
The Okanagan is a super place, but that doesn't mean I'm chained to the valley. I just love to jump in the car and hit the blacktop - or gravel. Bruce and I are big into road trips around BC's Southern Interior. If it looks like logging roads are on the program, we take his 4-Runner, otherwise we opt for maxi-mileage with my little Corolla, Snow White.
Sometimes we just head out on our own, other times our road trips involve assignments (I know, life's a bitch!). I feel especially hard done by every year when I have to start gathering stories and photos for Okanagan Life's Magical Shuswap Guide. Although
I structure the guide as a four-day getaway, it always takes several trips to track down the people and pics I need.
My first guide, in 2006, was a typical summer extended long weekend that took in the sights south of Shuswap Lake that are easily accessible from the Trans-Canada Hwy. Download magical_shuswap_2006.pdf. Last year, the 2007 guide used the town of Sicamous at the eastern end of the region as a base camp and suggested autumn daytrips in both directions along the TCH. Download magical_shuswap_2007.pdf.
I've finished the research for the 2008 guide. This year we're going natural, camping, hiking and fishing our way around the lake. I'll post a link when it's published in late spring. Meanwhile, if you're planning a Shuswap houseboating excursion or letting the kids loose at a Shuswap lodge or even looking at jumping into the hot real estate market, download the PDFs and check out the things I love about the Shuswap.