Christina Millington
Omineca Express
Weekends away with friends are always cherished.
I spent my August long weekend in Kelowna, where a friend from back home (Ontario) is living.
I find the drive into Kelowna breathtaking.
The mountains that outline the highway, to the ever-disappearing horizon – seems as though the road could go on forever.
It was my second trip south since I have been in BC and I must say, eight hours in a car can get boring and fast.
A few must haves on road trips when touring BC is a water bottle, to be used as a microphone and a few albums that contain lyrical inspiration to trek on no matter how tired I am.
Yes, I am that one-girl band rocking down the highway.
No shame in letting your inner rock child out, especially when you’re in dire need of some entertainment – and that is exactly what I need when all that’s ahead of me is endless pavement.
The weather all weekend was exceptional.
My friend Brandon and I managed to get up to a lot; we hiked to secluded beaches, went for a few bicycle rides downtown and a motorcycle ride along side the Okanagan Lake on windy roads to Vernon, a beautiful town tucked away amongst the mountains.
Brandon and I have been friends since high school, so having had the chance to move out here allowed us to rekindle a dissipating friendship, one in which we were able to pick up exactly where we left it back in 2004.
Having spent the weekend enveloped in countless activities, sharing laughs over hearty meals and reminiscing over time passed I couldn’t help but be thankful for those in my life, for they make it abundant and worth every moment.
Center of Gravity (COG) is an annual summer festival that goes on in the heart of Kelowna over the course of three days.
The population of the city spikes, leaving the locals counting down the days when the events are over and the tourists go home.
Nonetheless, Brandon, myself along with a few of his friends made way down to the festivities on our bicycles, and let me tell you, that was an adventure all in itself.
The array of people that populate the grounds in the downtown area is what I would describe as an eclectic bunch.
It would seem to me that when events such as COG take over the city its an invitation to let ones creative side shine.
The outfits people were wearing were unreal. Spandex to knee-high wool socks, the event brought out Kelowna’s finest.
As many anticipated travels do, the time to head home came far too quickly.
Leaving friends has always been a struggle of mine, especially when it’s uncertain when I will see them next.
Here’s to friends and the adventures that bring us together again.