Post-tourist season road trip to Osoyoos, BC

Our trip started with thick patches of fog that thankfully burned off to be replaced by brilliantly clear blue skies and vibrant fall colours.

leaves blowing across the highway

crow's nest pass - highway 3

We stopped in Hope  - a road-trip tradition - for breakfast. Took shots from the car along the Crow's Nest Pass highway until we pulled into "Mariposa's" produce market looking for Russian Red Garlic. They were sold out but we were sent down the road to "Parson's" where we found the mother load.

walnut beach resort great room

We stayed at the Walnut Beach Resort (posh to us) in a cozy little suite with an fireplace and full kitchen.

beach parasol on resort's private beach

view of resort from boat launch

sunset from resort beach

The next morning, after a little searching and help from the iNFO centre, we found the Osoyoos "Lakeview" Cemetery. (cemetery visits are a trip tradition with us) 

collapsed grave slab

three differently 'preserved' grave slabs

graveyard mushroom

two wives at the same time....

detailed grave slab ornament

After the cemetery, we went off to check out the first Aboriginal owned and operated winery NK'mip Cellars where we all indulged in a delicious wine tasting and bought multiple bottles on our way out the door.

NK'mip (pronounced in-ka-meep) Cellars

We stopped next at a tiny pull-off looking over "Spotted Lake". We stared in awe at this naturally occurring phenomenon just sitting there in the dessert.

look-out over 'spotted lake'

There is a struggle going on right now in the area regarding the fate of Canada's only desert. There were signs everywhere along the highway declaring "NO National Park". After a little hunting on-line, I found what I think might be a balanced article on the issue. What do you think? Preserve this delicate ecological area or let what happens happens to this beautiful area.....? From the Osoyoos Times newspaper

the NO side was very visible we didn't see any YES signs

We stopped in at Mariposa's on the way out of Osoyoos and Keremeos for our going-home apples. One of our party bought 13! separate varieties of apples all grown in the surrounding orchards to sample at home. 

mariposa roadside produce market

We ran across an old pick up in a beautiful golden field with a little white chapel perched on the hill above it.

cattle grates with a pick up and chapel in the distance

After that it was back along the twists and turns of the winding highway home, creeping up the endless inclines and coasting down the other side along rolling golden valleys and tree lined canyons.

winding roads through the dessert

and the mountains heading home

yes, that's snow on that peak. winter's on its way

And now I'm back home enjoying an apple a day marveling at the variety of apples we have right here in our backyard.