Summer Loving
Jun 17, 2013 / 2:18 pm
This beautiful and sunny past weekend, Picture the Okanagan went to West Kelowna to attend the very popular fishing derby held at Shannon Lake, located steps away from downtown. This great family event attracted families from all over the area and was the ideal occasion to initiate kids to fishing or simply relax on the lake.
After that, I went to the South Glen Canyon Regional Park for a hike. Located close to Highway 97, and accessible from both directions via the Glenrosa Exit by Gorman’s Mill, or using Gellatly Rd, the entrance is next to the mailboxes near Glen Canyon Dr. (see map below):
To access this well hidden and marvelous park, one needs to get down the stairs, then it’s an easy hike approximately 1km return-way along the beautiful Glen Canyon. This paradise allows for wildlife & bird watching or, if you prefer, just sit back and enjoy the surroundings.
The main feature of the Park is the amazing waterfall running along Powers Creek, which can be viewed from a bridge, or by a steep but moderate walk down into the heart of the canyon for a closer view.
If you like what you see, I’d like to invite you to join Picture the Okanagan’s online community with more than 1350 people on Facebook to see even more pictures and to check out next weeks special and colourful column on Castanet!
The Okanogan Valley
Jun 3, 2013 / 2:50 pm
This week, Picture the Okanagan brings you on an amazing day trip to the quaint Okanogan Valley. I recommend this 500 km return-way journey from Kelowna to nature lovers as well as savvy shoppers.
To go down to Oliver, I used the White Lake road, which is accessible on your right off Highway 97 approximately half a kilometer past the Highway 3A exit to Vancouver before entering Okanagan Falls. It’s a well maintained country road, with little traffic that allows for enjoyment and beautiful scenery, snowy mountains in the background and an area filled with wildlife & sagebrush around White Lake.
A very interesting attraction is the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, which offers self-guided tours. As you enter Oliver, you’ll be able to contemplate the luxurious Valley before entering the town.
Back on the main Highway and past the border, the road to Okanogan offers endless & fantastic picture opportunities. You’ll drive through flourishing orchards & ranches in the arid Valley bottom on a desert mountain background and open skies. It’s amazing what wonders irrigation can do!
Of course, when I’m in America, I like to try new restaurants and the City of Omak have plenty of them! One thing I also enjoy, is to bring new food – I mean snacks, dips, chocolate & pop - back home. When I’m at a grocery store south of the border, my eyes brighten like those of a kid in front of a mountain of these new treats & flavours available only in the U.S.!
And once you arrive in Okanogan, you’ll discover a typical American city, with interesting architecture, historic buildings and very friendly people. On the pictures below we can see the Okanogan River, which drains Okanagan Lake to the Pacific Ocean using the Columbia River, the Court House & City Hall. You’re also pretty close to the gorgeous Lake Chelan, which will be featured in a future Picture the Okanagan column.
As you make your way back home, the Rotary Park in Oroville is home to a family campsite & a sandy beach on the warm Osoyoos Lake shores – perfect for a swim or a stay on a hot & sunny day!
As I drove to Osoyoos, I made a quick stop to the medicinal Spotted Lake, which is filled with water at this time of the year. The beautiful green hills of Mount Kobau can be enjoyed from a gravel road that also offers a spectacular view of the area off Highway 3. A storm broke up as I was there, making for a beautiful picture of the Chopaka Mountain taken from the east side of Osoyoos Lake.
The storm followed me back home to Kelowna, yet the ride was enjoyable, refreshing and filled with beauty.
The following week I was attending the popular Peachland World of Wheels car show, which attracted over 15,000 people. Check out the photo album by clicking here!
I thank you for stopping in and make sure you follow Picture the Okanagan on Facebook to see everything!
Stepping into the wild
May 13, 2013 / 11:30 am
This week, Picture the Okanagan travelled to Kelowna and discovered the Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park, formerly known as Cedar Mountain Regional Park. Being in nature, wildlife is omnipresent, including marmots, hawks & adorable deer:
The main trail and parking lot are well indicated and are highly accessible approximately 3 km up Chute Lake Rd.
The 2 km return-way hike is easy and will lead you to the clear waters of Lebanon Creek, as seen here:
Afterwards, you’ll be taken further up where you will be stunned by the amazing geology, trees & flowers growing everywhere, even on an extremely steep mountainside!
With the wildflowers blooming a very interesting, nice & spicy smell was floating in the air all along the trail:
Another unusual rock formation is the Kelowna Crags, as seen on the picture just above. It’s also a climber’s paradise with an adrenaline rush guaranteed!
The picture on the left is a close-up of the red circle area on the right picture:
There are several viewpoints in the Park that offer incredible panoramic sights of West Kelowna & Kelowna! Other viewpoints are also located about one or two km further up Chute Lake Rd, past the parking lot and near the gravel pit, just before the road tightens.
After hiking all afternoon under warm temperatures, Gyro Beach & the lake made it for a refreshing and happy ending on the way back to town!
Like what you see? More pictures await you on the Picture the Okanagan Facebook page! www.facebook.com/picturetheokanagan
An Okanagan Spring in Pictures
May 1, 2013 / 9:35 am
Last week, this Northwest Territories water bomber from Buffalo Airways was practicing some scooping on Okanagan Lake in anticipation of the wildfire season.
Looking up in the sky last Friday, one could notice a curious rainbow around the sun. This interesting meteorological phenomenon is a parhelion, and happens as ice crystal-saturated cirrus clouds fill the atmosphere.
This past weekend, Picture the Okanagan went to Summerland to explore back roads, collecting interesting ideas for a next column.
Close to the Summerland Golf Course, I saw this cute pony and fearless little bird having lunch together. An example of how true friendship goes beyond our differences!
Nature is powerful and is already starting its growth back at the burnt Trepanier bench, which left the forest destroyed by fire last September:
This Monday the Okanagan saw a lot of amazing storms, and this last picture is a blooming cherry orchard on a snowy background sky:
You like what you see? More pictures awaits for you on Picture the Okanagan Facebook page! www.facebook.com/picturetheokanagan
Read more Picture The Okanagan articles
- Business is Blooming Apr 16
- An Entertaining Easter Weekend Apr 2
- Spring in the Valley Mar 27
- Crossing the Boundary spectacular Mar 13
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