Beyond

Harrison Hot Springs: A Family Adventure

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

Recently, our family had the pleasure of visiting Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa – what a treat! We were invited by the resort to explore their location as a family-friendly destination. Well, our family LOVED it! Have you been? I had read Kristi’s review of the Resort from last year and was super excited to explore what this local getaway had to offer on the family front.

We headed out on a sunny day leaving the hustle and bustle of suburbia behind. Only a 90 minute drive from home in Maple Ridge and we were transported to the most beautiful and tranquil setting. The views were breathtaking. I kept thinking we only drove 90 minutes and we get to be surrounded by this? Why don’t we do this more often?!

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McMenamins Kennedy School in Portland, Oregon

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

Our latest field trip was to Portland, Oregon – one of my favourite cities in the US!

Unless someone books it for me, I tend to be one of those people who reads every Trip Advisor entry, who checks the bed bug registries, who scrutinizes over every detail of the property’s offerings to decide if it is where it’s where I want to stay.

With this property, though, it only took one line to convince me that my husband and I were in for a treat if we booked a stay at McMenamins Kennedy School in Portland, Oregon.

Just don’t run in the hallways, please. You might spill your beer. Ha! Perfect!

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Field Trip: Hollyhock & Cortes Island

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

We were recently invited to visit Hollyhock Educational & Retreat Centre, located on Cortes Island, BC. Seeing as they offer fantastic (but intensive) yoga retreats, I decided to put my aspiring yogini skills to the test and make the trek over to the discovery islands for a 3 day get-away. Tucked away in what seems to be the middle of nowhere, Hollyhock is actually situated just down the road from the quiet Smelt Bay Provincial Park on the edge of Cortes Island.

Once a residential community, the Hollyhock Centre is now a fully operational educational and spiritual center that offers guests a unique type of get-away experience.

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2011 Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

The 3rd Annual Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival happened in Osoyoos June 9-12, 2011 and I was excited to be a part of it. This annual weekend of events was a true highlight of wineries, resorts and chefs in the South Okanagan, as well as a fundraiser for The United Way of the Central and South Okanagan. Over 18 premium wineries participated, 3 resorts hosted guests and 7 fabulous chefs showed off their culinary skills throughout the weekend.

The Festival began with a Sunset Sabre Soiree at Spirit Ridge Resort. For those of you who are new to the world of sabering, like me, allow me to explain a little more. Sabering or sabrage is the technique of removing the top off a champagne bottle with a sabre, or sword. Although, as we learned at the event, you can sabre the top off with just about any heavy object with an edge on it. Hammers, hockey skates, golf clubs, barbeque flipper, you name it.

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Our Adventure in Parksville, BC

Monday, May 30th, 2011

We were recently invited to explore the Parksville, BC area for a few days. Chrissy & I packed up our bags and headed over on BC Ferries! Our visit included meeting some friendly goats at a popular market, exploring the depths of Horne Lake caves, eating as much amazing food as we could fit in and soaking in rejuvenating mineral pools. Can’t wait to share this adventure with you!

About thirty minutes north of Nanaimo is Coombs, BC. Our first stop of the day was at the Old Country Market. What a surprise! This market is over 30 years old and is full of unique features such as goats on the roof, imported food from all over the globe, a fantastic Italian restaurant, a garden centre and great boutiques.

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Field Trip: Harrison Hot Springs Resort

Friday, February 25th, 2011

Harrison Hot Springs is one of my favourite weekend getaways. It’s close enough to home that travel isn’t a concern, yet it’s far enough away to really feel like you are going away. As soon as I drive up and see the beautiful, calm lake I feel all my stresses float away.

I was recently invited to one of the best parts of Harrison Hot Springs – the Harrison Hot Springs Resort. Nearly 125 years old, this BC resort features five natural mineral hot springs pools, a fantastic spa, restaurants, live entertainment, a fitness centre, coffee bar and lots of other great amenities.

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Field Trip: Faro/Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

Portugal was somewhere I had always wanted to go, somewhere that had always called my name. I never knew much about it, and still wish to learn much more, but my recent 4 day adventure to Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal has further fuelled my love affair with this country. I have fallen madly in love with Portugal and I can’t wait until my next visit!

We landed in Faro in mid-September, 2010. Faro is located in Vilamora, which is part of the beautiful Algarve region in Portugal.

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Field Trip: Delta Grand Okanagan Resort

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

We were recently invited to stay at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort. What an incredible experience it was – you must, must plan a trip to Kelowna and experience this fabulous accommodation! We had an absolutely fabulous three days here and we know you will love it!

The Delta Grand Okanagan Resort is a waterfront hotel with over seven acres of property. 260 hotel rooms plus 60 condos and suites means a lot of people can enjoy this amazing resort! We were treated to a gorgeous suite in the Royal Private Residence Club which offers 70 luxury waterfront villas.

When we arrived at the hotel, we immediately felt welcomed by the hospitable, attentive front desk staff.

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