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Okanagan is known worldwide for it's outstanding wines. It is almost mandatory to spend at least one weekend during the summer (we prefer fall) wine tasting with a a group of friends. It is a fun and memorable experience, as usually you would learn about the variety of grapes in the area, interesting facts about wines at each winery, lough at funny jokes. There are so many good wineries, that we hadn't have a chance to visit all of them. However the one's we have visited, left very good impression. Our wine tasting trip included 3 wineries located along Naramata Bench: Township 7 Township 7 winery produces great variety of white and red wines. Their wines are classic and would jazz up any party or event. I really liked that tasting fee includes 5 wines: champagne (Seven Stars Polaris), Pinot Gris, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Merlot. My favorite wines are Merlot 2017 and Reserve 7, 2016.   Red Rooster Artsy winery, just next to well-known Ruby Blues. First of all you are welcomed by statue of naked Frank with a suitcase, than seduced/enchanted by a mermaid. Well worth the visit, as Red Rooster produces a wide array of wines. Their tasting list included 5 wines where you can choose what you want to try. My most memorable moment was a dessert wine with chocolate-so good!  Moraine Winery I liked each and every wine that I tasted at Moraine. They offer 5 wines of your choice, including dessert wine option. The tasting room is new, overlooking the lake Okanagan. This winery is owned by Oleg and Svetlana Aristarkhov, the couple believes that wine offers one of life’s most simple, enjoyable, and accessible pleasures; and this philosophy spurred their leap into the wine industry. They relocated from Alberta, where they had lived for 15 years, to make premium Okanagan wines. 
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Last Sunday September 22, 2019 Mission Creek Park has a Kikinee Salmon festival. Salmon run will continue into October and if you had not make it last Sunday, there is plenty of time. Salmon spawning runs in a four year cycle, with dominant years in 2014, 2018 and 2022. In those years it is possible to see more than a million fish return to spawn. In post-dominant years, like 2016, the number can be in the hundreds while pre-dominant years, 2017 for example, may see more than 10,000 salmon return to spawn. Some salmon will travel thousands of kilometers in a typical four-year lifetime and by that last year will return to where they were born to reproduce. Adult salmon will swim upstream to the same area where they were hatched and once at the spawning grounds the female fish will dig a shallow nest for her eggs. She will release anywhere from two to 10 thousand eggs and then the male salmon will release milt, which contains millions of sperm. The pair will continue the process as they move upstream until they run out of energy, usually within a day or two. The fertilized eggs will hatch in three to four months and then will eventually make their way downstream to the ocean.  It's a good time to get down to Mission Creek park for a glimpse of the salmon run, which is expected to last a couple more weeks. If you missed the run in the Central Okanagan, or if you just feel like a scenic drive to the north, you can head up to the North Shuswap. In the Adams River, Koss says salmon just started showing up around Wednesday, Sept. 20. “It looks like we are right about on track,” she says of the “first three weeks in October” window.    Predator Ridge is well known for it's luxury golfing course and Sparkling Hill Resort, however everyone is welcome to come over for a hiking visit as well. How to get to Predator Ridge hiking trails? Predator Ridge area is located south from Vernon. Heading north on Hwy 97, turn left on Bailey Road. At the stop sign turn left onto Commonage Road. Turn right onto Predator Ridge Drive. Follow along through the Predator Ridge Resort and turn right onto Birdie Lake Drive. You can park in an appropriate area anywhere here, or continue up towards Sparkling Hills. We parked on the left side of the roundabout, beside the trail map. Why is it worth it to make a trip to Predator Ridge? Reason #1 If you like golfing, than this is one of the most beautiful golf courses in the Okanagan. The course offers 2 luxurious 18 holes championship courses. This is unforgettable experience.   Reason #2 Hike along the Okanagan Lake Lookout Loop Trail is worth a stop! With easy access and fantastic views, it's perfect for everyone! The trail starts as a wide paved pathway. Following along heading south, hikers pass Sparkling Pond and head right to start the trail for the Okanagan Lake Lookout Loop. The views are mesmerizing, looking over the Okanagan Lake and towards Terrace Mountain on the other side of the lake! There are several trails and some of them are difficult, some easy, some are used mostly by mountain bikers. All trails are pet friendly.   Reason #3 You just have to visit a SPA at Sparkling Hill Resort! It is a very unique experience on it's own, but when combined into a two day adventure it really makes a difference in life. It is like a hitting revamp button. Just to give you a heads up, resort stay is rather expensive. That is why we choose hiking as the healthy option balancing body, mind and bank account. Works very well!  |
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