Harrison Hot Springs - Jewel of the Fraser Valley in B.C.

When driving from Vancouver to Harrison Hot springs in the Fraser Valley, you'll see stately Mount Baker in the distance covered in snow and, as you get closer to the village, you'll become wrapped in the arms of the surrounding mountains. If you are fortunate enough to go early in the year, you'll see the magic of trees adorned with springtime blossoms. But your adventure will have only begun.

Sixty kilometers long, Harrison Lake sits in a valley, glacier fed, its colour a fascinating deep blue and with the mountains as a contrast, it is a truly beautiful setting. On the grounds of Harrison Hot Springs Resort, the lights in the trees on a starlit evening add to the ambience of the area.

Many visitors enjoy the hot springs in both the resort and the public pool, some believing them to have healing powers. The lake itself offers sandy beaches for relaxing with a book, swimming, fishing, kayaking and boat tours. When we went on a boat tour of the lake, we saw areas that many people do not have the good fortune to see as there are few roads surrounding the lake.

For those who have come to do more than relax, there is hiking, golfing, rock hounding and the opportunity to search for some of the fossils occasionally found in the area, as well as the many nature walks available. In close proximity also are attractions such as Minter Gardens (a beautiful experience to enjoy), Hell's Gate Airtram (which will take you across the Fraser as it roars through a narrow gorge below you), Othello Tunnels (a series of four tunnels initially used by the Kettle Valley Railway), the ski resort of Hemlock Valley (which is an enjoyable place to visit summer or winter), and the nearby historic site of Kilby Farm and Museum (where more than one thousand bald eagles return each fall). As a visitor to each of these attractions, I can attest to the fact that they are all well worth checking out.

And for those who visit this fabulous area with children, there is Dinotown (a children's dinosaur town), Bridal Falls Water Park, Tugboat Junction (featuring Sasquatch caves, gold panning and train rides), and most years in the early fall, there is a popular sand sculpture competition attended by people from around the world.

In spite of the varied attractions, for many of those who visit this small village, there is mostly the allure of nature's beauty and the feeling of romance inspired by the ambience that surrounds this small town tucked away in the heart of the Fraser Valley. For some it is a honeymoon destination, a place to celebrate an anniversary or for a birthday celebration.

Most people, after having visited this delightful place, will agree that it is the place to go when a special venue is required.