If you came to Chilliwack
Convincing my friends my new home is actually pretty great
Issue # 39
Hello, my slightly-rotten, but gorgeously carved pumpkins,
Welcome to another newsletter! For more Halloween vibes, check out my other newsletter for more witchy ways to celebrate these spooky Fall festivities! Be safe out there gals and ghouls!
I have been calling Chilliwack home for two years now, and let me tell you, it is a challenge trying to get my friends to drive over an hour to come see me off Exit 119 on the Trans Canada highway. Most of the time, I go out their way, be it Vancouver or Delta or Abbotsford, because there are always different errands I need to run in these bigger cities so I don’t mind the trek.
I am here to plead my case for Chilliwack. Yes, sometimes the entire town reeks of manure. Yes, it is still a conservative city with people holding up signs saying “Jesus loves you” and “Don’t vax your kids” in the town square every Friday afternoon. And yes, we have the third-highest crime rate in all of Canada. Despite these downfalls, Chilliwack has proven to be a stellar place to live and work. Due to the tiny rent I currently pay, I don’t see myself leaving it until I buy my own property (which definitely won’t be in Chilliwack or anywhere close to the Lower Mainland because I’m not a millionaire). So, this is a plea for my friends to haul their asses out here.
There are two things that matter in life: being outside and eating food. Chilliwack has ample opportunities for immersing yourself in nature. You can hike a mountain, swim in a lake, fish in a river, and camp for free on a forest service road all on the same day if you want to. The proximity to lakes, forests, and mountains drew me out here two years ago (along with my boyfriend).
The options for good places to eat are limited, to say the least. While Chilliwack has just about every chain restaurant and alcohol-focused dining experience (pubs, breweries, wineries, etc.), you’d be hard-pressed to find a variety of ethnic cuisines and even harder-pressed for restaurants catering to vegans. But don’t panic, I have spent the last two years scoping out this town and have compiled a list of the best food there is.
So, if you came to Chilliwack, here is what we would do, and then what we would eat afterward:
If you want to go for a swim:
Chilliwack River. This gem of a swimming hole made from streams of clear glacier water is pure heaven on the hottest summer days.
Cultus Lake. I know it’s basic, but it is quick to get to and there are half a dozen beaches to choose from. I would never ever take you here on a weekend, but if you’re down for a weekday evening swim, this place can’t be beat.
If you want to watch stars:
McDonald Park. Technically this is in Abbotsford, but it’s so far East I consider it Chilliwack. It is a dark-sky preserve, located in the shadow of Sumas Mountain where all light pollution is blocked and the stars are magical.
Elk Mountain. It’s a bit of a hike at 10 km and 800m elevation gain, but it is a clearly marked and straightforward trail that leads to the best view of the Valley and boasts one of the best sunsets and stargazing opportunities in the area. Only you’ll have to camp up at the top or hike back down in the dark with headlamps.
If you want Dozer to guide you on one of his favorite walks
Teapot Hill: My boyfriend hiked this trail for a hundred days straight, twice. It’s a great little trail by Cultus but go in the evening or on a rainy day when it’s not so crowded.
Island 22: By far our most walked trail. This park has everything — a horse run, a boat launch, a massive dog park and dog beach, a trail by the river, a trail through the forest, and great birdwatching.
Chilliwack Community Forest: This is my go-to forest when I’ve got a free morning or afternoon and want to take Dozer for a hike. The road up to the trail is quite windy and steep, but the forest has a vast network of trails, all fun to get lost on.
If you want a great view of all of Chilliwack but don’t want to put in all the leg work:
Mt.Thom: If you start at the trailhead on Churchhill Parkway, you can reach the summit in 30 minutes. It’s a great view of Chilliwack and an easy enough hike.
Chilliwack Mountain: If you want to do no walking at all, but still want a nice view over the Valley, I’d drive up Chilliwack Mountain with you so you can gaze over our vast cornfields and wide highways for all the men who live here who drive unnecessarily large trucks to compensate for their tiny penises.
If you wanna go for a bike ride:
Vedder Rotary Trail. A super popular trail for bike rides, especially in the Fall. This trail wraps around a section of the Vedder River, providing water-side views the whole way. Some may say it’s the Seawall of Chilliwack (I’m the only one that says that). You just need to be skilled at dodging the millions of other bikers enjoying their day.
Canyon to Coast Trail. A long-ass trail that takes you to practically Agassiz. It’s brutal to walk, but it makes for a perfect bike ride! Mountain views and farmlands abound.
If you want to see a waterfall:
Bosumarne Falls: After driving for what feels like forever down Chilliwack Lake Road, you’ll park by an inconspicuous trailhead and hike for a short 30 minutes to find the most gorgeous waterfall in a thick, lush forest. A truly magical experience.
