June 22,
Waking up early is never easy. Waking up early after drinking wine heavily the day before is not much easier! A late stroll after the wine tour yesterday, we found a restaurant on the Okanagan Lake call the Hooded Merganser. A menu posted outside had us convinced that this would be our morning breakfast. Getting all of our bags packed, loading up the Subaru, and checking out of the HI-Penticton Hostel was our first priority before getting some breaky. The guy at the front desk was kind enough to let us leave the Subaru in the back, while we ventured down the “Hood” as he called it.
The Hooded Merganser is located on a dock with a patio that overhangs the lake. Gorgeous views of the mountains including Munson mountain, where the Hollywood style Penticton sign is, reflected in the rippling waters of Okanagan Lake. We couldn’t help staring out, hoping we’d see Ogopogo. Okanagan’s version of the Lochness monster. Reviews of the place were hit and miss. When we first walked in, there was no host. We were actually wondering if the reviews were true. But someone came along shortly and gladly escorted us to our seats on the patio. Food came out fast, and coffee was topped up frequently. The food was full of flavor, and was very enjoyable. We would return, if we were in the area.
We walked back to the hostel, picked up the Subaru and decided to do one last adventure before saying farewell to the city. Online pictures had us on the hunt for a place called “Little Tunnel” made by the KV Railway. We knew we would have to pass a couple of wineries along the way. So it only made sense to stop at some of the ones we wanted to see that were not on the tour.
Our first stop was the Elephant Island Winery. EIW is known for the fruit wines. Robert was the designated driver, and could participate in the tastings, but Jenina did her best to describe the flavors to him. She said that the Pear wine was a must, so we bought one bottle to take home with us. The staff behind the counter pointed us in the vague direction of the KVR parking lot where we’d have to hike in to see Little Tunnel. Along the path to drive there, we’d also be able to stop at our favorite winery, Joie.
Arriving at Joie was a little confusing as where to park, and where there tasting room was. There was a large truck loading and unloading, and other workers pouring concrete and digging holes. The tasting room required walking up a hill to what looked like a house from the parking lot. Once we got to the tasting room, the view was beautiful. They had a picnic area setup in a grassed area just before the orchards and vineyards. There wine was still just as good as we remembered it. But knowing we could buy it Vancouver, there was no need to buy another bottle.
We got a little lost making our way up to the Kettle Valley Railway parking lot, but eventually got there. There were sufficient signs in the parking lot letting you know which direction to head. Only wish they had these instructions leading up to the parking lot! The sign indicated that the hike would be approx. 4.4 kms. It took us just over 1.5 hours to the tunnel walking at a medium pace in the blistering heat. Little Tunnel was very neat to see. The views of Naramata Valley were breath taking. Another 1.5 hours back to the parking lot, and we were totally exhausted and thirsty.
We made our way back out, but again couldn’t resist stopping at a few more wineries. The first was near the KVR parking lot, called Daydreamer Winery. Unfortunately the winery was closed until the following day in which we’d already be gone. So we hit the Naramata Road, and starting our descent back into Penticton.
Well what do you know, we stopped again at the Black Widow Winery. The wine was fine, and we almost gave in to buying another bottle. But after humming and hawing we decided that we were going to return to Moraine Winery, the one that was on the tour the day prior.
Arriving at the Moraine Winery, the host remembered us from the tour the minute we walked into the tasting room. We bought two bottles of their Pink Mountain Rose. The wine was truly one of our favorites, and because they are such a small winery with small batches, we knew we would not be able to buy it in Vancouver. Another reason why we opt’d for Moraine wine over the Black Widow. The host of both locations said we were able to order online. None the less, the Pink Mountain was coming home with us.
We topped up the fuel tank before departing Penticton. We searched high and low for peaches to bring home for the parents, but we later found out that they were out of season. Hunger set in, but we were both determined to make it home. So determined that we pushed the limits of empty in the car, and made it on a single tank. We rolled in around 8pm, had to go back out and do some late night grocery shopping. Talk about tired!
What a hell of a last minute trip on a Whim!
