North Shore Mama Visits Springs RV Resort

Hear what North Shore Mama has to say about Family Vacations at the Springs RV Resort in Harrison Hot Springs, B.C.

Not many things beat summertime in British Columbia.  We love being home in Vancouver for the summer months and, instead of going away someplace tropical (as many do) we prefer to vacation locally in July and August.  The weather is usually so good and we are fortunate to have all these awesome staycation spots within driving distance from Vancouver.

One such spot is Harrison Hot Springs.  About 1.5 hours by car from Vancouver, Harrison Hot Springs is such a great family holiday destination.  We kicked off our summer there this year, staying at Springs RV Resort.
Springs RV Resort is a unique idea where you actually buy a lot within the resort to host your RV.  It is a great alternative to owning a cottage, especially in Vancouver (and surrounding areas) where we all know owning isn’t always within reach.  At Springs RV, you own land at a really great price and still have the opportunity to get out of the city with your family.  To find out more about owning at Springs RV Resort, click here.

As you can see by the photos above, the resort itself is immaculately maintained and just beautiful!   Our girls had SUCH a great time playing in the playground and splashing in the family pool.

In addition to all the fun to be had on the resort grounds themselves, at Springs RV Resort, we were about a 4 minute drive to the lake and beach in the town of Harrison Hot Springs where we strolled, lounged, ate ice cream and played by/in the lake.

I totally fell in love with Harrison Hot Springs as a family holiday spot! It was hot and sunny and the days seemed to linger perfectly into the warm evenings.

If you have been dreaming of a summer cabin, but have felt discouraged by the BC real estate market, you should definitely look into the idea of becoming part of the Springs RV Resort community.

Come visit the Springs RV Resort and enjoy:

Brand new three-storey clubhouse

New adult pool and over-sized hot tub

Large heated family pool with hot tub

Spa-like bathrooms with heated tile floors

5 outdoor community fireplaces

Two big screen TV areas

Library with fireplace

Games room – darts, pool, ping pong, foosball

Stone and cedar social pavilion for BBQ’s and dances

Laundry Room

Large treed playground

1930’s Antique Carousel

Walking trails, dog walk

Free Wi-Fi & Shaw Hotspots

Truly a vacation experience you won’t want to miss!

Top 5 reasons to OWN at Springs RV Resort:

Just 90 minutes or less and you’ve arrived.

Splash in one of our two heated pools; new adult pool and over-sized hot tub or our family pool and hot tub located close to the playground.

Relax by the fire at our brand new cedar and stone Whistler-style clubhouse or at our spa-quality amenities area.

Stroll to the beach and experience lakeside dining, fishing, boating, hiking, golfing, while enjoying the stunning vistas.

Enjoy the many social activities: dinner & dances, golf tournaments, game nights, kids’ camps, outdoor movies…….too many to list!

Above all else, it is our community of friends and families that makes Springs RV Resort such a special place.

For more information, contact Springs RV Resort.

Sasquatch Sighting - Harrison Hot Springs, BC

Wild Man!  Sasquatch derives its name from a Sts’ailes word which loosely translates to Wild Man or Hairy Man, a primary caretaker who watches over the land.  Tales of this large, hairy creature are abundant in the Pacific North West and stir the imaginations of children and adults alike.

 Sasquatch is important both culturally and spiritually to the Sts’ailes people and their experiences with Sasquatch go back thousands of years.  Sasq’ets is believed to have the ability to move between the physical and spiritual realms.  A sighting is to be considered a gift, a very rare and fortunate event.

Harrison Hot Spring’s very own John Green, a Canadian researcher, has been searching for Sasquatch, also known as Big Foot, since 1957 and has investigated hundreds if not thousands of sightings. Big Foot is usually described as a large, hairy bipedal humanoid.  Descriptions of Sasquatch are varied in both height and colour.  Some claim to have seen a creature as big as fourteen feet tall!

Here in Harrison Hot Springs, we both embrace and celebrate this elusive creature during Sasquatch Days, a family oriented, two day celebration.  This community gathering is hosted by the Sts’ailes First Nation and the Village of Harrison Hot Springs.  Since it first began in 1938 it has grown to become a yearly event featuring entertainment, salmon BBQ’s, boat tours, arts & crafts exhibitions and informative talks on the Sasquatch from the Sts’ailes experts.

Scientists may discount the existence of Big Foot, but we are sure Sasquatch exists…well, at least the mystery and the intrigue is real, and of course when you visit the Springs RV Resort in Harrison Hot Springs, Big Foot will greet you.  What more proof do you need?

