Category: Okanagan

Osoyoos is a really beautiful place to visit, and the drive to get there takes you through lush vineyards and orchards framed by the backdrop of a semi-arid desert. The cultural centre makes for a nice break from the heat and is a great way to learn about local traditional culture and history, as well as to see some local wildlife. It is owned and operated by the Osoyoos Indian Band. If you visit their website they sometimes have coupons you can download for 10% off the entrance fee or your purchases in the gift shop.

Website:http://www.nkmipdesert.com/

Things of note:

• There is plenty of dedicated parking and there are a few labelled disability spots closer to the entrance (you need a tag to park in them, of course).
• There are ramps leading up to the centre from the main parking lot but they are rough gravel, as is the main ramp into the entrance. Alternatively, there are cement steps.
• There are no stairs to navigate inside.
• The washroom and all other areas of the facility are wheelchair accessible.
• There are some outdoor trails you can walk that are also gravel. If you plan to hike them, bring lots of water, sunscreen, and dress appropriately. In this case, that actually means that long, loose pants are preferable. There are plenty of snakes in the area, including venomous rattle snakes. Of course, they do their best to avoid people and the centre offers plenty of information about how to proceed safely.
• Multiple times per day you can watch the snake show in a small theatre-like room. There are steps to get to different levels of seating but there is also a ramp on one side that I saw someone in a wheelchair use while we were there. During the show you will get to see a live rattlesnake, feel the skin of any resident snakes that have recently shed, and watch/listen to a presentation by a youth and an expert who is working in the area (she’s studying gestation and birth places of local snakes in hopes of having certain land protected on behalf of the snakes). The young many who gave the presentation did an excellent job!
• The seats in the theatre area are not particularly wide. I was only just comfortable and that’s after having lost 50+ pounds this year.
• There are other places to sit inside and out, including sturdy wooden benches and cement benches in an amphitheatre style outside.

The indoor exhibits are small but there are a few things that are particularly interesting to me. The first is a device that you feed cards through. The card has a word written in English as well as the local indigenous dialect and when the card feeds through the machine you can listen to the word being spoken. I am interested in the indigenous dialects in Canada so I was amused and delighted by this device (pictured  directly below).

I have visited this centre once before, more than a few years ago now, and I was looking forward to one exhibit in particular. Unfortunately, it turned out it was closed for maintenance during this visit. It’s a round room where you sit on benches around the edges. Curtains cover the entrance so that you are sitting in the dark. Then, you are treated to local traditional stories told via a recording, including some drumming, chanting, and music accompanied by projections on the walls. It is a relaxing, magical sort of experience and I’m glad I experienced it before. I hope the exhibit will be up and running again next year.

Above: Not to worry! This rattlesnake is behind glass but comes out during the snake information sessionssssssss.

Outside, there are sculptures that represent traditional ways of life for the local indigenous people. Additionally, there are oversized sculptures of insects and local wildlife. There are some binoculars set up so that you can spy on the big osprey nest, as well. The nest was full of birds while we were there.

The gift shop is a fun place to pick up some souvenirs or beautiful indigenous art work in many forms (purses, mugs, scarves, prints, canvases, carvings, etc.). I’m trying to make a point of not purchasing anything I don’t really need or that isn’t consumable right now so I didn’t buy anything, but I did pick up some beautiful nectarines and golden plums directly from a farmer who had a stand on the road leading to the centre. There are a few stalls along the road so stop by and get some fresh, ripe fruit for a tasty snack and support local farmers!

 

 

We like to make an annual visit to the Kangaroo Creek Farm, and it’s a wonderful place to take friends and family when they’re visiting from out of town.

I want to be clear that I’m normally not a fan of zoos or aquariums in that the animals in them are often clearly miserable and living in conditions that are not suited to their needs. That said, I can’t help but notice how well-loved and cared for all of the animals are at Kangaroo Creek Farm, and that their needs obviously come first. There are restricted hours for visiting so that the animals get plenty of time away from the public, careful instructions are given about how to behave (and how not to behave) around the animals, there are sections where the animals are permitted but humans are not so that any wallaby or kangaroo that doesn’t want to socialize with people can hang out in the shade  and not be touched, and there is always plenty of staff around to supervise.

