All posts tagged with: Harrison Mills

Photo contributed.

For outdoor and nature enthusiasts, autumn is one of the most spectacular times of the year. Mother Nature puts on a beautiful show of vibrant colours that brighten up even the dreariest days, and all the wildlife is out in full force preparing for the upcoming winter season. In the Harrison region, in the eastern Fraser Valley, autumn signals the return of thousands of bald eagles.

“Sandpiper Golf Course is part of the winter homeland for 5,000 – 10,000 bald eagles — the world’s largest concentration of eagles ever witnessed as they forage, fight and feast on the record salmon runs in the Harrison River,” says David Hancock, Hancock Wildlife Foundation Bald Eagle Biologist

From mid-November through early January, thousands of bald eagles make the Harrison region their home.

Bird and wildlife enthusiasts, nature photographers, and families have a great opportunity to see these magnificent birds of prey from one of the best vantage points, Sand Piper Golf Resort. The resort is located alongside the tranquil waters of the Harrison River, which is packed with salmon that have returned to spawn.

The carefully planned forest golf course is the perfect nesting ground for the returning bald eagles; the 180 ft towering Douglas fir trees make an ideal home, high above so they can keep a watchful eye.

Visitors and golfers may also be lucky to spot other wildlife in the area including local black bears, which feed on the spawning salmon.

The 18-hole, year-round Sandpiper Golf Course is located 1.5 hours east of Vancouver near Harrison Mills and was named 2012 BC Hidden Gem by Inside Golf and the PGA.

Located just off the shores of the Harrison River at Sandpiper Golf Resort and Rowena’s Inn in Harrison Mills, BC is the River’s Edge Restaurant.

The casual West Coast dining restaurant is a natural stop for golfers after a day on the course and those on their way back from a day of skiing at nearby Hemlock Ski Resort. To start there is a full-service bar, on-tap beer, and a selection of wine available.

The menu serves a variety of fare ranging from appetizers and hamburgers, to steak and seafood. The overall quality of both the food and service were on par with a rural resort restaurant – nothing too fancy, made to order, and served with a smile.

While the cuts of meats and selection of vegetables were fresh, there was evidence some items were not prepared on premise. However, this short cut allows the restaurant to ensure a full menu can be offered year-round, even during periods of low volume.

The warm wood paneling, exposed wood beam ceiling and real wood-burning fireplace bring a welcomed natural feeling. The front side of the restaurant has French doors, which open up to a patio overlooking the golf course, river and mountains – an ideal dining spot on a warm summer evening.

The River’s Edge Restaurant is located about a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Vancouver along the Lougheed Highway, and approximately 25 minutes from Abbotsford. It is open daily, year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner, from 8:00am – 9:00pm.

Overall Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)