Canada - Day 20 - Hydraulic Lake Rec Site to Penticton

 50.8 miles, 240‘ climbing, rabbits, snake

It was cold and wet in the morning. A bunch of the BC Epic 1000 racers had departed, but some lingered, clearly in touring mode. We paid our camping fee and set off, back on potholed and puddle filled roads. It rained on and off. 

Finally we made it to Myra Bellevue Provincial Park where a beautiful portion of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail is. There was a vendor renting bikes, lots of sightseers, the surface became very good. This part of the rail trail crosses many trestle  bridges, a couple tunnels, and has spectacular views down to Kelowna and the Okanagan Lake. Penticton, our destination for the day, sits at the south end of the lake.

We took a lot of pics as the rain continued. Finally we were back on bumpy, puddled road, and we made it to Chute Lakes Resort for lunch.  The sun finally came out as we left there and descended a dirt road for several miles. Then we were back on the rail trail, the surface very good and a gradual descent, no need to pedal for the 15-20 final miles into Penticton.

The forest became dryer with ponderosa pines. Near the lake were beautiful farms and vineyards — grape vines, cherry trees, bee hives, other fruit trees. It was warm and sunny. There was a marina and Long Beach, lots of lovely homes, a resort feeling. It didn’t feel anything like where we started the day. We gladly checked I to a hotel and started on our town needs — shower, laundry, groceries, charging electronics. We will take a rest day here to dry out.