A Great month in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada -- December 2008!

Winter, Wonderland, and Wineries

If snowbirds travel south for the winter, what would we call those that head north? Many thought we were crazy or some variation of that thought. We discovered the Okanagan Valley in the fall of 2001 when we drove from Vancouver to Jasper National Park: It seems like Colorado’s Lake Dillon has merged with Grand Junction – beautiful lakes, the Rocky Mountains, and great wine…how could you go wrong with that combination. We had heard many Canadians retire to the area and had it on our To-Do list to check out in the winter season.

Luckily we had a great drive through Wyoming, Montana and Washington and were safely tucked into our condo before Spokane (about 4 hours south) received a record five feet of snow in two weeks. Our month in Kelowna was the snowiest in 40 years but we were in a great location: a high-rise on the lake within walking distance to restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, library, performing art center, hockey stadium, and as well as the pathway on the lake. We did drive to other wineries, the nearby Knox Mountain Park to snowshoe as well as a Provincial Park with restored Myra Canyon KVR Railroad Trestles Trail. Our condo had a to-die-for view of the lake with its different colors and moods – from sunrise (8 AM) enjoying our coffee to sunset (3:30 PM sipping a glass of wine). And in the building was an indoor pool, hot tub, and exercise room as well as a heated carpark for the Mini.

What a neat opportunity to become a local in another community! We become more outgoing - taking advantage of cultural opportunities. We participated in a book discussion at the library, vicariously sailed to the Arctic at an Explorer meeting, rode the elevator to the building Christmas party with some "appies" to share, sought out different wineries for tasting (and to absorb the views), felt close to the source at the local showing of the Banff Film Festival, cheered for the Rockets Hockey Team, heard the local musicians give their annual Christmas pageant, found the charming High Browse Book Store, and met others while snowshoeing the area.

Kelowna is a lovely community. Even though many retire here, they still like to head to Arizona in January where the days are longer and warmer. We were still happy that we swam upstream to enjoy a month of winter wonderland.

Kelowna, British ColumbiaKelowna, British Columbia
Sunset on Okanagan Lake
Kelowna, British Columbia Area Images - Click on an image to view large version

Sunrise over Okanagan Lake - Kelowna

Vineyards in Winter Wonderland - Kelowna

Pam at St Hubertus Winery - Kelowna

Great View at Mission Hill Winery - Kelowna

Another Great Sunset over Okanagan Lake - Kelowna

Pam Snowshoeing at Nordic Center near Big White - Kelowna

Sun Rays over Okanagan Lake - Kelowna

Boat Docks on Okanagan Lake - Kelowna

Pam - Snowshoeing at Mt Knox above Lake Okanagan - Kelowna

Henry - Snowshoeing at Mt Knox above Lake Okanagan - Kelowna

Crossing Trestle while Snowshoeing on Myra Canyon KVR Trail - Kelowna

Pam - Snowshoe Myra Canyon KVR Trail - Kelowna

Henry - Snowshoe Myra Canyon KVR Trail - Kelowna

Northern Winter Sunset on Lake Okanagan - Kelowna

Pam at Top of Knox Mountain - Kelowna

Henry at Top of Knox Mountain - Kelowna

Schedule

Itinerary Highlights.

Fun things to do.

2008 KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA SCHEDULE
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
30 1 December 2008 2 3 4 5 6
Depart Denver

Drive to Cheyenne

Cheyenne, WY

Comfort Inn

Drive to Billings

Billings, MT

Comfort Inn

Drive to Spokane

Spokane, WA

Comfort Inn

Tour Osoyoos

Kelowna, BC

1103 Sunset Dr

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Walk around Downtown and Visitor’s Center

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Gray Monk Winery

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Arctic Talk—Naturalist Club

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Hike Scenic Canyon Regional Park

Sunset!!

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Grocery Shopping

7-pm Library Book Club

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

SNOW!!

Hockey Game—Swift Current

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

SNOW!!

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Hike Rotary Marsh

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

St Hubertus Winery

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Snowshoe—Big White Nordic X-Country

6-pm City Meeting

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

7:30-pm Christmas Concert

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Hike Rotary Marsh

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Quail Ridge Winery

Mission Hill Winery

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Winter Solstice—

Snow8-am Walk @ Mission Creek

Library

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Hike Rotary Marsh

La Cava

Lunch @ C-Lovers Fish & Chips

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Snowshoe Knox Mountain

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Snowshoe Knox Mountain

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Snowshoe Myra Canyon Train Trestles

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Hike Rotary Marsh

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

28 29 30 31 1 January 2009 2 3
Snowshoe Knox Mountain

6-pm Building Holiday Party

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

8a–8p Open Art Studios @ Performing Arts Center

3-pm Frank & Hilga Apt

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Walk around Downtown Kelowna

Movie Theatre - Australia

NEW YEAR EVE !!

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Drive to Osoyoos

Lunch—Hooded Merganser Restaurant-Penticton

Walk downtown Osoyoos

Kelowna, BC

Sunset Waterfront Resort

Osoyoos, BC

Sole Vita-7200 Cottonwood

Drive Vineyard Loop

Tinhorn Vineyards

Osoyoos, BC

Sole Vita

Keep Your Stick On The Ice,,

Pam and Henry