Mini-Trip Report: Osoyoos, BC with photos

[Ginger]

Since we are headed home in the morning, I thought I'd start writing a mini trip report for anyone who is interested. I have lots of great photos of this area, which is just gorgeous.

We decided to take a trip to Osoyoos for a week, and when we were looking for homes to rent on the lake we found that most of them were already booked up. After searching for awhile, we finally found a nice three bedroom place right on the lake for the second to last week of June. Unfortunately, this would mean the kids would miss the second-to-last week of school, but they wouldn't be doing much that week anyway so it wasn't a big loss.

We left at 8am on Saturday morning, hitched up the seedoos and away we went, John, I, Kelsey, Jorden and Uncle Rob. We made one quick stop at Starbucks for a few lattes and a couple of kid's hot chocolates along with some muffins for breakfast on the road. Then we were off!

We headed down the freeway, through Hope, and we spotted a waterfall in the mountains at the side of the highway:
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_18%20004.jpg" width="700" height="467">

We then headed into Manning Park. The weather wasn't looking good, it was majorly overcast but wasn't raining so the driving was easy. It's quite a beatiful drive that takes you snaking through the mountains with beautiful views, and many nice flowing streams running alongside the highway. Here's a photo through the front windshield of the highway through the Manning Park area:
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_18%20006.jpg" width="700" height="467">

and one of the streams along side the road:

<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_18 010.jpg">

As we came down the other side of the mountains we came into Princeton where we stopped for some gas and refreshments. We were quickly back on the road, and our next stop was just down the road a little ways in Keremeos, town of the most fresh fruit stands you've ever seen. There weren't many open yet, as it was early in the season. We stopped at a larger one and picked up some cherries which were currently in season, as well as some homemade jam and pickled spicy asparagus. Yum!

We were on our way, and Osoyoos was only about 40 minutes away now. We passed through some more beautiful country with wonderful farms at the base of the hills.
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_18%20021.jpg" width="700" height="467">
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_18%20022.jpg" width="700" height="467">
We passed by a mineral lake, which looks really neat. It is full of some kind of salts and minerals:
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_18%20029.jpg" width="700" height="467">

One more hill, and we were headed down into the valley that is Osoyoos.
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_18%20033.jpg" width="700" height="467">

For a little background information on Osoyoos, Osoyoos is located in the southern most region of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.</font></font> It's home to Canada's only "Arid Desert", the lake runs at an average summer temp of 24 degrees (70 F), and is home to a vast amount of fruit groves and wineries.

Osoyoos is a small town, and so we didn't think we'd have much problem finding the house. We were wrong! After driving around up and down roads (remember, towing two see-doos) for about an hour, we finally found our way down the water where the house was located. It's a nice little house, older but great for our use. Three bedrooms and right on the water with it's own boat launch.

The drive had only take us four hours, so it was about 1pm. We unloaded the van, the cat (yup, we brought the family cat!) and then launched the see doos. Then the guys went into town to do some grocery shopping and grab some beer and other assorted refreshments. =) Kelsey was asking for a fishing rod, but we didn't really want to get her one because we figured she'd use it once and then never use it again.

The sun never really came out that day, so we only went out a time or two on the seedoos. We enjoyed a few drinks and had some steaks for dinner. Kelsey still wouldn't leave us alone about the fishing rod! My goodness.

After dinner, we loaded the seedoos back on the trailer and pulled them out of the water. We didn't want to just leave them in there in case someone came along in the night to take 'em.

We all went to bed fairly early that night.
<strong>Sunday</strong>

We all woke up around 7am, and although it was still a little cloudy, it looked promising for some sun. John made some eggs for breakfast, then him and Rob launched the seedoos and headed into town for some coffees. Kelsey begged to go with them to buy a fishing rod, and so we all gave in and let her go. That left Jorden and I. So while they were gone, we set up the badminton net in the yard. Then we sat in the loveseat swing and chatted.

I decided to try out my laptop and see if I could pick up any roaming WiFi signals, and sure enough I was able to. I know, what a geek! Away on vacation, but I can't get away from my computer. tsk tsk.

The men and Kelsey came back a little while later with some lattes from the local coffee shop, which weren't very good. And Kelsey very proudly displayed the new fishing rod and tackle package. So Uncle Rob proceeded to help the kids tie it all on together to get ready to fish, while dad did some puttering around with the seedoos, adding oil and such.
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_18%20071.jpg" width="700" height="467">

I took some photos of Uncle Rob and the kids learning how to fish:
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_18%20059NEW.jpg" width="700" height="467">
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_18%20057.jpg" width="700" height="467">

The view here was beautiful, and the sun started to shine hot in the sky. Here's the view across the lake:
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_18%20062.jpg" width="700" height="413">

and a closeup of those vineyards:
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/vineyards.jpg" width="700" height="371">

and some beautiful weeping willows along the shoreline:
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_18%20053.jpg" width="700" height="467">

John had finished getting the seedoos ready, and so he was ready for a ride:
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/johnseedoos.jpg" width="600" height="513">

A little while later we were sitting in the yard when we heard the sound of choppers coming. We were very surprised to see six Blackhawk helicopters pass by in the sky!
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/BLACKHAWKS.jpg" width="719" height="500">

We were about a two minute walk to the US Border, which is why we saw them I suppose. In fact, some of the lake was in the US and we had to be careful not to enter that side or risk getting the seedoos confiscated. Yikes!

