Experience Group » Leisure and Travel

The Brigade Trail

admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:16:33 +0000

submitted by Ken Favrholdt, Curator

Two Hundred Years along the Brigade Trail

Two hundred years ago, early fur traders ventured through the Okanagan Valley from Osoyoos to O’Keefe Ranch west of Vernon, and onward to Kamloops. A small group of fur traders working for the American Pacific Fur Company travelled on horseback from Fort Okanogan established on the Columbia River in 1811 to Fort Kamloops, built the following year. They followed an ancient Aboriginal trail that eventually became the route of choice between these forts.

The trail followed the east side of the Okanogan River to present Oroville where it crossed to the west side and passed through back valleys in the Fairview area, Meyers Flat, Shingle Creek and Garnet Valley before descending to Okanagan Lake north of Summerland. From there the trail followed the west side of Okanagan Lake to its head, then turned northwest across the watershed between the Okanagan and South Thompson valleys, until it reached Kamloops.

The trains of fur traders heading north and south became known as brigades. Between the 1820s and the 1840s, the fur brigades consisted of up to 300 horses and twenty men. The inward brigade transported supplies imported from England and other centres; the outward brigade transported furs gathered in the interior which were shipped to markets in Europe and China.

The brigades travelled slowly, about 15 to 20 miles a day depending on the terrain. Campsites were located at favourable places along the route where there was water and feed for the horses. The fur traders consisted of voyageurs, who were mainly French-Canadians, with Scottish bosses, as well as native guides and packers. It was important to maintain good relations with First Nations along the way for the safety of the brigades. As well, food was procured from the native peoples. The brigades passed through Okanagan and Secwepemc territories.

The Okanagan brigade trail fell into disuse in the 1850s with Indian Wars in Washington Territory. In the meantime, another route from Kamloops to the coast via Fort Langley was established in 1849. After 1858, the old brigade trail had become the interior route from Washington to the Cariboo goldfields for thousands of miners. Thousands of cattle were also driven north along the trail, and the ranching industry took hold in the Okanagan.

The brigade trail is still visible in parts through the Okanagan. Many place names attest to the passage of the fur traders and others along the trail. Priest Camp, named for a missionary who travelled with the brigades, is an interesting site near Summerland where sections of the trail can also be followed.

For more information, exhibits and programs related to the Fur Brigade Trail, be sure to visit a South Okanagan museum in your area or visit the South Okanagan Heritage Alliance webpage at www.exploreheritage.ca.

Museums include:

Okanagan Falls Museum – www3.telus.net/okmuseum/
Oliver & District Museum and Archives – www.olivermuseum.ca
Osoyoos & District Museum and Archives – www.osoyoosmuseum.ca
Penticton Museum & Archives – www.pentictonmuseum.com
Summerland Museum & Archives – www.summerlandmuseum.org

Ken Favrholdt is the Curator for the Osoyoos & District Museum and Archives and the Penticton Museum& Archives. The views expressed are those of the author and are provided as a general source of information only. Comments or questions – visit the ‘contact us’ page of any of the museum links above.

Backyard Safari

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 17:51:19 +0000

Lions, tigers and bears, oh my!

Submitted by Denise Eastlick

Click image to view Desert Centre website

Wouldn‟t you love to head out on a safari to see exotic animals? But, before you pack your bags and buy that airline ticket, did you know that a one-of-a-kind habitat with rare and endangered wildlife can be found right here in British Columbia?

Nestled into the southernmost corner of the Okanagan Valley is an extraordinary habitat that is home to an incredible diversity of plants and animals. Popularly referred to as Canada‟s “pocket desert,” this dry, shrub-steppe grassland is one of Canada‟s most endangered ecosystems.

Situated within this natural treasure is the Osoyoos Desert Centre – a 67 acre nature interpretive facility created to conserve and showcase the region‟s unique and diverse wildlife. At the Desert Centre, visitors can explore Canada‟s desert by taking a guided or self-guided tour along the Centre‟s 1.5 km boardwalk. The Centre also features an interpretive area with interactive exhibits, and a native plant demonstration garden.

From the abundant bird life to the multitude of flowering plants, there’s plenty of exotic wildlife to learn about during your safari.

Keep a camera handy and see if you‟re quick enough to take a photo of BC‟s fastest snake – the yellow bellied racer. Or, bring your binoculars to catch a closer look at eagles and hawks soaring overhead. Look carefully and you might see a tiny Nuttall’s cottontail hiding in the brush, or spot traces of a bobcat‟s dinner.

Come see what wildlife you encounter on your “backyard safari‟ and learn about the many rare and endangered animals that call this habitat home.

The Osoyoos Centre is located 3 km north of Osoyoos and is open daily from late April through early October. The boardwalk, interpretive centre, and garden are wheelchair accessible. Self-guided tours along the boardwalk are available daily, guided tours run at 10:00 am, noon and 2:00 pm from mid-May through mid-September.

The Osoyoos Desert Centre is operated by the Osoyoos Desert Society, a non-profit organization. Through education and conservation, the Society strives to generate public knowledge, respect and active concern for endangered ecosystems. We invite you to experience the beauty of Canada‟s desert, discover fascinating facts about our “exotic‟ local wildlife, and find out what conservation efforts are underway to conserve this unique ecosystem.

So, grab your camera and binoculars, your sunscreen and favourite hat, and take a backyard safari at the Osoyoos Desert Centre – a rare and wild world awaits you!.

