot presents a picturesque image of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers that are found amid more than 2.5 thousand square miles land features.  By just a glance or a stop at the viewpoint as you travel through the park, you have the opportunity to admire a splendid panorama.  Photo taken July 31, 2009.

On July 31, 2009, I asked my sister-in-law if she knew of a good waterfall in Banff that I could take photos of.

She smiled and mentioned “Marysville Falls”.

“Who will go with me?” I winked.

Off we went, in separate vehicles. For a short time, we blended our journeys, taking a few hours in the rush of our lives.

At the falls, the moving water mirrored our rush of activities looking to find bursts of peace.  There, we “sistas” stood in calming awe, spending time shooting the breeze and shooting our cameras, in an area of quiet amid the rush of urban living.

A short distance from my hometown (actually home city), Cranbrook, you too can find this place.  It is a place of grace, a spot of solace in the center of Marysville activity.

This photo was chosen by Nova Scotia author and educator (Acadia University professor), Wanda Campbell for the cover of her 2009 publication, Grace. Visit the publisher’s website for information on the publication and to obtain launch details for Wanda’s Nova Scotia readings.

This photo is part of PI’s BC images. These falls, advertised to be 100 feet, are found in the center of Marysville, now a subdivision of Kimberley, BC. On Marysville’s main street, there seems to be a growing artistic center that calls me to revisit for future exploration. Good lunch spots catch my attention and satisfy my appetite. Less than a block to walk, take the “easiest” trail to a secluded-feeling falls that I have ever experienced. It is a place to enjoy a quick getaway, a spot to center yourself. Lush, aromatic pine scented evergreens perfume the air with a scent that reminds anyone raised in BC that for a few brief moments they can experience home again.

At the Marysville Falls, you can sit on the rocks as the river rushes by.  While there are small pockets of calm water, most of the water joins the race, pushing over the rocks—even trying to push through the rock, stumbling and tumbling, winging and singing a “Water Song” in a rush to clean, clean, clean and wear, wear wear the bed of stone.

Nature space frames the blue sky of July 31, 2009.

Marysville Falls photo taken July 31 2009. Suds of wave splashes whiten the view—no wonder, the sight and sound of the water feels very cleansing.

life change units

Change comes hard, digs deep and shifting direction is difficult. If you are moving and you stop, there’s stress. If you shift direction, there’s stress. Any significant change, good or bad, is stressful merely because life changes require and take our energy.

At the base of any falls, is a landing space where water renegotiates its journey. With too much activity, clarity is coloured with the stress of refocus. While there are spots of brilliance, there is a foaming at the mouth, white spews, roaring screams—illustrations of the pain that comes with change.
Marysville Falls.

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