You're welcome for the pronunciation guide. I blame our unfortunate border crossing circumstances partially on our (ok, Devon's) inability to pronounce the name of the place we were supposedly going to/had been for the weekend. Just kidding D.
It wasn't until last year that I heard of this strange place called Osoyoos. It's right over the Canadian border, due north of Chelan, or for those less accustomed to Washington geography, it's just over the Canadian border of the very center of Washington. Osoyoos is a lake (in addition to town) and it's supposedly 75 degrees (the water!) during the summer. It wasn't quite that warm when we were there but it's charms are its warm weather and it's notoriety as a wine growing region. We found a Groupon for a sweet two bedroom suite a few months ago and got Devon & Noah to accompany us. Last year the four of us went to Chelan for sunshine and wine tasting and this drive was a few hours further but definitely a cool new location.
We got in around 10 Friday night and settled in for a glass of wine. Saturday morning we made breakfast and ate out on our deck overlooking the lake. We then tried to go for a little hike, but halfway up Mount Kobau discovered we hadn't really done a good job with our research and the road was blocked with snow still (duh, April). We had some great views anyways.
We stopped by Spotted Lake, which looks like this is the summer (first picture) but is not nearly so cool in April (last two pictures). Oh well.
Then we hit Haynes Point Provincial Park, which is a spit that goes about 3/4 of the way across the lake. Lovely sunshine and nice views.
After lunch we were off the the wineries. Pros: Many of them are very near each other, most have excellent views of the valley and lake, tasting fees range from 0-$5. Cons: Something about Canadian liquor laws - none of the tasting rooms are outdoors and you can't head outside with your glasses. April is apparently very early season so the wineries were very quiet which meant we got plenty of attention, but sometimes felt rushed. Quality varied widely, there were a few great, a few bad and a few somewhere in between. Recommendations if you're headed there: Chruch & State, Stoneboat, & Cassini. We did some more tasting mid-day Sunday before heading home, so here's all the pics together.
We grilled up some awesome lamb & asparagus Saturday night, took a walk, lounged by the pool on Sunday, had a picnic and generally enjoyed ourselves and the sunshine. Hooray.
All too soon it was time for the return trip. We got detained at the border for half an hour while they search our car and questioned us. They won't let you come with/watch while they search your car and dig through all of your stuff- seems unconstitutional or something to me. These guys were on a serious power trip and seemed pretty annoyed when they worst thing they found was that we were bringing back a lemon. Oh well. Picnic dinner at Lincoln Park and it was time for the workweek again.
It wasn't until last year that I heard of this strange place called Osoyoos. It's right over the Canadian border, due north of Chelan, or for those less accustomed to Washington geography, it's just over the Canadian border of the very center of Washington. Osoyoos is a lake (in addition to town) and it's supposedly 75 degrees (the water!) during the summer. It wasn't quite that warm when we were there but it's charms are its warm weather and it's notoriety as a wine growing region. We found a Groupon for a sweet two bedroom suite a few months ago and got Devon & Noah to accompany us. Last year the four of us went to Chelan for sunshine and wine tasting and this drive was a few hours further but definitely a cool new location.
We got in around 10 Friday night and settled in for a glass of wine. Saturday morning we made breakfast and ate out on our deck overlooking the lake. We then tried to go for a little hike, but halfway up Mount Kobau discovered we hadn't really done a good job with our research and the road was blocked with snow still (duh, April). We had some great views anyways.
We stopped by Spotted Lake, which looks like this is the summer (first picture) but is not nearly so cool in April (last two pictures). Oh well.
Then we hit Haynes Point Provincial Park, which is a spit that goes about 3/4 of the way across the lake. Lovely sunshine and nice views.
After lunch we were off the the wineries. Pros: Many of them are very near each other, most have excellent views of the valley and lake, tasting fees range from 0-$5. Cons: Something about Canadian liquor laws - none of the tasting rooms are outdoors and you can't head outside with your glasses. April is apparently very early season so the wineries were very quiet which meant we got plenty of attention, but sometimes felt rushed. Quality varied widely, there were a few great, a few bad and a few somewhere in between. Recommendations if you're headed there: Chruch & State, Stoneboat, & Cassini. We did some more tasting mid-day Sunday before heading home, so here's all the pics together.
We grilled up some awesome lamb & asparagus Saturday night, took a walk, lounged by the pool on Sunday, had a picnic and generally enjoyed ourselves and the sunshine. Hooray.
All too soon it was time for the return trip. We got detained at the border for half an hour while they search our car and questioned us. They won't let you come with/watch while they search your car and dig through all of your stuff- seems unconstitutional or something to me. These guys were on a serious power trip and seemed pretty annoyed when they worst thing they found was that we were bringing back a lemon. Oh well. Picnic dinner at Lincoln Park and it was time for the workweek again.
