okanagan

each year for about a week, give or take a day or two, we head to the okanagan. it is a paradise full of hills, lakes, wineries and fruit orchards.  it feels like a real vacation without having to fly anywhere.  we ponder which beach to visit, slather on spf 60, swim, dig holes in the sand, have a water fight, and then ponder which fabulous restaurant to visit for a bite to eat.  very simple stuff.

summerland is our  homebase, with a great b&b, sumac ridge winery down the street, and our favourite ice cream place.

view from our balcony

breakfast on the patio

view from the driveway

fun at the b&b swimming pool

  

cherry trees, yum!

  

our regular stop for corn and fruit

   

sumac ridge winery

   

 

penticton is a quaint little town with cute shops, the best sandwich place, the cheapest place to rent a speed boat (great idea kai!), and our favourite greek food.  and it is home to a giant peach!

  

my pick for best sandwich place in the okanagan

 

if you can't tell my the expression on kai's face, he had a blast driving the boat!

naramata is a tiny villiage known for its heritage inn and spa. we eat here each time we visit the okanagan.  it has a lovely coved beach, hosts a farmer's market (artists call naramata home), and i get my chai fix.  on the way, we stopped for a little hike up to see the penticton sign (a must with kai).  along the naramata bench, the elephant island orchard winery makes their wine using fruit other than grapes (we had an order from friends to pick up alot of wine from here! hmmm, they've been drinking quite a bit since having their little girl :). 

a few years ago i made use of the spa when i came with a girlfriend for a weekend; we stayed at the elephant island winery's treetop accomodation.

on the penticton sign

 

 

view of naramata

   

peachland has the best beach for kids with diving boards, rope swing and zipline.  stefan and kai loved it.  it's also the place to find bliss cafe (aka stefan's mocha fix).

 

 

 

 

stefan jumping off the high board.

kai considering jumping off the high board.  he eventually did!

    

 

 

west bank is home to the quail's gate winery, where we had one of the best meals this holiday. good wine, stunning scenery, tasty food with great attention to detail - the best of the okanagan.

    

 

     

 

 

we are counting down the days until we return next summer!