Sandi's aunt and uncle are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary so we're off to join the festivities in Kelowna and explore a bit of the area. En route from Whistler we pass through the small town of Lytton and pause to take in the bucolic countryside.
Congratulations Marlene and Paul! Your love and dedication to each other is an inspiration. (Sandi and her sister Arlene are the little flowergirls on right.)
The famous Kettle Valley Rail Trail vies with wine drinking and peach picking as the attraction of choice for visitors to the Okanagan – smart ones do all three. Monashee Adventure Tours transports us up to the old rail line, now a scenic, easy bicycle path.
Of the entire Kettle Valley Rail Trail, the most spectacular stretch is close to Kelowna. The 12km section through Myra Canyon has fantastic views of the sinuous canyon from 18 trestles that span the gorge from the cliff-hugging path. That we can enjoy the route is something of a miracle as 12 of the wooden trestles were destroyed by fire in 2003. Today all are rebuilt.
Whoever said Kelowna is warm in summer is full of beans. It's three degrees celsius and Sandi is frozen solid.
For the next two nights we're staying at God's Mountain Estate just south of the city of Penticton. In 2003 Sarah Allen and her husband Richard, purchased this Mediterranean-style villa on 115 acres. They were captivated by the spectacular views of the lake and vineyards, the serenity and grandeur of the mountain and the eclectic ambiance of the home. Relief, much warmer weather today.
The estate is choc-a-bloc full of interesting antiques and artifacts.
We time it right as internationally-acclaimed, Juno award-winning harpist, Gianetta Baril, has just arrived for a couple of days too. She soon has us in raptures as she generously and passionately performs an impromptu concert on the veranda before dinner.
Thank you sooooo much Gianetta for blessing us with your heavenly music on God's Mountain.
To experience a true taste of the Okanagan, Joy Road Catering hosts an intimate, multi-course alfresco dinner in Sarah and Richard's garden overlooking the lake and vineyard. Their personalized menu features a wide range of exceptional cuisine prepared with the best possible ingredients sourced locally and paired perfectly with delicious Okanagan wines.
It is hard to know which harvest is growing faster in this fertile and beautiful valley; tourists or fruit. Certainly, bounty abounds in this ever-more-popular lovely swath midway between Vancouver and Alberta. The moniker 'Canada's Napa Valley' is oft repeated and somewhat apt. The 180km-long Okanagan Valley is home to dozens of excellent wineries, whose vines spread across the terraced hills, soaking up some of Canada's sunniest weather.
This emphasis on highbrow refreshments contrasts with the valley's traditional role as a summertime escape for generations of Canadians, who folic in the string of lakes linking the Okanagan's towns. And while retirees mature slowly in the sun, so do orchards of peaches, apricots and other fruits that may not have the cachet of grapes, but which give the air a perfumery redolence at the peak of summer.
On our second night at God's Mountain Estate we decide to dine alfresco again but this time we're going casual – a quick stop at the Italian delicatessen in Penticton and we soon have a feast of nuts, wine, tomato bocconcini salad, paninis, tiramisu and the best sunset this side of the Mississippi.
The vineyards of Penticton and Naramata Bench boast ideal conditions for ripening Merlot and Bordeaux varieties and full-flavoured Pinot Gris and Viognier. To the south of Penticton is Skaha Bench where Painted Rock Estate Winery and Pentâge Winery (we picked up a case) produce award-winning wines. And with an established (and simple) wine touring route, breathtaking views and several wineries with spectacular dining settings like this one at Lake Breeze Vineyards (above photo), it's easy to see why the Naramata Bench is one of the hottest wine regions in the province.
Back when the best way to get around inland BC was by boat, the SS Sicamous hauled passengers and freight on Okanagan Lake from 1914 to 1936. Now restored and beached in Penticton, a tour of the boat is an evocative self-guided ramble.
Breakfast done right at God's Mountain Estate.
Sarah's friendly dog Amos, guides us on a hike up to see the views from the vantage point of the bluffs behind the property. G'boy Amos!
To remember our wonderful time spent at God's Mountain we purchase one of Gianetta's cds as well as a watercolour painting by Ann Flavelle Lagassé from Oak Bay, Vancouver Island, who regularly comes to God's Mountain to paint the surrounding landscapes.
You can't go far in the Okanagan Valley without passing a farm stand by the side of the road. We stop at this one lined with rusty vintage cars and tractors to pick up cherries, apricots and raspberries for the road.
We head back to Whistler via the longer, scenic Hope-Princeton Highway with a two-night stop at Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa. The view from our hotel room over Harrison Lake is hard to beat. Since 1886, travelers have sought the source that provides warmth to the resort's five mineral hot pools.
It's Canada Day. Happy Canada Day!!! We watch the fireworks over the lake.
There are two hot springs here: the "Potash", with a temperature of 40 degrees celsius and the "Sulphur", with a temperature of 65 degrees celsius. These swallowtail butterflies apparently like the hot temperatures of the sulphur spring as they rest within inches of its steamy, hot waters.
A 20-minute drive from Harrison is Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park.
The pretty falls tumble 60 meters over a smooth rock face, creating a veil-like effect.
Harrison is Sasquatch territory. Described as a bi-pedal mammal of exceptional size with great strength and reddish hair covering its entire body, the Sasquatch is legendary in Harrison Hot Springs with many regional sightings. The First Nations peoples that have lived in this area for generations believe the Sasquatch is a spiritual being that can vanish into the spirit realm, which may explain why the elusive being is so difficult to track down. Sandi cozies up to a friendly facsimile.
Back at the resort for some rest and relaxation in the pools.
Dinner in The Copper Room.
Swingin' with "The Jones Boys" band tonight, headin' home tomorrow.
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