Beauty in Spa(PART 1 OF 3)
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You enjoyed Hot Spring, eh?
From: denman@infoseek.jp
To: diane705@yahoo.ca
cc: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 3:16PM
Pacific Standard Time
Hi Diane,
How was your stay at Harrison Hot Springs?
...hope you enjoyed it to the hilt.
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Do you know how it was called "Harrison Hot Springs"?
Well ... it is so simple!
It is named after Benjamin Harrison---a former deputy governor for the Hudson's Bay Company.
And do you know who found the hot spring?
It was a tragic coincidence.
In the middle of the 19th centry, a party of goldfield-bound travellers on Harrison Lake capsized into what they thought was their doom,
but desipite their bad luck, they discovered the lake at that spot was not freezing, but warm.
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha ...
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As you might guess, Harrison Hot Springs was first enjoyed by the members of the Salish First Nations.
After the First Nations people came other BC residents seeking the soothing effects of the hot springs.
Did you stay at Harrison Hot Springs hotel?
I suppose you did.
St. Alice Hotel and Bath House built in 1886 was the first to welcome those from Vancouver seeking an opportunity to benefit from the natural mineral hot springs.
Destroyed by fire in 1920, the St. Alice was replaced in 1925 by the existing main hotel building and the Harrison Hotel was born.
In these early days, guests traveled from the Pacific coast by riverboat or train and by coach from the nearby Agassiz station.
The hotel enjoyed great success, as it was the first 'resort' style destination of its kind in southwestern British Columbia.
During the war years of the 1940's, the hotel became a sanitarium for women returning from Europe who had participated in the war effort.
Following the war, Harrison Hot Springs Resort was restored to its original purpose, welcoming guests in growing numbers from the entire Pacific Northwest region of the continent.
Enjoying increasing popularity through the 1950's and 1960's, the hotel expanded with the addition of the West Tower, West Wing and The Copper Room.
So much for Harrison Hot Springs hotel.
I like Meager Creek Hot Springs better than Harrison Hot Springs.
It is tucked away in the Coast Mountains near Pemberton, northwest of Vancouver.
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Why do I like it better?
Good question.
'Cause it is equipped with the Japanese-style hot springs in a natural outdoor setting.
Look at the above pictures!
It offers three natural rock baths, a self-composting toilet, and a change room.
The springs are maintained by Recreation Sites and Trails BC, with a nominal entrance fee.
The day-use only Meager Creek is a favourite spot for residents of southwest BC.
Clothing is optional, just like on Wreck Beach.
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Primitive no-service camping is available nearby at the Upper Lillooet Campsite, and a serviced campsite is planned for the future.
... sounds nice, eh?
Talking about Merange, I've just written an article about her.
Please click the following link:
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■"Merange & Sabina"
I hope you'll enjoy the above article!
Your smiling Bohemian, Kato
with a lot of love
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Subj:Yes, I enjoyed the spa to the hilt!
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From: diane@vancouver.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 8:29PM
Pacific Standard Time
Hi Kato,
Thanks for all the research on Harrison Hot Springs and yes, we did stay at the Harrison Hot Springs Hotel, one of my favorite getaways ever.
I'll bet I've been there six or seven times now over the years and each time I seem to love it more.
Imagine sitting in one of their gorgeous hot-tubs or swimming in one of their lovely pools in the most healing & rejuvenating water.
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You could lay back in one of the hot-tubs and I could keep you afloat with just a couple fingers.
Truly.
We also had deep-tissue massages, yummy, and everyone who stays there gets terrycloth robes to go about with.
You feel like a movie star at a resort.
They've got a huge fireplace in the main hotel, a scrumptious buffet breakfast every morning, complimentary tea and cake in the afternoon at 4pm and dining & dancing in their Copper Room in the evening.
My boyfriend and I stayed at one of their cabins adjacent to the hotel.
I'd say they have a dozen or so.
That was splendid as well.
Fireplace, tv, internet, separate bedroom & Bath.
I've stayed in the hotel itself as well and while that is lovely too, I much prefer having a cabin.
Especially the fireplace in the winter and the picnic tables outside the cabins in the summertime.
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Well, Meager Creek is great too, you're right, but for a decadent and romantic escape it's hard to beat the Harrison Hot Springs Hotel.
Now we'll have to get a lovely girlfriend for you to go with, kiddo.
Yes, that's the next thing.
My boyfriend said he thought he was in heaven, felt like a new man, and can't wait to pay another visit.
Lots of old photos in the hallways from the early days when it was the St. Alice Hotel.
In those days, steaks were like $2.00 and hamburgers were 75cents or something.
Thanks again for all this and I'll read the Sabina information as well ... soon.
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Love, Diane
P.S.:
Are you having a good January?
Do you still frequent Joe Fortes Library?
Have you seen our buddy Sylvie?
(To be followed)