The Doggy Beach at Okanagan Falls

The beach at Okanagan Falls, British Columbia (about 20 minutes drive from where I live) is one of my favorite beaches in the Okanagan. The views are spectacular, the beach is never crowded and a good portion of it has been set aside as a dog beach.

So, when our friends Martin and Jennifer entrusted us with the care of our ‘dog goddaughter’ Chinook this past weekend, we were quick to hop in the convertible and take her down to the beach at Okanagan Falls for some fun and sun. 

Although huskies aren’t typically water dogs, as soon as we got to the beach, Chinook ran straight into Skaha Lake to cool off after the hot drive down. She chased and retrieved sticks thrown into the water and had fun with a bunch of other dogs who were also down at the beach with their owners.

After she was all tuckered out, she did the ‘girly thing’ with me and chilled out on her blankie in the grass — when she wasn’t checking out the boys from behind her Maui Jim’s.

You can see all of the pictures that we took on our outing to the doggy beach at Okanagan Falls here.

Kayaking on Vaseux Lake

After an attempt at rolling his new kayak in our swimming pool, Landlubber Ed (who does not swim and has only been in a kayak once before) decided that what with wearing his new Mountain Equipment Co-op PFD (which he calls a PDF) he was more than ready to brave the waters of Vaseux Lake for our inaugural voyage.

As you can see in the next picture, Ed’s attempt to roll the kayak was well… unsuccessful …

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Security Tight at Canada Day Eve Block Party

For the 3rd year running we held a block party to celebrate Canada’s birthday and our incredible good fortune at being able to reside in the country’s best town and province – Penticton, British Columbia.

OK, so maybe we’re just a little biased, but hey, the word ‘Penticton‘, derived from a word in the Okanagan language, means “a place to stay forever” and such claims aren’t made lightly. Personally, I refer to it as ‘Perfection, British Columbia‘. Mountains, big lakes and hot dry weather that give us cherries and wine as well as opportunities for hiking, biking and boating … what more could anyone ask for?

Anyway, in the party invitation, I’d warned folks that our good friend and neighbour RCMP Constable Marty would “be on hand to serve and protect prudish Canadian dignity, so please bring bathing attire and a towel if you plan to use the pool“, but I didn’t expect that he would show up completely decked out in his RCMP red serge uniform.

Many thanks to Martin for such a wonderful and fun surprise – especially considering the 34C (93F) temperatures!! For the ladies, there’s nothing quite like a man in uniform (Martin cuts a truly fine figure) and the guys were all agog over his numerous service badges. We’ll just ignore the fact that he returned sporting a Montreal Canadiens hockey jersey to counter Ed’s Toronto Maple Leaf’s deck chair.

That evening we enjoyed good food and fun with our neighbours and friends and then spent Canada Day taking in the festivities around Penticton and Naramata. As ever, there were bands entertaining the crowds in Gyro Park, a climbing wall as well as all the usual food concessions, including the not-to-be-missed Mimi’s Mini Donuts.

Ed and I even had our palms read – and the good news is – we’ll both be around to celebrate Canada’s 142nd birthday.

2007 Penticton Peachfest Parade

At just before 10AM this morning Ed and I tripped down the hill to the corner of Eckhardt Avenue and Main Streets to watch the 60th Annual Penticton Peachfest Parade.

Touted as one of the largest parades in British Columbia, there were floats from cities and towns around BC, Alberta and Washington State.

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