At this stage of our lives, my husband, Brent, and I seem to be re-learning the 3 R’s.
No, thank heavens, it’s not reading, writing and arithmetic.
With our roving home in tow, it’s all about RVing, Recreating and Relaxing.
B.C. is home to more than 1,500 campgrounds and, during this trip, we discover the arid Okanagan is the perfect place to buff up on these basics.
Dozens of sites dot the sagebrush hills and tranquil lakeshores and, at campingrvbc.com, we have a list of choices, photos and campground information at our fingertips — ranging from national and provincial parks to properties that are privately operated.
“Let’s take a camping trip down memory lane,” Brent suggests when panning the options. “Lake Okanagan Provincial Park was a family favourite when I was growing up.”
After checking this link, it’s easy to see why.
The 98-hectare oasis, rimmed by a swim-safe beach, is nestled into a grove of pine.
It’s divided into two campgrounds — the South, where sites snuggles together on a lakeshore jetty, and the North, with lake-viewing spots that terrace the hillside. Although there are no electrical or water hook-ups for our RV, there are hot showers and flush toilets.
And the sites are spacious enough for our 28-foot fifth wheel.
With a quick click to discovercamping.ca, our reservation is made and, less than a month later ,we’re living our Lake Okanagan dream.
“This is the life,” Brent says from a lazy lounger.
Although seeking solace is certainly part of our learning goal, there’s an abundance of activity just steps from our RV door.
Water-skiers and windsurfers join swimmers and fishing folk — and there’s also plenty of activity for all of us land-lovers.
The two campgrounds are linked together by an interpretive trail and, along the way, we check out regional flora and fauna.
Columbia and chocolate lily, flourish next to wildflowers, canopied by stately ponderosa pine.
Ground squirrels scurry beneath the prolific groundcover and meadowlarks flicker while quail take flight above.
Then there are the squigglers.
As I read about the harmless gopher snakes, my feet go into river-dance mode.
“Don’t fret,” Brent reassures. “They’re more afraid of you.”
Even though I find this hard to believe, it doesn’t stop me from trekking on.
The nearby town of Summerland offers a network of recreational pathways, some that also lure those on bicycle and horseback. You can step back in time while checking out Centennial Trail, a 4.5-kilometre loop that intersects with the original township and snakes through desert grasses.
There’s that ‘S’ word again. Yes, watch out for the rattlers, too!
Bird lovers will be drawn to the six-kilometre Rotary Route when detouring to the Adams Bird Sanctuary. And a stroll through Summerland Ornamental Gardens is a must-see for horticulturists.
On our second day, we stroll through the Gardens, a horticulturist’s delight located high above Highway 97.
Spanning its bordering gorge is Trout Creek Railway Bridge, a trestle of metal that hangs 73 meters (240 feet) above the canyon floor.
On this remaining section of preserved track, the Kettle Valley Steam Railway, a 1912 fully-restored locomotive, shares the scenic sites of today with rail travel from a bygone era. It’s a 90- minute journey that appeases kids of all ages.
There are plenty of other pastimes in this Okanagan playground that will bring out your inner child.
Check out Peachland’s eight-sided museum, drift the river channel to Skaha Lake on a Coyote Cruise inner tube ride or boost your adrenaline with one of the exhilarating options at Penticton’s LocoLanding. Bumper boats, ropes course, climbing wall.
And there is the fun-loving mini-golf.
I think of the past three glorious days of RVing, recreating and relaxing and add one more R to the list.
Rejuvenation — it’s all good.
Travel Writers’ Tales is an independent travel-article syndicate.
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