A-Life BC Travel Blog

By Jessica Goerzen

Since I was a little girl watching magical Christmas movies, I have always wanted to bundle up and go skating on an outdoor skating rink, followed by a big steaming mug of hot chocolate. Well, this dream has been made a reality thanks to the newly opened Stuart Park outdoor skating rink in downtown Kelowna. The rink is very popular with families, couples, little hockey players and first timers.

Located in the heart of Kelowna’s downtown core, off Bernard Street and parallel to the boardwalk, the Stuart Park outdoor rink enhances winter in the city. It includes gorgeous Christmas lights, a view overlooking Okanagan Lake and Kelowna's newest art piece: the 10-foot-tall Stuart Park Bear.

By Jessica Goerzen

With winter fully upon us, it's tempting to take after the bears and hibernate with the heat turned up, watching movies, baking treats and succumbing to the common seasonal blues that come with limited sunlight.

But rather than wallowing in winter woes indoors, there are some great hiking spots in the Okanagan region that are conveniently close to town. And with such beautiful sunny days recently, a hike is a great opportunity to soak in some awe-inspiring sunsets.

This week, I hiked around Knox Mountain Park in Central Kelowna, overlooking the gorgeous (and now extremely cold) Okanagan Lake. Knox Mountain Park, which consists of 235 hectares of Ponderosa pine forest and grassland, is a popular recreational attraction for tourists and locals.

By Jessica Goerzen

When it comes to fall, there is one Vernon institution that does it best! Davison Orchard Country Village is a place that smells of fall, looks of fall, and even tastes of fall.

With treats such as apple donuts, apple cider and pumpkin pie (soon!), Davison Orchard is a sweet setting. Located at the north end of the fertile Okanagan Valley along the south-facing slopes above historic Bella Vista Road, the farm is a close drive from downtown Vernon. It's a perfect location in that it is close to town, yet it feels distant and rural.

There are many great family activities at the farm, like choosing a special Halloween pumpkin, which has always been a difficult task for me because there are so many shapes and sizes. Visitors can take a tractor ride out to the pumpkin patch to choose the perfect pumpkin and then head back to explore the farm's other activities.

Another farm favourite is the petting zoo, which includes goats and donkeys. Hunger is a natural part of exploring Davison Orchard, but have no fear—there are plenty of warm goodies available at Auntie May’s Deep Dish Café.

By Jessica Goerzen

With summer unfortunately coming to a close, there was just one last thing on my to-do list: my annual tubing trip down the Penticton River Channel.

The drive from my hometown (Kelowna) to Penticton is beautiful. The highway snakes around Okanagan Lake and provides magnificent views of the Okanagan, leading you through the cute towns of Peachland and Summerland.

By Jessica Goerzen

Fintry Campground looks like most others in the Okanagan: popular for families, near a lake with many activities available such as birding, boating and swimming. But if you take a walk around the outskirts of the campground, like I did last weekend, you'll find a lot more. 

Fintry has a rich history dating back to 1882 when Thomas Shorts became the first white man to call the delta home. The next owner was James Cameron Dun-Waters, who is Fintry's most famous resident. He named the land after his home in Scotland and turned the land into an agricultural oasis, equipped with its own spray irrigation and running water, which was fed by the property's large Fintry Falls.

Dun-Waters also used the falls to create electricity, which powered a sizeable mill and also ground grain. He created an internal telephone system within his manor as well. His house, which he built out of rocks, is quite the sight to see, especially when imagining the degree of work needed to haul each individual rock into place. 

By Jessica Goerzen

If you get a thrill out of hooking the big one, the Okanagan is a great place for outdoor adventure. And with such a wealth of water, the Interior has something for every type of angler... even wary newbies who aren't accustomed to the squirm of doomed worms.

There are rivers, streams and large open lakes with easy boat access. Or, if you're up to the challenge, you can hike into one of the many smaller lakes in the area. These gems, although a little more challenging than the larger lakes, are often accessible by logging roads and offer a piece of nature that can only be experienced after a little sweat and work. You’ll be greeted with pristine waters and, if you’re lucky, a lake all to yourself.

By Jessica Goerzen

Often when people think of the Okanagan, they think of hot summers and lots of swimming in Okanagan Lake.

Well, I am here to report that there are a whole lot of other lakes in the Okanagan that are just as nice, and this past weekend I checked out three of them.

When you're choosing what lake to visit in the Okanagan, consider what activities you might want to do.

Okanagan Lake, spanning from Penticton all the way to Vernon, is a great all-around lake, good for swimming, boating and kayaking.

Okanagan Lake is home to great camping spots, the elusive Ogopogo, and many semi-private bays for the days where the lake gets really busy. Keep in mind that the lake is deep and is therefore somewhat cooler than other nearby shallow lakes.

By Jessica Goerzen

Penticton, which is the largest city in the South Okanagan, means “a place to stay forever” in Okanagan Salish. The city itself is found at the Southern most end of Okanagan Lake.

Look for the giant peach vending stand when you arrive and you will know you have found Canada’s “peach city”!

Heading northeast of Penticton towards the impressive Naramata Bench, you will find some wonderful wineries featuring some of Canada’s most renowned wines.

By Jessica Goerzen

From vineyards and wineries to apple orchards and cherry trees, the central Okanagan is known for its local farms and fresh produce.

And as the summer sun shines bright, farmers' markets are springing up all around the Okanagan, including the Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market.

By Jessica Goerzen

This weeks Okanagan activity ideas revolve around local history and the ever-so-nice smelling Okanagan Lavender Herb Farm.

It's late June and it finally feels as though the weather is about to shift into summer. Located at 4380 Takla Road in Kelowna, the lavender farm is a wonderful spot with a beautiful view and a perfect place for a picnic.

Aside from a beautiful garden, the lavender farm features locally made goods all incorporating lavender; lavender jellies, lavender infused teas and lavender loaf cake are just a few of the wonderful artisanal goodies you can find here.