She laughed out loud as I asked where the nearest car wash was in town. Apparently this far north in British Columbia, not many folks worry about keeping their vehicles spotless. The 2012 Volvo S60 T5 would need to stay dirty the rest of today, or at least until we reached Whistler later in the afternoon. I assumed there must be a car wash in the former Olympic village, but would later find out this was not the case. Life on the road can be hard sometimes.
The trip started three days earlier on Vancouver Island, an eight hour journey from where I now stood in the small town of Clinton, B.C. The ferry ride from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen lasted 90 minutes, but the sights and sounds of a ferry crossing linger for weeks afterwards. It is an incredible scene best enjoyed outside walking the deck. Here, some five and a half hours north of Vancouver, the scenery was equally impressive and easier to reach out and touch.
The drive east and north along Highway #1 began in Vancouver and included passing such memorable destinations as Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope, Boston Bar and Cache Creek. A treasure-trove of uniquely Canadian geography, the lushness of British Columbia’s farmland slowly gives way to the arid expanse of desert mountains and valleys on our route.
Once clear of Boston Bar, it’s as if we have somehow been transported to New Mexico. The air is hot and the ground brown and red with low lying scrub brush and sandstone. Mountain Sheep roam the shoulders of the road, surprising us as we round a sharp right-hander at speed. The S60 T5 responds with more than enough stopping power, the sheep take one look and continue with their grazing.
The 2012 Volvo S60 is available in two unique variations; T6 and T5. The T5 goes one step further as it provides two levels of distinction. All are discreetly priced when you consider the level of standard equipment and performance available.
Our vehicle for this northern B.C. adventure, the 2012 S60 T5 A Level II, is a front-wheel drive 4-door sedan powered by a 2.5-litre 5-cylinder turbocharged engine. Performance numbers indicate 250 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 266 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,800-4,800 rpm.
Exterior design elements evoke a sense of speed and elusiveness even at rest. A coupe roofline, rounded corners and high beltline all work to lend an air of sophistication to what is arguably the most striking Volvo sedan to date.
Inside, a floating center stack houses the gearshift lever, HVAC system, stereo adjustment and in our case, the navigation system. Surrounded by natural wood trim and soft metal accents, the look is pure functionality and simplicity, while at the same time rivalling the best luxury automobiles from Germany and Japan.
Occupant positioning in a Volvo, especially the 2012 S60 T5, is superb. Volvo is renowned for building seats you never want to leave and this proves to be another in a lengthy list of Swedish automobiles suited for the long haul. Driving the last 33 km on dirt roads to arrive at our destination, I feel relaxed and refreshed; a tribute to quality materials, great design and Scandinavian ingenuity.
Echo Valley Ranch & Spa is unlike any Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) resort I have ever experienced. The wilderness drive in from the main road prepares you for an authentically Canadian ranch setting. But it is the mountains vistas and rolling grasslands that simply take my breath away, offering us so much more than just another luxury resort stay.
Accommodations range from the main guest ranch lodge, several equally impressive out lodges and various private ranch cottages spread across a lush plateau. The signature Baan Thai lodge successfully blends the distinctive cultures of Bangkok and Western Canada. Honey-coloured red cedar defines the outer shell. Inside, master craftsmen from Thailand have worked magic to create a soulful retreat.
Activities include horseback riding, hiking, 4X4 driving, bird watching and falconry as well as fly fishing. We opt for a morning two hour trail ride, trotting through mountain terrain filled with black bears, mountain lions, bald eagles and our ever present shadows, the ranch’s security team of seven vigilant yet affable border collies.
After a memorable half-day on the range, it’s time for a Traditional Thai Massage at the onsite spa. Under the expert guidance of our Thai therapist, muscles are massaged, stretched and relaxed over a blissful 90 minutes. Saddle sores are now a distant memory.
At dinner, Chef Jason Folk wows us with gourmet dining in a family-style setting in Dove Lodge; his cooking prowess rivalled only by the incredible beauty of Echo Valley Ranch & Spa and our gracious hosts Norm and Nan. They say it’s best to ride hard when working the back country. I guess the Volvo S60 T5 will just have to stay dirty a little longer.