A word to the wise:  Should you wish to venture into Sasquatch Country in search of this elusive being, be sure to become familiar with these guidelines, courtesy of Tourism Harrison…..and remember to take your camera!


Warning:  You are entering Sasquatch Country

#SasquatchDays #Sasquatch #Bigfoot #HarrisonHotSprings #rvlifestyle #familyvacation

The Little Free Library in Harrison Hot Springs

Have you heard of Little Free Libraries?  You will notice them popping up in communities everywhere.  The concept is simple – take a book – return a book.  Often the simplest ideas are the best and Little Free Libraries embody the spirit of community, sharing and a love of literature.

Unique and Quirky Designs

The Little Free Libraries are quite charming – their designs are all unique and often quirky, many resembling bird houses.  You will stumble upon these Little Libraries at beaches, in front of private homes, at bus stops, store fronts, on bike paths and trails in neighbourhoods everywhere from the United State to Ghana and Afghanistan.  They are a unique and creative blend of literacy promotion and community engagement.

Library with a view - Qualicum Beach

 Obviously reading is popular throughout the year, but there is something special about finding that perfect summer book while vacationing.  When I say “summer book”, I mean that low-brow, lightweight page turning novel you have wanted to read all year!  For many of us there is a kind of self-indulgent pleasure in leaving those deep, serious books for our winter reading lists and allowing time to indulge in that “trashy” summer novel.  In this digital age, there is still great pleasure to be found on your lawn chair by the pool with a really good book….enjoy your read.

Little Free Library on the Centennial Trail

Should you be in search of for your next great read, be sure to visit the Springs RV Resort library in the clubhouse.  We invite you to “take a book – return a book.”

Springs RV Resort - Library in new Club House

#littlefreelibrary #rvlifestyle #harrisonhotsprings #books #payitforward

It's a Celebration

Since the beginning of time, man has celebrated!  

The summer solstice, weddings, religious holidays, Festivals, Graduations, Birthdays, Halloween, New Year’s Eve, Ground Hog Day, a new job, retirements, a hole in one…..the list is diverse!  When you think about it, as a species we spend a considerable amount of time celebrating! We sing, we dance, we laugh and we play.  But, why do we celebrate?  Why do we want to come together as a group, and what makes a great celebration?

Is it -?

• Family?
• Friends?
• Balloons?
• Magic?
• Music?
• Ribbons & Bows?
• Location?
• Weather?
• Eats and Treats?

At the Springs RV Resort, we recently celebrated the Grand Opening of our new Club House and development of our Phase II RV lots.

Our new Pool, Hot Tub and Club House are open!

It was a magnificent day.  The weather was perfect, the facilities were immaculate and the atmosphere was festive.

The day was full of smiles and laughter as we enjoyed the official ribbon cutting, Golf Cart demos, RV Show Suite tours, a Magic show and the sounds of Todd Richard and the TR Band.

Young and Old are captivated by the magic of Rod Boss.

Todd Richard and the TR Band get the dance party started.

It's your break

 The folks at Springs RV Resort really do know how to host a celebration.

But when all is said and done, it can be argued that it isn’t about the food, drinks or entertainment.  Celebrations remind us that we are part of a larger community.  When you think about it, maybe it is simply knowing that your friends will be there with you.  Now – that IS something to celebrate!

(“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met.”  William Butler Yeats)

Best Ice Cream in Harrison Hot Springs

ICE CREAM - my favourite food group!  There is always a time and a place for ice cream. However, nothing is better than that special flavour on a hot summer day.

No matter who you talk to, ice cream invokes memories - usually warm, fuzzy ones.  As a child, I fondly remember driving in the car with my family when suddenly the car would take on a mind of its own.  We would scream with joy as Dad valiantly fought for control of the vehicle. He would dramatically gasp, groan and holler, "I can't control it much longer!"  No matter how bravely he fought, the car would turn in to our local Dairy Queen and we would stop in for a round of cones.  As a young child I was convinced we had the best car ever!  To this day, I smile as my car will sometimes take over and turn in to the local ice cream store.  (FYI - This isn't a factory install feature - be sure to ask your auto dealer for the ice cream app next time you are in the market for a new vehicle!)


Ice Cream stories are abundant and I am sure you have one of your own.  From sport team celebrations to birthday parties, ice cream says it best!

I can't believe I ate the whole thing!

