After a day of driving up the Fraser Valley, over the Coquihalla, and through the Okanagan connector to Kelowna, we made our way South to Penticton. The journey to the Okanagan from the Lower Mainland clearly shows the "rain effect". The terrain changes from lush, green, gigantic treed, mixed forests to higher elevation, sparser, largely evergreen forests, and finally into very dry land on the otherside of the mountains, with not only sparse forests, but a complete change in vegetation.
Our first stop was at the SS Sicamous, part of the Okanagan Inland Marine Heritage Park in Penticton. It was a beautiful, hot day, and we arrived early for our tour, which gave both teachers and students a chance to wade in Lake Okanagan and enjoy the sunshine. After over 4 hours of being cooped up in a van, it was a welcome break!
The SS Sicamous is a restored steam ship. It is the largest steel-hulled sternwheeler left in Canada. In its day, it serviced towns and villages up and down Lake Okanagan. The Restoration Society has recreated each area of the ship, from the engine rooms and crews' quarters, to the women's and men's salons, and dining room. You can find out more about the SS Siamous at : http://www.sssicamous.com/index.html .
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