It’s been a quiet week . . . . .

Driving east from Hell’s Gate, we have followed Hwy 3 along the southern area of B.C., very close to the USA border at times.  The Okanagan valley is well known for its numerous vineyards.  It is also VERY DRY and DESERT-LIKE.  After passing through several more mountain passes, the countryside suddenly opens up into very wide valleys, with towering rocky cliffs.  Thick green forests are replaced with shabby, dry scrub-land.  Every available flat area seems to be planted with fruit trees (peaches, apricots and cherries) or grapevines.  Irrigation from the numerous rivers is paramount to the success of this enormous area, as is the more moderate climate.  Lots of pretty lakes act as magnets to holiday makers, keen on beach holidays, fishing, or boating.

As I’ve mentioned in earlier blogs, we have had to book campsites well ahead, as we are now in peak season.  Umpteen phone calls resulted in a four night stay in Summerland, with us thinking “Oh goodie, four days relaxing on the beach”.  The municipal campground is “within walking distance of the beach”.  Disappointingly, the campground is overcrowded  (another RV carpark!) and the local beach was badly damaged in this year’s floods – making swimming not at all pleasant.  Lots of other beaches are a short drive away, but Lulu is just too big to squeeze into small spaces under trees.  Unusually high temperatures (39C by 11am), and wildfires in the vicinity meant there was a continual ‘smog’ hanging over the area.

All was not lost however.  We did early morning walks, discovering a very welcoming local town with lovely coffee shops, good places for breakfast and wonderful banners painted by local people.

The local Ornamental Garden was a real bonus  – lots of parking for Lulu, and several benches in the shade with a breeze from the lake, allowing us to enjoy the colourful gardens  (we went two days running, just to escape the heat!) .  Local taxis ferried us out to an excellent restaurant one night, and then to a very good folk concert at one of the local vineyards on another night.  What a wonderful combination – good live music, sipping local wines, outdoors on a balmy evening!

Not many miles further south, the lush forests and mountains return.  Now further east in Castlegar, we have savoured two nights on an idyllic campground  – Adults Only!  Beautifully quiet, individual sites have lots of space, freshly mown grass and shade to sit and watch the river go by.  Castlegar is situated at the junction of the Kootenay and Columbia rivers within the Selkirk mountain area.  Nice town  (good coffee!) and the usual wonderful flower displays.  I’ve been wanting to mention how Canadians really push the boat out, with their summer displays.  Perhaps this is a necessity after the long winter months.

Finally, to remind you of Canadian humour and ingenuity!  This was outside a Ladies Clothing shop  – but could also be useful outside a Patchwork Fabric shop!

A fitting end to this week’s missive, is tonight’s sunset over the Kootenay River.  Note the smoke filled sky . . .

See you next week . . . .