Carol Blacklaws wrote the book on The Fraser, River of Life and Legend.
Husband Rick Blacklaws took the photos that accompany Carol's words.
The couple will be at a signing at Books & Co. on Nov. 6 from 1 to 3 p.m.
The appearance will be COVID-friendly with social distancing in place and the Blacklaws will wear masks and gloves.
The recently released book's information was gathered throughout three decades of navigating the ebb and flow of the Fraser.
The Blacklaws have kept returning to the waters year after year and the book is a combination of memoir and journal, with emphasis on photos.
The Fraser River begins in the Rocky Mountains and is 1,375 kilometres in length, the longest river in B.C. and 11th longest in Canada The Fraser River was designated as a Canadian Heritage River in 1998. Canada’s 40 Heritage Rivers are recognized nationally for their outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational heritage.
"It's a great way to see the province," Rick said during a recent phone interview. "The Fraser feels like it almost goes through five different countries. That's why we divided the book up into regions."
The book includes chapters entitled The Upper Reaches, The Cariboo, The Grasslands, The Canyon, The Lower Reaches.
The Fraser has made a big impact on the Blacklaw family.
"The river gave us the opportunity to go up through the canyon to visit different sites so for us it was more of a gateway to a family event we did every summer," Carol said. "Our son was a river guide, our grandson is named Fraser and it just became a part of what we did as a family."
When Prince George residents read the chapter on The Cariboo that begins on page 33, Carol mentions the "smell of money" that "settled like a head cold." Readers need to remember that trip was in 1990 and since then area pulp mills have spent more than $150 million through a federal government green subsidy program to significantly reduce the amount of particulate that goes into the air.
Carol said she was inspired to write the book to dispel the negative feelings people have about the Fraser River in the Lower Mainland.
"When a traffic report would come on it was all about what Fraser bridge or tunnel you were stuck on," Carol said. "So me, knowing the river and our family knowing the river, I felt I had to create a positive awareness of the beauty of the river so that was my incentive."
Rick said it's important for people to know that the Fraser River is healthy, wild and he recommends it be used as a vehicle to see the province.
Rick said he is looking forward to the book signing on Nov. 6.
"At least we can sit and meet people in Prince George," Rick said. "It's important to support the independent books stores that still exist and Owen (Books & Co. owner) has made it easy during this challenging time."
For more information about the book visit www.carolblacklaws.com