The animals have a lot of room, are well socialized, and I’ve never seen an animal that appeared to be in distress due to humans at this place.  I say it that way because I did watch a little gang of male ducks unkindly chase a female duck out of a pond and she was clearly not pleased about it but that seems to be more about natural pecking order than anything “man made”. Also, the term “farm” is a bit of a loose one in that animals are not being bred and sold for meat here. It is clear to me that the owners put a lot of love and hard work into making a nice life for the animals.

Things of note:

• The farm has dedicated parking but it fills up early. There is free street parking but it is limited and is also very busy. We have always found a spot but coming right before opening time (10am) to find a spot is your best bet.
• There are a few designated disability spots directly inside the farm, and you must display your disability tag to park there.
• The driveway leading down to the farm is very steep but it is paved.  One thing of note here is that there is a spot to turn around near the entrance at the bottom of the driveway, and we saw others drive down to let out elderly family members who had mobility challenges. When we paid our entrance fee, my husband asked the woman if he could please pull down to the bottom at the end of our visit as I’ve been having a particularly difficult time with my knees for the last little while (what he actually asked was along the lines of “Will it be alright if I just pull down to the bottom of the driveway when we’ve finished so that I can pick up my wife as she’s having some mobility issues?”). The woman at the gate indicated that only people with a disability tag could park at the bottom. He tried to explain that he wasn’t looking to park but just to pick me up and leave right away, as we saw multiple other vehicles do on our visit. The woman indicated again that we weren’t really welcome to do that. That encounter made me feel incredibly uncomfortable. I sometimes have a hard time speaking up when I’m looking to have my own needs met (the irony is that my career involves advocating for others, and I’m comfortable and confident doing that, but I digress) but I’ve been working on that. This experience made me feel very self-conscious about my body and its limitations. In the end, I left a little bit early, ahead of the others who were with me, so that I could make the long, steep climb back up the driveway at a very slow pace while taking a couple of short breaks for my aching joints. All of that said, I do still think this place is worth visiting based on every other wonderful experience I’ve had there. I refuse to let a single instance of ignorance (unintentional as it probably was) ruin a nice day!
• This is a farm; there is uneven ground, animal droppings, etc. so be aware of your surroundings and footing.
• There are port-a-pottys onsite for public use.
• There are plenty of places to sit down including metal lawn chairs with arms (a bit pinchy for me), long sturdy wooden benches, and sturdy wooden picnic tables.  I appreciate the variety of places to sit when I need a little break.

Above: I get what they’re going for here and I’m sure they have to deal with all kinds of “silly” things. I agree that people should not use the “handicapped parking” without tags but, given my experience at the entrance, this felt a bit insulting. This sign is not at the entrance but is next to the “handicapped parking” spots further into the farm. I get it, because I want people who need the spaces to have access to them, but for people with invisible disabilities who aren’t using tags this kind of sign doesn’t feel kind. I’m not wearing high heels; I’m wearing knees that are riddled with pain and inflammation. Also, we didn’t want to park or even stop near the “handicapped parking” and we were still made to feel as though we were asking for something unreasonable. Again, the world does not revolve around my needs, and having a good time shouldn’t be ruined by my insecurities about some of the physical things I’m struggling with right now so onward and upward to the real stars of this place!

We are told that kangaroos and wallabies enjoy a lot of snoozing in the heat, especially after a nice breakfast. I think they have life figured out!

Above: This little group was hanging out in the shade of some tents in an area where humans weren’t to bother them, as indicated by some rope.

Above: Staff offer food pellets that you can feed to the kangaroos and wallabies.

Above: This gorgeous little goat was hanging around offering to take any stray food pellets off our hands. The goats are kept in a separate area. You can still pet them through the fence but I imagine that keeping the goats and kangaroos/wallabies separate is probably for their own safety.

As you will see from the pictures below, there are a lot of birds to be seen!

Above: These fluffy chickens are adorable. They look like feather dusters.

Above: This is the little gang of ducks that took over the pond and chased out the female. You can tell they’re trouble just by looking at them. ;o)  Also, we later discovered that maybe all the chasing was a bit of…ahem…foreplay. Ha!

Above: This emu likes to patrol the fence. There was a little boy who was keeping a bit of distance between himself and the emu but was pacing along the perimeter behind him. It was very cute and the two of them had quite a game of it.

Above: Baby emus! They are like little dinosaurs!