Bridal Veil Falls: Due to the stunning nature of these falls and the extreme proximity to the parking lot, this park can be overrun by tourists during the high season, so go in the off-season, even better if you can go on a weekday so you can have the falls practically all to yourself.
By now, we’ve probably worked up an appetite, so let’s get to the next part of our adventure: eating.
If you want a steaming hot bowl of Pho:
Pho Galaxy
Since the Pho broth is made with beef bone broth, my typical order here is a sweet and sour soup, a tofu banh mi, and an iced coffee. I may even convince you to split an order of salad rolls with me if we’re particularly hungry.
If you want tasty Mexican food:
Fiesta Loca
I’ve tried pretty much every vegetarian option on their menu and it’s all great. The best part of the meal is the hot-from-the-fryer tortilla chips they serve you as you wait for your food. The margaritas are amazing too.
If you want a great bowl of soup in a unique rustic setting and are okay with supporting a cult:
Yellow Deli
This restaurant is run by a group called the Twelve Tribes of Israel which have been accused of child abuse and exploiting their followers. None of their workers are paid since they are all from the cult and share the same “common purse.” On the plus side, this makes the food much cheaper than your average restaurant. They might also try to recruit you by inviting you to a Friday night dinner on their farm. I try not to patronize them for all these reasons, but God damn they have the best butternut squash soup I’ve ever tasted, and they’re a two-minute walk from my workplace and the only restaurant, other than McDonald’s, that is open during my graveyard shift. I also highly recommend their waffle.
If you want to order Indian takeout:
Pablas Curry House
There are a few excellent Indian restaurants in Chilliwack, with Shandhar Hut and Ustaad G76 being my runners-up in this category, but I’m biased toward Pablas Curry House. It’s within walking distance of my work and they sponsor a couple of community dinners every year. It’s a great family-run restaurant with delicious food at cheap prices.
If you want to drink excellent craft beer with the most perfect view of the Vedder:
Sidekick Brewing
Of all the breweries in Chilliwack, this is my favorite. They are located literally right next to the river and serve the most delicious flights of beer and Detroit-style pizza I’ve ever had. And they’re dog friendly.
If you want a hot dog and cinnamon bun:
SinAmen Bun Co.
A weird combo, but so perfect. We used to go here every Saturday, but the tradition lessened as the icing on their cinnamon buns decreased and prices for hotdogs increased. All I can say is if you want a good bun, go as early in the day as you can because they sell out fast.
This is still a very limited list of all that Chilliwack has to offer. There are many corners of this small town I have yet to explore and many trails I have left to hike. So, come see me sometime and we’ll discover more together!
It was a very cold and wet summer. And I’m now left cleaning out all my annual beds and prepping my perennials for another potentially harsh winter.
Here is a list of annuals that did amazing in my garden this season:
Planted from seeds:
Johnny Jump-ups. I planted these seeds in the late Fall of last year and they were the first to come up in the Spring.
Marigolds. Maybe my favorite flower, just due to how easy they are to grow and the fact that they are an everlasting crop. Every year I get more seeds to plant the next year. In a couple of years, it will be just marigolds.
Kale. This was easily my most bountiful crop. We had a never-ending supply of kale from May until September and I loved it.
Snap Peas. This is an early crop with very tasty, crunchy peas. Next year I will have to remember to pick them on a more regular basis so they produce even more.
Sweet Peas. Sweet Peas are some of my favorite flowers and I was blessed to have a few of them trailing up the discarded bedframe by my fence. But they didn’t do as well as I would’ve liked so next year I will make sure they are planted in deeper soil.
Black Eyed Susans. I planted these seeds in early Spring and they finally bloomed by the end of Summer. Beautiful, floppy flowers.
Lavender. I’m so happy to report that I was successful growing lavender from seed! I planted the seeds in a beautiful terracotta pot with the warmest wishes and they bloomed!
Calendula I planted what felt like a million seeds to get very few blooms. I was happy to get some blooms, but not as many as I hoped. Maybe I try to plant them in a garden bed next year.
Nasturtium. I planted countless Nasturtium seeds in hanging baskets and none of them did as well as I hoped or even grew at all, but when I planted them in the base of one of my veggie beds they grew like crazy!
Sunflowers. Another beautiful bloom I will plant in deeper pots next year to get taller, sturdier plants.
Poppies. Very early to bloom and early to die, but I loved to see them for their short burst of life.
Alyssum. My longest-lasting blooms!
Gaillardia. Another first for me, they took a while to bloom, but were worth it!
