A Visit to Spirit Ridge

This past Friday through Sunday, I had a lovely (and might I add, a much-needed) opportunity for a girl\’s weekend away. The destination? Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa in Osoyoos, BC. Spirit Ridge is unique in many ways and for this weary cowgirl, I found lots of reasons to fall in love with Canada\’s only full-service destination resort in Canada\’s only desert. (Yes, there were even cacti!)

To be perfectly honest, I missed my family the entire time but it was nice to have some girl time too. (With our busy operation and nearly 45 head of horses, 6 buffalo, 10 cats and a soon-to-be-arriving donkey, there\’s not much opportunity for down-time.) However, I can definitely see the Webster family putting Spirit Ridge on the itinerary for a family holiday in the future! This place is a Canadian Staycation with all the luxuries of a tropical resort – in the middle of wine country.

Need I say more?

Spirit Ridge is truly a Canadian success story and the partnership between Spirit Ridge and the Osoyoos Indian Band creates a one of a kind cultural experience. As one of the original First Nations luxury resorts in Canada, it has garnered international attention.

Check out Osoyoos Indian Band Raises the Bar in Aboriginal Tourism if you have a few minutes. This place has made numerous headlines.

I went there to visit my beautiful sister. I loved the 5-star accommodations, but I also took a trip over to the spa and pool. A few times. <Grin.>

The Solterra Desert Spa was featured on the Canadian version of Undercover Boss. And as their website so eloquently put its, a massage can feel good but it can also be an excellent tool to help take charge of your health and well-being. After a hot stone massage and a pedicure, I felt like a Queen.

It\’s interesting how things change when you become a mother. I tend pick the color of polish for my pedicure based largely on what my three-old-daughter would approve of…

Bright red with confetti sparkles and stars, it was!

The cuisine at Spirit Ridge was pretty fantastic too. We first hit the Bistro for some snacks and a drink. With an original margarita recipe that featured a strawberry sugar rim and an ambiance fresh out of a Mexican cantina, we were in a virtual paradise.

Later on, a dinner at Talon\’s Restaurant overlooking Osoyoos Lake and the vineyards of Spirit Ridge offered a culinary experience that paired wine country with comfort food. I had the pan seared wild BC salmon atop a ginger and sweet pea risotto cake, complimented by Indian spiced confit fennel, spicy tomato coulis and sweet pea sauce.

Nk\’Mip Cellars Winery, an Aboriginal-owned and operated winery and vineyard, is located right next to the resort. The winery offers year-round wine tasting, award winning wines, a restaurant with a patio, a wine shop and winery tours.

Of course, there is also an entire arsenal of wineries in the area, should you so desire. <Another grin.>

However there are also all kinds of activities that would appeal to young children too. (I took note). In addition to a kid\’s pool complete with waterslide at Spirit Ridge, Rattlesnake Canyon is an amusement park located one block away from Lake Osoyoos. And the Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad houses the largest Marklin model train layout in Canada. With a miniature track that includes 30 computer-operated trains, more than 15,000 hand-painted toy people and 1,600 houses spread throughout a 4,000-square foot museum-like attraction – our son would be in heaven!

If you want to just get away to ride a horse, Spirit Ridge offers this too! Take in the sights and sounds of Canada\’s only desert from a horseback vantage point. The Indian Grove Riding Stable offers guided morning and afternoon horseback rides for children and adults. Other activities include pony rides, cattle drives, riding lessons, and beach rides along Lake Osoyoos Lake. The stables are located walking distance from the resort.

I hope y\’all had a fantastic weekend too! It was nice to return to Alberta to see some sun. But with future summer weekends in mind, if you were looking at a cowgirl getaway of your own – I want to know where you\’d go?

*****

Disclaimer – Unless otherwise noted, products, services or places featured on My Stable Life have been paid for out of pocket.