A grey Monday morning and we left Abbotsford at 8:15 for a drive through the Fraser valley to EC Manning park. A stop off at dollarama and Starbucks in Hope (probably the highlights!) we arrived and headed straight to lightening lake. Chased some Colombian ground squirrels and walked a little way around the ice/snow trail alongside the lake.
Orla had a nap in the buggy and we had a swim in the large pool and hot tubs which we had all to ourselves. Freddie enjoyed the spinning tyre swing at the play park!Our first night in 1room together and surprisingly went well.
We left EC manning after breakfast the next morning in the sunshine ☀️………to the the hottest place in Canada…..Osoyoos-the only desert in Canada. It was a beautiful drive to the Okanagan region and we arrived at the lake and our beach resort at 10:30 and we’re able to check in straight away. A lovely room with large balcony-unfortunately the sofa bed for us again! Daddy and Freddie enjoyed the pool whilst Orla and I went food shopping and I made dinner and she snoozed. We met the boys for ice cream after and managed to hit in some more beer tasting at the Osoyoos craft beer company. Then back to our room for dinner and an early night for Orla as she has a stinky cold.
After a slightly lazy morning we walked to the play park along Osoyoos lake then drove to the desert centre where we explored the wildlife that lives in the desert and walked along the boardwalk over the desert.
Back to the resort in the afternoon where Orla napped, daddy caught up on some emails and Freddie and I enjoyed swimming and water sliding (over 40 times!!!) along with the hot tub. Freddie had his first ‘slushie’-pina colada flavoured and I enjoyed a Margarita. Orla and Dave joined us later.
After a shower we took the kids a picnic tea to the District wine village in Oliver and I managed some wine tasting at…….. 5 wines free when you bought a bottle-a lovely Pinot noir. I tried 2 fizzes, 1 white and 2 reds! Dave drive home and once the kids were in bed we got a Moroccan style wrap dinner which we ate on the balcony.
Our final morning at Watermark-not sure we really want to leave! Orla and I walked around to the northern part if the lake to the village bakery via a lovely coffee shop. Then stopped for a little play on the teach while the boys went for another swim and slide!!
We left Osoyoos at 11 and drove through the Okanagan to Vaseux lake. We had lunch and walked along the boardwalk out to a raised bird hide. Orla had a nap in her buggy and we enjoyed the views and bird spotting. We carried on to Penticton.
We stopped at bad tattoo for some more craft beer tasting. Freddie really getting into it now! Orla also enjoying a ‘finger dip’ were planning on some dinner in Penticton but Orla not quite right so had a little play on the beach and headed on to Kelowna for the next couple of nights. Our first bad traffic getting somewhere.
Stayed in the southern part of the city of Kelowna with views of the lakefront and from our apartment the mountains behind. 2 bedrooms so Freddie had his own single bed and orla slept in the large walk in wardrobe off our room. We finally got the best bed. Orla was a bit unsettled with a cough and trouble breathing but all in all a good sleep!
A rainy chilled morning playing rugby in the apartment and then a trip downstairs to diner deluxe for a massive yummy breakfast and tasty coffee. Avo on toast-with a side of ‘hash browns’ a breakfast sandwich, also with a side of hash browns and French toast-with a topping of cream!!!
Despite the awful rain Gordi took us into Kelowna city to play at the park and walk around the ‘historic ’ centre. We found the artwork and visited the tourist centre.
In the afternoon Freddie and I enjoyed the beach park and went to the supermarket whilst Orla napped and after she joined us and the sun came out. We finished the evening with a BBQ on the shared patio with the fire pit lit and view of Okanagan lake and the volleyball courts below.
Today we hired bikes and cycled the 23km around the Myra canyon trestles-an old railway line that been restored. Across 18 amazing wooden bridges or trestles and through 2 tunnels. It was lovely and sunny and brilliant being out on the bikes. The kids were great in the trailer.
After a chill back at the Shore we headed into Kelowna to have a walk around and have a drink and some dinner at BNA brewing. Graduation day so busy with prom and celebrations in Kelowna. Freddie enjoyed playing with the pucks and Orla with the cat cushion!
We left Kelowna this morning and headed to Vernon the next town along. We headed to a lakeside play park and grabbed a coffee on Kal beach on Kalamalla lake. It was beautiful. Even Freddie went paddling in his pants and enjoyed playing ‘fetch’ with a stick in the water!
We went onto the honey farm which was brilliant and the kids loved trying all the honey, watching the bees coming in and out of the hive and choosing some honey sticks. We had lunch in their picnic area with stunning views and headed on to our next stop…..Revelstoke.
So……. 20mins yes from Revelstoke Freddie asked for some water. Orla was still asleep. I realised we left the backpack at the honey farm 😳 so Dave did a 3 hour round trip and stopped us at the enchanted forest-not a stop we would’ve made but the kids loved it and although it was slightly retro it was brilliant with lots of fairy tales and nursery rhymes with interactive houses etc. to explore!
Dave returned with the bag and we travelled the final 20 minutes to base camp revelstoke which was totally worth it! And 2 bedrooms 🤗 once the kids were in bed we sat outside then with our view of the mountain indoors with our Okanagan wine and beer!