Hike: Hardy Falls

             One hike that every child who is from Peachland does in the fall is the hike up to Hardy Falls to watch the Kokanee salmon spawn. It goes with out saying that this is something I needed to take my own Littles to do. Hardy Falls is a small district park located just off Highway 97 at the Southern end of Peachland- just before the highway turns steeply uphill and heads for Summerland. A small turn off is actually a parking lot and just across the street is a quick and easy little hike.

          When we were kids- in the 80's- we used to hit the many bridges at a full run- jumping and stomping up and down as the adults yelled at us to be careful- the bridges bouncing and swaying barely holding together. These days the park has undergone a dramatic facelift- including all 8 bridges being replaced with sturdy structures that actually have handrails! I wonder if my kids found this as entertaining as we did when we were kids- perhaps another sign of childhood being too safe these days.

           After a peaceful time watching the salmon jump up the ladder we headed back to the car in the warm afternoon sunlight. It was decided when we headed home we should draw salmon which is exactly what they did- granted these are a little flashier than the real deal! The Littles turned their salmon into puppets so they could fly them through the clouds- fancy salmon in grey skies.

          I am so happy to walk the paths of my childhood with my own kids- the same fierce rock walls towering overhead- the echoes of my own friends ringing through from the past. While our reality of course was much less bucolic- plenty of tears when Miss Lo tripped on a rock- me yelling at The Boy to get down off the top run of the bridge our little hike- moments of peace were fought and tucked away. It doesn't matter that we don't live in Peachland- our Littles are as much a part of that town as we ever were.

Cherry Picking

          We are so happy to be visiting the Okanagan right at the beginning of cherry season- this is the time of year that a random rain storm can either make it or break it for orchardists- currently all we see is blue skis! The fruit is beautiful- and delicious- just as I remember it fresh off the tree. Our Littles are very well versed in where our food comes from- we have planted gardens- pumpkins, carrots, radishes, garlic- we have picked apples in the orchard and plums but never have they picked cherries. There really is nothing quite like eating the fruit right off the tree- still warm from the sun.

        When my sister and I were small we used to head to our Great Aunt's house in Kelowna- as the wife of a former orchardist it was only natural that she have a large and healthy cherry tree sitting on her corner lot. What I remember is how bug that tree was- watching the legs of adults disappear up into the leafy branches- surely up past the telephone lines. Hot, bright skies against the cool, lush, greenery of an ancient garden. My sister and I stealing handfuls of cherries from unattended buckets- hiding out in the dank, dark woodshed with our pilfered treasures- hanging pairs of cherries over our ears - pretending to be grown up ladies.

        It must be natural for children to hang pairs of cherries over their ears- those dangling pars just beg to be jewels against little one's necks- the best sort of jewellery one could wish for- surely worth more than the largest of rubies. These Okanagan cherries are a symbol of the industry that once drove the Valley- before boats and wineries became the working man's measure of success.

        Our children clamber up the ladders like monkeys- perhaps there is some sort of innate memory- my maternal family has a long history with the Valley's orchards. For now what is important to them- on this visit- is not the disappearing orchards of the Okanagan- or the massive spread of condos- or the roar of outboard motors- what is important to these little ones is climbing up a tree and picking the yummiest cherries they have ever eaten. Reaching up to pluck those jewels from the tree and stuffing as many as possible into their mouths!

       

Endless Summer

         We are wrapping up our first week of vacation in the Okanagan- so far it's exactly what a vacation should be- lots of play time- loads of beach time! This week has been the kind of week I grew up having- when a kid headed outside at 7:30 in the morning and didn't come back in until after dark- roaming the yard and swimming in the cool waters of Okanagan Lake. Our city kids have already declared they don't want to go home! They are eating cherries from the trees and carrots from the garden- running barefoot and feral as children should in the summer.

        We celebrated Canada Day in great style with a day at the beach- surrounded by folks we have known forever- ladies who have known me since I was Miss Lo's age- kids I grew up with- now our own children are the ones hopping in and out of the lake- needing endless snacks and drinks while the Mums and Dads relax in lawn chairs- feet dangling in the water. The highlight of the day was an hour long parade- the Littles collected more candy than at Halloween! As evening fell we all retired "up the hill" to my parents house- kids ran wild- a small fire erupted on the BBQ- memories were made.

        The week has flown by so fast- it's difficult to reconcile all we have witnessed- including our sweet niece's wedding in her parent's back yard- such love and happiness. We have said "see yah later" to Peachland and are in the North of the Valley at Omi's house in Vernon- more swimming and lots of World Cup action! I think what makes this trip so different is the pace we are setting ourselves- no hurry to see everyone and do everything all at once. We still have a week left to go- more adventures- new beaches and of course more Farmer's Markets!

