I’m home again!! I hope you all have had a wonderful week and weekend.
I will have to catch up with you all as my Sony laptop (Vaio) gave out on me while I was gone and I find cell phones a pain except for the most cursory of texts. Let’s take a break from technology and breathe the outdoors!! How did we ever communicate before social media!!? 😀
Here is my entry to Leanne Cole’s MM 2-17 on images starting with the letter K as the theme. Please visit her blog for all the great submissions.
It was a wonderful but short trip and a time of passage!
My niece in her gorgeous dress and a beautiful grad ceremony. I thought it was Oscar Night!!
Small towns often have lovely traditions like the Graduation Parade every June, down the main street of Penticton where everyone gathers and shouts “well done” as the graduates drive by! My nephew is the red ninja driving his sister in the pickup truck.
The Graduation Parade
Here are a few random shots
I tried to do some long exposure shots without a tripod, balancing my camera on the bridge railing for the creek shots!
And here are few random facts:
British Columbia was the last province of Canada to be colonized and in the 1800’s was the equivalent of the American wild west. Billy Miner also known as the Grey Fox became famous after moving his operation from the U.S. to British Columbia, continuing his career as a train and stage coach robber.
Many wealthy families sent their errant sons overseas to find their fortune in BC and many did just that, sometimes marrying first nations women and giving their names to places, towns and rivers.
Penticton is a resort destination for sun seekers. The climate is hot and dry in the summer and crisply cold in winter with snow cloaked mountains. The Okanagan is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream in both summer and winter.
The two lakes are large and deep enough for the Ogopogo to hide and only be glimpsed from time to time- just enough to keep the legend alive.
In spite of it’s small size Penticton is full of great ethnic restaurants. Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese etc call the Okanagan home along with the Similkameen first nations peoples.
The Graduation ceremony was attended by first nations drummers and singers and the address given in both English and Similkameen.
Vineyards, orchards and horse and even ostrich ranches fill the surrounding hills and valleys.
Bonus –
May God bless and keep you always, may your wishes all come true, and may you stay forever young!
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
Your niece looks resplendent. Great photos.
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She did look radiant that day! thanks Peter!
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Lovely Cybele, I think your niece will be very pleased she has an aunt who can take such beautiful photos of her 🙂
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It’s a day to remember for us all! She is a photogenic girl! Thanks Andrea!!
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The black and white photos of your niece are very beautiful. I’m sure she will cherish them when she’s older, looking back on this day. 😀
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It was a lovely occasion thanks Lizzie!
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Such beautiful shots Cybele. I lived in Vancouver for about a year quite a while ago and it brought back memories of that time. Unfortunately I wasn’t a camera fanatic that I am now and didn’t make use of all that gorgeous landscape in BC. 🙂
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thanks Kaz! The west coast is lovely but also where my bro lives in the interior is gorgeous and much drier. But sadly we have been having a heatwave- no rain for a month!! and forest fires are rampant. People are having to evacuate their homes. Today in Victoria though warm there was a slight overcast and a weird amber glow- the clouds are reflecting the fires. The sun shone copper through the haze. It was very eerie.
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Weird isn’t it, harsh freezing winters with snow and ice and harsh summers with no rain… crazy. I hope they are safe. Victoria (island?) is much like Vancouver, I remember a lot of rain.
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usually there is Kaz!! When were you here?
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It looks like a joyous event, Cybele. Your niece is beautiful and your shots are fantastic. I love the “dreamy” photo effect. What post processing program do you have? So glad you enjoyed your trip.
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It was a lovely time! thank you Patti!! I use photoshop and topaz mainly!!
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I was just considering a purchase of some Topaz products. Which one(s) do you recommend?
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glow and restyle I use but I also often take infra red which gives everything a strange glow and it might be an idea to look at a few tutorials on blending, layers, ghosting etc. which often produces the effects I like when I illustrate my short stories.
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Welcome back, Moon. 🙂 The photos are enchanting as always. Your niece looks stunning in that blue dress.
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Many thanks Norma and yes she was!
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What a beautiful medley of images, colors and info!
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thanks so much Maria!! Glad you liked them!
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Thanks for sharing now I feel like I was there. 🙂 Lovely images of your niece and fabulous monochrome photos.
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Thanks Maverick- a lovely comment!!
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The monochrome images are captivating and quite engaging.
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Thank you Sally!
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Hannah, my very first, early thought was K is for Karp? 🙂 Oops, then Koi came to mind and of course, you said that too. I’ve pretty much moved over to my other blog, the writing one, as I am out of photos that I want to post, at least until I buy another camera, maybe, someday. https://lettersforbreakfast.wordpress.com
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thanks for the link Robert – I will be checking it out as soon as I catch up here after being away last week!
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Lovely pictures, Cybele! Small town traditions are so much fun. 🙂
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Thank you Anita!! Small towns are delightful!
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Love that building in the frontier mining town!
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it’s an interesting little town! Thanks Sue!
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Stunning Photography !
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Many thanks Cougar!
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The B&W wedding shots are my favorites here. They look great! Thanks for sharing.
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thanks for stopping by!! oh it’s my niece’s grad and prom – not a wedding! ( though it could be lol)
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Beautiful dreamy images Cybele! Welcome home! I love the creek, and vineyard images.
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thanks Deborah!
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