Okanagan Sunrise

Kelowna, Britih Columbia

There must be no better way to start a day than breakfast with a beautiful woman on a balcony of a four hundred year old hotel in the White Alps of Italy, but a twenty-mile ride along Canada’s Riviera must be close behind. Kelowna is one of those magical places where people live their lives outside in public places. Living in such a stunning place would make it difficult to stay inside and merely stare at a plasma screen. The series of natural lakes in the Okanagan Valley are home to well-heeled retirees and oil executives from Alberta who have built second-home palaces here. They have created an amazingly pleasing environment in the city. In minutes one can be on a bike and into the edge of mountain wilderness.

After a nice sleep of seven hours, I awoke to a clear day and within minutes was on my mountain bike riding through a necklace of magnificent city parks strung along the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake. These green oases are speckled with blooms of every possible color. I am reminded of how the cool climate in England is conducive to blooms lasting forever. So it is here.

Between these fine parks is the most amazing assortment of truly splendid architecture. Along the lake is a mosaic of houses ranging from non-descript lake houses built in the 1940s to spectacular 8,000 square foot houses built this year in authentic craftsman style. Everything in between is represented as well. The use of cedar, stone, and glass is truly satisfying. Much like Frank Lloyd Wright did in his work, the architects here let the materials themselves provide the decoration. Notable of most of these houses are the very large windows. Canadians love the outdoors and they like to be in contact with the natural beauty of their land, even when in their houses.

There is certainly something heartening about being out in the midst of people who are so health and fitness oriented. Joggers, cyclists, walkers are out greeting their day, often in the company of their dogs. Today we were in different company. A 400-pound black bear came down out of the mountains at the far end of the trail. A beautiful Italian woman had just come up out of the mountain river with her dog, dripping ice-cold water. She was in animated fashion talking about this bear that she had just seen cross the water while chasing down the spawning salmon. I petted her dog. She and the dog calmed down. We parted. Moments later I saw the bear loping towards me at medium gallop from the nearby roadway. The woman and her dog made post haste one direction. I was on a bike so easily put plenty of space between any potential suitors and me.

The ride back was uneventful and I arrived to find a splendid breakfast of pancakes, fresh fruit, and juice waiting for me. I’m off to the hot tub. Life is good today.