For more information, visit us at www.desert.org

Click image to visit Desert Centre website

Denise Eastlick is the Executive Director of the Osoyoos Desert Society . The views expressed are those of the author and are provided as a general source of information only. Comments or questions – mail@desert.org , call 250-495-2470 or 1-877-899-0897 (toll free) or visit www.desert.org

Golfing Gals!

admin — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 18:38:18 +0000

Golf Fore Gals swings into action this May!

Submitted by Diane Fru

Golf Fore Gals swung into action in May offering a variety of golf opportunities for women of all ages and skill levels.

Golf Fore Gals’ mission is to provide women with a fun and safe environment to discover and enjoy the game of golf. In addition to regular tee-times at a wide range of courses, the club offers lessons, rules and etiquette seminars, social events and opportunities to develop friendships which last beyond the golf season.

The club boasts over 250 members in three regions across the province including Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and the expanding Okanagan region. Each region offers a calendar of events that runs throughout the year with a focus on golf from April through October. Additional tee-times are offered in Maui over the fall and winter months.

There are three types of annual Golf Fore Gals memberships:
1. Beginner membership features lessons, executive courses and rules and etiquette seminars;
2. Social membership for those recreational players who want to experience golf without a handicap factor; and
3. Golf British Columbia (BCGA) membership includes earning an RCGA handicap factor and opportunities to compete in club and zone championships.

Golf Fore Gals offers women access to prime tees times at some of the best courses without having to pick-up a phone. Members log on to the website to choose their course, tee time and playing partners.

Some courses offer regular week day or evening play, others are destinations for weekends or out of town golf getaways. The club is currently affiliated with over 30 courses in BC. Courses offered for regular league play in the lower mainland include Delta, Greenacres, University Golf Club, Morgan Creek, Hazelmere, Eaglequest and Poppy Estates. In the Okanagan, courses include the Golf BC properties (The Quail, The Bear, Pinnacle and Gallagher’s Canyon), The Harvest, Fairview Mountain, Osoyoos Golf & Country Club to mention a few.

Golf Fore Gals believes in giving back to the community. One week each month, a percentage of fees are set aside to support community charities that benefit women.

If you are interested in learning more about Golf Fore Gals and their upcoming season of fun events visit www.golfforegals.com or call Diane Fru at 604.290.2740.

Diane Fru is a represenative for Golf Fore Gals. The views expressed are those of the author and are provided as a general source of information only. Comments or questions – diane@golfforegals.com, call (604) 290.2740 or visit www.golfforegals.com

Motorcycle Bootcamp

admin — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 17:33:03 +0000

Learner’s Permit Boot Camp,
Motorcycle Mechanics &
Group Riding.

by Tania Meyer, Executive Director

Kelowna & District Safety Council
395 Hartman Road, Kelowna, BC, V1X 2M9
(across from the YMCA in Rutland)
250-765-3163
www.kdsc.bc.ca

The Kelowna & District Safety Council has a busy month planned for motorcyclists!

Now the roads are clear and the weather is warming up, riders are out on the streets. KDSC has lots to offer for the riding enthusiast. In addition to its staple of Learn to Ride courses, KDSC will be holding another Learner’s Permit Boot Camp on Tuesday April 20th, 6 –9pm at our Hartman Road location.

This class is FREE to anyone interested in obtaining their Class 6 license, and who would like some help in preparing for the Learner’s Permit test. ICBC stats show that 46% of people fail their Learner’s Permit test on their first attempt, and these Boot Camps have proved really popular in helping new riders grasp the complex concepts outlined in the ICBC study guide.

The Boot Camp will also provide students with helpful tips on how to study, how to take multiple choice tests, and how to reduce test anxiety. It will let students know how the test is structured, and provide some tips on how to make their first test attempt a successful one. The class is open to the public – it is not limited to those who are registered in KDSC’s Learn to Ride motorcycle training program.

A 6th Annual Motorcycle Mechanics class is scheduled for Sunday April 25th from 9am – 12pm. This class will help riders perform general maintenance safely on their own bikes. Longtime sponsors Kelowna Yamaha will be sending one of their licensed mechanics to host the three hour session at KDSC at 395 Hartman Road, across from the YMCA in Rutland. The course is open to the public, and riders are encouraged to bring their own bikes so that they can ask questions about their specific makes and models.

“Basic maintenance on a motorcycle can be costly,” says Tania Meyer, Executive Director of the Kelowna and District Safety Council, “and there are many things that riders can be trained to do themselves. The course will feature a detailed segment on how to perform a proper pre-trip inspection, and students will also learn how to change their oil, how to adjust the chain, clutch, and the brakes, as well as many other do-it-yourself fixes that can safely be done by riders.” The course will also outline jobs better left to a professional mechanic, and is only $25.

KDSC will also be hosting a Group Riding course on Thursday April 29th from 6pm – 9pm. This seminar is open to anyone interested in learning about safe group riding procedures. Topics covered will include types of rides, pros and cons of group riding, planning the ride, pre-ride meetings, roles and responsibilities of various riders in the group, lane positioning for group riding, changing lanes, and more. This is a great course for both riders and their passengers!

Anyone interested in KDSC’s motorcycle programs can call 765-3163 to register. For more information visit www.kdsc.bc.ca or find our advertisements in the North Okanagan Shuswap or Central Okanagan editions of Experience^TMMagazine.

Complimentary coffee and donuts will be served at each of the above programs.

Tania Meyer is the Executive Director of the Kelowna & District Safety Council. She can be reached by calling 250.765.3163 or toll-free 888.580.7233 or by email at tkmeyer@kdsc.bc.ca. This is a PSA.