In 2013, my partner and I were cycling through Louisiana on our way to New Orleans.  We were taking the back roads and doing our best to meet as many locals as we possibly could.  We were deep in the heart of Cajun country, in a little town that had clearly seen more prosperous days when we encountered a gentleman named Carroll.

We were completely and utterly lost! We had come to a complete stop and were reviewing our maps. Carroll saw us looking dazed and confused and figured since his grand-daddy, his daddy and he himself were born and bred in the area, he might be able to help.  He was true, blue Cajun!  When he started school he could not speak English and was put in a separate class.  He shared wonderful stories of life on the bayou and had us in hysterics.  We visited for quite a long while and learned that when growing up, Carroll and his family were so poor he had never had ice cream.  However, with a bright smile and a wink he told us that he knew a guy who had seen a guy eat ice cream!

Follow the signs to the Best Ice Cream in Harrison Hot Springs

As we bid farewell, Carroll was happy to inform us that his lot in life had improved from those early days on the Bayou and he now could afford as much ice cream as he wanted - CHOCOLATE - of course!

When visiting the Springs RV Resort in Harrison Hot Springs, be sure to visit the local ice cream stores.  We guarantee they will not disappoint!

Thanks to our friends at Tourism Harrison for this list of Ice Cream Stores just a short walk from us!







#icecream #explorebc #harrisonhotsprings #rvlifestyle #springsrv  #familyvacation

What's Your ING?

Years ago my husband and I were hiking the iconic West Coast Trail located in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.  (A magnificent hike should you ever get the opportunity)  The hike is challenging!  Over 75 km long, it can take five to seven days to complete.  About four days into our trip we came across two hikers from Saskatchewan.  We stopped to chat and shared a wonderful pot of coffee together as we sat and enjoyed a break.  Our conversation quickly turned to British Columbia and I will never forget their comments.  They asked if there were “activity police” on patrol in our province.  We didn’t understand their question and asked them to clarify.  Before beginning their hike they spent a few days exploring the Lower Mainland and were amazed at the many recreational opportunities available at our doorstep.  They were also impressed how British Columbians took full advantage of these opportunities.

Series of ladders assist hikers along the West Coast Trail

Over the years, I have often reflected on their comments and since meeting them I have tried to find an ING to enjoy each day.  What’s an ING you ask?  Well ING adds action and according to our Saskatchewan friends British Columbians like to ING!  


You really can not find a better location to explore your ING than The Springs RV Resort.  Located in Harrison Hot Springs the area offers endless ING opportunities – the biggest decision while enjoying your vacation time at the Springs RV Resort is to choose your ING:

Several exceptional golf courses are within a short drive of The Springs RV Resort

• Golfing
• Biking
• Reading
• Swimming

Enjoy the new heated pool and over-sized hot tub at the Springs RV Resort

• Hiking
• Soaking
• Dining
• Grilling

Grilling - a summer time favourite!

• Relaxing
• Rejuvenating
• Resting
• Dancing
• Socialising
• Birding
• .......and more!

The Games Room at the Springs RV Resort features Pool, Darts, Ping Pong and Foosball.

Tourism Harrison has a terrific website, providing detailed information on the area INGS!  Take a moment to explore the site and create your action list.

...and if that is not enough, check out this great list of activities in the area from our friends at Fun Lists

Of course, after all those INGS, you may need to explore one of my personal favourites – NAPPING!

Links:

The Springs RV Resort Attractions 2015

The Springs RV Resort Area Attractions and Outdoor Adventures

Be Home When the Lights Come On! Preventing Nature Deficit Disorder, Increasing Children's Roaming Map

Do you remember playing outside after dinner?  Neighbourhood children of all ages would flock to the end of the street for the game of the day – Hide n Seek, Red Rover, Kick the Can.  The actual game didn’t really matter.  Kids were just thrilled to be outside - no homework, no chores and no worries.  Our street hero was the kid who figured out that one hard hit to a specific spot on the light pole knocked out the light.  This enabled us to be a few minutes late home, innocently claiming that the light didn’t come on.  How could we possibly know that it was time to return?

Not long ago being a kid meant having a license to roam.  Children had the chance to venture out on their own and explore and discover their neighbourhoods.  My goodness, Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer were allowed to float down the Mississippi River on a raft!  By themselves!!!! Now that I think about it, Huck and Tom did get in to a fair bit of trouble on their own, didn’t they?

Slip n Slide your worries away!