    Dear Friends it is Friday- the week- it turns out- goes just as fast when a person is vacationing than when they are at home facing the daily grind! With only nine more days to go we are going to keep it slow and savour as much of our time here as possible- this weekend I'm sure will hold more visits with friends- babies- puppies- all that good stuff! Happy Friday Friends!

Away We Go

          It's that time of year again- the time when our wee little family hit the road and become weekend Gypsies living out of our van- most importantly getting out of the city and into some quiet. This past weekend we snuck into the Okanagan late at night to surprise both of our Mom's for Mother's Day- and it was perfect- neither suspected a thing and both were sufficiently surprised. Mother's Day was spent in a blur of family, laughter and food- we ate a lot of food and it was delightful.

          My own Mother's Day wish was fairly simple- I believe we should celebrate every day not just once a year the marvel of family and Motherhood- I celebrate being a Mother to these two imperfect perfect beings daily. But I did have a wish- my wish was to stop at our favourite swimming spot in Oyama and just relax. So on our way back to the Coast we did just that- we grabbed some snacks and pulled into the best swimming spot tucked in between two lakes on a spit of land. Recently the highway was diverted up and over the mountain- away from Oyama- so there is very little traffic here- just quiet, calm waters flanked by rolling orchards- verdant green hills- blazing blue sky.

    Of course it is still a bit early to go swimming- only the very brave jump in such cold waters at this time of year- but that didn't stop us from dipping our toes in and chatting about the hot days spent at the lake to come. Summer is right around the corner- only six weeks of school left and I will admit to be just as giddy as my Boy- he loves school but is excited to have the summer off. The winds are warming up and whisper the promise of long sun burnt days- to me childhood and summer are magical.

     My Mother's Day weekend was perfect- seeing our own Moms was really special and I am so happy we were able to pull the whole thing off- I am a terrible fibber and had to tell several whoppers!  Our weekend was so simple and easy- sitting on the shore of our little lake watching my children play was exactly what I needed. A little peace to restore my soul for the long week ahead!

Weekend Adventure

           This past weekend we made our first trip of the year to our hometowns in the Okanagan- to me I am always home as soon as I see the Okanagan Lake as we come down off the Highway. I never thought it would be possible to be homesick for over ten years but it is a feeling that endures. Every chance we get we take the Littles down to the lake- even if like this past weekend it was too cold for swimming. There is always something to entertain down at the beach- throw in some bikes and you have a recipe for an entire afternoon spent outside.

       Lots of layers were called for as the breeze off the lake was brisk- I think I counted about six fishing boats out on the grey waters- those hearty souls. I spent many years down on the water- I worked at the local marina and this was the time of year for serious fishermen- folks always feeling the itch to get their boats in the water. I remember several years we were putting boats in the water with the snow falling- our fingers numb but happy to be out on the water.

       Spring is just around the corner- the willow trees are turning yellow as the sap starts to warm up- a few trees are starting to bud- the bulbs are just peeking through the soil. The Okanagan is always about two weeks behind the Coast seasonally- the difference comes in the summer when the Okanagan explodes with food and colour.

        I have live in Vancouver for twelve years- twelve! While I love my adoptive city and all that it affords I still miss the quiet of the Valley- of course I miss my family but I think I may miss the lake just as much- it soothes my soul. The Okanagan is a magical place one that catches hold of you and doesn't let go- my Grandma knew it- my parents know it.

The Okangan Valley is calling me back home

Where my Okanagan sweetheart waiting there alone

And though I'm far away, I'm coming home to stay

Dreamy Okanagan moon shining from above

Dreamy Okanagan moon shine down on my love

Though we had to say goodbye, love like ours will never die

Tell her I'm returning soon, Okanagan Moon

Florence Fazan

Old McDonald Had A Farm

         When I was a kid there was this wondrous place near our house- the Okanagan version of amusement park I guess. It was called Old McDonald's Farm and every time we drove into town my sister and I would start in hope out the window that one day we would stop in. There is only one time I can actually remember going- our Grandma took us- I'm sure our Mom was there as well but I only remember my Grandma- I remember she paid extra so we could fish for carp in the "old fishin' hole"- a nub of bread on the end of a line- I didn't catch anything.

