In the Okanogan at Osoyoos lake

I love the Okanogan, British Columbia's central valley very much, after the Kootenays.  The valley, shielded from the western rain by the Coastal and the Cascade mountains, is known for its large lakes, its abundant fruit orchards and vineyards and abundant sunshine.  I'd say it's Tuscany in Canada.  Or Canada's Napa valley. 

I'm always amazed about the sudden transition from green cool mountain woods into the more arid hills and the irrigated valleys.  

NK'Mip Desert Cultural Center

We went to the NK'Mip Desert Cultural Center, by the Osoyoos Indian Band to learn more about the local desert landscapes again, the Syilx aboriginal nation and the wine culture.  At their cultural center you get the best of the valley all combined in one. 

We went on a guided tour with an indigenous tour guide telling about her culture, the rediscovery and relearning of their native language that is ongoing in the community, how the band elementary school had prevented in the past community children to be sent to the residential schools etc.  
In the desert surrounding she taught us how the local trees and plants were used and how her people migrated in the seasons down from the valley up into the mountains to harvest. 

The South of Okanogan has the same desert as from the south of the USA with the same type of cactusses: only here due to the long cold winters they only grow a few inches high. 

All of a sudden we heard a rattle nearby and sure enough we spotted the tail of a rattlesnake a bit further in the grass.  We all had to wait at distance until the snake decided to make a move.   Kabouter was quite stressed out and hid behind our legs in the back.  Once the rattlesnake was gone into the landscape, he was tapping with his stick like a mad man to ensure he'd not surprise any further snakes.  

Yep these are no joke! 

Inside the centre we also attended an exposee by a biologist about the local snakes and how to handle them.  

After all this interesting education in the sun, we figured it was time to go for some wine tasting and buying.   And then on our way back we stocked up lots of delicious local fruit from one of the many fruit stands along the road. 

For the rest of our time here, we decided to just chill and relax in our hotel as we had done the evening before. We had deliberately booked 2 nights in a hotel resort with its own beach so the children could have some beach time.  And we sure did enjoy that relaxing time but also the access to lots of water as the ongoing heat wave was going up to new heights.  What a delicious place to hang out.   
These "resort hotels" have a little kitchen and the children enjoyed to have a home cooked dinner and eat "at home" in our apartment room after 10 days of restaurants.   It was with great regret that they checked out after 2 days...yes I definitely could stay much longer in the Okanogan as well.  But the Kootenays were calling us. 

The Eagle Bluff fire: 

Flashback to July 31st: While we were preparing our suitcases it came into the news (even the Belgian headlines!!) that a forest fire in Canada at the US border was out of control and demanded the evacuation of part of the town. 

Knowing that you'll be there 12 days later is a bit stressful.  While following the local news, I could see all the spectacular images of the mountain across the lake of our hotel on fire.  My Canadian friends responded rather serene and just hoped for me that the valley wouldn't be too smokey when we'd come.  Forest fires are a part of life in Canada...summer is for a reason named as "fire season".  I installed the BC fire app on my phone so I could track & report fires in the area and get the evacuation alerts and orders if needed.  As a Western - European, not living in the Mediterrean ,  forest fires are not something I am used to live with. 
I packed some FPP2 face masks to protect us against the smoke if needed. 

Fortunately we saw already before leaving that the Eagle Bluff Fire, despite multiplying in size a few times took the good turn and expanded away from the city and the evacuation orders could be lifted before we went. And during our trip the highway 3 closure was lifted as well so the entire situation had normalized. 
But the traces were very clear and very impressive right up to the highway edge (hence the closure).   We could see how the firefighters had proactively lighted the mountains and hillsides near the highway and cities in a controlled manner to take away the fire's fuel and progress. 

It was for us a very impressive sight, and apparently it was just a forerunner of what "fire season" was up to in this beautiful valley and its inhabitants and how fire could impact our trip. 

Spot the 2 firefighters still putting out some hotspots on the hill while we drove by