My visit to the beautiful Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys of the interior of BC is the focus of this week’s post and Monochrome Madness (3-1) with Leanne Cole. This is the first week of the third year of MM!!!
We drove up to my brother’s place in the town of Penticton this weekend and the weather was superb. It’s a five hour drive from the coast, past the Cascade Mountains to the spectacular lake area where orchards and vineyards cover hillside and mountain. Though cold in winter, peaches and grapes thrive in the warm and semi arid summer climate of the Okanagan district. We will return for the wine tasting tours!
A Place to Stay Forever is the meaning of the Salish word Penticton. A young Irish immigrant named Ellis took the name to heart and became the first settler and a successful rancher in 1865. Transportation was by sternwheeler and steamship on the two largest lakes, (Okanagan and Skaha) which traverse the valley. The most famous stern paddle wheeler was the HMS Sicamous which was eventually converted to a restaurant. It is now a museum on the beach at Skaha. BC was the last province to be colonized and the last Canadian frontier.
I have written about the fossil beds and radio telescopes of the Okanagan, and even the famous Ogopogo ( similar to Nessie of Scotland) here (with more pics).
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
What a wonderful drive up to the fertile land of “Gods” and the beautiful lakes where they smoothly meet the orchards and the vineyards!Interesting stories back in time and majestic photos,dear Cybele!I particularly like the photo of the orchard which is punctuated by bright pink blossoms and the light in the apple grove.Ogopogo was rather sleeping in the subterranean realms,we might see it next time … Penticton is indeed “A Place to stay for Ever”,or a paradise on Earth;Salish people gave just the perfect name.Happy Friday,dear friend 🙂 xxx
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I’m so pleased you like this post Doda. Canada is full of it’s own wild beauty like everyplace. Isn’t the earth magnificent. So many adventures and explorations!! Thank you Doda!
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Wide and magnificent the world around us,Cybele dear,and we,wonder while wandering … 🙂
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At least when not traveling we can visit through posts all these wonderful places.
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And it feels as if we were there,too …
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It does!!
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Absolutely breath-taking as always, lovely Cybele! You create such atmosphere with your photography, it’s quite amazing. I am always drawn into the story of each picture. Hope all is well with you. I dont know what the first week of the third year of MM is, but I hope it’s a good thing. Xxx
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two years of Leanne cole’s monochrome madness gallery and now the third year! Thank you so much Ali for visiting and for your lovely comments!
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Ah, I see. And have you taken part every week for three years? That’s amazing!
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it’s going into it’s third year!
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Gorgeous pictures Cybele! The ones of the orchards are amazing, how lucky to see them all in blossom together. 🙂
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many thanks dear Katie!
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It’s gorgeous up there! Yes, the place to be forever!
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many thanks!
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mp!
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Beautiful pictures! As a photoshop newbie I am jealous of your editing skills.
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thank you so much!
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The apple orchard image simply knocks me flat, my friend – wowee!!! A
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many thanks!
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We invite you to visit Norway! Digitally, that is! 😉
On our blog: http://www.SeeNorway.wordpress.com
you may find more than 5000 ‘full-screen-pictures’
from Norway, and best of all: It’s all free! Of course, you
can’t freely use our pictures, but it won’t cost you a penny
look at them all. They are posted for your pleasure!
It’s good advice to follow the links to our INDEX once you
find it. It will make it way easier to find what you are looking
for! Welcome to Norway! 😉
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The Apple Orchard is amazing… great gallery, dear Cybele. 🙂
All the best to you!, Aquileana 😀
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thank you so much!
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Love the first shot, it has a ghostly quality to it.
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many thanks!
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Wow! You are taking photography to the next level, Cybele!
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thank you Amy!
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Wonderful images Cybele.
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thank you!
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the first one has a spooky feel.
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🙂
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One could write a short story about everyone of these images. They draw me in. Lovely Hanna!
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thank you Kate!
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sounds like a great trip, lovely pics……….especially love the Apple Orchard, such whimsey in the shot
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thanks Julz!! my second chapter is up too whenever you have time to read! I’m back in a fervour again lol!
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Really nice. Hope you have a great time.
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it was great!! thanks Sherry!
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I love this word: ” Penticton”. What else should such a place be called? Beautiful post
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indeed!! Thanks so much mouse!
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Fabulous images. Cybele. Love the apple orchard with the light tunnel through it. 🙂
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I like that one too! Thank you Sylvia!
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Beautiful photos, Cybele!
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thank you Crow!!!
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Stunning all!
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thanks Debbie!
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A gorgeous part of the country. You captured it well.
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thank you Darlene!
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Lovely places Cybele, excellent landscape. Beautiful photo pross, superb!
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thank you Della!
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