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Too tired to buy a Motel




Today's postcard is a picture of the Parliament Buildings in Victoria, B.C. The message is this:



"Baker and I just returned to Harrison. We have been to Victoria for a couple of days to see about my storage, to be shipped to Banff, where that will be my next stop. Tom wants me to buy another Motel but I am not too well and feel I shouldn't. Just taking it easy these days. Love J."






How intriguing. Checking the storage of what? Moving from Victoria to Banff for what? Buying another Motel? Who is this... an early Canadian version of Donald Trump. Who buys Motels? What a mystery. The card is undated, but the stamp is a Canadian 4 cent, which was made in 1963.



The stamp is worth 15 cents today. I cannot find information on why the stamp included a "tower" in the corner, but the 1cent featured mineral crystal; the 2 cent a pine tree; the 3 cent a fish and the 5 cent wheat...so I am guessing they represent industry in Canada - the tower perhaps hydro-electricity or communications.
I wasn't sure what Harrison was. It is a lake in BC known for its hot springs and Sturgeon fishing. Currently there is a spa on site, but here's what else I found out. "Destroyed by fire in 1920, the St. Alice was replaced in 1925 by the existing Main Hotel building and the Harrison Hotel was born. In these early days, guests traveled from the coast by riverboat or train and coach from the nearby Agassiz station. The hotel enjoyed great success, as it was the first 'resort' style destination of its kind in southwestern British Columbia. During the war years of the 1940's, the hotel became a sanitarium for women returning from Europe who had participated in the war effort. Following the war, the Harrison Hot Springs Resort was restored to its original purpose, welcoming guests in growing numbers from the entire Pacific Northwest region of the continent. Enjoying increasing popularity through the 1950's and 60's, the hotel expanded with the addition of the West Tower, West Wing and The Copper Room."
A map shows Harrison Lake with the Hot Springs right above Chilliwack, BC.
More info on the hot springs there: "The mineral rich hot springs at Harrison were originally used by the Salish Coast Natives who revered them as a "healing place", arriving by canoe to benefit from their rejuvenating waters. The minerals waters are said to bring relief to sufferers of rheumatism and arthritis through the 8 minerals present in the water, which averages 1,300 parts per million of dissolved mineral solids, one of the highest concentrations of any mineral spring. There are two hot springs at the south end of Harrison Lake, the Potash, with a temperature of 40°C (120°F), and the Sulphur, with a temperature of 65°C (150°F). "
What is in the water? Well, the public hot springs pool (off the property of the hotel) is advertised thus:
Potassium Chloride 1.722 grains 0.246 grams
Sodium Chloride 31.297 grains 4.506 grams
Magnesium Sulphate 0.148 grains 1.020 grams
Sodium Sulphate 33.061 grains 4.760 grams
Lime Sulphate 6.256 grains 0.900 grams
Iron Bicarbonate 4.634 grains 0.666 grams
Hydrogen Sulphurate 0.174 grains 0.024 grams
Sulphates are found in Epsom Salts, which we know are good to soak in.
So, sounds like our postcard writer wasn't feeling well and went to the hot springs for relief!

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