Friday, January 23, 2009

Friday, January 23, 2009 - No comments

Finn Slough







I have always had a fascination with Finn Slough. This swampy patch of land that rests on the banks of the Fraser River began as a Finnish fishing village over 100 years ago and is now home to a curious collection of rickety houses on stilts and decomposing fishboats that have become one with the shore. Mom and I spent a delightful chunk of afternoon exploring it recently. Picking our way gingerly across the precarious bridge, we were a little embarrassed as we were passed by a local with a wheelbarrow full of firewood making her way bravely back and forth across the planks. This little enclave has something of a “closed off from the world” feel about it, but I imagine the residents must have quite the tight little community going. Whenever I pass it, I like to imagine what it might be like to live in one of those cozy little shacks.

My family and this town go way back. My great great grandpa, Walter Lee, was one of the founding fathers of the city of Richmond. He even has an elementary school named after him. He arrived when the island was covered with farmland and Railway Avenue was nothing but a horse trail. On a recent trip to Chapters I picked up a local history book and smiled when I read that old Walter Lee was particularly fond of the Finn Slough area, too. Must be in my blood.

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