We had been enjoying some drinks, beers, pina coladas and such that afternoon. I decided to have Jorden a game of badminton. He was learning pretty quick, and then Kelsey joined in. I was getting a little frustrated at trying to play them and having to keep running for the birdie. Then Rob and John (who, remember, had been drinking beer pretty much all day) decided to join in, Rob on the kids' side, John with me. I still wasn't getting anywhere and laughed and kicked John on over to their side, so now it was ALL of them against me. Hahaha. And I was STILL winning! Kelsey couldn't stop laughing long enough even to TRY to hit the birdie. What fun.

It was another quiet evening after dinner and the guys were really were missing not having cable. I didn't care, but then I had my computer and Internet connection. We found a bunch of games in the closet, and the kids enjoyed playing some of the older games like Pokeno and Pick Up Sticks.

The house did not have air conditioning, but all the windows were screened so we could leave them open all night, and each room had a good fan in it. Generally there were some nice night breezes as well.

We had been keeping the cat in the house, which he was fine with during the day. At home our cat is DEFINATELY an outside cat, and especially at night. We have moved with him about four or five times and he has always adjusted well within a couple of days. Well, he was meowing and whining all bloody night, almost HOWLING even, so finally about midnight I got tired of it and decided to let him out of the house. Then I went back to bed. This would prove to be a very bad mistake.

More tomorrow, including some snorkeling, and a winery (or is that whinery?? )

[CaroleLB]

You take the most amazing trips and great photos too.

I'm envious of your children's travels. Do you want to adopt me?

[caramba]

Beautiful spot. Looking forward to seeing more! (And I hope the cat came back!)

[TAPPY]

Great pictures and great report....
(I hope nothing bad happens to the Cat )

[sctx]

great pics Ginger, very beautiful......... but can they change the name, it sounds so New Jerseyish.......... "Oh so yoos guys are the ones that..."

[Bumper]

Great pics, Ginger. Osoyoos is one of our favourite spots in the Okanagan Valley. Terrific base for doing the wineries in the South, dandy golf course, and quite possibly the best Italian restaurant we've ever eaten in. There's a B & B backing onto the golf course that we've stayed at several times. We know several praire folk that winter there every year. Think they stay because they're scared to try getting up that long hill you tackle coming into town from the East, until the spring.

[Ginger]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

SCOTT: John and I had a good laugh at that!

As Bump said, there's a winery on almost every "corner" up here, so we decided that we'd visit at least one this trip, never having seen one before. Even though we are just freshman wine drinkers, we are learning and enjoying different wines more and more. Even the kids were interested, so it sounded like a great plan for a cloudy day, if we ever got one.


<strong>Monday</strong>

The morning ritual got to be that we would all wake up, have breakfast, the guys would launch the seedoos and then go get the coffees. This morning the cat was still not home, and I wondered for a moment why he hadn't come home yet. Well, I'm sure he'd be along any time.

Jorden was out with the crack of dawn trying to catch some fish. So cute!
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_20%20008.jpg" width="700" height="467">

John blew up the tube this morning so the kids could do some toobin' today behind the seedoos. When he was done, he went to see if Jorden had had any luck. I snuck up behind them and got a cute photo of them having a little dad-son conversation. Wish I could hear what they were talking about....
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/johnjordenFIXED.jpg" width="700" height="467">

The kids decided to take out the tube with some oars and practice their rowing skills.
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_20%20014.jpg" width="700" height="467">

Once they got back, Kels and I decided to take a short drive around the neighbourhood and see if we could spot Oliver, the cat. He still hadn't come back and we were starting to get worried. It was almost lunch time.

While out on the drive, I also snapped some photos of the fruit trees in the area, cherries were ripe right now:
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_20%20015.jpg" width="700" height="467">

and the beautiful fruit groves:
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_20%20021.jpg" width="700" height="467">
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_20%20022.jpg" width="700" height="467">
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_20%20023.jpg" width="700" height="467">
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_20%20017.jpg" width="700" height="467">

We looked and looked and couldn't spot Oliver anywhere, so we went back home. I was sure he'd show up eventually.

