I lived in and around White Rock for nearly 50 years! Every time I came home over the hill that brought me to the ocean view, I knew I had found my paradise. There is nowhere in Canada that equals the beautiful little city of White Rock with its gorgeous gardens adorning everyone’s front and back yards, wide expanses of blue ocean and temperate climate. If I wanted to grow something, it was as simple as putting the plant or seed in the ground and it would produce a marvelous plant in a short period of time. Many hours were spent running, then later walking along the beach from one end to the other and fond memories of clam digging in the sand and bon fires with the waves lapping our toes are still as fresh today as ever. The city of White Rock is stunning and that is why everyone wants to live there.
The drinking water comes from an artesian well and is pure enough to put fish into it right from the tap. Long ago when my family relocated to White Rock, it was a little seaside town. There were no box stores, only one high school and everyone knew everyone as is common in small towns. But, as the populations discovered this gem amongst the shores, they began to change the landscape. Little cottages gave way to monster homes, and soon the neighbouring city, Surrey, invited Wal Mart, Home Depot and a myriad of chain stores and fast food restaurants to the borders of White Rock. The mix of people also changed and those who were new with new money brought a sense of entitlement along with them. White Rock was nothing like it was as that little seaside town. It was a burgeoning yuppy city with a lot of rich people and a lot of old people who never left.
As much as I loved my town, I did not love the city. Even on my last visit last week, where the house I grew up in used to stand, is a monster ugly mansion. There are many traffic lights and a hub bub of goings on that never ceases. The sea is busy and there is never any parking available along the strip where many quaint restaurants are, where I used to work at the fish and chip joint when I was only 13. That place is long gone. I would not like to move back.
There is little there for me now, other than the temperate climate that allows one to grow anything and the magnificent farmer’s market full or organic goodies. I do miss that. The area in which I live now is not really interested in organics and that is way too bad for me because I have lived an organic life for as long as I know. Still, when I went over the knoll and smelled the sea air, the heart strings tugged a little. After all, it was home for a long time and is the most beautiful place in Canada, or was. What do you think?