Our Little Piece of Heaven

OUR LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN My name is Sheila Ford and I live in Ryder Lake, Chilliwack, British Columbia. We have lived here for six years. Our adventure all started when we were selling our farm in Langley, BC and were going to relocate. We were looking for a quiet place with a bit of property for our dogs to be able to run on. But of course we were looking in all the wrong places, Our realtor being a good friend of our sons and very close to us dragged us up to Ryder Lake to see a piece of property that he thought might suit us perfectly. Of course I came kicking and screaming not wanting to move out that far into the valley, BUT when we got to the place and went up onto the balcony I looked out at the most gorgeous view I have ever seen and I knew that I could do it and was sold instantly. It wouldn’t have mattered what the house looked like I knew we could renovate if we had to but surprisingly the house was a bonus. With it’s over 50 windows in the house and having access to different views from every room and every angle it was amazing. Ryder Lake is a small community of its own. It is warm, friendly and most of all beautiful. This area is breath taking, it is hidden up near the top of Mt Thom and is secluded yet one the best kept secrets and the greatest little community. There is always something going on from the Ryder Lake Ramble which is held every June, to the community garage sales, BBQ’s, Movie Nights, Quilt Shows, Name that Tune Nights, which are all held at the Community Hall, it is never ending the things that go on. There is a little bit of history in our hall which shows who lived up in Ryder Lake years ago and what it looked like back then. Some of the original buildings still stand and some of the original families still live up here. It is very interesting to read all of Ryder Lake’s history. The Ramble is one of the greatest functions; people come from all over just to join in on this Ramble. You arrive at the hall and with a small token to help with the up keep of the hall you receive a list of about 20 different places you can visit on your ramble through Ryder Lake. They are places of interest where you can purchase plants, crafts and different food items. These places range from nurseries, exotic Iris farms. Berry farms, lamb and llama farms, carvers, iron workers, gardens to stroll through and all with open doors and a warm welcome. It is amazing when you drive up here to believe there are so many things to see and do that most people never knew existed here. You can climb up trails to the top of Mt Thom or have a picnic at the park next to the hall. I take my dogs for a walk every morning and pass wild life, with a quick hello or chat from passing neighbors, what serenity. We have two and a half acres of peace and tranquility, nature to its fullest. Hummingbirds galore, day or dusk, song birds to wake you up in the morning. Deer grazing in your front yard and a passing bear sneak a peak once in awhile just to see what is happening. The squirrel are quite tame and will eat out of your hands, Chipmunk jabbering and the eagles training their young right in front of you as they sore across the sky. With the Ravens talking to each other, like they are saying hello as they fly by. It is very private here yet if you want to be more social you can, it’s all up to you. My yard is my park I love to putter in the peace and quiet with nature by your side, listening to the birds while my husband plays in the 4 car garage with his old cars. Our son passed away at the age of 22 and when I look out off our balcony I feel so very close to him. At night on a clear day the sky comes alive, when we had the last eclipse in most places you could not see it but up here it was amazing, my grandsons and I watched the whole thing taking pictures steadily. It is so black at night here you can see all the stars and constellations. Sunsets, Sunrises and Lightening Storms “ WOW “ we have it all. We have a view from every spot of our property from cascading mountains, glaciers, snow topped peaks, valley farms, forest, Mt Cheam with all its luscious growth or snow and the air is so very fresh and bug free, the list goes on. Winter is like being in the Alps at a resort. Fresh, white and untouched except for the foot prints from passing animals. Yet the school buses running twice a day the roads are very clear with no problem getting to and from downtown Chilliwack which is only 10 minutes away and twelve minutes to the freeway. Seclusion and country living yet as much downtown life as you want. Fifteen minutes to the Galaxy Theatre. Ryder Lake has a lot of endangered species from plants to frogs. Conservation has a frog migration event every year to help the baby toads cross to the lake. They close the road off so the little baby toads can cross from one pond area to the Ryder Lake Area. They try to protect these frogs. There are thousands crossing and the community all help to get them on their way. We have a Ryder Lake News and Views newsletter that goes out once a month, letting everyone know of upcoming events, how they did when they are over and what ever is new. There are new recipes, books, ads and if you want to write something and submit it you are welcome to, the paper tells you where you can go to the local people to purchase things, like nursery plants, eggs, meats, berries, veggies, crafts and crazy stories. There is a community bulletin board for you to post items you want to sell or events you want people to know about. The view up here is forever changing, no two days or even hours or minutes are alike, with the cloud formation, storms, leaf colors, snow and no snow, the list goes on. Ryder Lake is like forever being on a holiday. YES I LOVE IT IN RYDER LAKE AND IF “ I “ HAD MY WAY I WOULD LIVE UP HERE FOREVER “ OUR LITTLE PART OF HEAVEN “