When we got back, Rob had gone to tour the lake on the seedoo. John decided to take the kids for their first tube ride of the year. They had a lot of fun, and kept screaming for him to go faster. I took some photos from the shore.
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_20%20043.jpg">
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_20%20045.jpg">

I love this closeup of Jorden's face:
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_20%200412.jpg">
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_20%20046.jpg">
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_20%20047.jpg">

Then John went out for a solo ride for a little while:
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_20%20039.jpg">

We had hamburgers and smokies for lunch, then John and I decided to take another drive and look for Oliver. We couldn't spot him anywhere, and we were really worried now. We headed into town to grab a couple of videos and some Iced Cappaccinos.

We had ribs for dinner, and watched a movie early. When it started to get dusk, the kids and I went out yet again in search of Oliver. How awful is this to lose our cat on vacation? And Oliver is no ordinary cat, believe me. He is a Turkish Angora, and the most laid-back cat you'll ever meet. You can cradle him, hang him upside down, throw him over your shoulder, (kelsey even puts clothes on him) and he just sits there and lets you. He'd NEVER scratch anyone. He's never done anything bad at all, never scratched furniture, doesn't get up on tables or the counter, never gets into garbage, never gone to the washroom inside. NOTHING. He's just perfect.

Again, we didn't see him anywhere and poor Jorden started to cry. He started sobbing out the window, &quot;Oliver! Oliver...Oliver!&quot; It was breaking my heart. I felt so horrible, it was my fault and I shouldn't have let Oliver outside.

We went home and the guys took the seedoos out of the water. The kids went to get ready for bed, pjs, teethbrushing, and I sat on the stairs outside and cried. John tried to reassure me that it wasn't my fault, but I just kept picturing Oliver either lost and never able to find us again, or being attacked and eaten by a coyote.

The moon was full that night and looked magnificent huge and yellow over the water, but I just wasn't in the mood to take any pictures. After awhile I came inside to watch another movie. It was about 9pm now, and Oliver had been missing for almost 24 hours. As we were watching the movie, John suddenly cried out, &quot;Oliver!&quot; and we all jumped up. There was Oliver at the door! The kids and I ran and picked him up and checked him over to make sure he was okay, and he was without a scratch. Where the heck WAS he?? Lost? Having trouble finding his way back? Afraid and waiting until dark to come home? I guess we'll never know. But the kids (and I) were just so happy to have him back:
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_21%20008.jpg" width="700" height="467">

Now that all was well, I felt like running out and catching a picture of that moon:
<img src="http://www.livinginmexico.info/photos/osoyoos/2005_06_21%20003.jpg" width="700" height="467">

Tomorrow maybe we'll actually get to the winery tour....

[roni]

Thanks Ginger - another place to put on our list of BC places to visit.

Thanks is not really enough to express my appreciation for your sharing of the lovely places you visit and a small bit of the life of your family.

Ron

[roxie]

Ginger, I am glad Oliver found his way home. He looks a lot like our cat Roscoe. Roscoe loves to go outside and roam. He never leaves the gates. We live in a gated community. He runs outside at night, and is back in the morning. How do you keep him from caughing up hairballs. Any advice would be appreiciated.
The trip report is great so far.

[Ginger]

Thanks, Ron! You really do have to see it here, my photos don't even do it justice.

Originally Posted by roxie

How do you keep him from caughing up hairballs. Any advice would be appreiciated.

Funny you ask, because Oliver is also a little neurotic about cleanliness, moreso even than the average cat. He cleans himself constantly, and will even clean himself after you pet him, as if you have tainted him somehow. He used to get awful hairballs until we started feeding him the anti-hairball cat food. Not sure exactly HOW it works, but it works nonetheless!

[roxie]

I have Roscoe on the hairball food, and the goo that comes in a tube. He will go thru spurts of leaving us a lot of hairballs, and then none. I guess it just comes with having a cat.

[Andiline]

Thanks for sharing Ginger. This place looks really great. For me it's too far away to just go and spend a week there but reading your report with the pics is nearly as good.

Andrea

Beautifull Pics. What a wonderfull place. Thanks for sharing.

[Bumper]

I've sort of gotten to the point of taking your reports and pictures for granted, Ginger, they're always so well done. But in this case, I just have to comment on something. That shot of John and Jorden chatting/fishing is gonna' be worth about $1 million to the two of them at some point in the future. Make sure you save that one. (I'm such an old softie.)

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by Bumper

I've sort of gotten to the point of taking your reports and pictures for granted, Ginger, they're always so well done. But in this case, I just have to comment on something. That shot of John and Jorden chatting/fishing is gonna' be worth about $1 million to the two of them at some point in the future. Make sure you save that one. (I'm such an old softie.)

Awww, thanks, Bump! I do love that photo, and am planning on getting that one enlarged and framed. I think it is a great photo also.