Meet the New Echo Valley Artist in Residence

May 27th, 2013 by Echo Valley Ranch

Echo Valley Ranch and Spa has a new addition to its team.  Meet “artist in residence” Michael Blackstock, who has been contributing artwork to the luxury ranch resort for the last year or two, and keeps on making more.

Michael Blackstock at Guest Ranch

Michael Blackstock at Copper Drop Spring near the trout fishing ponds.

In truth, Michael is not a staff member nor does he live at the ranch, so he’s not really “in residence.” His home is in Kamloops, where the professional forestor also maintains a studio. When not on his frequent visits to the BC ranch to install his new artwork, he’s busy at home producing more. His first work to appear at the ranch was Adams River Salmon Run. A hand carved wall sculpture found in the Games Room of the Dove Lodge. It’s carved from red and yellow cedar and cherry, as well as the more exotic zebrawood and walnut.

Michael’s next installation was the quartet of aboriginal masks hanging on the walls in Room 12 of the Lookout Lodge. The Chief mask is made of maple, copper, human hair and cedar bark. The layered cheek images are strong features that the artist saw in an image on the wall, and inspired him to create a new carving technique that  required careful cuts with a power saw to create the initial cheek design. The red cedar bark was collected on Vancouver Island.

Michael Blackstock's Warrior Mask

The Warrior mask is found hanging on the walls of Room 12.

Lynx Woman was the second image on the wall to catch the artist’s eye. The mask is made of maple, copper, and human hair. The design includes a copper lip labret. The Warrior mask is made of black walnut, copper, a diamond in each eye and human hair. The Water Being is made of ash, copper and human hair. The ash was chosen because the wood grain resembles ripples in the water, and the under-cut cheek design is a wave.

Michael Blackstock Mask

Michael holds up the Water Being mask in Room 12.

Last summer Michael began carving and installing “living sculpture” on trees in the forest around the ranch. The first was Copper Drop Spring, near the fish ponds. Several more living sculptures have since appeared. These were subsequently followed by Tree Faces, hidden in the forest. Soon to be installed is the Mount Bowman Flowform Fountain, carved from Brazilian soapstone. Who knows what art Michael will create next?

Enjoy A (Well Deserved) Digital Detox This Spring

May 10th, 2013 by Echo Valley Ranch

Does it ever seem as though life gets a little too hectic? Between managing work, family, a social life and a healthy lifestyle, sometimes finding time to relax and rejuvenate is nearly impossible.

We recognize that our guests can get bogged down from time to time – and that’s why we’ve decided to host a digital detox! We will be switching off our satellite May 31st – June 2nd, 2013 to help you catch up on some deserved relaxation… efficiently.

BC Digital Detox Vacation
Stress can have numerous negative effects on our bodies and well-being. Have you ever noticed more cravings when you’re stressed? Studies have linked that cortisol (the hormone released when you’re stressed) makes you crave sugar and fat! What about poor sleep? Stress can also cause hyper arousal: a state in which people simply don’t feel tired. Not to mention: high blood pressure, heart risk and premature aging. With knowledge like this, we know we should be setting more time aside to rejuvenate and rest well.

BC Guest Ranch

Our solution? Surround yourself with the mountains of the Cariboo and treat yourself to gourmet, farm fresh food, indulge in a Thai Massage and take a leisurely walk through the marshlands. We know that once you arrive, you’ll feel the unique spirit of Echo Valley that will make your rejuvenation comes easily.

BC VacationWe will be hosting a daily Thai Yoga class (Reusri dat ton) to start each morning, serving cookies all day long and providing our guests with a heavy dose of stress relief.

Join us for our digital detox this Spring and leave your cellphone, email and PVR behind.

BC Horse Ranch

Bears Bring Excitement to Wildlife Viewing at Ranch

May 3rd, 2013 by Echo Valley Ranch

May is the middle of spring in British Columbia, which means that the bears are out of their winter dens and wandering around BC’s best ranch resort in search of food. Bears are omnivores, which means they eat a wide variety of food, including plants, berries and sometimes even small animals like fish. Usually, in the spring, their diet consists of grass, and guests to Echo Valley can easily see the bears on the upper meadows, especially later in the afternoon when they come out of the forests to snack.

Cinnamon Bear

Cinnamon coloured bear in the woods near Echo Valley Ranch

Startling a bear in the forest is never a good idea, especially a mother bear with cubs, so it’s always a good idea to talk loudly, wear a bell on your ankle, or make noise. Bears are smart creatures, and they are afraid of human beings, so they don’t want to meet people face to face any more than people want to meet them close up

Black Bear

Can you spot the black bear hiding behind a tree in the early morning?

The best way to watch bears in their natural environment is via a pair of binoculars and while standing on the back sundeck of the Dove Lodge. You can even zoom in real close with a good camera too, and not worry about your safety. The bear will never see you or know you are there.

