Monday, October 19, 2015

O is for Osoyoos

ABC Wednesday,
October 21st, 2015

The letter is O for Osoyoos




About ten miles south of Keremeos on the Crowsnest Highway, just before you

 reach the Canada/US border, you turn left and go up through desert country

over the Richter Pass, and as you leave the summit you begin to see signs below you

of the orchards and vineyards and waters that  surround the town of Osoyoos.

You will be most welcome. 

 This is another Tourist town with beaches and resorts, boating
and fishing, and they clasp the tourist to their friendly bosom.
The town's population (about 5000) swells  in the summer
months with visitors from elsewhere in B.C. and neighbouring Alberta,
as well as other places in Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

The origin of the name Osoyoos (O-sue-yus) was the word suius
meaning 'narrowing of the waters' in the local Okanagan language.

There is as little ithmus that goes part way across Osoyoos Lake, and the Lake itself
stretches into Washington, USA




As evidenced by rock and oral tradition aboriginal people have lived in the
Osoyoos area for thousands of years. 

The first Europeans (fur traders working for an American enterprise) ventured
up the Okanagan River to Osoyoos Lake in 1811.  The Hudson's Bay Company took over the fur trade in 1821 and the Okanagan Valley flourished and became a major trade route.

After the era of the Fur Traders gold transformed the economy of
the new colony of British Columbia and thousands of miners and drovers with cattle
crossed through the Customs House built in Osoyoos in 1861.

The climate is semi-arid with summers that are hot and dry, - on an average
one of the hottest areas in Canada.


The fall is sunny and pleasant and
the winters short and mild..  Spring comes to Osoyoos even earlier than it 
floats over the pass to the Similkameen.

Probably the most outstanding thing in modern day Osoyoos is the
economic and cultural growth of the Osoyoos Indian band.
They have an excellent chief who has led them to make good economic use
of the Band property.

A really stunning and sophisticated resort that sits on the hill above Osoyoos





Vineyards, a winery with cellars, a golf course, and a well used campground on the lake.



and standing over it all a native warrior, one of many metal sculptures in the complex









Down below in the town the summer months hum with visitors....



Apart from the town businesses the surrounding community is mainly devoted
to agriculture, and the stretch northward to Oliver, the next town,
is crowded with wineries, and known as The Million Mile.





"The call of the outdoors is irresistible in Osoyoos"

Osoyoos Lake beckons swimmers and sun-soakers, anglers and parasailers


Recently the Osoyoos Indian Band have been instrumental (amongst others) in bringing
the salmon back to Osoyoos Lake, which delights the hearts
of fishermen everywhere.

How to get there????



For more interesting Os visit here, at ABC Wednesday
with thanks to Denise and Roger and all open-hearted helpers....



13 comments:

Reader Wil said...

If the salmon is coming back the water is getting very clean and pure. We try to get them back here in our rivers, but that is still very difficult. Thanks for your interesting post.
Wil, ABCW Team

The Weaver of Grass said...

It looks such a fascinating place Hildred - makes me want to return to Canada as any pictures of your wonderful country that you choose to show us do.

Photo Cache said...

A very charming day trip destination.

My ABC WEDNESDAY

photowannabe said...

I have to admit I never put Canada and desert together.
This looks like a beautiful place with a pleasant temperature and lots to see.
Thanks for sharing Hildred.

Unknown said...

Hi Daybyday

What a nice trip you take me (and others) on.... one of the must fun parts of this challenge, getting to 'travel' to places all over the world one has never been ;-)


Thank you for participating again, hope to mee greet you next time again too.

Have a nice abc-day / - week
♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc-w-team)

Deepa said...

Nice pictures & a very beautiful post

Indrani said...

Looks like an awesome place to visit. Great pics and info.
Happy ABCW!

Mascha said...

What a lovely trip to a gorgeos landscape!
Greetings from Germany

Roger Owen Green said...

I suppose there's a whopper of a fish tale here.

ROG, ABCW

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Another place I'd like to see one day. It looks beautiful and peaceful.
The View from the Top of the Ladder

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful spot -- I'm glad you gave the pronounciation... I'd love to visit someday and it would be nice to know how to say it! Wonderful to see the Indian tribe doing well in so many ways!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

incredible.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Osoyoos
What state is it?

When I was studying in Canada in Ontario, there was a place called Sarawak. I was intrigued because I come from Sarawak, Borneo.