Smoke on the KVR trail

The smoke didn't clear during the night. Instead we woke up to more smoke and the annoying smell of fire place. So we had a quiet morning, plenty of time for breakfast before we decided to head for the KVR trail and bike a short section of it. Mikkel guided us towards the trail head and found his very own. A 30 minute endurance hike on small unpaved paths going uphill most of the way. He didn't get too much credit but we made it to the trail. Then it was kind of flat going towards the small tunnel where we did some excellent photos of the lake and the valley last time we were here.Not today. Everything was grey and quiet.

We headed back towards town and left the bikes at our house. A short lunch and then we decided to go for a few more wine tastings on the way down to Penticton where Mark had to pick up his car. Mikkel was the dedicated driver, so he stayed sober, while Malene and Mark managed to do the tastings at Elephant Island, Poplar Grove and La Frenz. Good tastings and interesting wines.

We made it back to down town Penticton and had a swim in the lake before saying goodbye to Mark. He was heading back to Vancouver. We went back to our house and started to see if the back packs were still capable of holding all our stuff.

Last day in Canada tomorrow. Leaving for the US after and epic month of travels in British Colombia and Alberta.

Our nice AirBnB The Apple Grove Farmhouse in Naramata

Will we ever get to the KVR-Trail??

We found the KVR-trail

Absolutely no view

Malene and Mark

Just imagine apple orchards, vineyards and a lake in the background

Tasting different kinds of fruit wine

There really is a lake there behind the trees

How did our things ever fit in the backpacks?

More wine tasting

Mark joined us this morning. Or actually, we had to morning to ourselves, enjoying the view, the weather and the patio. And a nice slow breakfast. Mark almost found the direct way to Naramata so he enjoyed us around noon.

As soon as Mark arrived we sent him to Penticton to rent at bike and we got on our bikes and headed down town to meet him. Then we headed towards the wineries and started the tasting at a few of the places close to town. We did drive a bit up the KVR and ended late in the afternoon on Hillside Winery - the place we also visited last time.

They have an excellent garden where we could hang out and enjoy some wine in the sunshine. And then the haze came. First it was only visible in the distance but half an hour later we could smell the distinct smell of "fire place" in the air. The smoke from the Washington fires had arrived and they covered the sky. So instead of a sunny evening on our patio we had more tapas indoors. Fingers crossed the smoke will be gone by tomorrow.

Just love the view

Mark getting his bike - ready for the KVR

First winery stop

Cheers

Apple slush so refreshing and delicious

Buying local vegetables for our dinner

Hillside winery - still sunny

And then the smoke came. No more sun or view

Tapas