Explore Your Back Yard

There is a reason why we have Land of the Living Skies on our license plate. Southern Saskatchewan is a truly spectacular drive during harvest season. As you drive along the plains you will see a slight dust storm rise up from the combines working in the fields. As dusk settles, you get a snap of a beautiful sky showing its vibrant colours. At night, you may even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Driving into the foothills the plains recede in your rear view mirror and you prepare yourself for stunning mountain scenery.

Mountain driving can be both a thrilling and challenging experience. There are hills to climb and tight curves to drive around. You cannot see for miles but the beauty is still incredible. The mountainsides are all treed with evergreens and the changing seasonal trees with their leaves of red and golden colours. Driving in late September or October the colours are abundant and beautiful. Keep your eyes open as you may be witness to some incredible wildlife.

One of the most amazing and tragic events in Alberta’s history is “Frank Slide”. This was the day the mountain fell in 1903. It is the greatest landslide in Canadian history. In a minute and a half a town of people were buried alive, a mile of railway line was destroyed and a river became a lake! All information about the Frank slide is displayed in an Interpretation Centre just off Highway #3 in the Crowsnest Pass. Well worth taking the time to visit and seeing the visual amount of limestone boulders that still remain in place, with a highway carved through the middle!

The town of Fernie is a well-known ski resort destination in Southern BC. Fernie Township has a background of mountains and ski runs plus all the condos, hotels for the skiers and their families. In the summer months it is a great place to try your hand at fly fishing, hiking or enjoy some of the resort Spa’s. White water rafting on the Elk River is a perfect mixture of bigger waves and calm water. There is a great Aquatic Centre with pools, slides, rope swing for big and little kids alike. Adults have a steam room and a lap pool for their enjoyment and relaxation.

Take the Creston, Trail route to Christina Lake. This is a summer holiday oasis in the middle of the mountains. The lake reaches 20C in the summer which makes it one of the warmest in Canada. It is a beautiful sight as the lake is completely surrounded by trees. Many Albertans and BC people spend their summers here in Christina Lake. Try your hand at fishing for Rainbow Trout or Bass. Don’t forget the River Otters like fish too. Watch for wildlife on the highways as there are many species roaming around.

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Make sure you stop at a little town called Grand Forks. They have a very interesting District Art and Heritage Centre which used to be the historical Grand Forks courthouse at one time. The town was settled in the early1900s by an influx of Russian Doukhobhor immigrants so therefore many of the local restaurants have borsht and cabbage rolls on their menus plus Western cuisine. It is all good, fresh and delicious.

The highway via Trail to Osoyoos is spectacular. This road is extremely well maintained and makes for very easy driving. Osoyoos is the dividing town from travelling into the Okanagan Valley or continuing onto Vancouver or the United States. There is much to see and do from a Desert Model Railroad for all ages or relaxing on the shores of Osoyoos Lake. This town is a mecca for Canadians escaping the harsh winters of the Canadian interior. It is a haven for retired people who can enjoy golf and the outdoors in our winter months. Osoyoos is a great place for all ages or the whole family. It has an Amusement Park, Splash Park, Riding Stables, BMX Track and Skateboard Park.

There are great walking paths into the mountains or along the Pioneer Walkway where there are benches, picnic tables, beaches and gardens adjacent to Osoyoos Lake.  Mount Kobau offers a chance to hike at higher elevations through the fragrance of the desert sagebrush and see some magnificent views of the checker board, irrigated land below. The town is surrounded by award winning wineries so don’t forget to partake in some wine tasting. If wine is not on your repertoire make sure you visit an orchard and purchase some fresh Okanagan fruit from the many fruit stands situated along the highway.

As you drive up the Okanagan Valley you will see an abundant of orchards growing the different varieties of fruit and vegetables. This climate of rolling terraces, intense sunlight and gravelly soil produce some of the most sought after and awarded wines in BC.

The city of Penticton is settled between two lakes: Skaha Lake and Okanagan Lake.  It is home to many retirees who can golf on any of its six golf courses all year or even take up parasailing! One of the most spectacular drives is the highway called Naramata Road. This road is home to approximately twenty five wineries. Stop for wine tasting but just make sure you have a designated driver! The road is narrow and steep with magnificent views across the Okanagan Lake. Some of the wineries have outdoor cafes and restaurants which are well worth a lunch stop to sit and enjoy the view.

Just down the road is a town called Summerland. It has that small town warmth and a haven for the visitors who crave outdoor adventure. There is the Trans Canada Trail where you can hike, bike and horseback the 61kms of spectacular scenery or sit in one of the charming little cafes or bistros downtown and chat with the locals. There are many beaches and parks alongside the Okanagan Lake. For the more adventurous there is a water park for kids of all ages.

Take time to visit some of the local wineries, as there are many of them. There is even a ninety minute train journey on a section of the Kettle Valley Railway. This train was in the era of steam and travels over the famous Trout Creek Bridge built in 1913. Jump aboard and steam into the past on the only preserved section of the railway.

Follow this incredible journey alongside the Okanagan Lake into Kelowna. This is a big bustling city well known for its hot summers and temperate winters. Kelowna is one of the most livable cities in Canada. It has fine dining, unique shops and vibrant nightlife. Within a ten minute drive from the downtown core, you will find thriving vineyards and orchards. There are championship golf courses that draw enthusiasts from all parts of the globe. Okanagan Lake offers boating, swimming or fishing for locals and tourists alike. In the winter time there are ski runs within a thirty minute drive of the city and hiking trails into the mountains.

Enjoy your own backyard with this adventure. Put it on your “bucket list” on places to go and things to do.

Lynda Spriggs

Lobstick Tours / Prince Albert.