On to wine country we go...

Looking back towards Highway 97C or the Okanagan connector, we have traveled a very high mountain pass to get to the incredible gorgeous views of Okanagan Lake.

Our first sneak peak at this massive body of water is just a hint of what's to come.

A quick stop at the head of the connector reveals a map of the many wineries in the area.  We are headed to Oliver, BC  for the next 3 days.... YIPPEE

Just before Oliver is the town of Peachland.   It's beauty was enthralling.  We must come back here!

We've so enjoyed this day of driving and stopping where ever and when ever we want.  What a wonderful place to spend some of our summer.

More of Okanagan Lake from the park that is Peachland!

The view across the lake towards Naramata,

Day one... Nicola Valley

We're off and running, the road trip through BC to and around wine country has begun.  Toss a few things in the car... who am I kidding, the sucker is full to the roof and we'll be lucky to be able to see anything out of the back window.  Getting off the island is a bit of a nightmare, the Nanaimo to Horseshoe bay ferry has a one sailing wait, on a Tuesday yet, so we blast through to Duke Point.  A quick jaunt up the Coquihalla highway to Merritt BC and we stop for the night to visit family.  Our first official day of touring starts off the next morning in the beautiful Nicola Valley.  We head up to the Nicola Ranch and the Quilchena cattle company, for any history buffs, it was established in 1887.

The Murray United Church, built in 1876 (originally St. Andrew's Church) was the first church in the Nicola valley. The cemetery was established in 1878 with gravestones dating back to 1873.

A quick glass of wine and nibble at the Quilchena Hotel, est 1908 and a bit of shopping at the Nicola Ranch store and our first day is almost over! 

Heading west towards Lower Nicola we have the gorgeous Nicola lake on our left. 

Through Merritt to Lower Nicola we pass unbelievably rustic and gorgeous scenery.

Day one is only 1/2 over with the best weather ever and some stunning photo's for the memory banks! Now we're on to highway 97C, the Okanagan connector to Oliver.

Visitors from on high

Last evening our neighbors dog (cutie little Poppy) had managed to look menacing enough ??? to tree a little raccoon.  I think he was just a baby, he looked so surprised and helpless. I felt quite sorry for him.  By the time I had my camera out a few more friends had joined him.

Why are you still there?

I want down from here!

Hey, what's going on over there?

Well climb down you baby, it's only a little dog.

See, I'm not afraid!

I don't know what you all are squawking about, Poppy is very friendly.

Ya right!  I'm staying up here for now!

That's right junior. You listen to your Mama.

Leave those kids alone, they're fine.

Well,  Poppy might want to play a little bit...

Maybe I'll just wait a while... she has to go in sometime soon.

a different point of view

I am sure there are days that my neighbors think I have lost it.  I will be laying on the ground under some plant taking pictures...  trying for a unusual perspective.  Today I decided to give up control (gasp) and let the camera do all the work. Holding the camera under the lily, I just snapped away.  I didn`t know what I had until I unloaded the card.  What a wonderful surprise!

I love how in this shot the background was in focus, not the lilies.  I think this is how I see without my glasses...

Here`s another odd perspective, I think I`ll call this one Tower of Flower. 

And when you focus down - the trees shadows look like lace on the ground.

And way way up, the rainbow ring around the sun is subtle and beautiful 

before & after

This post should be called "before and work in progress".  Let's be honest, in the garden there never is an after.  You are never really finished!  My lovely lavenders, planted along the edge of the driveway were so filled with weeds that you couldn`t distinguish one from the other. After some sweat, sore knees and a sore back (I`m getting too old for this crap) they look a tad better.    

This disgraceful mess was the fence line between us and our wonderful neighbors.  One day we ladies got fed up with the falling down fence and weeds so we went for it and cleared it all out.  Neither of us were crazy about  the idea of replacing the fence so we purchased a few beautiful clumping bamboo plants and started from there.  I cleaned up the garbage on our side (stuff Sweetie thought we would eventually use) hauled in some rocks from around the yard (yes, I have quite a collection) and that was that!  

On my side I`ve purchased a few new plants but mostly just relocated plants that are generous enough to multiply. I definitely need some more color in here (yes, didn`t I say we are never done) so will continue to tweak!

With a $6 can of Krylon paint for plastic and the best invention ever for DIYèr a spray can trigger from Lee Valley tools, the ugliest stained white lawn chair can be transformed into something you might want to sit on!  I have 5 more chairs to go.... just waiting for a day that isn`t so windy!

And then there are the before and after`s that you really have nothing to do with.  Summer has finally arrived, the plants are making good use of all the rain we have had, and are bolting in the sun!

how can you not love trees?

For a tree to become tall 

it must grow tough roots among the rocks

~Friedrich Nietzsche

Do not be afraid to go out on a limb ... That's where the fruit is. -Anonymous

The day I see a leaf  is a marvel of a day.-   Kenneth Patton

Noble, sacred and ancient

Trees reach the highest heavens and penetrate the deepest secrets of the earth-   Tree Magick by lavenderwater

And then there are other trees....was this once a woman, who maybe decided she loved trees so much she would rather be one?