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George Borno
The Seductive Shuswap
George Falls,Shuswap
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Glenn Kohaly
The Seductive Shuswap
Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival
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Cobalt Boats
The Seductive Shuswap
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Kyle Pearce
The Seductive Shuswap
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Benjamin Vander Steen
The Seductive Shuswap
Houseboats on Neilson Beach
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Hobvias Sudoneighm
The Seductive Shuswap
Reinecker Creek on the way to Margaret Falls in Herald Provincial Park
By Perry Mack
An island paradise is a seductive landmass encapsulated by wave-caressed beaches and protected bays; a place for family functions, singles soirees, adventure vacations and relaxing escapes. Welcome to the seductive Shuswap – no ocean crossing flight required.
Known as the houseboat capital of the world for its many quality houseboat rental companies, protected waters and an incredible number of beaching areas, it is also a perfect place for watersports including fishing, boating, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), canoeing and camping. Anything you don’t want to carry, or don’t own, can be rented. Just check the pages in the magazine to find marina near your launching point. Another top tip is buying a waterproof case for your smartphone so you can get underwater shots and video of friends and family. This is a great way to brag on social media about your choice of vacation destination.
You can camp at lakeside campgrounds like Herald Provincial Park in the cool comfort of hundreds of tree-shaded campsites. Take the Upper Canyon trail to beautiful views of the lake and enjoy the self-guided nature trail with interpretative stops on the way to Margaret Falls. Shuswap Lake Provincial Park has one kilometre of sand and pebble beach and boaters can cruise to Copper Island just 1.3 km offshore. Overnight camping, campfires, and houseboats are not allowed on the island but there is a great hiking trial that will provide you with inspiring views.
The interactive trail map from the Shuswap Trail Society rates kilometres of trails from easy to most difficult. Make sure you visit the must-do Albas Falls. (www.shuswaptrails.com)
It’s not just hiking that’s popular. You’ll find biking, horseback riding, paddling, rafting, rock climbing, scuba diving and skydiving. Pack the binoculars as well, since when you’re exhausted and lying on your back you may as well engage in watching the indigenous wildlife – either the two or four legged variety.
Seductive summer paradises have events as well as the adrenaline-packed, social or kickback and chill activities.
Wednesdays at the Shuswap Marine Park, friends and family gather for free concerts from mid-June to the end of August. Jazz, rock, funk and folk concerts start at 6:45 and go until 8:30pm.
On the list of things you’ve never seen before will be the Canada 150 celebration, the ‘ Original Wooden Dragon Boat Festival’ in Canoe, BC. Food, fun, fine art, and stuff especially for kids, line the shore in a celebration of First Nations, with fully restored Hong Kong and Taiwanese Dragon Boats July 15-16. (www.shuswaprowingandpaddling.com)
Summer isn’t complete without a car show! Look for the Sicamous Classic Car Show and Shine in June. Dates TBA.
The Shuswap will be wild with Canada Day 150 fireworks, parades, pancake breakfasts, children's activities, music, entertainment, games, races, loggers show, crafts, beer gardens, Strawberry Socials, concessions at various venues. July 1st of course!
If there’s even a little bit of cultural desire in you visit Caravan Farm Theatre for their bluegrass opera ‘The Ballad of Weedy Peetstram July 25 to August 27. One of the Caravans greatest hits, this musical comedy could be one of your ten top experiences for 2017. Call 1(866) 546-8533 or Email: info@caravanfarmtheatre.com
Get more theatre at the RJ Haney Museum where their Villains and Vittles dinner theatre July 2nd, with shows every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evening in July and August and a special matinee performance on Thursday, August 24. Reservations 250-832-5243. Or stop in any day to immerse yourself in the past among the many heritage buildings that recreate a village of pioneer days in British Columbia. Artefacts fill the museum and souvenirs the gift shop. Leave time to stop for lunch at Marjorie’s Tea Room, renowned for its rhubarb crisp and lemon scones.
Indulge in the arts on your visit at festivals and sales like the Great Shuswap Pottery Sale, Shuswap Lake festival for the Arts, the Enderby Arts Festival or the Enderby Arts Festival.
The Shuswap is simply bursting with music festivals including the Summer Stomp and Burnout, Nimblefingers Bluegrass and Oldtime Music Festival, and of course the venerable Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival.
How about taking in out-of the-ordinary food festivals like the Grindrod Garlic Festival in July, or the Fungi Festival in September? Look for more festivals dates and info at http://shuswaptourism.ca.
It’s going to be a great boating season so allow yourself to be seduced into the summer paradise of the Shuswap.