When most people think about
Canada, they usually have
thoughts of great snowy forests, epic rocky mountains, and majestic rivers and
lakes. What they don't
| |
 |
| |
A
Combination of Desert and Lushness: Osoyoos, BC1 |
usually think about are deserts.
While there are vast expanses in the northern areas of the country that receive
little to no precipitation for the majority of the year, these spots in the tundra
are usually so cold no one associates them with cacti and rolling dunes that deserts
are famous for. So imagine the surprise of these people when they come across
Osoyoos, Canada's only hot
desert and summer wonderland. Hailed as one of the hottest spots in the confederation,
Osoyoos is a natural wonder at the southern most point of the Okanagan
and the northern most point of the Sonoran desert chain that starts down in Mexico.
Situated on the shores of
the warm Lake
Osoyoos, this town is known as a fantastic summer getaway for people
across the country. Thanks to innovations of irrigation technology, much of
the once barren countryside has been converted into lush areas filled with orchards,
vineyards and golf
courses. While parts of the desert have been reclaimed, this town is
still surrounded by cactus, rolling dunes and tumbleweeds. About 4,300 Osoyoosians
call this town home, but the population easily doubles during the summer months
when vacationers flock to this location to take advantage of their hot weather
and unique geographical location.
HISTORY, CULTURE AND
ECONOMY
Taking its name from the
Okanagan Indian word Osoyoos, meaning “the narrow place where two lakes
come together,” this location has been seeing visitors to its shores since
1066 with the first permanent Native villages. The first Europeans ever to set
foot on the mountain desert were Pacific Fur company employees, David Stuart
and Monitary in the fall of 1811, while searching for a more efficient path
to Fort Kamloops through the interior mountainous regions of British
Columbia. From 1812– 1842, the Hudson Bay Company set up important
trading posts on the banks of Lake Osoyoos because of its ideal weather conditions
and location.
After the gold rush of the
late 1800s brought in many a new settler, people started taking up land in the
valley for various agricultural endeavors. After the planting of the first orchard
in 1890 and the irrigation project of 1919, the area grew to become an excellent
spot for fruit farmers and eventually Osoyoos was incorporated in 1946.
The main businesses that
continue to draw people to live in Osoyoos are the fruit farming, winery
and tourism industries. Among other fruits, peaches, cherries and even bananas
(Canada's only banana plantation) are grown in the various orchards in the area.
Many wineries call the area home, producing some vino known the world over for
its high quality and excellent taste. Because of the wonderful weather that
blesses the city, the tourism industry is a large employer of permanent residents.
CLIMATE
| |
 |
|
| |
A
Boardwalk Through the Osoyoos Desert2 |
|
Osoyoos is a sun worshipers
mecca receiving over 2000 hours of sunshine a year. Due to its unique location
at the base of the Cascade Mountains, Osoyoos is in a rain shadow causing there
to be very little annual precipitation.
As Canada's only hot desert
(the arctic tundra has desert like conditions in terms of the amount of annual
precipitation, but is very cold), Osoyoos has the lowest amount of annual precipitation
in the country, taking in only 25 cm (10 in) of rainfall and 5 cm (2 in) of
snowfall. Lake Osoyoos is the warmest freshwater lake in Canada and this town
also boasts the warmest annual temperature anywhere in the country. The average
day time high temperature in the summer (July) is a toasty 29ºC(84ºF).
In the winter, the mercury hovers around the freezing point with the average
day time high in January being 0.1ºC (32ºF).
TRANSPORTATION
Located on the shores of
Lake Osoyoos, Osoyoos is easy to get to by a variety of different modes of conveyance.
The nearest airport is in about a three hour (300 km) drive to the north of
Kamloops for those hoping
to fly into town.
From Calgary,
Alberta, Osoyoos is about
890 km (553 mi) or a nine-hour drive by car. Osoyoos is only 400 km (249 mi)
away from the largest city in B.C., Vancouver.
That works out to be a five-hour drive. While in town, visitors will notice
the that city is divided in the middle by the lake. The east side of town where
the downtown is found, with a majority of the shop and restaurant located only
Main Street.
Farther up the road where
road turns into the Crowsnest Highway, visitors will find mostly orchards and
residential neighbourhoods. The westside of town is where the majority of the
hotels and campgrounds will be found. Should travellers feel like taking a trip
to the United States, the
lake spans the international boarder, so those with access to a boat or a strong
set of legs, can head to the town of Oroville on the southern shores of Lake
Osoyoos.
FEATURED ATTRACTIONS
The main draw of Osoyoos
is the natural splendors that permeate every aspect of life in town. The desert
and the lake are major sources for activities to do and things to see. The Nk'Mip
Desert and Heritage Site
shows travellers the rich history of the area through a non-European point-of-view.
Offering information and displays about the desert, people visiting this location
can go on guided tours of the surrounding dry lands on a raised-board pathway.
Another museum
that should be on any history buff list is the Osoyoos
Museum. Constructed from hand cut logs, this establishment was built
in 1963. Families stopping by this location can be regaled with stories of what
life was like during the turn of the century for the first settlers to the area.
Lake Osoyoos provides endless
hours of entertainment for people in town. The warm lake is perfect for any
watery pursuit travellers can think of. Boat
rentals, wakeboarding,
waterskiing, swimming,
fishing,
and parasailing
are just some of the adventures people can have on the water.
| |
 |
| |
A
Lavender Farm Near Osoyoos, BC3 |
For people who want to take
off and get away from the city, Haynes
Point Provincial Park is an excellent destination only 2 km (1.2 mi)
south of town. The warm waters in the area make it an idyllic place for water
sport enthusiasts looking to partake of some jet skiing, wakeboarding or waterskiing.
Bird
watchers will rejoice when visiting this area as it is the only know
home in Canada to the nations tiniest avian, the Calliope Hummingbird.
No trip to Osoyoos would
be complete without visiting at least one of their many vineyards and wineries.
One unique stop is the Nk'Mip
Cellars Winery. This is the only First Nations owned and operated vineyard
in Canada and it annually turns out over 15,000 cases of the delicious grapeproduct.
Its location on the hills overlooking the lake give it a breathtaking view of
the picturesque town. For people looking to get more than just a taste of what
the wine region has to offer, winery tours are available offering whole-day
and half day tours.
EVENTS
Every spring this town plays
host to a bacchanal that celebrates Dionysus favourite beverage and Osoyoos'
most famous export; wine. In early May, the Okanagan
Spring Wine Festival offers over 50 events to enlighten and entertain
at various locations throughout the Okanagan. Another festival known to draw
a fun-loving crowd is the Osoyoos
Annual Cherry Fiesta. On the first of July, events take place across
the Okanagon to celebrate the sweet tree treat. The festivities range from beer
gardens and pancake breakfasts to crafts and cherry pie eating contest.
For people looking to experience
the sand and heat of the desert, but would rather not venture out to the Sahara,
Osoyoos is a perfect travel destination. The wine, fruit and lake make a trip
to this town a perfect summer adventure.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Osoyoos, B.C., A Combination
of Desert and Lushness: Osoyoos
- Osoyoos, B.C., A Boardwalk
Through the Osoyoos Desert
- Osyoos, B.C., A Lavender
Farm Near Osoyoos, BC
