Stumbling With Scissors: The Heat Wave A Week Too Late

The heat wave has struck Alberta! Wowza, has she been a cooker. 30+ degrees for the last week…but alas, as the post title states, a week too late!

We just got back from a two week vacation in the Okanagan in British Columbia. This has been a yearly summer tradition now (for me this is year 6, for my hubby, his 4^th). It holds such great memories for us, as this is where we got engaged two years ago. We weren’t able to go last year (instead we purchased our first home and got married, which I think was a great trade!), so we were both just itching to get back there!

The only downside: crappy weather! The Okanagan is known for its warm weather, sunshine and vineyards….we got clouds, rain and vineyards! We were totally skunked this year in that department but we trooped through and didn’t let it ruin our time out there.

Growing up, my family spent summers at the cabin that my dads’ parents own. Our “camping” was putting up the tent on the lawn up there and playing cowboys and Indians. So about 6 years ago, when I discovered camping, I was hooked. This was so new to me and I just love it. We do it right too…none of this fancy RV-ing type camping. We stick with the tent, the tarp hung in the trees to cover us from the elements, and until this summer, cooking our steaks right over the fire. It is perfect and great to get out into the bush and “build a fort”.

After six years of staring at beautiful Okanagan Lake, my dreams came true and I finally got to water ski on it. We decided to splurge and rent a boat for a few days so that we could get out there and really check out the scenery. Though the weather didn’t cooperate too much with us, the company that we rented the boat from (http://www.summerlandwatersports.com/) was so fantastic and worked with us to make sure that we truly had a great experience!

Also a new first: breaking my vineyard virginity and heading out to visit beautiful Mission Hill Winery. My hubby (who does not drink alcohol…opposed to me who, ahem, may…) even tried a sampling of a few of the wines. The landscape and vineyard literally took our breath away! We had a wonderful lunch on the Terrace Patio with a friend from home who is working out there this summer. If you ever get the chance to head out there, I totally recommend staying for lunch. Wonderful wine parings with the meal...great service and a spectacular view!