Coronation Grapes

Grown from a vine in our yard. Grown in abundance this year this sweet seedless variety is not only a wonderful eating grape, but makes great muffins and fabulous pies.

Tressle and Foot Bridge

Eventually the KVR train will pause on the tressle offering passengers a view of the footbridge crossing availabe on the canyon below.

Train Robbery

This photograph shows a couple of the many disguised bandits that stop and board the KVR train to rob the patrons of their pocket change. These theme trains run several times throughout out the summer and are great fun. Be careful how much you carry in your pocket as they do not return the money, lol.

Railroad Viewpoint

Abundant views of vineyards and orchards in the Summerland area are readily visible while riding the KVR Train

KVR Steam Locomotive Train

The restored 1912 Kettle Valley Steam Locomotive #3716 operates out of Summerland, BC for the enjoyment of tourists and residents alike. This 90 minute ride from either a vintage passenger coach or open air observation car covers vistas of orchards and vineyards to views of the lake from the trestle bridge 238 ft. above the canyon floor. Lively musical entertainment and anecdotes make this a memorable experience.

Mountain Sheep

Travelling through the mountain roads and highways requires diligent alertness at all times, as all types of animals can appear on the travelled portion at any time and without warning. In this case as we rounded one of the many curves, we came upon a herd of mountain sheep.

The Winding Road

Off the walking trail and back onto Westside Road. We decide to drive further northward where the terrain changes substantially.

A Shoulder Glance

As our trek downward to the original starting point begins, a right shoulder glance brings forth another view of the Okanagan Lake and Kelowna in the distance.

Load of Logs

In keeping with the previous photo, Logs and Curves, this truck is transporting logs to the lake from the mountainous area where they were fallen. They will eventually be floated to the saw mill for processing.

Logs & Curves

The walking trail eventually curves eastward where we catch a glimpse of the Westside roadway below. In the same area you will notice a log storage area. These logs are transported by truck and dumped into the water. They are eventually floated across Okanagan Lake by tug boat to the Tolko Lumber Mill located in Kelowna.

Bear Creek Canyon

Upon reaching the upper part of the trail, Bear Creek Canyon becomes visible below.

The Walking Trail

Once the welcoming stairs have been mastered, we are confronted with an approximate 3 hour walking trail covering the upland region. We have combined two pictorial views portraying the wilderness of this area.

The Stairs

Located 5 miles (9 km) from Kelowna while travelling on the west side of Okanagan Lake we come upon the well known Bear Creek Canyon Walking Trail. This is an upland wilderness trail onto which we are firstly welcomed by several sets of stairs, some being as much as, or in excess of 100 steps each.

The Squatter

This particular houseboat is owned by what is commonly called a 'Squatter'. Squatters are residents who make their homes on the lake and consequently they do not pay any taxes or other household fees. This practise is being frowned upon and is presently under legal review.

The Curve

Westside Road leads to the Okanagan Resort, Fintry Provincial Park, Parker's Cove, O'Keefe Ranch, the City of Vernon and beyond. This is a beautiful and scenic drive with numerous curves and dips along the Okanagan Lake.

View From Westside Road

While travelling down Westside Road we see various views of homes built along the shoreline.

Westside Road

We now take a backward glance at the City as we proceed northward along Westside Road which is situated across the lake from the City .

Houseboat

A houseboat enjoyed by tourists as well as locals is a common site on Okanagan Lake. Cruises ranging from an hour to a few hours are offered throughout the long Okanagan summers, some of which extend into the evening hours. Snacks and beverages are readily available for purchase. Dinner and even entertainment is a popular feature during evening cruises.

North View

North view of Okanagan Lake from Westside's new Diamond View residential development. The City of Kelowna is situated across the lake towards the upper right.

Kelowna from the West

After crossing the bridge we have a view of the City of Kelowna from the Westside.

Lets Try It!

Now this is moving! Two lanes of travel into the City of Kelowna while three lanes of travel flow out. What an improvement over the old system which offered a single lane of travel in each direction coupled by a centre lane, which switched traffic in either direction, dependent upon the conjestion.

The Old vs. The New

Here we have a photo showing the comparison between the old bridge of 1958 against the new of 2008.

The William R. Bennett Bridge

The City of Kelowna is separated from the westside by the mighty Okanagan Lake, which is 134 km long, (approx. 83½ miles) and between 4 and 5 km wide (approx. 2½ - 3 miles wide) with an assumed depth of 232 meters deep (761feet). Cities bordering this lake include Vernon in the north, Penticton in the south with Kelowna and the Westside in the centre.The $144.5 million five lane world-class floating William R. Bennett Bridge opened on May 25, 2008 replacing a three lane bridge which served as a critical link in the Okanagan since opening on July 19, 1958.This bridge one of only nine of its kind in the world – features

six floating pontoons, weighing 7,000 tonnes each,
three smaller pontoons weighing 3,000 to 4,000 tons each,
2,200 tonnes of structural steelwork,
25,000 cubic metres of concrete,
24 anchors weighing 75 tons to hold the pontoons in place and
15,000 cubic meters of Styrofoam fill at the west end of project.