Friday September 4, Vernon BC

What a difference a day makes – this morning the sun shone, no wind and beautiful blue skies. Jeff and Joanie are staying in Kamloops with relatives, so they arranged to spend a day with us wine tasting in the Okanagan Valley, the top wine growing area in Canada.

We convoyed from Monte Creek then found a campground just out of Vernon where we left Ruakiwi, to travelled on with them.

Most of Canada’s fruit and vegetables come from this area with its fertile soil and abundant water. I drooled seeing acres a cherry trees, with some still laden with dark red fruit. We are camped on Kalamalka Lake, which just glowed turquoise in the sun.

Our first stop was the Blue Monk Vineyard where J & J had previously visited. It sits on the side of Lake Okanagan, so reminding me of the pictures I have seen of Italy, with tiered vines running to the water. We lunched on the deck overlooking the lake, a magnificent spot with great food to go with it.

Through the city of Kelowna (Pop 100,000+) and crossed over the lake to the next winery, the biggest I have ever visited..Mission Hill Winery. The striking architecture of the building, with a view once again of the lake was worth the visit alone. The wine tasting was a bit commercial though with large numbers of people, this is a very popular place.

Stopped down the road a little at a very unpretentious little winery, Mount Boucherie Estate where we tasted the best wines with a great guy.

It was getting close to 7 when we crossed back over the lake to the final call of the day, Summerhill Pyramid Winery, overlooking Lake Okanagan front the eastern side. Had hoped for a great sunset, but the cloud came in and foiled the opportunity. After a tasting we stopped for dinner, divine food once again. We have been truly spoiled today by the wonderful food, wine and views.

Joanie and Jeff dropped us off about 10 and then they had a drive of about 1 ½ hours back to Kamloops, we were very happy to flop into bed!