what have you been up to this summer?

i finally discovered bc's very own wine country in the osoyoos, oliver and naramata bench area.

snapshot of hope - remember? where Rambo First Blood was filmed? 

took highway 5 on the way up and highway 3 on the way home.  the latter was a much more scenic route, but a little windier for those sensitive tummies.

the similkameen river looked beautiful, lots of people taking their time, tubing down the river

we stayed at the lake gallagher campsite - clean, hot showers and a pristine lake to cool off on those hot okanagan days...

spent a couple of hours at the nk'mip cultural centre - gorgeous building!  

now we're talkin'....

on the way up to naramata, we stopped off at the Poplar Grove winery...had to be one of my favourites we visited - came away with a perfect Pinot Gris and Rose. 

*if you follow your GPS, it will take you too far, they have a great new building that's about 2km away from what the GPS will tell you!

ahhh, the naramata bench. so beautiful.  they have a wednesday market at wharf park - crazy delicious Aussie Pie stand. 

on a friend's recommendation, we visited this lovely little winery, Marichel.  warm and welcoming, we picked up a viognier and syrah.

if you can, bring your bikes up! was a beautiful ride along the water.  http://www.kettlevalleyrailtrail.com/ or http://www.kettlevalleyrailway.ca/.  little product plug - the fjallraven military pack, native shoes and our stanley thermos were the perfect companions..

excellent service at Hester Creek, (say 'hi' to Larry if you go) beautiful grounds and a delicious bottle of trebbiano (now sold out) and pinot gris to come home with...

service was top notch! friends dined at the restaurant, Miradoro and had nothing but glowing reviews.

how we spent the evenings...

...how we woke up in the morning. to this lovely old man, perched on his front step, playing his accordian.

i hadn't been horseback riding in years! this is a family run stable, just by oliver.  an hour ride up the mountainside and back down again.  let's just say, i'm glad we did a lot of cycling first to get my butt sorted before going horseback riding. 

if you're ever in oliver, please say hello to Sylvia, the owner of Medicis for us.  we love it here.  home made gelato with mostly locally sourced fruit, delicious paninis, soups and salads.  my favourite? the affogato - oh man, a little slice of heaven.  i chose a caramel gelato, topped with their espresso....well worth the trip.  

there was so much more to see and do, if you get a chance to get up there, i highly recommend it.  151 wineries in the okanagan with at least 1 more opening a year!

happy summer!