Recent studies have shown that over the last four generations the distance children are allowed to roam has dramatically decreased.  Terms like "Nature-Deficit Disorder" have been used to describe the emerging challenges of not exposing children enough to the natural world and letting them roam and play. This “roaming map” highlights the area Great Grandpa played in comparison to the area his great grandson currently roams in.  Unquestionably times have changed. Today’s family is busy juggling work, school and extracurricular schedules.  As a result could our children be losing access to nature and the outdoors?

Decreased roaming area over 4 generations

It is interesting and encouraging to see that although kids aren’t “roaming” as they did in the past, the popularity of camping is growing dramatically.  Did you realize there were over 2 million visits to BC Campgrounds in 2012?

When you have a moment, pull up your lawn chair and watch the action in a campground.  Do you notice the children are roaming, discovering, forging new friendships and exploring?  Of course, parents and grandparents are supervising and have a keen eye and ear on the little ones, but it appears that the roaming distance for the kids is greater than what they would experience back at home. 

Springs RV Resort youngest community members give a cheer!

Springs RV Resort is a place where families relax, unwind and toss away their schedules.  Could our campgrounds and RV Resorts be the “safe haven”?  A place where kids of all ages can play a game and be home when the lights come on?  

#campingwithkids #letsgocamping #springsrvresort #explorebc #harrisonhotsprings 

Circle the Wagons

On a recent visit to the Springs RV Resort in Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, I was struck by the strong sense of community that was clearly evident as I strolled the grounds.  I have always been fascinated by tales from the early “wild west” and as I chatted with some of the folk at the Resort I found myself daydreaming of days gone by.  Remember the stories of the early pioneers circling the wagons at the end of the day and gathering around the fire?  The circle was a united front against the outside world.  Inside the circle – friends, family, community.  Outside the circle – wild animals, strangers and the unknown.  While there aren’t any wild animals roaming the grounds at Springs RV Resort, it is certainly a place where you can leave your big city worries behind and enjoy an evening by the pool.

The Wagon Train of yesteryear

Statistics Canada recently released a report (link below) that found people in Vancouver and Toronto are the least satisfied with their lives compared to respondents from other major Metropolitan areas.  Now, without a doubt, we get a lot of rain, and those long, dreary winter days can sometimes take a toll on one’s positivity index, but to be less happy than people in other Canadian cities?  How can that be true?

The study suggested that social factors play a big part in happiness.  Life that matters most to people is local, reflecting the quality of social connections in their neighbourhoods and workplaces.  We know that people who are engaged and involved with a strong sense of belonging to a community are happier. Spending time with family helps too.

Why are the popularity of resort communities like the Springs RV growing?  Could we be simply looking for a place to belong? A place to kick-back? A place to share a laugh with a neighbour?

Maybe now is an especially good time to spend with family and friends, to circle the wagons, to enjoy the happiness that being part of a community brings.  

Circle up...it's dinner time!

Link to Article:

People in Vancouver and Toronto least satisfied with their lives:  StatsCan

#springsrvresort #rvlifestyle #explorebc #tourismharrison #familycamping

RV Resorts - the new Cottage Country? Affordable Family Vacations

Growing up in Ontario, I fondly remember the Friday exodus to Cottage Country.  The entire family would wait with bated breath for the work week to finish knowing that their little piece of paradise awaited.  With station wagons (now I have really dated myself) packed to the brim, families left the hustle and bustle of the City behind and drove to Lake Country. 

Summers were even more idyllic.  Mom and the kids spent the entire vacation at the cottage, while Dad would often commute to work.  Long hours spent swimming, exploring, and sharing time together.

Today with escalating property prices and the demands of work life balance, it feels like owning recreational property and affordable family vacations are simply out of reach.   Add to that the thought of maintaining a cottage.  Will the weekend getaway quickly turn in to a weekend of hard labour?

There must be an affordable alternative!  Thankfully, a trend is emerging that appears to be keeping the dream alive.  

Baby – boomers still want a place to recreate and to gather family and friends.  They are demanding quality, comfort and service.  At the same time, the younger generation are looking for close to home weekend get-a-ways and mini-vacations.  These emerging trends have led to the growth of RV Resorts, allowing guests to purchase the RV lot and enjoy a permanent site set up. With decks, outdoor kitchens and gazebos, the RV experience feels more and more like a summer cottage. 

Private deck space - a perfect place to gather family and friends

Maybe it’s time for you and your family to rethink the cottage.  Maybe RV Resort ownership is for you.

#cottage #explorebc #rvlifestyle #camping