Okanagan Valley is also known as Naitaka or long fish
The
Okanagan Valley, stretching from the arid Osoyoos at the United States'
border north to lush Vernon in British Columbia, interspersed with
blankets of orchards and vineyards, makes an excellent place to stop and
experience the various fruits of the earth.
The warmest region in Canada, the Okanagan Valley offers a veritable
feast of flavors. The vast Osoyoos and Oliver regions of the Okanagan
Valley are nearly arid enough to warrant being called a desert, but
farther north cherries, peaches, pears, apricots, plums, apples and
grapes all grow in abundance. The fruit trees blossom in spring, making
this a particularly pleasant time to visit.
Autumn is also beautiful, as this is when the grapes are plump on the
vines. Winemaking is serious business in Okanagan. British Columbian have
long taken pride in their wines, and Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley is
the centre of this burgeoning industry. Home to large producers as well
as estate and boutique wineries, there is a taste of France in this
beautiful valley. No visit is complete without a vineyard tour and a
wine tasting session. In Kelowna if you happen to visit from mid-September
to mid-October you might catch the astonishing sight of wild salmon
spawning in Lion's Park.
In summer, there are countless sandy beaches where you can loll in the
sunshine, swim, fish and dive in the scenic Okanagan Lake. You could also
take in a round on one of the many high-quality golf courses in the area,
or visit some of the many surrounding parks.
For a special wildlife-watching experience, take a day to visit Vaseux
Lake Provincial Park, 25 km (15 mi) south of Penticton, where the
surrounding cliffs are home to California bighorn sheep, and the stands
of willow and shrubs along the shoreline offer spectacular bird watching
opportunities. Wildfowl, including trumpeter swans, widgeons, Canada
geese, wood ducks and blue-winged teal are also common. In spring, the
beautiful lazuli bunting has been seen. Other bird species present
include chukar partridge, wrens, swifts, sage thrashers, woodpeckers,
curlews and dippers.
