Whether you’re interested in bartering, bird watching, botany, hiking, hunting, fishing, photography or pancakes, you can indulge your passions outdoors in the coming months around the Okanagan.
First, we feast on pancakes at the annual Kalamoir Community Pancake Breakfast at the regional park in West Kelowna, tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for a $3 donation.
Then, we go for a guided hike with a park interpreter through Kalamoir Regional Park, sleuthing invasive plants that have taken up residence in this panoramic, hillside, waterfront park tucked away in Lakeview Heights. It’s a beautiful hike with fabulous views.
The breakfast is on the beach near the lower parking lot at the end of Collens Hill Road and the hike begins there at 10:30 a.m. And, it’s free.
If you’d like more incentive to get started on a regular walking program, join the free Tracks Walking Club put on by the regional district at the EECO in Mission Creek Regional Park and receive a walking journal, tips, seminars and motivational tips.
The program is seven weeks, from this week, each Monday and Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. along the greenway and in the park.
Tomorrow is also customer appreciation day at Weber and Markin Gunsmiths on Powick Road in Kelowna, where Chris Weber has been providing customers with his vast knowledge and craftsmanship relating to all sorts of firearms for 25 years this year.
He calls it his Hunting Season Kick-off and invites everyone to drop by the “best little gun shop” for coffee and doughnuts (emphasis on the little, I think). He promises some special deals and even some ‘special abuse’ for his regulars—not the same old everyday abuse.
We’re lucky to have gunsmiths like Chris and Steve Markin here. They are also part of the American Custom Gunmakers’ Guild and do work for clients from coast to coast. Congrats guys.
Everyone is invited to join members of the Central Okanagan Naturalists’ Club at their regular monthly meeting Tues., Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at Evangel Church on Gordon Drive to hear botanist and ecologist Terry McIntosh talk about new plant discoveries in the Okanagan.
The next day, he will lead a botany field trip beginning at 9 a.m., meeting at the Apple Bowl parking lot.
As kokanee begin their annual migration into local streams to spawn before dying, the EECO also offers a kokanee interpretive program Tuesdays through Sundays, as well as well as programs weekends in Hardy Falls Regional Park in Peachland at noon and 4 p.m. For more info, go to the website at: regionaldistrict.com/parks
And, at one of my favourite provincial parks, Fintry, the Friends of Fintry are holding a Trunk and Tailgate Sale Sun., Sept. 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with proceeds going to continued restoration efforts of the historic buildings on the site.
Those wishing to sell their produce, jams or family treasures from their vehicle will be asked to pay $10 to set up on the lawn, while adults wishing to browse will be asked to contribute $2. All will enjoy live music, from the likes of Rob Dinwoodie and there’ll be food concession stands as well.
Tours of the historic granite Manor House will be $5 each, with pumpkin bread and apple cider.
Judie Steeves writes about outdoors issues for the Capital News.
jsteeves@kelownacapnews.com