Above: A duck with bedhead. Hee!

Above: There are a few different types of parrots including Cockatoos, an African Grey (that one sat on my shoulder for a while), and some other varieties that I’m not as familiar with. They were all characters and I’m very comfortable around large birds. I particularly enjoyed this cockatoo.

The kangaroos and the wallabies are the main attraction and many of them seem to enjoy a good pet and some pellets.

This fellow (picture below) seemed to truly enjoy people scratching his back, though I won’t include the pictures with people in them for their own privacy.

Below: Look at these beautiful little wallabies:

 

Below: A picturesque scene on the farm.

Last, but certainly not least are the capybaras, friend to all the animals!

There are plenty of other lovely creatures to be discovered including sugar gliders, pigs, a magnificent snake, baby kangaroos to swaddle, and so much more but I’ll leave it up to you to go and discover them for yourself.

 

 

 

 

Planet Bee Honey Farm is a sweet place to spend a sunny morning or afternoon or even just to stock up on some treats and other goodies to take home.

Things of note:

• Planet Bee Honey Farm has its own dedicated parking.
• There are no stairs to contend with to get inside or around in the main building.
• There are folding metal, padded chairs (no arms) to sit on inside where you can watch a presentation about bees at different times of day, but you can feel free to use the chairs at any time of day.
• Outside, there are sturdy plastic/metal picnic tables in a few shady spots where you can sit and relax.
• Be aware that there is some uneven ground in certain areas. This is a working farm.
• There are, as one would expect on a bee farm, many bees around the property. Clearly, there is a risk of bee sting and those with allergies should prepare themselves appropriately.
• This place gets very busy in the afternoons because of tour bus visitors. If you dislike crowds or are concerned about navigating inside the building with a mobility device when it is crowded then you may want to visit in the morning.
• All of the staff we encountered was very friendly, despite how busy it was, and we were immediately greeted upon entering.

It was very busy when we visited on a sunny afternoon so I didn’t take any pictures of the inside as I try not to take pictures of other people when I can help it (and even when I do, I try to manage pictures where people’s privacy is still maintained). This place is a great place to gift shop, though! There are health products, beauty products, candy and snacks, beeswax candles and so much more.  They offer mead tastings, which come in a variety of flavours, and there is a station where you can try all of their wonderful flavours of honey. I purchased a jar of lavender honey that is divinely floral and sweet!

I also decided to try one of their skin care products, a honey rose toner. Between wearing sunscreen all the time and sweating in this heat I find my face needs a good cleaning before bed but so many products are hard on my sensitive skin that is prone to hives and other rash-like symptoms since developing an auto-immune disorder of some kind. I’ve been using the toner every evening for about a week now and it hasn’t caused any allergic-type responses. A big YAY for that!

A visit here is a nice way to learn about different types of pollinators as well as determine the best plants that we can add to our gardens in order to support bees in their tireless work. Bees are so important to our ecosystem and people of all ages are welcome to come learn about them here!

 

The Okanagan Heritage Museum is located in the downtown core and is easily accessible by bus in that it’s located next to a large transfer station. We decided to visit the museum again because we had family visiting from another country and the recent outbreak of forest fires had made the air quality a bit poor, so day indoors was a good choice. The museum has some permanent exhibits but it also has temporary ones so there is often something new to see.

Things of note:

• Easily accessible by bus and also has dedicated pay parking right out front.
• The museum is wheelchair accessible with ramps and stairs, though I do think the building is older and that the ramps are a bit narrower than some I’ve seen, but it’s probably safe to assume that the ramps are up to code.
• There is plenty of space between exhibits if you require the use of a mobility device.
• There are a few places to sit down if you need a rest, including some fold up metal (cushioned) chairs where you can watch some short videos about the local Indigenous Peoples, bench seats inside the pit house, and a few larger padded chairs in the temporary bathing suit exhibit.
• The bathrooms are wheelchair accessible.

Above: Front Entrance.

Above: An “ALL-USER” washroom.

Above: An important, touching exhibit about people who are homeless in Kelowna. Everyone deserves safety, shelter, and opportunities.

Above: Sports memorabilia. I admit that I’m not a sports fan, myself, but there is something for everyone at the museum!

Above: There are many old photographs and permanent exhibits that showcase pictures and information about Kelowna’s beginnings.

