Top 12 interesting observations on the Ryder Lake Ramble adventure
I am always amazed by what I notice when I actually open my eyes, ears and mind.
2023 marks the 23rd year of Ryder Lake Ramble.
The event raises funds for the Ryder Lake Community Hall. Ryder Lake is a hillside suburb southeast of Chilliwack.
We are staying here in Chilliwack, in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia in Canada, for about six weeks, so an event like the Ramble is a great way to get to know the area and meet some people in the community.
Having organised several car rallies as fundraisers when my kids were at school, I love the idea of getting out and about, taking turns you’d normally drive past.
The Ramble was a little different, as it included visiting ten properties where you were invited to come in, meet the owner, and visit the garden or meet their animals.
I am not going to tell you about each of the places or the people, or even the area specifically.
Today, I am going to share twelve interesting observations I made that day.
1. Let us not forget to be kind
The challenges and desires to be a good human are the same today as they were 120 years ago.
And probably 120 years before that…
The Women’s Institute Creed of 1904. Captured by Joy Taylor in the Ryder Lake Community Hall
2. Closed gates are more intriguing
Even though the driveway gate was opened wide to walk through, I wanted to enter this place via the small gate to the side.
A closed gate opens the imagination. Captured by Joy Taylor
3. Strings make me teary
These kids started playing the cello and violin in the garden.
My skin tingled, and my eyes filled with tears.
Memories of my kids’ performing filled my thoughts.
Two young people playing their music in the garden, for us to enjoy. Captured by Joy Taylor
4. Mother Nature is bold
All the colours of the rainbow are nothing compared to the colour palette that Mother Nature uses.
Colours of spring. Captured by Joy Taylor
5. We need to teach kids about value
At two different locations, kids had made cupcakes to sell.
One was selling them for 50 cents to raise money for her sporting activities and donate to charities.
The others were selling theirs for $3-5 to make money for stuff they wanted to buy.
Cupcakes for sale. Captured by Joy Taylor
6. One smiling face
Whether walking in a forest or along the street, once I see a smiling face, I cannot help but look up and around for more.
A smiling tree. Captured by Joy Taylor
7. Anyone can learn anything
From keeping bees and growing vegetables to raising alpacas and spinning wool.
If you want to learn a new skill, someone who already learned is genuinely excited to teach you.
Spinning wool on a spinning wheel. Captured by Joy Taylor
8. Creativity appears everywhere
In every facet of life, someone is expressing their creative energy.
It appears in the equipment and accessories that are made, participation in shared activities, creating art, singing songs and telling stories.
Creativity shines in the halter and reins. Captured by Joy Taylor
9. Greener on the inside
Even if you live in a place that snows, you can surround yourself with tropical plants if you are willing to create a sanctuary for them.
A glass conservatory filled with all types of plants. Captured by Joy Taylor
10. Time is relative
Regardless of whether we change our clocks forward and backward throughout the year, the sun still shines, and the earth still turns the same way at the same speed, day after day.
Sundials were not designed with daylight savings in mind. Captured by Joy Taylor
11. Vegan gardens are missing out
Gardens that are grown by vegans are missing these three things:
No feathered friends to eat the bugs.
No chicken poop to use as manure.
No eggshells to crush up to prevent slugs from getting to their leafy greens.
Vegans love their vegetables, and so do the bugs. Captured by Joy Taylor
12. Not all toads are unwanted
Growing up in Queensland, I learned that toads (cane toads) are bad and frogs (green frogs) are good.
Here, they have built a special tunnel for the toadlets to help them hop from the lake to the forest and encourage locals to take a detour to avoid the roads when the toadlets are crossing.
They have frogs (bullfrogs) on their list of undesirables.
Take the detour to avoid the tiny toads on the road. Captured by Joy Taylor
If you have the opportunity to be in Chilliwack in June, I would encourage you to experience the Ryder Lake Ramble and see what observations you make.
Of course, you do not need an organised event to be able to drive around wherever you are and take notice of things you normally drive by, and make some interesting observations of your own!
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Joy Taylor
Joy has been working her way around the world with her kids, solo and with her partner for over 20 years. Her motto is ‘travel cheap, travel deep’. She built a green house and tries to live a green life. 36/196
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