O Canada - Day 3

Our full day in Harrison

This morning we got up and walked down the street to get breakfast. After one failed attempt, we found a resturant and dove into breakfast. 

Once we ate, it was time to hit the pools. 

heading back to the resort from breakfast

Lake Harrison on a cloudy day

Do they look ready to swim, or what?

Ok, it really doesn't look like good swimming weather, but the pools are warm. 

The pools at the resort are all fed from the local hot springs. Each pool is a little different - lap pool (the coolest of the bunch), family pool (about 3 feet deep and great for families), the adult pool (warmer than the family pool and nice and quite), the inside pool (a bit deeper and.... inside) and the hot  pool (located inside and really like a big hot tub). 

We spent the bulk of our time in the family pool. 

Midday, hubby and I went to the Hidden Springs Spa on property for a couple's mineral soak. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for watching the kiddos. This short spa appointment was lovely. A quiet mineral pool all to ourselves - no splashing! it was bliss. 

After an active morning in the pools we headed out for a late lunch in town. We actually headed to the next town over - Agassiz,  and found a A&W to eat at. 

After we had our frosty mug and lunch, we wandered back to Harrison by way of a local cheese farm. The farm wasn't open for tours, but we sampled some cheese and had some gelati before returning to our temporary home. And yes, you have to wonder about the logic of eating gelati outside in Canada  in February... this wasn't lost on us. But we ate it all the same! 

What now? you ask....... back to the pools. Are you seeing the pattern here? You spend a lot of time in the pools when you go to the Hot Springs. 

An afternoon of splashing and floating helped up work up an appetite. We headed back to Agassiz for dinner and tried a local place called Jack's. It was a nice, quiet dinner and we enjoyed the short drive. 

Bed was calling. Tomorrow we head home.

O Canada - Day 2

Belugas and beyond

This morning we walked to breakfast - it was about 6 blocks and wan't the best way to start the day for everyone... but the yummy meal made it a little better. We tried a resturaunt called DeDutch, and it was a good find. They have huge kind of crepe-like pancakes with a large variety of topping choices. We ate our fill and walked back to our hotel, arriving just as the rain started... what good timing!
Next on our schedule was check out and back to Stanley Park. Today we explore the Aquarium!

I can't look at these guys and not think of Finding Nemo

After we had seen it all, we loaded back into the "chariot" and headed east, to Harrison Hot Springs. With a short stop for lunch, we arrived just a bit before check in. But Yay! our rooms were ready. With a light tea service being served in the upper lobby at 4, we had a few minutes to settle in before trying a little snack.

We followed tea and unpacking with a stroll though town and dinner at a local pizza place.
After dinner it was time to swim! We enjoyed the pools until bedtime.
More hot springs fun tomorrow!

Kids and Sasquatch

O Canada

Our President's Day weekend up north

We headed north today to spend a few days in British Columbia. Grandma and Grandpa are joining us on our three day adventure. As they have the largest vehicle, with plenty of legroom it is our chosen ride for the trip. After packing up the "chariot" we are off.

We arrived at the Peace Arch border and passed the 45 minute wait with homemade brownies, taking pictures and family conversation.

Grandpa getting "An Establishing Shot" 

Driver was in Canada, passengers in US

Once through, we drove into Vancouver and found our hotel. With not much on the schedule we had time to explore a bit and plan for tomorrow. And, of course, find dinner.
We drove the loop around Stanley Park, and stopped at Prospect Point to take in the view, which included admiring a horse.

Seaplane!

Grandparents checking out the view

the horse was getting as much attention as the view

Dinner was in North Vancouver at Eastside Mario's. We hadn't been to this location before. It's a lovely waterfront restaurant with view of downtown. Oooooo! Ahhhhhh!
Dinner was Yum and the roving magician was wonderful - great with the kids. She finished up our dinner with balloon animals to take home, what could be better?
Tim Horton's for dessert! Tim's was our last stop of the night and my undeniable love for the Honey Cruller was satisfied... at least for today ;)

Tomorrow to the Aquarium and drive to Harrison Hot Springs.