Day Tripping in the North Okanagan

Like most Albertans that move to the Okanagan Valley  we get quite a bit of company, mostly other Albertans!  They come for the beaches and the wineries, the fresh fruit, the golf courses, the hiking and fishing, the biking and boating, and, of course, to visit us.  

If it is their first visit, we usually walk with them down the road to Davison Orchard for pie and to Planet Bee to see how bees make honey and to taste honey mead.  If they stay a second day, we often go to Friesens Countrytyme Gardens, to enjoy breakfast in an orchard, and to Kalalmalka Lake Provincial Park for a swim at Jade or Juniper beach, or a hike to Rattlesnake Point.  Then we might take them up to Allan Brook Nature Centre where they can see the whole vista of the North Okanagan: Swan Lake, Kalalmalka Lake and Okanagan Lake while marmots eye them curiously.

If they return for future visits there are dozens more places to discover.  Sometimes we will take them off to explore and sometimes we'll just give them the maps and let them loose.  And, judging from the volume of return guests, they seem pleased with their little tours and happy for more suggestions.

This last week my sister-in-law, who loves to snoop around quaint little towns, funky art galleries and along country roads, returned for a visit. So she and I headed east  along highway 6, passing the apple orchards of Coldstream and the pastures and corn fields surrounding the Village of Lumby.  I had always thought of Lumby as an old dusty sawmill town but there is far less sawdust these days.The main street is lined with lush hanging baskets and banners and it seems like every second building has a historical mural  painted on it.

Vernon Street Lumby

Spawning salmon mural

   
Westopped at the Visitors Center, housed in a small log building, not big enough to swing a cat in, but full of information about guest ranches, luxury b&b's, rustic cabins and wilderness campgrounds all tucked away along streams and lakes in the surrounding  forests and mountains.  There were brochures on activities ranging from horseback riding and fly fishing  to hang gliding and mountain climbing.

But we were interested in exploring the village, so, with a map in hand, started along the salmon trails, wooded pathways that wind along two creeks through the village.  These creeks are the most easterly spawning grounds for Coho and Chinook Salmon.  We joined  other walkers and bikers along the trails which are dotted with interpretive signs and fitness stations..Walking back along Vernon Street we passed Ida's Bakery and the Krazy Llama Cafe where diners had filled outside tables for lunch.  We crossed over to The Village Gallery, an artist run gallery featuring works by local artists  The art is impressive and very reasonably priced.

Having lunch at ida's Bakery

We then drove just east of town and turned south onto Creighton Valley Road. The pavement changed to gravel as the green pastures lead into a forested valley.  We stopped to visit Cozy Cabins Nature Resort and walked down to its small lake.  Kids were playing on the small sandy beach and sunning on the swimming float, while a group of adults gathered around a picnic table.  The 7 cabins on this 40 acre property are discretely placed, some overlooking the lake and others around the meadow.

Garden at Cozy Cabin

 A very short distance farther along Creighton Valley Road we drove along the  emerald-coloured Echo Lake and stopped again to check out the Echo Lake Fishing Resort.  Here wooden cabins perch precariously over the motionless lake.  A couple docks stretch out into the lake with small fishing boats attached and a lone kayak was mirrored in the middle of the lake.

Echo Lake

The road changed back to pavement as it wound itself out of the treed hills and back into green fields.  Here it joined  onto highway 6 and we  headed back into Cherryville.  Originally a gold rush town, named after the wild chokecherries that grew along a creek, Cherryville has one of the most charming little galleries anywhere.  In a whimsically painted former hunting cabin, among aromas of scented soaps and candles we were delighted by colourful glass beads, dishes and murals that surrounded other art.

Cherryville Artisans Shop

On our way home we stopped at Caffe Mazzega in Lumby.  We sipped on our lattes and nibbled on a gelato n' berries crespelle (crepe).  The soft hot crepe melted in our mouths and the tart warm berry juice mingled with the vanilla ice-cream.  It was better than delicious.

  A  half hour later, with a glass of Pinot Gris in hand,  we were sitting on our back deck in Vernon describing our delightful tour to the others. Just another fabulous day in the North Okanagan.