Victoria to Osoyoos – 25 April 2025
In April, we packed up for one of our favourite places: Nk’Mip RV Park in Osoyoos. Nestled in the Sonora Desert and surrounded by vineyards, it was the perfect spot to celebrate our 32nd wedding anniversary.
We toasted the occasion with a wine tasting and patio lunch at Nk’Mip Cellars, North America’s first Indigenous-owned winery. Sweeping vineyard views, delicious food, and great wine made it unforgettable.
Desert Adventures
- Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre: Fascinating exhibits and desert trails brought the local landscape and Okanagan traditions to life.
- Spotted Lake: A sacred mineral lake, famous for its colourful saline spots (less visible in early season, but still captivating).
- Birdwatching: From the quirky California Quail to the calls of Red-Winged Blackbirds echoing across the bullrushes.
- Burrowing Owl Estate Winery: Excellent wine and a focus on conservation, particularly for the endangered Burrowing Owl.
- Historic Haynes Ranch: Weathered barns telling stories of Okanagan ranching days.
- Oxbows Wetlands: A peaceful boardwalk filled with birdlife, turtles, and native plants.
- Osoyoos Desert Centre: A guided boardwalk showcasing desert ecology and invasive species like Dalmatian Toadflax.
Play & Relaxation
We even managed a few games of pickleball at a community hall, keeping our skills sharp. Meanwhile, Jax enjoyed one of the largest dog parks he’s ever seen. On our way home, a surprise encounter with a Yellow-Bellied Marmot—nicknamed a “whistle pig”—gave us the perfect farewell from the desert.
