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!