While I have been struggling a bit with friends and how to keep in touch with them, there are a select few that I refer to as my “besties”. These are the girls that know me well and with whom I can fall back into step with even if we have not spoken for a week or a month or more. This past weekend remedied some of the isolation that I’ve been feeling because we spent an entire afternoon and evening with (the members of our small group, and) six of the coolest people that you could ever meet.
Two Octobers ago, a large group of us went on a wine tour to celebrate my friend Shelley’s birthday (in a Handi-Dart, no less). We missed the festivities last year but while talking this past week, we decided to do a lower scale version of the wine tour. Six of us, driving around in our minivan (STYLIN’) with a fourth couple to join us for dinner. The sun was shining (28C/86F), Matthew claimed the spot of designated driver and we were off to the Naramata Bench.
For those of you who don’t know/haven’t been playing along at home, I live in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. We’re at the North end of some desert that runs from California (It’s probably in that wikipedia link, but I’m lazy), which means that we live in a dry climate. We have insane heat in the summer and have many “brown” Christmases. It gets grey and cold and dark, yes, but we get nowhere near the snow levels that our prairie friends do.
I’M GETTING AHEAD OF MYSELF.
The weather has been sunny and pretty and warm. I have freckles on my nose to prove it.
This past Saturday we ventured out with no plan other than to hit some of the recommended wineries and stock up our reserves. I tried not to be a photorazzi but managed to take a few pictures:
A weather vane:
The view of Okanagan Lake:
A wine glass at Lake Breeze:
This was the one place where, after our wine tasting, we ate some bread and shared a bottle of wine and shared some great conversation. It was a little bit amazing.
I snapped a few shots along our travels:
I wondered if I should feel bad for Matthew being the designated driver but he was happy to sit in the sun and take iPhone photos.
And just sit.
While I was busy taking photos of wine bottles.
(Can you see me?)
It was exactly what I needed after last week. I spent many hours talking, laughing and making smart remarks. The night ended with plans for the eight of us to hit Karaoke night at a local pub the week after next and we practiced on the way home: a little bit of Journey, a little bit of Neil Diamond, a little bit of Rick Astley. It’s going to be ridiculous(ly awesome).
*U2. Obviously. Kind of fitting, if you’ve ever been here.
**More photos on Flickr, of course.
Pictures of the view at your lake never get old! Looks like a really nice way to spend an afternoon.
[Reply]
I love your pictures!!
My SIL got a few of those bottles of wine shipped to Ontario for my parents. Lang is my maiden name.
Sounds like a great group of friends
Have fun on your next adventure!
.-= mapsgirl´s last blog ..passing grades =-.
[Reply]
I can see you
Looks like you had a lot of fun! Love your pictures, beautiful.
[Reply]
I can see you
Great photos. It looks like you had a wonderful day. I’m terrible for socialising. I’m becoming a hermit.
[Reply]
Love that photo of Matthew sitting from behind. A great one!
[Reply]
I was saying “I see you!” when I saw the wine bottle photos. Great minds:)
Sounds just perfect!
And now I will sing Rick Astely for the rest of the day.
“never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and …..” (I never remember all the words, I am infamous for blah blah blahing at the end!)
.-= Kami’s Khlopchyk´s last blog ..Fall Photos for a Friday =-.
[Reply]
Gorgeous photos! The post title is one of my favourite U2 songs. Thanks for putting it into my head today!
One day I need to get to the Okanagan to do a wine tour. There was a 10k+ run I heard about a few months ago that also incorporates wine tasting in that region, but I wasn’t able to do it this year. If I ever remember what it was called, maybe I’ll try to do that next year. That would be amazing!
.-= Sharon´s last blog ..Day 25 – Contents of my purse =-.
[Reply]
Sounds like a fabulous day!
Love the photos
.-= hillary´s last blog ..Where The Grass Is Green And The Girls Are Pretty =-.
[Reply]
Sounds like a really wonderful day! Yay! Awesome photos … and yes, I can see you
.-= Hannah´s last blog ..Vakalevu =-.
[Reply]
1. So jealous of the wine!
2. Very glad you got to get out with friends. I know how much that brightens one’s week!
3. You look adorable (in your teeny tiny reflection).
4. Matthew looks quite relaxed – reminds me of my dad a bit and he would have LOVED to just sit there.
5. Beautiful photos (as per usual).
6. I love freckles.
.-= Mrs. Wilson´s last blog ..fall =-.
[Reply]
Oooooooh. Pretty pictures! Glad you had some fun hang out time with friends. Yay!
.-= Danica´s last blog .. =-.
[Reply]
I clicked over here to make a comment and now I don’t remember what I was going to say. I’m glad you had a fun day with some friends!
[Reply]
Great photos! Sounds like a really fun time.
.-= sizzle´s last blog ..Ready- Set- JET =-.
[Reply]
It’s so funny, I was just talking about how the weather went all amazingly sunny on us! No complaints here
Plus? I love your part of our beautiful province
.-= Victoria´s last blog ..Changed =-.
[Reply]
Looks like a great evening! Thanks so much for these great pictures. I grew up in Vernon but moved to Alberta after getting married so I love to see all your beautiful pics of the Okanagan!
[Reply]
Pingback: On Being Thankful | Dutch Blitz
It looks like a great day. You do live in a fantastic place.
LisaDay
[Reply]