The Beginning of Sizzling Summer

We ventured up to Silver Star Mountain Resort yesterday.  The last time we were up there, April 8th, it was the final day of the down hill ski season.  There was snow piled high outside all the buildings and hanging from the roofs.  I recall it was actually snowing that day.  Although Silver Star closes in early April, Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre, the epicenter of cross country skiing located adjacent to Silver Star, stays open in April for training and then continues to be open for season pass holders until the end of May.
But by June 29th, all the snow is but a memory and the piles of white are replaced by tall lush grasses, green bushes and wild flowers.

Silver Star Mountain Resort, open for biking and hiking

 The resort opened for its summer season on June 27, with ski runs transformed into mountain bike trails that interlace with hiking trails through meadows of alpine flowers.
Yesterday the June rains had lingered all morning, but by  the time we had checked out the incredible sale on cross country ski gear at the Village Ski Shop, the sun had come out. We enjoyed a coffee at Bugaboos Cafe and Bakery, watching the bikers saunter in and out of the village, all of them splattered with mud from head to toe.

Bugaboos Bakery and Cafe

Bikers splattered with mud and ready to go again

Then we headed up to the Gallery Odin, an art gallery located up on the Knoll at Silver Star that features BC artists.  The gallery was hosting its summer reception, so we mingled with other art enthusiasts, enjoying good wine and great art.
www.galleryodin.com      

Today we woke to a clear sky and the usual freshness of a new Okanagan day.  But the sun was strong and by 9 am when we took a short bike trip it was obvious it was going to be a hot one.  We rode along Bella Vista Drive named because of the view of Okanagan Lake, from the orchard covered hills at the north end.and then cruised down the hill to Kin Beach, one of two larger public beaches at Vernon.  It was still early and the beach was quiet.  Then we headed up Okanagan Avenue, looping around to Bella Vista Drive and home.  

View of north end Okanagan Lake from Bella Vista Drive

Shady, grassy Kin Park and Beach

Then we joined good friends at the Kal Club, a private club on the northwest corner of Kalamalka Lake. The original building was constructed in 1909 by the Long Lake Lumber Company.  Tennis courts were added in 1915 for the enjoyment of some local businessmen.  Today it is a tennis/beach club with a very reasonable annual membership.  The members are local families and the waiting list is understandably long.  Today was one of two days all summer that members can invite guests who live in Vernon.  We enjoyed a picnic lunch under the honey locust trees along the edge of the water.  We were comfy and cool, despite the day's high of 32 degrees C.   I think this is the nicest place in the Vernon area during the summer.  We look forward to being members (in about 9 years!)

Kal Country Club, on Kalamalka Lake

Tennis courts at Kal Club

Then we finished the day at a birthday party for our neighbour.  It was a very special birthday as her husband planned the party, a surprise with about 70 guests. He has been very ill this past year but is well on his way to a full recovery.  Having his wife at his side during the 6 month hospital ordeal was definitely a big factor in his survival. Their outdoor pool was full of children splashing and playing while the adults mingled and the air was full of laughter.  It was wonderful to be part of their celebration

A perfect setting for a summer birthday party

Today is the last day of June and tomorrow is Canada Day.  We'd love to bike down to Polson Park for the celebrations and end the day enjoying the fireworks up on hills south of town.  But we are again off to other places for a couple weeks.  We will enjoy our adventures but its tough to leave home, when you love where you live....

                                                                 
                             
                     
     

A Road Trip

 There are enough places to explore within a couple hours drive of Vernon to entertain for a life time. This week we joined friends for a trip down Okanagan Lake to Naramata.   Snuggled in a dip along the clay cliffs on the south east end of Okanagan Lake it is no wonder that throngs of tourists descend here, mostly during July and August.  Perched upon the cliffs above the town is the Naramata Bench with thousands of lush  acres of vineyards and dozens of small wineries, welcoming visitors into their tasting rooms.  From here the  views stretch from  the City of Penticton, that sits between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake further south, and along the west side of the lake with patches of green orchards and vineyards that surround the town of Summerland.  Behind the green are the already dry Ponderosa pine-dotted hills, evidence of the hot semi-arid climate. 

Okanagan Lake and Naramata Bench

The creation of Summerland and Peachland, another town farther north of Summerland, is credited to  John Moore Robinson a politician and newspaper man who arrived here from Manitoba  in 1898.  He originally convinced some prairie farmers to make mining claims in the area but when nothing was found  he bought their land and created a ranch to provide beef for the Caribou Gold Rush.  Realizing more could be produced on the land he divided it into 10 acre lots and resold the land for fruit growing.  With irrigation the land thrived and J M Robinson became very rich.  

In 1907 he began developing the land directly across the lake from Summerland, known as East Summerland.  Robinson renamed it Brighton Beach, to suit his vision of it becoming not just a fruit growing area but a tourist destination.  Then one night in 1907 a seance was held at the home of prominent resident, J S Gillespie.  It is said that Mrs Gillespie was entered by the spirit of the great Sioux Chief, Big Moose.  The Chief spoke so highly of his lovely wife, Nar-ra-mat-tah and Robinson was so charmed by the story that he named the new community Naramata.
In 1908 the elegant Naramata Inn opened and the community became a cultural centre with guests arriving by boat for regattas, concerts and plays.  Then in 1915 the Kettle River Railway  that was punched through the mountains above the town opened, linking it with the rest of the world.  Rail service stopped in 1973 but the rail bed is now busy with bike riders as it is part of the Trans Canada Trail.

Kettle Valley Rail Trail winding through the Naramata Bench

We only stopped at a couple wineries along the Bench.  We tasted the Township 7 Winery's Chardonnay, a wine chosen for a state dinner during Queen Elizabeth's visit in 2010 and enjoyed a delectable sun kissed lunch at The Lake Breeze Wine Farm.

Tasting plate, Lake Breeze Wine Farm

Then we headed down to the Sandy Beach Resort, with its lawns reaching to the water's edge.    Here we enjoyed a lazy afternoon lounging at the outdoor pool.








Before dinner we sipped on a  mellow Gewurtztraminer from Lake Breeze on our private deck overlooking the quiet lake, then ambled down to the Naramata Inn for a very fine dinner.  Sitting on the outside deck surrounding by giants pots of begonias life felt thoroughly pleasant.

View from our private deck at Sandy Beach Resort

The next day, after a canoe trip along the lake shore and a relaxed breakfast we headed down to explore the Skaha Bluffs, south of Penticton and started our slow meander back to Vernon.

The Old Lodge at Sandy Beach Resort in early morning

Climbers at the Skaha Bluffs

 It was a lovely two days but we still were pleased to find ourselves in our favourite place the next morning, out hot tub on our deck in Vernon!