Above:  Much of the original railway in Canada was built on the backs of Chinese people who were little more than slaves. Those who remained in Canada made homes and lives here, and Chinese communities or “Chinatowns” still exist in some places. While Kelowna doesn’t currently have a “Chinatown” it seems that there was one here in the past. According to the Kelowna Now website: “Chinatown existed in the 200 block north of Harvey Ave, south of Leon Avenue, east of Abbott Street between Harvey and Leon.” Source: https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Kelowna/17/04/13/Okanagan_Throwback_Chinatown/?fb_comment_id=1445558915464848_1460358210651585#f302ca752b1f232

Above: The dragon costume reminds me of seeing the larger ones in parades in my childhood, in Victoria.

Above: Elextric Xylopohone, anyone? As you can see this piece is behind glass but I sure wish we could have played it.

Above: The local Indigenous Peoples of the Okanagan built pit houses that helped them to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This replica is a nice place to have a rest and listen to some local Indigeous musicians from a recording you can play inside it pit house.

Above: This blanket is iconic to Canadians as a recognized pattern of what was once the Hudson Bay Trading Company. What I appreciate about this exhibit is that it speaks a truth that Canada has spent a lot of years covering up; Colonization (in the past and today) has included cultural and literal genocide. The little plaque explains that smallpox was often transmitted through blankets and killed unknown numbers of Indigenous Peoples. What we do know, is that whole families and even entire communities were decimated. The only chance at moving forward it to recognize the truth and be open and willing to reconcile.

I am typing this from unceded territory of the Syilx/Okanagan Peoples.

Above: There are some interesting fossils and footprints to be found at the museum including this Therapod footprint and an impressively detailed fish fossil.

Above: There are a number of taxidermied animals and birds on display including this oddity.

Above: One of the current temporary exhibit shows bathing suits through the decades. It’s a great summer addition to the museum and I enjoyed seeing many of the different patterns and fabrics.

Above: Ogopogo sighting!

These are just a sampling of what there is to discover at the Okanagan Heritage Museum. I encourage you to explore it for yourself!

 

 

Giobean is a lovely spot for a light breakfast or lunch and in the warmer months you can sit outside in the sunshine and people watch in the downtown area.

Things of Note:

• Parking is sometimes an issue. What is available is metered parking along the streets and it can sometimes be difficult to find a spot close by.
• There are no stairs to deal with inside or out.
• The bathroom is a single-use room that is wheelchair accessible.
• The inside seating consist of sturdy chairs without arms that can be moved as needed, as well as padded seats along the wall. It is not incredibly spacious and the place is often busy, especially on weekends. While it would be possible to navigate with certain mobility devices, space might make that a challenge when it’s particularly busy. I visited on a weekday morning this particular time and it wasn’t crowded.
• The outdoor seating is metal and very sturdy but it does have arms that can be uncomfortable if you are larger. In the last 5 months I have managed to lose 50 pounds (mostly thanks to being off prednisone for now) so I was able to sit in the outdoor seats with only a small bit of discomfort rather than actual pain. At my heavier sizes those chairs have been very uncomfortable.
• There are giant umbrellas outside that can be adjusted, depending on whether you’d like sun or shade. The sun has been causing some flare-up symptoms for me lately so I was happy to have a bit of shade.
• Dogs are welcome in the outside area and a big dish is kept full of water out by the sidewalk for any doggies that need some hydration.
• There are posts for locking up bikes right outside the café including some of the new rental bikes that are all over the city (they are $1/hour, according to the little sign on them).
• If you sit outside, be prepared to have bird friends that eagerly await any crumbs you might drop.

My husband is particular about his coffee, having spent most of his life living in Europe, and he particularly enjoys the coffee here. I nearly always have tea, more specifically a non-fat London Fog latte, and they make theirs only very slightly sweetened which is refreshing.

They make wonderful pastries! As you can see from this picture, my companions had chocolate croissants and I had a lovely raisin scone with my London Fog latte.

You will find plenty of pastries, hot and cold drinks, and sandwiches here, as well as some gluten-free items that are wrapped and stored separately to avoid cross-contamination and rich, creamy gelato in the summertime.

So, while it isn’t always the most accessible place in terms of parking or space, this is still my favourite place to have a little breakfast date.