I was not going to blog about our 2023 summer road trip to Kelowna but the recent heart-breaking images of the majestic trees being reduced to cinder, the billowing smoke shrouding the hapless mountains made me change my mind. The ‘destruction’ images, in sharp contrast to the serene picturesque photographs from July 30-August 5 2023, were not only gloomy but emphatic reminders of frailty of nature and our contributions towards it.

ON WAY TO KELOWNA…..

The far away cackling flames are pushed into background as sparse jagged peaks of Alberta give way to abundant green canopy, spectacular lakes, glaciers … as we approach Revelstoke for much needed coffee break and for Bingo, our GoldenDoodle, a run in the adjacent park along the Columbia river. 30 mins later we were on our way towards Sicamous, the houseboat capital of Canada popular for stay in houseboats on Shuswap Lake. (House-boating season is from June until October.).

Road Trip July 30-Aug 4 …..A family summer trip with pet dog (Golden Doodle) setting out on a cool early morning from Calgary driving on a familiar road towards Banff. But this time no detours but straight on to Revelstoke

Distance: The drive is minimum 7.5 hours, minus breaks, from Calgary to Kelowna, a distance of 605 kilometres (375 miles) on the Trans-Canada Highway or Highway 1, the direct route between Calgary and Kelowna, with popular detours to Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore, Radium Springs, Yoho National Park with its gem, the Emerald Lake. Yoho is the smallest National Park within the Canadian Rockies but filled with incredible beauty – waterfalls, bright blue lakes, and unique rock formations. We did Emerald Lake on return.

It is a smooth drive except for section of the road east of Golden, the Kicking Horse Canyon Project, with delays up to 30 minutes depending on traffic during the day, supposedly closed at night, entailing a detour via Radium Hot springs. Lucky for us there was limited traffic except for a Porsche zooming away at top speed. Few miles on we saw the car grounded by police cars. Ah well speed never helps.

Out of Golden and through Glacier National Park or Rogers Pass toward Revelstoke, a region populated with ancient cedar trees and alpine meadows, wildlife…bears, mountain goats etc. We did see a few goats but no bears.

Revelstoke with its numerous activities and adventures merits a separate stay….summer or winter. One such wonder is The Enchanted Forest, a must stop for kids and parents, we did on way back. Grownups and kids can let their imagination run wild climbing trees and paddling in row boats or climbing rocks. The Enchanted Forest and the Skytrek Adventure Park are open seasonally from May until October.

We left the sightseeing for return journey, Glacier Nat Park, Hemlock Boardwalk, Emerald Lake etc.

There were Breaks on the way to Kelowna……

Planet Bee Farm ….gift store with health foods, honey, winery.

D Dutchmen Dairy Ltd….The place for fresh handmade dairy products such as ice cream, milk & cheese made on-site. Children forget their journey blues seeing the farm animals up close… cows, goats and the tractor playground. Bingo freaked out seeing goats and cows for the first time .

One thing is sure…the scenic beauty sees to it that you do not get bored. Drive, break journey or just sit and stare. Nestled between the clear waters of Three Valley Lake and sheer cliffs of the Monashee Mountains, Three Valley Lake Chateau is an extraordinary Revelstoke resort destination

The never ending Mara Lake, a vast water expanse stretching along the village of Mara, located in the beautiful Shuswap region of British Columbia amidst thick forests, is said to be on par with its famous neighbour Okanagan Valley but offering a much quieter holiday time. We had stopped mid-afternoon hence there was limited activity on the Lake. There were some, like us, enjoying a quick dip in the cold waters.

The next big stop is panoramic Vernon bordered by three different lakes, rolling grasslands and towering mountains. A touristy town matching steps with Kelowna with plenty of fun things to do.

By now tired, no breaks, we checked in at our Airbnb in a fruit orchard. The cherry season was over, there were some on top branches for us to taste, but peaches, raw plums, apples were a welcoming sight and so was the partial view of Okanagan Lake from the patio.

*West Kelowna, formerly known as Westbank or Westside in the Okanagan Valley, is set amidst popular neighbourhoods…including Casa Loma, Gellatly, Glenrosa, Lakeview Heights, Shannon Lake, Smith Creek, Rose Valley.

OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST

Peachland: approximately 30 minutes drive south of Kelowna balancing itself on a steep sidehill. Like many other areas in the Okanagan, Peachland is rapidly growing, with new residents coming from all across Canada.

Summer land: From Peach land we move to Summer-land for, guess what, the Dirty Laundry Winery overlooking the Kettle Valley. Dirty Laundry Vineyard, a small family-owned business, is situated high above the original town site on a plateau enjoying an ideal micro-climate with excellent sun exposure for growing exceptional grapes. If lucky one can catch a glimpse of the Kettle Valley Steam Train chug-chugging along the vineyard. We were lucky but we were there for the quirky interiors of the winery and the wine. The kinky theme dates back to 1800s when a Chinese Laundromat was a frontal for a railroad brothel and a gambling den. The laundromat washing machines, irons and other accruements are on display and so are the lingerie and clothing items hung across in the patio overlooking the Valley and vineyards stimulating the senses with scintillating and titillating wines with an attempt at invoking the spirit of the past.

West Kelowna Vineyards and Okanagan Lake :

Few wineries that we visited Off The Grid Organic Winery, Mission Hill Family Estate Winery , Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Quails’ Gate Winery

Return to Kelowna with brief stop at Emerald Lake, Yoho Nat. Park as the smoke clouds were fast moving in shadowing the bright teal waters.

A recharging and rejuvenating trip ……gazing at the blue, rolling waters of Okanagan Lake, walking the vineyards, the Parks, mountain trails and forest paths, there was always something to remind us of the bounty and beauty of immersive nature that sometimes has to bow down to furies of nature.