Chunks of ice flow down the Similkameen River and mist rises from the water as the temperature falls to around -16 C. (Richard McGuire photo)
It’s not often at this time of year that a rare day of sunshine coincides with a day off work. Yesterday (Saturday) I took advantage of the sunshine to do a drive up the Similkameen Valley to Princeton and back. Arctic air has moved in and although the temperature was about -6C in Osoyoos, it fell to -16C as I got into higher elevations closer to Princeton. The Similkameen Valley is gorgeous and without the runaway development that has taken over much of the Okanagan. (Richard McGuire photos)
From the lookout off Highway 3 heading west of Osoyoos you look out across Osoyoos Lake. On the opposite shore are The Cottages on Osoyoos Lake. (Richard McGuire photo)
In winter, the snow on Spotted Lake forms ridges along the edges of the mud rings. (Richard McGuire photo)
In winter, the snow on Spotted Lake forms ridges along the edges of the mud rings. (Richard McGuire photo)
Mountains rise up was you enter the Similkameen Valley, descending from the Richter Pass. (Richard McGuire photo)
The Similkameen River meanders past vineyards. (Richard McGuire photo)
The Similkameen River meanders. (Richard McGuire photo)
Frozen tire tracks reflect the sunlight on Barcelo Road near Cawston. (Richard McGuire photo)
Erosion on the side of a mountain outside Cawston makes snow-covered patterns. (Richard McGuire photo)
A few frozen apples cling to young apple trees in rows near Cawston as the sun beats down on a cold winter day. (Richard McGuire photo)
St. Ann’s Catholic Church is perched on a hill just east of Hedley at Chuchuwayha, an Indian village. It was built around 1910. (Richard McGuire photo)
Hedley is a village west of Keremeos that has a gold mining history. The Hedley Country Market, like many buildings in Hedley, look like they’ve changed very little in the past 50 years or so. (Richard McGuire photo)
Sunlight catches the trees on a ridge above Bromley Rock Provincial Park on the Similkameen River between Hedley and Princeton. (Richard McGuire photo)
The Similkameen River winds past the rocky cliffs at Bromley Rock Provincial Park between Princeton and Hedley. Chunks of ice float in the river and the sun lowers behind the mountains, throwing the valley into shade. (Richard McGuire photo)
The Similkameen River winds past the rocky cliffs at Bromley Rock Provincial Park between Princeton and Hedley. Chunks of ice float in the river and the sun lowers behind the mountains, throwing the valley into shade. (Richard McGuire photo)
The Similkameen River winds past the rocky cliffs at Bromley Rock Provincial Park between Princeton and Hedley. Chunks of ice float in the river and the sun lowers behind the mountains, throwing the valley into shade. (Richard McGuire photo)
The Similkameen River winds past the rocky cliffs at Bromley Rock Provincial Park between Princeton and Hedley. Chunks of ice float in the river and the sun lowers behind the mountains, throwing the valley into shade. (Richard McGuire photo)
Chunks of ice flow down the Similkameen River and mist rises from the water as the temperature falls to around -16 C. (Richard McGuire photo)
Chunks of ice flow down the Similkameen River and mist rises from the water as the temperature falls to around -16 C. (Richard McGuire photo)
