We have officially hit fall in our region. But rather than decorate the house to the hilt for the season, there was something else on my agenda I desired more.
And that was head for the hills before our rain started. When it rains in BC, it doesn’t mess around. We can be buried for WEEKS with constant drizzle and gloom. I wasn’t ready to hibernate quite yet!
So I scanned online, and looked for somewhere to go nearby. On the list was water, and nature. And that’s when I emailed my fav place to see if they had room.
They were all booked up. NO!! So I emailed anyway, requesting to be put on the waiting list. I mean… what can it hurt?
An email came the next morning, informing me of a cancellation. See? SEEEE?????? So… the BIG cabin was all mine if I wanted it!
OHMYGOODNESSYESMYBAGSAREALREADYPACKED!
I have written about this place before HERE. It’s called the Eco Retreat, located in Hope, British Columbia, Canada.
(This place is no longer avail to rent)
This isn’t a sponsored post, btw. I paid to stay, and asked permission if I could share my weekend with you. Because that’s just what I do! 🙂
This is THEE place for me. It’s like glamping, or, indoor camping, situated beside the river, right near the Othello tunnels, with the most gorgeous bike trails possible.
Oh nature, I love you so!
When my sweet place became available, I rushed out and picked up another Canon point and shoot camera for travel, (since the last one was lost during my Hawaiian adventure) and set off! I’ll show it to you soon.
Looooook! My cabin has it’s own washroom too.
And it was perfection! Rustic, charming, with a little heater, and even a couple of cushy robes for the hot tub use.
How spoiled was I?
Check out that window to the right… it’s boxed in like a mini desk, flooded with natural light. So cool.
I stayed for two nights. It’s a must. I don’t like rushing all the way somewhere only to have to leave the next morning. No way! This place had too much too offer to do that.
And guess what… it was due to rain the next day, so the evening I arrived, I head out on the bike through the Othello tunnels and bike trail. But I ended up doing that all 3 days, so I’ll show you that part in a moment.
Each morning started in the kitchen cabin, with a breakfast of fabulous granola, topped with fresh fruit and yogurt, drizzled with syrup. And of course, the coffee was to DIE for.
DEE. LISH.
The rainy day did not dampen my spirits though. I mean, I was staying in a cozy cabin! I ended up shopping, visiting the local library, and going for gorgeous drives.
But here’s a little tour of the property first. The outdoor shower is the coolest, but since it was raining, I let that little adventure go this round.
But I did enjoy the wood heated hot tub overlooking the forest. Decadent!
There is something very special about wood heat. The smell… the heat intensity. Just, everything.
Gorgeous spots to sit and enjoy the river view were everywhere you looked.
This place most certainly encourages you to slow down and enjoy the surroundings. So unlike a hotel room in town along a busy street.
You get your very own forest and river here.
As you leave the property, the front gate aka giant wind chime would slowly make its way across the driveway. This was a work of art.
I’m rather glad it was stormy out this day. It gave me a reason to head into town to check out the local antiques stores. Otherwise I don’t think I could have pulled myself away from the property.
My first stop was an antiques store on 6th Avenue. This place isn’t online, so if you ever venture out this way, just drive down 6th Avenue. You can’t miss it.
I nearly brought this guy home, but honestly, I’m trying to purge these days, so I really didn’t need something else standing around. But it sure was cool. Maybe to store twine and rope?
I love old bottles, but didn’t come home with any.
And a creepy picture for the road… gotta love stuffed bobblehead cats… 🙂
And here’s proof that it was raining cats and dogs and even more antiques. Meet Atomic Cat Antiques and Vintage. Boy was this place ever cool!
See what I mean? I mean, where do you even start? Wonderfully organized, and they really had the coolest stuff.
But I forgot to take a picture of what I came home with! I’ll do something cool with it soon, then show you.
After shopping, it was still raining, so I just drove around. When the rain stopped for a few moments, I dashed out in complete awe, taking pictures of anything possible. The beauty in this region is outstanding.
