We’re having a rainy weekend. It’s a very slow, soaking rain that’s excellent for our officially still-dry conditions – thankfully this area was removed from the drought list in January – so I’m definitely not going to complain about it, especially as the temperature is still relatively warm.
I’ll be happy to see the return of some sun, though …
The Kettle Valley Rail Trail is a 660 km decommissioned passenger train line that used to run through southern British Columbia from Hope to Castlegar between 1910-1964.
Heading toward Penticton.
It continued to be in operation as a freight line until 1989 and after it fell out of use, the tracks were removed and it was re-purposed as a hiking, running, walking and biking trail.
Heading toward Kelowna.
M and I have walked chunks of it in all seasons; it has terrific views with the Columbia Mountains to the east and the Okanagan Mountains to the west.
Okanagan Lake from above.
The KVR is also part of the Trans Canada Trail, a cross-country network of trails, waterways and roadways that stretches from the Atlantic to the Arctic and Pacific Oceans.
The sun shines on a still-awakening valley.
The Trans Canada Trail, at 24,000 km, is the longest multi-use trail system in the world.
Grape vines and orchards below; the city of Penticton to the left.
We love having this trail almost at our doorstep and are so happy that 35 years ago, a group of forward-looking people decided to band together to re-purpose an old rail line.
We have had several days of lovely weather followed by a beautifully warm weekend. Everything is beginning to sprout and grow!
Blue skies and bright sun; it was lovely to sit outside. A golden willow getting ready to burst. Alder buds. Beautiful yellow. A bevy of buttercups growing through the winter grass.
I hope I’m not too anticipatory, but I think we might have spring on our hands!