Oregano. Another herb that did wonderful in a beautiful terracotta pot.
Cilantro. Didn’t do so great in pots, but went crazy once I planted it in the garden beds. Although, they did go to seed quickly.
Beans. I love growing beans because they’re so easy and plentiful, but I’m going to be real with you, they’re maybe my least favorite veggies to eat. So, I’m not sure if I’ll do this crop again.
Cornflowers. A delicate, edible flower in shades of blue, purple and pink. It took a long time to grow, but they’re worth it.
Borage. Another flowering herb that was my first time growing from seed.
Seedlings:
Jalapenos. I got a flat of these seedlings from my work that had a bunch of extras and they produced countless jalapenos all summer. The jalapenos I planted from seed didn’t grow at all…
Tomatoes. Another flat of seedlings I took from work gave me a massive yield. I was a little upset that slugs ate about half of all the tomatoes that grew, but I’m still happy with how many I got for myself.
Coleus. Yet another flat of seedlings from my work, I got a few different varieties and learned the bigger the pot the better.
Fuschia. Maybe my favorite pot of flowers in the whole garden. They thrived from May til October.
Stay tuned next week for the list of perennials I’m tucking away for the winter.
Let This Radicalize You by Kelly Hayes and Mariame Kaba.
We live in a time with countless issues to protest and reform — the climate crisis, genocide in Palestine, prison reform, police brutality, school shootings, and the continued loss of rights of Indigenous peoples.
“Let this radicalize you, rather than lead you to despair,” is the message of this book. It should be required reading material for all activists and organizers looking to make a difference in the world without selling out or burning out.
This past week, all I’ve done is read newsletters, and then read other newsletters that were linked in those newsletters, and then read other newsletters that were linked in those newsletters, and… you get it.
Here are some of the links I found in my newsletter reading marathon:
Wealth shown to scale (don’t read this unless you want to get really really pissed off)
Why you should turn your to-do list into a menu
Nicole Antoinette’s Wild Letters: I became a paid subscriber to her Substack and have loved reading her work. If you like thru-hiking, herbalism, writing, and community building, you’ll probably also like her work.
The Creative Independent Guides and Zines
Mushroom walks in the forest. I finished up my petsitting gig up in Ryder Lake and while I’m so grateful to be back at home with my own dog, I’ll miss the daily walks in the forest, scoping out all the mushrooms.
I started a new job with Rivershed this past weekend as a contractor who tables at community events. Tabling at community events was my favorite part of my program coordinator job when I worked at Fraser Valley Conservancy, and I’m stoked to have found a job that only involves hanging out at fun, community events and talking to people about salmon and the importance of restoring and protecting the Fraser Watershed. The first event I tabled was Salmon Come Home in Coquitlam at the Hoy Creek Hatchery.
A younger version of me was smart enough to batch-prep about a hundred dumplings, and I’ve been finding ways to eat these tasty little guys for a couple of months now. These dumpling soup recipes I found while scrolling through Instagram Reels are the absolute best way to eat dumplings.
Red Curry Dumpling Soup
Fry 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 minced shallot (or ½ a regular onion) until brown. Add 3 tbsp red curry paste and 1 tbsp curry powder and fry for another couple of minutes. Add 1 can of coconut milk, whisk to combine, and simmer for 10 minutes. Whisk in 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1 tsp miso paste. Add as many frozen dumplings as your heart desires, as well as whatever veggies you have on hand that you think would be good in here, I added frozen edamame. Simmer until the dumplings are cooked through. Serve garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.
Peanut Noodle Dumpling Soup
Sautee a thumb of minced ginger and 3 cloves minced garlic until fragrant. Add 3 tbsp peanut butter, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp chili oil, and 1 tsp miso paste. Pour in 750 mL vegetable stock, whisk to combine everything well, and simmer for 10 minutes. While that is simmering, cook some noodles (like ramen or soba) in a separate pot, drain when done, and set aside. Fry up your frozen dumplings til golden on both sides, then add a few tbsp of water to the pan and cover to steam to perfection. After your broth has simmered for 10 minutes, add some frozen veggies (I added edamame and corn) and simmer for a few more minutes. Finish by whisking in 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1 tsp salt. Divide noodles into bowls, pour broth onto the noodles, and top with the fried dumplings. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion.
Thanks for reading What Am I Doing With My Life.
If we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting - I’m Andrea Sadowski, a writer, photographer, and silly little guy. If you enjoyed this post, here are a few ways you can connect with me:
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I am honored to have written this newsletter and experienced all the joys within these words on S’ólh Téméxw, the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Stō:lo Coast Salish peoples.