Cheeries in the Okanagan Photo Credit : Tianndra Demers

This is why I love BC and most specially my home, the beautiful Okanagan Valley, so much.  This time of the year, cherry season is in full bloom, as are fresh picked blueberries and raspberries.   The Okanagan offers an abundance of fresh fruit beginning early Summer (depending on weather) to late Fall, offering crisp varitites of apples and juicy Okanagan peaches. 

The Okanagan is not only about fresh fruit and vegetables, it’s also offers prime recreation, from waterskiing to winter sports, offering first class Ski Resorts. 

Above photo is a waterfall quietly nestled in the forest along your way to Mable Lake, in the Shuswap Region.

We would always fish the Shuswap River, catching Dolly Varden, Rainbow Trout, while feasting on wild Saskatoon berries.  The Shuswap River, Mable Lake and various waterfalls are via Enderby or otherwise past Lumby (west of Vernon, BC) Living in Vernon at the time, we took the Lumby route most of the time.

Kelowna, BC Photo Credit : Bari Demers

Kelowna is considered central, easy access to the North and South Okanagan.

 I was raised in Vernon, went to VSS ( Vernon Senior Secondary) then off to Okanagan College (only had one back then) in Kelowna. Kelowna was always the hub of activity while Vernon, Lumby, Shuswap and the Kootenays were considered our Outdoor Exploration Treks. Lumby used to be the place for loggers and basically some pretty rough characters, while Vernon was always this slumber quiet town with a close net community.

My parents owned the Spudnut Shop ( Spudnuts are potatoe made doughnuts that would always melt in your mouth) on Main Street in Vernon. Brought up in the life of working in a restaurant taught me the long hours of hard work. Trust me when I say, restaurant life is hard hard work. But it does have its awards too.

My granddaughter enjoying the Shuswap Photo Credit : Tianndra Demers

Be sure to put the Okanagan on your bucketlist if you haven’t experienced as of  yet.

Go in the summer months and experience the fresh fruits home grown, enjoy the abundance of select dining or luncheon adventures, take in the water activities at Kal and Okanagan Lake and by all means, go hiking and explore the vast beauty of British Columbia – the Okanagan, my home. 

Me and Knox Mtn Photo Credit : Tianndra Demers

 Oh – I forgot to mention.  

If you enjoy snow skiing ( like I do) try Silver Star Mountain and Big White during the winter months.   Plus, if you’re an avid golfer, the Okanagan has countless beautiful golf courses.  My favourite is Predator Ridge. Not an avid golfer, but I have played a few times.

It would not be right if I didn’t mention, the Okanagan is home to world class wine vineyards, dotted throughout the prestine Valley. 

This Summer, make the Okanagan Valley your next vacation spot. 

Bari Marcus Anthony