From Vancouver to Agassiz-Harrison
We’re the first to admit – it’s been a minute since we’ve set foot in the Harrison Hot Springs region. Faint memories of childhood road trips in hot stuffy cars fighting with siblings and stopping in for an ice cream cone about sums it up.
But now that we’re full-on adulting (sometimes), it’s all about sneaking in quiet weekends, disconnecting and decompressing. So when the Agassiz Farms Cycle Tour came onto our radar, we jumped at the chance to get out of the city to spend a day pedaling around the Valley, sampling farm-fresh goods, saying hello to barnyard animals, and soaking in the sun.
We loaded up our SUV with weekend essentials, piled on our bikes, and queued up the podcasts and playlists. (Check out our review of the Hyundai Santa Fe from OpenRoad Hyundai Boundary).
Agassiz Farms Cycle Tour
The leisurely self-guided Agassiz Farms Cycle Tour happens once per year, providing an educational and culinary experience exploring various farms in the region – some that only open up to the public exclusively for this tour!
The tour winds through over 25km of flat roadways in a rare opportunity to meet the farmers and learn about agriculture, and pick up fresh produce in the Fraser Valley. A wholesome day of tasty treats and interesting info; the go-at-your-own-pace flat route makes for a truly great event for all ages and biking levels.
Favourite stops included: Farm House Natural Cheeses (yes, you’ve more than likely seen their truck and sampled their wares at a local Vancouver Farmer’s Market), UBC Dairy Education and Research Centre and Agassiz Research and Development Centre for a glimpse into the work of agricultural scientists and students, and Earthwise Society’s Agassiz farm, 58 acres of unique, nature-based community resource with a mission to restore riparian, wetland, and old-growth ecosystems, including a demonstration organic teaching farm and programs for enhancing local biodiversity. (We also had the most delicious pulled jackfruit tacos here.)
Where we stayed
Here’s where we really diverged from family road trips of our past: with our own pocketbooks of indulgent adulting, we found accommodations more to our disposable income taste.
Enter The Rockwell Harrison Guest Lodge. This adult-only bed & breakfast is an absolute jaw-dropper, with three spacious guest suites and thoughtfully-appointed common and entertaining areas. Built by the owner-operators, the beautiful home wears its heart and soul in every exposed cedar beam and attention to detail.
Tucked away on a quiet side of the lake (just round the bend from the touristy hotspot) on the edge of Sasquatch Provincial Park, we happily sunk into our serene surroundings. Feeling refreshed, a quick 5 min drive took us back into town for a very nice meal on Morgan’s Bistro patio, with sunset views overlooking the lake.
In the morning, we were treated to a wonderful spread of locally-sourced ingredients: Chinook salmon, farm eggs, bread, fruit compote. Sharing a meal with the loveliest hosts and fellow guests was the best way to cap off a rejuvenating trip. We left with bellies full, faces beaming, and vows to return.
Other BC Weekend Trips
Looking for other ideas for local weekend escapes? Check out these articles in our archives:
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