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 Columbia
- Sunset on Okanagan Lake
Schedule
Itinerary Highlights.
Fun things to do.
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 |
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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