Discover Rustic BC's Kelly Lake Cabin Retreat

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put together." — John Burroughs once said.

Summer is my favourite time of the year because I feel that is truly when British Columbia comes alive, and you can be truly carefree in your own element. Over the August BC day long weekend, I took a road trip to Kelly Lake and decided to experience a truly new cabin adventure, one that I haven't experienced in a long time. I've traveled to so many amazing places, but I always feel a new thrill experiencing different parts of British Columbia, whether they are well-known or not. I hope that the people who read my blog feel inspired to see and rediscover new places near their home, whether it may be in their comfort zone or not.

If you are looking for a rustic adventure in British Columbia, Kelly Lake, Cache Creek, and Lillooet are definitely stops for you to check out for a nice summer getaway. Plan for a 4-5 day road trip if travelling from Vancouver, so you have time to check out on the sights on this epic road trip.

If you decide to take a road trip up to the Thompson-Nicola region, make sure that you have lots of gas. For your first stop at Hells Gate, the drive is around 4 hours from Vancouver, so make sure that you have plenty of gas and energy stocked up to get you through this phase.

On a smoky summer day, I got to see the narrow harrowing of the Fraser River and the overlook what Simon Fraser remarked in 1808 which what were truly the gates of hell and where no human should venture, but that our early adventurers did. Simon Fraser was truly a pioneer as he carved out new places and discovered this wonderful hidden gem back then. I think that we all should overcome the fear inside us to conquer our strongest fears, knowing that our ancestors have braced bigger challenges than us in the face of insurmountable difficulty.

Overlooking Hells Gate

Kelly Lake - There are no words to describe how you feel when humans are in their natural state - and that is one in alignment with nature. Our ancestors used to fish, hunt and do things now that we thought now are quite impossible to do in our conditions. I remember fishing rainbow trout at Kelly Lake, and thinking to myself, this is really the good life - one without the stresses of modern life - where life presents itself as it is. I have always loved being in the outdoors, and something about the been in the open water is always refreshing. Before my trip I suffered from mild eczema on my eyelids, but after, swimming at Kelly Lake, I was quickly rejuvenated and the irritants bothering my eye left. There is something about feeling refreshed after a swim on a hot summer BC day in ice cold water that heals everything and rejuvenates you for a new beginning.

Taking the road less traveled - If you are looking to take an adventure on an unpaved road, be sure to take the unpaved road from Kelly Lake to Lillooet. Visitors use the park as a stopping place as they travel the Pavilion Mountain Road, which connects the Cariboo region to Lillooet. This scenic alternative to Highway 99 is unpaved, narrow and switch-backed and best suited for compact four-wheel drive vehicles.

Desert Hills Taco Stand

Desert Hills Taco Stand - Definitely stop by this taco stand in Cache Creek if your in the surrounding area, as it is a rather authentic Mexican restaurant with fresh flavours and lots of toppings for your tacos. With plenty of outdoor seating, this is a place you should eat at least once for lunch or dinner. Let yourself feel the desert heat overcome you as you eat fresh tacos sitting on their porch.

Lillooet Brewing Company

Lillooet - Lillooet is such a hidden gem that is often overlooked for visitors, especially with the U shaped popular viewpoint that looks out to Seton Lake and a portion of the Sea To Sky Highway. This truly is a must see if you enjoy hiking and amazing views that are unlike anywhere else in British Columbia. The entrance to the hike is rather difficult to find as you have to cross the road on the highway from the parking lot. While the Seton Lake Lookout trail hike is an easy 1km roundtrip, but can feel long because of the ascent and challenging uphill portion which is tough in the summer as the heat can be overbearing. However, when you get to the top, the view is worth it. If you have time, also check out a local cider house with features local Lillooet grown craft ciders and beers, along with pizzas and pretzels.

U-shaped Hike Overlooking Seton Lake

Historic Hat Creek Ranch - The Historic Hat Cache Creek Ranch gives you a good taste of British Columbia history, as it transported me back into history to the preserved 1861 roadhouse that once served travellers and freight wagons during the gold rush. I loved seeing the animals in their rustic state, and it transported me back to a different era. I found it endearing that the open-air museum resembled a sort of a small-town life that people lived during the Gold Rush, and the feelings of connectedness they must have all felt living in close proximity to each other.

Cougar Point

Not far away from Kelly Lake, there lies a secret spot that many people may not have heard off. I have always been a fan of finding secret spots that have amazing views. To get to this super hidden gem of a place, you have to drive through a rugged, rather unpaved road for a good 20 minutes or so. With panoramic views of the Fraser Canyon and the Coast Mountains, this is not to be missed if you are around the region.This hidden secret offers panoramic views of the Fraser Canyon and Coast Mountains, beyond the Camelsfoot Range. When standing above the mountains, you feel a sort of invincibility unknown to man, the sort of feeling that makes you reflect on your life - a rare combination of feelings that invoke nostalgia and strength. I always incredibility blessed to have lived the type of life I have lived - having the fortune to see many different cultures and lives so early on in my life - from Europe to Asia to North America.

Alexandra Bridge - Alexandra Bridge is definitely an attraction that you should consider visiting if you are heading back to Vancouver, as it is more rustic than Hells Gate, but this bridge built in 1926 offers the same charm as Hells Gate, combined with a hiking trail as well if you venture across to the other side of the bridge. On a clear day, it offers the same amazing view of the Fraser River.

Cooking at the Cabin - There is something really authentic about cooking with natural ingredients found in nature, such as fish that you've caught or slicing fresh watermelon from the local farm that just tastes more real and authentic. You don't even have to live in your own cabin, but even renting a place that always you to cook your own foods is worthwhile. I highly recommend that everyone, if they have the chance, to catch their own food and cook it, in the environment of the natural wilderness.

Chelsea Reviews: 4.5/5

I would have never thought that I would have enjoyed such a rustic escape with limited modern resources, but I believe that everyone should try this type of trip at least once in their lifetime. It makes you feel more present in life - in the things that you are doing and makes you engaged in activities that feel meaningful in their insignificant ways - whether that is catching fish, or making dinner from limited supplies. Through scarcity, we can discover another version of happiness.

Kelly Lake was such an amazing retreat away from daily life - life away from cellphones and most technology. They say that sometime the greatest retreat from life is re-discovering yourself in nature - and setting your own limits, and sometimes, that is the greatest enjoyment in life.