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Enjoying the Vernon area - by Kathie Scott

I guess we live in one of the most glorious places in the world. From end to end and top to bottom there is grandeur in the wilderness and charm in the communities. But you know all that. I’m going to tell you about things that matter to me as a person. I hope they are things that matter to you, too.

Let’s start in the North Okanagan. The Coquihalla Highway is wide and fast and the scenery is spectacular. It is worth every nickel of the toll for the views alone and the safe speeds that take you into the Interior.

Be sure to stop at a service station before you get to the toll gate. Hope BC has a number of stations, because there is only one till you reach Merritt. I stopped there and the proprietor told me that when it rains there is a tendency for vehicles to hydroplane so use caution with RV’s when the road is wet.

Because there are very few places you can turn around, if you stop at Merritt, be sure you are heading in the right direction when you come back onto the highway. I went 10 miles in the wrong direction before I could turn around. From Kelowna, there are two roads to Vernon, one on each side of Okanagan Lake. The east side is the fast road, the main highway, and the west side is slower, a twisty scenic road.

As you approach Kelowna, there are a number of traffic lights. The Westside Road is not too clearly marked so if you find yourself in Kelowna you have missed it. Stop for directions at a service station.
The Westside road will take you to Vernon in about two hours. That is a guess because you might want to stop along the way. It is a lovely road, largely through wilderness. And there is only one place to eat; there is a newly built resort with a restaurant.

About halfway along is the Ridgeview RV Resort and Marina that is nearing completion. It is a 5 star property that features a view of the lake from nearly every site. These lots are for sale and when the project opens, the park will be complete with a store, recreations facilities, hiking trails, swimming pools, clubhouse, cafe, etc. You are invited for a free 2-day visit but you must reserve by telephone (1 888 226 5566).

Just before you turn into Vernon, there is another RV resort where you can buy your lot or you can stay on a temporary basis. It is the Swan Lake Recreation Resort and the owned section will be open soon. The rental part is already open. The park sits right on the lake and the north end is a bird sanctuary. Bird watching is very popular in the Okanagan. Even though the highway runs alongside of the park, there is hardly any traffic noise because of the landscaping that keeps it green and quiet. Phone ahead to reserve for a free 2-day visit (1-250-558-1116). There are a number of other RV parks in the area.

Vernon is a town, rather than a city, yet it has everything nearby. What is doesn’t have is high rises. The tallest building I saw was four storeys. There are parking meters so it isn’t a small town but all of the downtown area is within easy walking distance. It is generally flat so getting around in a wheelchair is not a problem.

Towns are active places - there is plenty to do. There are sports organizations and an arts centre. There is a library in the centre of town and there are lots of restaurants, big and little. Vernon also has a university.
The people in Vernon are pleasant and friendly. They smile at strangers like me and we exchanged greetings. Anyone I asked questions of was helpful and obliging.

As I walked around, even though the highway goes through the town, I could smell flowers. There are many ways to classify a community but the three measure I use are high rises, parking meters and the smell of flowers. Air quality is very important to me; the traffic fumes in the city are reaching toxic levels these days.
Although it was midsummer and there were high temperatures, about 35 - 40 degrees, I didn’t find it stifling, probably because it was a bit breezy. Besides Okanagan Lake and Swan Lake, there is also Kalamalka Lake so perhaps that keeps it balmy. The evenings are certainly warmly pleasant.

Silver Star Resort is world famous for skiing in the winter and for hiking in the summer. There are new hotels built and individual rooms can be purchased. Silver Star is well worth a visit; it is about half an hour’s drive from Vernon - not far but high up. Vernon is a fruit growing region and there are stands all over. Stock up, it doesn’t get any better, anywhere.

The east side of Okanagan Lake is Highway 97 and will take you to Kelowna in about 45 minutes, maybe less. Another three or four hours will take you back to Vancouver on the Coquihalla Highway but there are other routes as well. One is through Penticton and the South Okanagan.

There will be more about other regions of BC in future issues. Please let me know about places you find that will be of interest to readers and I will try to visit and tell all.

At present, Kathie is writing a Directory of RV Parks and Resorts and invites Resorts to contact her for inclusion in the Directory.

Kathie Scott
c/o Panatech Management Consultants Inc.
7156 Circle Drive
Chilliwack BC V2R 2S4
Tel: 604-858-5620
E-mail: 2ronnies@dowco.com