...the Okanagan Valley
the wandering chick

The Okanagan Valley is probably the most diverse region of British Columbia that I have traveled so far. The landscape is in amazing conflict with itself visually, yet blends beautifully to produce the fruits and wines the region is so well known for.

Standing on any hillside one notices the neatly lined rows of grapes that end abruptly at the foot of a swath of sage-colored desert brush. Follow the eye down to the sprawling blue lakes that bring in the region's other resource: tourism. Stand in any one spot and take in the beauty of vineyard, desert and beach. With all there is to see and do, no one stands in one spot for long.

Tourist or not, you're definitly enjoying one of the many many lake activities the region has to offer. There's even a river channel that travels from one lake to another. People grab their floats and spend as many hours as they want leisurely floating from lake to lake.

The residents seem to have the market on relaxation...small, friendly seaside communities line the lakes where small-boat marinas, inviting restaurants and sandy beaches are numerous.

Enjoy the pictures on this page. If you think it's a mix-match of photos of Spain, Italy, Arizona and France's Provence...it's truly not: it's the Okanagan Valley.

**The quote above was seen on a winery billboard in Naramata.

Overview of Osoyoos
"I rescued some wine today...it was trapped in a bottle!!"**
Osoyoos
Arriving Osoyoos from the east, one drives from the summit of Anarchist's Hill to take in this incredible view of Osoyoos and the beginning of the Okanagan Valley floor. Anarchist's Hill is part of the Highway 3, the Crowsnest Highway. Seeing this view for the first time was a grand introduction to where I'd be spending my next several days.
Osoyoos
Osoyoos
Osoyoos
Anarchist's Hill
A side street on Anarchist's Hill named Hallis Road is typical of the diverse landscape that can be found in the whole Okanagan Valley. Lavender patches mingle with desert sage on the side of a hill that most likely has a nearby vineyard.
Osoyoos
Anarchist's Hill
Anarchist Hillside
Osoyoos
lake in hills
vineyards
The overview of Osoyoos is definitely the most stunning one from Anarchist's Hill, but the summit offers other views as well that are spectacular, such as this one looking south.
view from Anarchist's Hill
vineyard
vineyards
view of desert sage
beach park
California quail
California quail
Quail are quite common in this part of British Columbia, and I was glad to see them running around the campground....especially these youngsters with faces only a mother could love.
quail chicks
beach park
Parks are also numerous in the Okanagan Valley, many of them a part of a beach like this one at Cottonwood Beach in Osoyoos. The next few shots were taken at this extremely neat and manicured garden park.
beach park
beach park
beach with stormy skies
beach with stormy skies
beach park
beach park
beach park
Cottonwood Beach in Osoyoos
river channel
The wind also picked up on Gyro Beach in Osoyoos. Within minutes, all the beachgoers had left.
A sudden afternoon thunderstorm brought in some restless waves to Skaha Lake in Okanagan Falls.

The major lakes of the Okanagan Valley are positioned like sausage links...tip to tip, north to south (but much prettier). The most southern is Osoyoos Lake, and the most northern is Okanagan. In between are Skaha and Vaseaux. Each, naturally, has its own charm.

And if the numerous beaches that surround these lakes are not enough to satisfy the water lovers, an added activity is the Penticton River Channel. It's a 7km (4-mile) shallow waterway that links Skaha and Okanagan Lakes to allow floating from one lake to the other. People either take their own float, or they can be rented from a local company. Not only that, but the same company will pick up the floaters at the end of the channel so that it's a one-way floating trip. The float can take as long as you want it to take, but it seems two to three hours is typical.

floating the river channel
channel floating
channel floating
floating the channel
vineyards on hillside
vineyards on hillside
vineyards on hillside
vineyards on hillside
vineyards on hillside
vineyards on hillside
vineyards on hillside
Naramata is a 13-km (9-mile) series of roads that makes up a major wine region of the Okanagan Valley. It meanders on the east bank of the Okanagan Lake. It makes a wonderful scenic drive with a panoramic view practically around every bend in the road. The next several shots were taken along the roads of the Naramata wine region.
vineyards on hillside
scenic landscape in vineyard country
irrigation wheels against a barn
scenic landscape in vineyard country
scenic landscape in vineyard country
fence and yellow wildflowers
green lake and vineyard
deer
scenic landscape in vineyard country
scenic landscape in vineyard country
old barn
At the suggestion of a travel agent at the Okanagan Falls Visitor Information Center, I took a drive on Willowbrook Road on the west side of the lakes between Okanagan Falls (where there are no falls) and Oliver. It was a beautiful scenic drive through forest, vineyards and meadows and led to Green Lake Road which, she said, would be even more charming. I was not disappointed. Here are a few shots.
two fawns
sitting deer
lakeshore community
lakeshore community
Just off Willowbrook Rd is Secrest Hill Rd. I took it just for a couple miles and took this shot looking to the south.
Green Lake Road was a delightful drive with few cars, winding roads and beautiful scenes.
I've seen horses sitting in fields, and cows, too, but I've never seen a deer sitting. I watched her for a few minutes for indication that she might be hurt (at which point I'm not sure what I would have done), but she seemed relaxed and in no pain. I guess at times we all just have to sit.
I must have spent half an hour outside the See Ya Later Vineyard on Green Lake Rd. Between this old barn, the view behind it, some quail on a fence post and wildflowers between the rows of grapes, my camera and I were very entertained.
old barn
quail on post
horse cart with wine barrels
wildflowers
horses and barn
scenic
quail on post
scenic landscape in vineyard country
scenic mountains and lake
old barn
wildflowers
scenic landscape in vineyard country
wildflowers
lake
water play in park
mountain scenic
mountain scene
walking bridge over lake
scenic mountains
vineyards on hillside
lakeshore community
scenic mountains
entrance to park in Okanagan Falls
mountain scene
lakeshore community
lakeshore community
Kenyon Park on Skaha Lake in Okanagan Falls is one of many that line the lakes' shores.
lakeshore community
lakeshore community
lakeshore community
country scene
lakeshore community
lakeshore community
lakeshore community
mountain scene
Now who thought of this ingeneous way to keep cool in the summer heat?!
The view along the Highway 97 between Okanagan Falls and Penticton to the north is scenic and enjoyable with lush green vineyards covering the hillsides. I was able to pull into an 'unofficial' overview for the next few shots.
lakeshore community
North of Penticton are two seaside communities, rich with ...yep, you guessed it: hillside vineyards and orchards, and lazy with balmy sandy beaches on the west shore of Okanagan Lake.
lakeshore community
Lakeside Loop is lined with the beach on one side and boutiques and outdoor cafes on the other. I'm not sure it gets any better than that!
lakeshore community
lakeshore community
The route on this east side of Penticton is appropriately called the Corkscrew Route.
Valleyview Drive meanders through the vineyards overlooking Okanagan Lake from the east.

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