A full day in Lake Country

LToday we filled the day completely. We started with breakfast at Kate's and then off to the Kelowna Market. Lots to see and buy there. 

Fresh blueberries, apricots, plums, and blackberries

While Norm and Kate stopped for the "best coffee" I checked out a truly Canadian sign. Sorry....

When in wine country one should visit wineries. Our first stop was the Kitsch winery. A new winery with a breath taking view of Kelowna and nice wine too. 

In Lake Country we visited the 50th Parallel Estate Winery. Again a new winery with huge plans for expansion. Next time we will come for food and wine. 

As Norm and Kate sampled, I got to be the DD. Worked perfectly for all! 

This is the Arrowleaf Winery. You can see the far side of Lake Okanangan. Again a great view and nice snacks. 

Taking a break from the wine visits, we put on our walking shoes and went for a hike in Lake Country (actual municipality next door to Kelowna) up Spion Kop, named for a Boer war battle. 

Lots of up hill walking but the views are worth it. 

Hiking in July in Lake Country is hot and sweaty. So it is time for a jump in the lake. Refreshing!!

Yes we all went in and it felt so good, cold but refreshing. 

Time now for more wine. Next stop Gray Monk. This winery started in 1972. They have some really well established vines. Even the entrance looked classy. 

Our plan to have dinner at Gray Monk was not to be, we didn't have reservations. Instead we had a delicious Italian dinner at Ricardo's.  It was a perfect day and a perfect way to end our holiday. Tomorrow, Victoria. 

We'll be coming around the mountain...

Many years ago, probably eight, two other couples and Norm and I went on a road/bicycle trip. Norm, Ed, Doug and I biked from McCulloch Lake to Chute Lake and then on to Penticton. When Doug's bike broke I lent him mine willingly and this meant there was more time for shopping with Debby and Maureen. Well today Norm wanted to revisit Chute Lake. Eight years ago we found the "resort" rustic to say the least. The rooms had such thin (not insulated) walls that we could say goodnight to the friends in the next room without getting out of bed. 

It looks quaint but repairs haven't been done in many many years. 

That's duct tape holding the sofa together. The menu is still the same serving anything you want as long as it a hamburger. We laughed at the spiral staircase.....made of wood steps spiralling around an old telephone pole, but still standing.

We thought that after driving 16 km of which six was a gravel road that no one would be there. But there were guest, a few and surprising the same grandmother working the front desk. And yes the place is still for sale. 

Trip Advisor has a comment "far beyond rustic....simply decrepit". It is sad. But what a trip down memory lane.

We took a walk down the KVR trail. 

There is a sign for boaters but it has been a long time since it has been used. 

Back down the gravel road, watching for pot holes, washouts and cows. 

Or in this case a bull.

On to Kelowna. Nice to meet up with Kate. Delicious dinner at Raudz.

This is a cheese burger.

Norm had fish and chips.

Mother daughter and the setting sun.

Yellow Bunny heads for Canada

Waking up early in a campsite is not unexpected, children running around or someone playing music. But at 6:30am Norm told me that someone was washing tarps. Not quite. Instead once I crawled out of the tent this is what I saw instead. The noise was jets of propane gas burning to lift a hot air balloon up into the cool morning air.

What a beautiful sight!

Off to breakfast in Winthrop and a final walkabout. It Is in Winthrop that the two rivers, Methow and Chewuch come together. 

We packed up from the KOA camp site with one last photo op. Why not? 

Our next stop was the famous town of Twisp. Not a lot going on there but a sweet town. One item that caught Norm's attention were the gabions, Itailan meaning big cage, a box filled with rocks. Even Leonardo da Vinci designed a type of gabion for the foundation of the San Marco Castle in Milan! 

The free community library in a phone booth was really exciting too. 

For a small town Twisp had a very attractive art gallery.

Of course we finished off our visit with the famous Cinnamon Twisp from Twisp. 

As we headed towards Canada we noted how hot it was in the American Okanogan. We stopped in Tonasket to look at an antique store. Check the temperature! 

Just incase you missed that.

Too hot for us seniors😚.

We are now in Penticton. Feels good to be back "home". Stopped at the Log House Motel only to realize that it has a pool! Yellow Bunny was excited and insisted she go swimming with Norm. It was a wonderful way to finish the day. 

Getting ready...

Swim...

The selfie or photo taken by Yellow Bunny......

From oom-pa-pa to Yahoo

The Wilkommen to Leavenworth. You have to see this town to believe it. Bavarian theme everywhere. 

Can you see Yellow Bunny? She quite enjoyed the experience. Look closer.

We did a walk about and took in the charm, listen to the accordion player and ended up at Starbucks. Even Starbucks is German, who knew? 

You have to admire the town's commitment to all things Bavarian. 

Pretzels at a Danish bakery.

The Nutcracker Museum, no we didn't go. 

And of course the photo op. We soon moved on for more scenic places. Lunch was in Chelan. An amazing summer spot with a long skinny lake of about 40 miles. More bikinis, paddle boarders, speed boats and sunbathers than Norm could handle. But lunch was pretty good. 

And of course ice cream! 

Next stop Winthrop. You can see the western theme everywhere. Some times you just have to go with it. 

I think he does better as a cowboy. 

And of course the cowgirl.

Even Yellow Bunny got in on it! 

First a refreshing drink and then time to find accommodations. Seemed like camping fits the occasion.

Hard to believe but KOA close to town has a nice shady spot with wifi. Camping has come a long way since the last time we camped. 

Writing postcards....