In southeast British Columbia the rugged landscape is defined by the enormous hairpin of the Columbia River, running first to the north and then south before exiting the province. In southwestern British Columbia the Fraser River is the great lifeline of the land. In between is the Okanagan Country. The river is perhaps a bit modest compared to its more famous neighbors to the east and west. But what a landscape. Great lakes exist as a string of pearls along the river, the greatest being Lake Okanagan. Autumn here is magic.
Okanagan Interlude
Kelowna, geographically toward the north end, is the heart of the Okanagan Valley. Here it is in the late evening light from the Cedar Creek area to the south. The wind has dropped, the great lake is showing its evening face.
Kelowna evening
Kelowna can be found on the east side and the upper end of the great lake. Further south the eastern shore curves west, allowing a view north toward Kelowna (on the water, left-center in the distance). It's a dry land. You can even find cactus growing in the valley.
south coast
Mission Creek runs through Kelowna as it descends from the higher country to the east. Like the lake, the creek has a number of moods; here's one of them. It's late afternoon, shortly before sunset, and the water is reflecting some unusual hues from the cliff on the east side
mission creek
Idabel Lake, high on the divide between the Okanagan and Columbia rivers. The lake is small, a summer refuge from the heat that can build up in the Okanagan Valley. The lily pads, the swimming platform; Idyllic.
on the divide: Idabel
Haynes Lake is another high mountain lake on the divide between the Okanagan and Columbia rivers. It's also on the old Kettle Valley Railroad line, used early in the Canadian westward migration to connect inland British Columbia with Vancouver. Today? The railbed is a great summer mountain bike trail, and a winter cross-country ski trail.
On the Divide: Haynes
The lovely community of Vernon sits at the north end of the great lake. Beachcomber Bay was a perfect place to watch the sailing fleet on the water. The Adirondacks were as comfortable as they usually are, but the autumnal moment was divine.
vernon
Did you know that there was a Canadian Gold Rush following the 1849 rush in California? The valley was home to the rush, the lake home to a vibrant fishing industry. Both are part of history now, but the orchard and vineyard economies are dynamic.
of gold and green
Larus delawarensis - the Ring-billed Gull. Ricky. Guidebooks will tell you that he is easy to find in cities and towns across the inland Pacific Northwest. Perhaps the more accurate statement is that he is almost impossible to shoo-away if he thinks there is a handout in the offing.
ricky ring-bill
A small upland meadow alongside Mission Creek; a stand of Ponderosa Pine on the far side. The fence has seen better days, it appears the meadow has been recently hayed. It's late morning and the stark light is, I think, better rendered in the black and white image.
creekside
A lakeside marsh/wetland, the great lake in the background. I'm 700 miles from home, but don't feel like it. The usual gang is all here, the geese (including, maybe, the smaller Cackling Goose), ducks, widgeons teal; the same assortment of raptors, the same riparian vegetation. It's as lovely as you see here.
lakeside
My unintended hiking companions turned left on the trail. I went to the right. The left headed toward town, the right towards?..
Bear scat in the middle of the narrowing path gave a moment's pause. The thickening brush as well. Then I heard the music. The Clearing. The Reward.
solitude
Pinus Ponderosa. David Douglas first described them in eastern Washington state. They are here as well. The inland valley climate is remarkably similar from southern Oregon to British Columbia. I had to have this particular sunset picture before we left.