This is Kawkawa Lake. This shot showcases the elevation in which I stayed. It really was in the mountains!
Hope is a pretty small town, with most streets about this busy. 🙂 Don’t you just love how close those mountains hug the town?
Then I dropped in at the local library, read a couple of magazines, grabbed a book to read, picked up some snacks, and prepared for a lovely quiet evening in the cabin with the sound of rain pelting down on the roof.
But first, dinner. And if you are ever in Hope, you must must MUST visit 293 Wallace Street. World class food. The salmon chowder soup was out of this world.
As luck would have it, it stopped raining once I head back. So I hopped on the bike one more time, and head for the Othello tunnels, which was right next door.
Seriously. The bike ride was so close, I couldn’t even get my heart rate up.
The Othello tunnels are a string of old train tunnels that cross a ravine, or canyon.
I’ve shown you a video a ways back while camping in Hope and visiting the tunnels HERE. That was a fun one to watch again!
Some tunnels start off very dark. Kinda creepy! But as you round the bend, you see light at the other end in a jiffy.
I thought to bring my bike LED light which rocked. Others bring flashlights, or use their phone flashlights.
And some tunnels are this effortless.
But look over those rails, and you are treated to some of the most majestic sights and sounds possible.
This is the Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, where First Blood was filmed.
After the tunnels, is the Kettle Valley Railway trail, which is about a 30 minute bike ride, leading back into town. It’s all gradually downhill where you don’t even need to use your brakes.
I went for a ways, but not far. I mean… the other way is UP hill… I’m not that crazy…
This was my very favorite part. This trail is GORGEOUS! Especially at this time of year.
Once dusk hit, it was time to return to the cabin and jump into that decadent hot tub, then have a nice quiet read.
It was so lovely. So. Very. Lovely.
The next day brought another fabulous breakfast, then off to hit the tunnel trails one last time before heading home.
Have you ever been in a place you’ve loved so much, you just can’t bare to leave it, for fear you will forget what it felt like? That. THAT. This cabin stay, bike trail and antiquing did it for me in every way possible. Even in the rain.
There’s been a lot of changes in my life lately, and this little weekend by myself was needed, and so appreciated. I am trying to be good to myself, and step away from home a little more, hang out with new people, change my scenery, and fuel my heart and soul with good, beautiful and new things.
And I will admit, I certainly hit the nail on the head this round!
And if you like these kinds of mini getaway posts, say the word… it may entice me to travel locally a little more!
You can read more of my TRAVEL POSTS HERE
Thank you for this post! Those tunnels…wow! Breathtaking scenery, good food, and a hot tub, too…sold!
Thanks Debra! It really was a girl’s dream weekend away. I’m feeling so grown up these days… haha
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful place! It is absolutely beautiful and oh so peaceful and I just loved the aqua color of the water by the tunnels. WOW!
Love, hugs & prayers ~ FlowerLady
Oh boy… if it had been a sunny day, the aqua electrifies! I’m glad the clouds parted enough to capture a little of the magic anyway. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed my little mountain tour!
This is absolutely BEAUTIFUL !!!! Thank you so much for sharing.
WOW!! I would love to see that place in person! It looks like a awesome place!! Right now in southern Indiana it’s still in the nineties—– SO ready for cooler weather. You take great photos!! Have a great day— you made one for me!!?
This is beautiful!
I LOVE your blog, it’s so beautifully written and the way you share your experiences is very heartwarming. I think you should continue your adventures and taking us with you. Thank you.
Thank you Linda, I’m glad you enjoy these types of writings! I have been more inspired to investigate Vancouver Island and other nearby areas I haven’t been in years. It’s time to brave those high traffic roads I fear… yikes. haha
Oh Donna, I do love your little getaway posts. Please do travel some more (for me?)! LOL
If you enjoy bottles, why don’t you create a bottle tree for your garden? I cheated and bought one at our local hardware store, but I do love collecting the colored bottles. As folk lore has it, blue bottles capture the evil spirits at night and then when the sun comes up, the sunlight destroys them so you are not longer “haunted” by them. I’m not so sure about the folk lore part, but dark blue glass bottles on my tree look stunning when the sun shines on them! Bottle trees are made of metal now, but the original ones were made of wood with pegs or spikes to hold the bottles on a downward angle.
