This long weekend we found ourselves driving around metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Luckily we had the fully electric Volvo EX40 Ultra Twin, to not only help cut fuel costs, but to also ease some tension in our excess driving.
I like the idea of an electric vehicle, however we do not have the means to charge it daily, so find ourselves setting aside large chunks of time just to do so at the nearest communal hydro pump.
Thankfully the power economy is great on the EX40. So after a whole week’s worth of commuting and drive into Vancouver for errands and Abbotsford for fall adventures we still had 16% battery life before the vehicle suggested we head to a pump because our battery was low. This longevity is thanks to their next-generation powertrains that are engineered to increase range and reduce charging times.
Something that we could contest to. The 45 minute max time on our community pump gave use 70%. One of the fastest and most effective charges we have had the pleasure to experience.
When it comes to the drive, there is no delay with the Volvo EX40. You step into the compact SUV and you are ready to go. No push button start, just a tug of the hook hold gear shift to set you in motion.
The above is a move that felt very high tech and futuristic, befitting of a fully electric vehicle. However, just looking at the car’s interior you would not think that. With mixed materials lining the dash, centre console, and doors. Wood grain, plastic, vegan leather, and felt it felt unorganized.
A simple cabin there is little binning. I did appreciate the 2024 Volvo’s ability to change our phones wireless and via c-cable quickly; whereas I have had issues with other brand and models.
On the highway we witnessed how much powerful acceleration our compact SUV of the week had. It easily over took vehicles and made changing lanes a breeze with agile handling from its Twin Motor and all-wheel drive.
It gave us a scenic view with its panoramic sunroof and an enjoyable drive with Harman Kardon Premium Sound speaker. And while driving through farm country we didn’t smell it with the in-cabin advanced air purification.
We felt confident and safe in the Volvo knowing the abilities of the driver assist. Signalling when vehicles were too close and halting to a stop when it senses that a collision was imminent. It also guides you if you begin to detour from the lanes.
We thought to start our long weekend off with a relaxing massage to set the tone. Knead in Vancouver offers massages like we have never had before. It literally felt like we were loaves of dough being chopped and kneaded with oil, on our way to become soft and fluffy baked bread. Be warned, this is a quiet spa so my jovial “hello” and excitement when we first entered was not appreciated. But more on that experience in its own post.
And to stay in that relaxed state of mind we grabbed a bowl of warm soup noodles for dinner. Our latest crave and go to is Bun Cha Ca Hoang Yen, on a Victoria Drive. We come specifically for their Bun Rieu. This is the dish that put them on the map and is worth driving for. This is vermicelli noodle with tofu, Vietnamese pork ham, and pork leg & shrimp in special crab soup. Our hack is that we share one portion and order an extra serving of noodles on the side. There is so much broth and this way we finish it all.
We would feel the affects of this full body relaxing massage until we got tense from the scariest corn maze in Canada the following night.
Seeing as it is the weekend leading into October and spooky season, and all the farm attractions are up and running, we decided to head into Abbotsford to take in our favourites.
On the way we stopped for a quick snack at our local Gabi & Jules in Burnaby Heights. I am a fan of their crostatas. Crispy croissant pastry made into a Danish with savoury and sweet topping options at its centre. Each a hefty handful and a filling meal replacement.
We shared the dill pickle and blueberry crumble. The former like a cross between tzatziki and an Alfredo cream sauce with plenty of fragrant dill. So rich and heavy it had us sleepy and only picking at the sweet blueberry crostata that was still warm from the oven. They are both best heated up.
We stopped by Taves Farm in Abbotsford for their latest pumpkin garden fantasy. A scene out of a storybook with a large ground mural made from an array of coloured pumpkins. This is the perfect place for your fall photo shoot.
We also grabbed dinner from their concession stand, and felt like kids having the childhood dinner of our dreams with hot dogs, nachos in a bag, and magical ice cream floats. More about both experiences in its own separate blog post.
As the sun began to set and it grew dark, it was time to head to Maan Farms for their haunted house RIP media night. Normally you aren’t allow to film the actors in the haunted houses, as to not take away from the live experience or ruin the surprise for someone else by posting about it. However, tonight was the exception. I am a notorious scaredy cat and thought it would be fun to show that in my footage.
But first we got to enjoy their regular farm activations including petting zoo and food and drink pavilion. Full Mama Maan meals are available in the barn, and they had additional pop up concession stands for drinks and desserts.
As we drank and ate, live performers jump scared and interacted with the gathering crowd. But more on this full experience to come in its own post. But let’s just say I got out fast enough to sleep soundly that night.
On Sunday we took it easy with a home day and ended it with a quick jaunt out for happy hour at Surrey’s Combine Cafe. This is a newer cafe with extended coffee listing, sandwiches, and pastry by day. And a lounge space with wine flights, customizable charcuterie boards, and a globally inspired menus by night.
They have recently launched happy hour. More on our amazing experience and enjoyable time to come in it’s own post.
The next day, to take advantage of the rainy weather and drier day, we decided to go for a causal hike to forage for mushrooms. A hobby my partner and I both enjoy and have found success in. We would visit the same spot where we found lobster mushroom the year before and struck it rich.
Not only did we triple our lobster mushroom haul, to the point where we could be more discerning, and throw out the ones less appetizing; but we also scored our largest chanterelle haul to date.
We spent 4 hours hiking and scouring on a steep slope and yielded a box’s worth of mushrooms for our efforts.
We made sure to cook these the same night to ensure optimal freshness. For dinner we paired buttery chanterelles and lobster mushrooms with steak and lamb chops grilled in the back yard.
And as meal prep I included our mushroom medley in a mix of Alfredo sauce, fresh herbs, and egg noodles.
We then ate, drank, and watched tv, settling down for the last night of a successful and accomplished long weekend.
