Weston-Bond's Travel Blog: August 2013

Saturday, 31 August 2013

Finding sun, sand and good friends in British Columbia's interior

Many western Canadians make it an annual routine to holiday in BC's Okanagan valley. Not since my childhood have I spent much time in this region so it seemed fitting to wander this way for part of our summer. The main draw was an opportunity to rendezvous with friends and catch them on their vacations. Our drive west followed the Crowsnest highway, with our favourite pit stop being Greenwood, just east of Osoyoos. For the first week we put down roots at Lakeside RV park in Oliver, BC where we hooked up with friends on their annual pilgrimage to this valley. The second week was spent at Mabel Lake provincial park just north of Lumby, BC. A lovely wooded campground that we shared with old Yukon friends that now live in Victoria, BC. On our return trip to Alberta we managed to squeeze in a couple more nights of camping west of Calgary with family before setting our sights on Europe.

Tight squeeze at Lakeside

MacKillop peers from his roost

Okanagan reflect

Chillin' kids

Lake bomb with the Macky boys

OK harvest

U pickers

Catching up with Whitehorse friends in Naramata

The champs of the Lakeside sand castle contest

Mostly what happens at Lakeside

Our morbid creation - Wakeside

Friends since kindergarden

Sullivan contemplates Mabel

Island time with Casson and Fuv

Finding peace on Mabel's shores

Sofia spit?

"Uncle Jeff, do you want to play?"

Lindsay enjoying Mabel Lake

Thursday, 1 August 2013

Journey back to Lake O'Hara

One of the fondest memories I have of my childhood were our excursions into Lake O'Hara, Yoho National Park. This summer we spent 3 glorious days based from the Elizabeth Parker Hut hiking and exploring amongst the exquisite mountains and lakes. This has to be one of the most beautiful places in the Rockies and includes one of the finest trail networks.