A bottle tree is a great idea, Sharon! I think I just didn’t feel inclined to collect due to my recent purging spree of late. I still have too much stuff, and it feels like I’m just adding to the pile at this point. Once I have some empty corners again, lookout junk world… haha
Simply stunning! Just gorgeous. I’m in awe.
WOW!!! I’d say you’re one lucky & blessed young woman! :-p drooling!
hahahaha ENJOY! 🙂
The pictures are insanely beautiful! Too far away for a Michigander, but gorgeous!
Wow, beautiful place. It fed your soul. I love nature also, thanks for sharing.??
Oh, my, what a treat to see these pictures, you are so lucky to visit there. It is hot and dry down here in southern Alabama. Love your experiences and your blog!
Thank you Sue! It is a pretty area, but I’m a believer that every area has extra special qualities. It’s just a matter of being adventurous and finding them. I’m out to find more for sure! I mean, why stop now? 🙂
Ohhh Donna… You make the coming of winter sound so peaceful and welcoming! Are you saying you don’t get snow? Just rain? This is a lovely spot,I am happy you got to go and welcome autumn!
Aw… thanks Bernice! On the wet (west) coast, we get very little if any snow, it’s generally too mild. So it comes down as rain instead. 🙂 Jan and Feb are two of the darkest months ever.
So it’s no surprise that most out our way sprint outside when the clouds part ways… 🙂
Thanks for taking us with you it was a great time. Before i moved i had a great place i use to go but not anymore,guess it’s time for me to do it again.
WOW! Just WOW! Thanks for sharing!
Donna
Sounds like the greatest type of vacation you could experience. My husband and I like to stay at places like that for a little hiking and nature. Glad you enjoyed it and shared it.
I travel by myself most of the time so I really love being an armchair traveler on your trips. You do the things that I enjoy, being near water, visiting libraries, cafes, antique shops. Thanks, it was fun!
Thank you Donna for the photography! Any kind of camera in your hands is magic to my eyes. Beautiful nature at it’s best in the fall. It doesn’t get any better than this. Glad to see you enjoying yourself.
Thank you, Donna, for sharing your beautiful getaway with us–what amazingly gorgeous photography!
Donna! Donna!
Loved your pictures & your commentary!!
Please, please keep the pictures & stories of your jaunts coming! They are wonderful!
Peace!❤️?
Your photos are so beautiful and this getaway place. . .unbelievable!!! I need to start finding some getaways close to home for myself. Thanks for the idea.
Loved the travelogue.
Keep ’em coming and I will be making a list to see someday.
Think you are very gutsy to take the bike with you???!
Love the detailed photos of the shops and food.
This place looks beyond dreamy. I’m so in love with it. Thanks for sharing. I just lived vicariously for a few minutes. Which was awesome since it was in the upper 90s here today.
xoxo,
Sarah @ Gypsy Girl Revivals
Wonderful little get-a-way. The nature around you speaks to your soul..healing. Thanks for sharing..the photos tell the story.
Donna — this was breathtaking. Thanks so much for sharing.
It’s so very beautiful here.. thanks for sharing your trip with us.
So beautiful. I envy your being near something so green and getting the chance to really enjoy it alone. Keep sharing this stuff!!
Stunning photos! And I really want to visit those antique shops. I have been to the fabulous 293 Wallace Street Restaurant and can’t stop thinking about the seared duck breast salad I had. And that was about 2 years ago – on a trip back from Alberta!
You make me want to explore that area now, and not just pass through. I’d love to see more of your local travels as sometimes we don’t realize the treasures we have right here at home!
Just reading this post and seeing the pictures was relaxing! Eco cabins is now on my list of places to see. Did you bring your own bike or were bikes available to rent?
Hi Julia! The bikes were free, if you stayed at Eco!