Black Bear

Bears are afraid of people and like to hide in the forest where you can’t see them.

Seeing bears in the upper meadows (from a distance) is fairly easy to do at an adventure lodge like Echo Valley, if you have good eyesight and are patient to wait for them to appear. You can even get good photos from one of the luxury cabins, if you have a telescopic lens or 24x zoom.

Bighorn Sheep

California Bighorn Sheep can easily be viewed in the Fraser Canyon on a wildlife safari.

While bears are very common but not easy to see, California Bighorn Sheep are a very rare creature yet easily seen on a wildlife safari to the nearby Fraser Canyon. In the spring these magnificent creatures like to hang out in the warmth of the canyon, feeding on spring grasses and shoots. Inquire with Echo Valley Ranch staff about an expedition to the canyon to see if you can spot one of the herds.

Weekend Getaway Packages Offered For Family Fun

April 26th, 2013 by Echo Valley Ranch

Spring is in full bloom and summer is not far behind.  Perhaps now is a good time to plan ahead for holidays, especially the long weekends coming up. If an escape to a BC adventure lodge or spa retreat sounds attractive, Echo Valley  has some long weekend special packages that may appeal.

BC Spa

No doubt Mom would enjoy one of Echo Valley’s famous spa treatments.

Mother’s Day can be celebrated on May 12th, or made into a very special occasion on May 18th through 20th with EVR’s May Long Weekend package. Lodging, meals and all the usual amenities are available, but so is a $50 spa credit for Mom.  Bring the family; a 5-course British-style dinner is part of the overall weekend package.

Chef Jason Folk brings the freshest possible food to the table with his “100-metre diet.”

June is a unique month at Echo Valley. It’s a secret, so don’t tell anyone, but June is a month where multiple rainbows are apt to appear.  Even double rainbows!  In fact, Echo Valley may be the double rainbow capital of the world. Thanks to the wonderful climate at the ranch, light rains mixed with warm early summer sun produces the beautiful optical illusion known as a rainbow.  Just when you thought Echo Valley couldn’t get any more pretty, it does! A great time and place for a honeymoon destination.

BC guest ranch

With its frequent double rainbows, Echo Valley may be the rainbow capital of the world.

The end of June and the beginning of July mesh together to bring on Canada’s national holiday.  The July 1st long weekend is an opportunity to step back in time and enjoy gold panning.  Echo Valley’s Canada Day Long Weekend package includes a beautiful, scenic drive to the Fraser Canyon, and a picnic at the river where you have an opportunity to find your own real gold!  With luck, you will be able to see some of the many California Bighorn sheep that inhabit the canyon.

BC Big Horn Sheep

There are more California Bighorn sheep in the Fraser Canyon than anywhere in the world.

Don’t forget that TripAdvisor recently named Echo Valley Ranch and Spa as Canada’s Number One Small Hotel, and Number One in all of Canada for service as well. If you are looking for an eco-retreat, or long weekend getaway, this is the place for you.

BC Summer Vacation

The warmth and sunshine of the summer sun are enjoyed on the back sundeck.

Getting To The Ranch is Half The Fun

April 19th, 2013 by Echo Valley Ranch

Echo Valley ranch and Spa is located just outside the hamlet of Jesmond (population 3 people) about a 45-minute drive west of the village of Clinton in the southern Cariboo. In short, it’s very remote. If you want peace and quiet at a wellness retreat or eco-lodge, this is certainly the place to come. Getting here is half the fun. You have several options.

Echo Valley Guest Ranch

There are many ways to get lost in the wilderness, so it’s best to have a map with you.

If you happen to own a plane, or want to charter one, it’s a quick and easy one-hour flight from Vancouver. The young pilot below will be happy to fly you, just for milk and cookies.

Guest Ranch

This is not the actual pilot; he’s just the co-pilot and navigator and co-cookie monster.

Norm does not have a commercial licence to fly passengers into the ranch from Vancouver, but charters are available.  The landing strip is approximately 3,500 feet so you can’t land your jet here, but small planes are just fine.

Echo Valley Ranch

Norm can fly from his condo in North Vancouver to the ranch is just one hour.

Driving a car is the most popular option for guests, but if you are looking for a rail package as part of a BC spa package or rail vacation, the Rocky Mountaineer is a spectacular ride.  Norm or one of the ranch staff will be happy to pick you up at the town of Kamloops, where it’s a brief two-hour drive to Jesmond.

Rocky Mountaineer

The Rocky Mountaineer train ride provides spectacular scenery along the way.

Guests to BC’s top adventure lodge (according to TripAdvisor, Echo Valley Ranch is now listed as the #1 Small Hotel in Canada) have various accommodations options, ranging from lodge to cabins. Larger or corporate groups may wish to book the regal Ban Thai pavilion, the most scenic BC venue for conference and business meetings.

BC Guest Ranch

The Baan Thai pavilion was designed by the personal architect to the King of Thailand.