        I remember getting to pet a baby cow for the first time ever- up until this point cows were large, menacing beings that occasionally escaped their fields and invaded our neighbourhood- I was terrified of them- until I met that calf. The fishing, the calf and being with my Grandma are pretty much all I remember from that day- oh and of course my sister. So obviously Old McDonald's Farm really wasn't all we had thought it would be. Yet it persists as a constant childhood memory because it was just always there hugging the side of the highway- just beyond the empty field with scraggly ponies- the last outpost of town.

       When we went home this past Thanksgiving my Mr. noticed they were changing out one of the billboards on the West side of the bridge- something so familiar caught his eye- causing him to pull over to the shoulder of the road at an alarming rate- I thought something else was wrong with the truck. Then he pointed it out- not much left but just enough to instantly be transported back to childhood- the familiar farmer- assumed to be Old McDonald- and his crazy eyed pig!

         It's hard to believe that this even still exists- though who knows for how much longer- preserved beneath layers of adds for Okanagan ATV Tours- which is ironically run by a friend of mine. So for whatever reason we just happened to be at the right spot at the right time and we were reminded- if only for a moment- that somethings don't change- they just get buried beneath new layers.

Coming Home: Vancouver

         My entire adult life my heart has lived in two places- half stays in the Okanagan and half I carry around with me in the city- I am not sure how it is possible to love two places so equally and miss them so equally when I am absent. This past weekend was a weekend of "one last time"- as in one last time picking green beans in the garden with Poppa- kale and broad beans too. Racing around to check every last thing in the yard before getting in the car- checking under beds to make sure nothing was missed- giving big hugs.

        One last dip in the lake- none of us wanted to leave- the water was so warm and perfect and that rope swing made things very interesting! Our sweet niece paid us a visit with her wee babe- and oh what a bundle! Those legs and cheeks I could have just eaten them up! It was so nice to sit in the shade holding a new baby and chatting with our niece who is quite the Little Mother- oh how I wish we were closer to watch them both grow!

         Our final day was spent in Vernon- lots of treats from Oma and Opa- ice creams at D.Q. and a quick run in the park before loading back into the truck and turning our sights West- as we came over the mountains my thoughts turned to the week ahead. All that we have on the go became a bit overwhelming after not planning or doing anything for ten days!

        So here I sit on an early Monday morning- a familiar coffee cup in my hand full of my favourite Saltspring Island brew- in my regular writing spot- trying to wake two sleepy heads for the first day of Summer camp- if not for the photographic evidence it is almost like last week never happened! But for the photos and the feeling of contentment- having connected with so many dear people- missing so many we didn't get to see. The hugs, snuggles,sunshine, laughter, brightness and even the sunburns have seeped into our souls- to carry us through till next time!

Wedded Bliss Wednesday!

the beautiful bride with her mom and dad

      Yes this is another post about another beautiful wedding we were fortunate to have been a part of. Our niece Kayla was married to her guy Waylon this past Saturday in Oyama B.C. Located right in the middle of two lakes surrounded by orchards on a scorching hot Okanagan day they could not have asked for a more perfect setting!

 almost ready to head out- the tall blond is my other beautiful niece Tanya

       We have so many emotions surrounding Kayla who is now known as Mrs. Roy it is hard to get them all down- and most definitely you would not have caught the Mr. or I at the microphone during the reception as we would both have been blubbering fools! What I can tell you for sure is that I have watched Kayla grow from an excitable tom boy with braces and a confusing yet surprising fashion sense into a poised young woman who knows what she wants. She is smart, stronger than she knows and to top it all off beautiful. Kayla this is what we would have said to you if we could  have gotten the words out!

     The Mr. and I were so excited when Kayla asked The Boy and Miss Lo to be part of the wedding party- especially since The Boy would get to rock his lederhosen! The Mr. was the ring bearer in his big sister's wedding and so for The Boy to have this part in his cousin's wedding was a bit of a full circle family moment. The little's did a very good job although Miss Lo may have used her flowers as a soccer ball at one point in the day!

       I was welcomed into this family ten years ago and I could only sit and watch in wonder at my Sister and Brother in Law as they parented these two pre-teen girls. This was one of the tightest family units I had ever seen- and they truly loved being together! I remember thinking that I wanted to have a family like this- I wanted my kids to want to hang out with me! This tight family unit is even more evident today with two amazing grown girls as evidence!

    After a long day out in the blazing Okanagan sun we hit the beach to cool off before the reception- ice cream treats and a dip in the lake. Then some how these littles of ours partied until the wee hours of the morning- dancing up a storm with who ever they could find! This wedding day of Kayla and Waylon is one we will not soon forget- we are so blessed to have been a part of it- Thank You.