This past holiday season, the fiancé and I took a little trip south of the border to experience our own version of 2 Days in Seattle. As we mentioned in Part 1 of our Seattle Weekend Adventure, we wanted to take our time on this adventure so we planned to split up our weekend by spending one night just outside of Seattle, and one night downtown. After spending a wonderful day and night at the famed Tulalip Resort & Casino (and doing a bit of shopping at the Seattle Premium Outlets), we found ourselves all packed up in the car and on our way south towards downtown Seattle!
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Beyond
Pulse Adventure: Seattle Part 2
Friday, February 8th, 2013Seattle Weekend Adventure: Part 1
Sunday, December 30th, 2012This holiday season, instead of gifting presents to each other, the fiancé and I decided to go on a weekend adventure to spend a bit of quality time in each other’s company. We both had been so busy in the weeks leading up to Christmas that we decided we needed a little time away (doesn’t everyone feel like this over the holidays?)! After tossing around a few different destination ideas, we decided Seattle would be the perfect escape that would allow us to “get away from it all” without having to go too far. We had so much fun relaxing, exploring and discovering new things and we are so excited to share our trip with you!
We wanted to take our time on this adventure, so we planned to split up our weekend by spending one night just outside of Seattle and one night downtown. We left for our weekend adventure on a Friday afternoon and within 2.5 hours (from Chilliwack, BC) we were arriving at the grand entrance to our first stop, the Tulalip Resort & Casino! If you’ve ever driven to Seattle via the I-5, you’ve most likely driven right past this gem of a destination. The twelve-story resort truly is a destination all in itself; it includes everything you need for an afternoon, night or weekend away. Since we visited just before Christmas, the front lobbies and lounge areas were warmly decorated and there were festive trees scattered throughout the resort.

Now although the casino looked spectacular, we decided to spend our time this trip at the prestigious T-Spa rather than on the gaming floor. It was worth every penny! The T-Spa is renowned for being one of the best spas in the Washington State and, at 14,000 square feet, it’s hard to compete with. The spa was relaxing, clean and oh-so-comfortable that I never wanted to leave. Before and after treatments, guests are treated to complimentary teas, spa waters and juices as well as fresh fruit and various trail mix snacks. The ladies lounge area was subtler with magazines and newspapers, while the men’s lounge area featured a large television to keep them posted on their sports. We both received RMT massage treatments and will most definitely be returning for additional treatments in the future… if only to experience the lounge areas again! If you book ahead for any type of treatment at the T-Spa, just remember to leave yourself enough time to relax in the eucalyptus steam room or sweat it out in their infrared sauna. At the very least, leave time to take a long hot shower in one of their shower coves, complete with rainfall style facets that are six inches in diameter. Heavenly!
Okanagan Wine Adventure – Black Hills Winery Nota Bene Release Party
Wednesday, June 13th, 2012We went on a little adventure to Osoyoos this past weekend. Wine? Party? Yes please!
Black Hills Winery’s Nota Bene Release Party and their new Wine Experience Centre grand opening on June 9 was part of the 3rd annual Vinos Wine Film Festival. The Vinos are the first festival combining enthusiasts from both the wine and film worlds to create an exceptional, unique experience in the Okanagan.
The Staff at Black Hills Winery managed to carry the ambience from the Vinos into their Nota Bene Release Party this year. They paired food, wine, music, art and even beer to create another memorable Black Hills event.
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Harrison Hot Springs: A Family Adventure
Thursday, April 12th, 2012Recently, 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, 2011Our 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, 2011We 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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Field Trip: Rowena’s Inn on the River
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011Ohh, this place is so special! I’m excited to share it with you.
My Mum and I were recently hosted at Rowena’s Inn on the River, which is located in Harrison Mills, BC (just 5 minutes from Kilby). Knowing this was a B&B located on a golf course in Harrison Mills, we knew this would be a beautiful place to visit but we had no idea just how special, fascinating and delicious our visit was going to be!
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2011 Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011The 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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