Penticton, British Columbia

Penticton is British Columbia's city of events which include the Penticton Peach Festival, the Ironman Triathlon, Okanagan Wine Festival, the Elvis Festival and Children's Festival. It is also a city for outdoor adventure with its ideal weather conditions.

Nestled in a valley between mountains and two lakes it offers boating and fishing on both Skaha and Okanagan Lakes, kayak rentals, parasailing, kite surfing and other water sports. There are eighty-eight wineries within an hour's drive of Penticton, golfing, hiking, cycling, rock climbing, horseback riding, museums and galleries to visit, parks and biking the Kettle Valley Railway Trail. And my all-time favorite, a lazy float down the Channel on inner tubes with friends and a necessary beverage of your choice. It is approximately a one and a half hour float to about the half-way point where a bus will pick you and your tubes up and return you to your car. To go the entire way to the lake entrance will take over three hours of wonderful floating pleasure.

There is something for everyone in this Okanagan city – water slides, Apex Mountain recreation area or the boutiques and unique shops, some in original buildings dating back to the early 1900's. There is also the S.S. Sicamous to tour, a historic paddle wheeler located on the south shore of the Okanagan Lake.

Another great adventure is a trip on the Kettle Valley Railway steam train. This 1912 restored steam locomotive will take you on a ninety minute journey through orchards and vineyards with a view of the lake. Events such as the Great Train Robbery will be held where you'll meet the notorious Garnett Valley Gang. This trip will include a barbeque dinner with musical entertainment.

Another interesting feature of a visit to Penticton is the possibility of seeing Ogopogo of Lake Okanagan. It is suspected of being twenty to fifty feet long with an undulating serpent-like body. Local Aboriginal people reported sightings many years prior to the first Caucasian sighting in 1870 and reports of sightings continue to this day. Ogopogo has been reported to be seen from as close as fifty to one hundred feet away. It is said that this lake creature can move with astounding speed.

Is it real or a myth? Of the numerous people who swear to have seen it, they say it is real. But on a visit to Penticton, you will probably arrive with a healthy dose of skepticism but your eyes wide open – just in case you have a story of a life-time to tell on your return home. We never have seen Ogopogo on any of our visits but I haven't completely relegated the story to that of being a myth.

Penticton, because of its wonderful weather conditions, is great for growing luscious fruit, particularly peaches so it's an ideal opportunity to load up your trunk with some of the bounty on your visit. Accommodations are also readily available.

On a visit to our beautiful province of British Columbia, Penticton with all it has to offer, is not a place to miss.