Spring blooms in the Okanagan Valley
My husband and I tend to go on motorcycle trips south of the border. We load the bike into our toy hauler and head to warmer weather in the spring and fall. Last year, however, circumstances didn’t allow us the two to three weeks we normally take for a spring break, so we decided to take a week closer to home. Anyone from Alberta knows that riding in May is chilly most days, so we turned our focus to southern B.C., deciding on Osoyoos as our destination and home base.
We headed out from central Alberta and stopped for the night in Radium Hot Springs. Though we didn’t go for a soak on this trip, we have in the past and it’s a great way to end a day. The next morning we drove to Osoyoos on Highways 95 and 3, going through Creston and Christina Lake. This route winds over mountain ranges and through valleys. My husband has enjoyed it on a bike in the summer, but on this trip there was still snow at higher elevations.
In Bloom
We arrived in Osoyoos around 5:30, and after quickly parking our trailer, we hopped on the bike and headed to Penticton – an easy ride for the evening. The orchards and lilacs were all in bloom and the air was very mild compared to the lingering winter back in Alberta.
We were eager to go for a ride the next day but waited for the warmer temperature of mid-morning. We took Hwy 3 to Princeton, then 5A and 97C to Peachland and back down on 97 to Osoyoos, which made for a comfortable day’s ride (about 365 km). Blooming orchards and the snow-covered mountain peaks on Hwy 3 made for a stunning ride. We paused for a not-so-quick stop in Keremeos to photograph antique cars and trucks interspersed among an orchard, a highlight for this amateur photographer.
As we were getting back on the bike after stopping in Princeton, we met a fellow rider checking out our bike and had a chat. I love how motorcycling brings people together no matter where they are from. The route over the mountains on Hwy 97C was cold at that time of year, and I was very grateful for my heated gear, as the temperature was close to 0 C. The air warmed up considerably on the descent into Peachland, and we continued to enjoy it all the way back to Osoyoos.
On the Hillside
Following a rainy day, our next ride was along the Eastside Road to Penticton and then up Naramata Road on the east side of Okanagan Lake. Vineyards and orchards cover the hillsides and, since the road is higher up on the hillside, you get great views of the lake and surrounding countryside. When we reached the end of the road, we turned around and then travelled south to White Lake Road. It took us through scenic valleys and farmland to Keremeos, and from there we headed back down Hwy 3 to Osoyoos, stopping at Spotted Lake along the way – a high concentration of minerals gives the lake a spotted appearance; hence its name.
As Osoyoos is right at the border with the U.S.A., we decided to visit Leavenworth, Washington, the next day. We took Hwy 97 south to Wenatchee, then Hwy 2 to Leavenworth (roughly 260 km). Again, we we travelled through orchards and, in places, followed the Columbia River. On the way we stopped at Wells Dam, where I had some fun photographing the giant turbine on display there. The town of Leavenworth is decorated with a Bavarian theme and is filled with artisan shops and restaurants; it’s definitely worth a stop. After visiting the neighbouring town of Cashmere, we headed back north to the border. The trip took 10 hours, but with the many stops we made, it was comfortably done.
Making Camp
The next day, we headed back toward Alberta with an overnight in Revelstoke, B.C. We pulled into the campground by mid-afternoon, which left plenty of time for a ride! We decided on Hwy 23 south to Nakusp, crossing over Upper Arrow Lake on a ferry. Between Revelstoke and the lake, the road climbed until we were riding by snow and thick forest, and the view didn’t open up again until closer to the ferry terminal. After a short ferry ride, we enjoyed the fun, winding road to Nakusp in the late-afternoon light. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a lot of time to explore the town before we needed to catch the ferry. By the time we drove back to Revelstoke, it was getting dark and cold. Once again, I was grateful for heated gear! We drove back to Alberta and home the next day after thoroughly enjoying our B.C. rides. It reminded us that great biking adventures can be found closer to home and north of the border.
