1 of 19
Perry Mack
2 of 19
Perry Mack
3 of 19
Perry Mack
4 of 19
Perry Mack
5 of 19
Perry Mack
6 of 19
Perry Mack
7 of 19
Perry Mack
8 of 19
Perry Mack
9 of 19
Perry Mack
10 of 19
Perry Mack
11 of 19
Perry Mack
12 of 19
Perry Mack
13 of 19
Perry Mack
14 of 19
Perry Mack
15 of 19
Perry Mack
16 of 19
Perry Mack
17 of 19
Perry Mack
18 of 19
Perry Mack
19 of 19
Perry Mack
Story and photos by Perry Mack
When I first washed ashore in the Okanagan in March of 1992 I ran around my yard in the sunshine with my shirt off and took pictures which I promptly sent back east to friends and family to torment them as they continued to dig out from a classically damp, cold, snowy, overcast spring. Birthday cards and wishes were due to me but noticeably absent two weeks later. No doubt they were too polite to say how they really felt.
Feeling very secure thousands of kilometres away from them I sent the next set of photos at the beginning of April. With my new best friends and adopted family, I took a Saturday off for an Okanagan triathlon. No, no, not swimming and biking and running and sweating and breathing hard for no good reason. We started the day at Silver Star for a couple hours of spring skiing, made it back into town for lunch (actually a wine tasting with snacks), then out on to the lake for a waterski (drysuits, except for the photos to send back east which were shorts and shorties) and then off to golf nine holes into the sunset. The Easter bunny didn’t come that year, no Christmas presents, cards or wishes either.
Such is life for the newbie Okanaganite. I can only hope that if you are new to the Okanagan or even just visiting, that you treat your eastern friends and family in the same way.
They changed their tune when it dawned on them that they had a free place to stay. And as with numerous other immigrants to the valley, my house became a B&B for family, friends, and friends of family and friends, apparently no reservations, contributions for groceries and liquor, nor notice for extended stays were required.
But I’m not bitter.
Living or visiting here never gets old because the valley is in a constant state of renewal. Regardless or whether you visited a few years ago, a few months ago, or if you live here but haven’t put your head up lately and looked up and down the valley, you’ll find new events, activities and destinations.
Downtown Kelowna has had a complete makeover since 2013 with a new and improved downtown marina and a 14 million dollar revitalization of Bernard Avenue (which leads away from the lake) with wider sidewalks, more public furniture and more landscaping. It’s expected to be completed in June 2014. Visiting downtown by boat has never been easier or more fun.
The valley is filled with golf courses, orchards and vineyards with a plethora of opportunities for wine tours. New this year is the rise the spirits in the valley. No, not the Ghostbuster variety but cider, vodka, brandy, scotch and gin. Okanagan Spirits has a distillery in downtown Vernon, which you can visit for a tasting and Maple Leaf Spirits has a new tasting room at 948 Naramata Road in Penticton. This issue features an article for a downtown Kelowna walking tour to sample local wines, beers and spirits!
One of things missing when I first arrived in the Okanagan was ‘places to go’ on the water. Having spent time boating in Windsor, ON, with all of Michigan and Ontario available, I was surprised at the lack of moorage and restaurants in the Okanagan. That’s changed over the years with more marinas, casinos, entertainment and restaurants accessible by water than ever.
One of the lesser known is the Summerland Waterfront Resort, which has a great restaurant with a private dock for patrons. After we reached it’s somewhat private and secluded location, we pulled into a slip and went in for a magnificent lunch on the patio with a view of the lake. For a livelier experience at the heart of downtown Kelowna, try Rose’s Waterfront Pub which locals and visitors alike, rate as the best on the water experience.
You’ll find places to watch cliff divers on Okanagan Lake south of Rattlesnake point and on the eastern shore of Kalamalka Lake. The valley bottom lakes are busy in the summer offering a lot to see from wakesurfers to paddleboarders, and attractive friends to fireworks. Make sure you keep an eye out for seaplanes, divers and weather buoys as well.
While cruising down the lake you never know what you’ll come across and for us it was the Spirit of Kelowna. The 20-metre paddlewheeler was built from a surplus US Navy boat hull, and was retrofitted to take passengers on lake cruises. Unfortunately, it sank in December 2013 during high southerly winds under what is rumoured to be suspicious circumstances…
RV Parks on or near the water exist up and down the valley, including some with on site moorage, but few people realize there’s also camping available at Okanagan Mountain Park, which reaches down to the shores of Okanagan Lake - terrific for day trips or overnight stays. There are seven official rustic boat access sites offering outhouses, picnic tables, a small beach, and nothing else, except great hiking and a great camping/boating experience. Visit www.campokangan.com for a list of BC Parks available throughout the Okanagan valley including their amenities, rules and regulations.
Roughing it isn’t everyone’s style, which is why there is a terrific offering of lakeside resorts with moorage available. You’ll find the very best of these inside the pages of the issue you’re holding right now.
A final thought - keep your eyes peeled for boaters in need of assistance. Many don’t get out on the water too often and they are very appreciative of someone willing to lend a helping hand!