Part 2 of 3
One of our first walks followed the ridge north of town alongside Okanagan Crush Pad and Sage Hills.
We then traversed the fire road down to Crescent Beach where we discovered a number of neighbourhood libraries. There were lots of gems to be had but in some there were many copies of a specific author which made us believe someone had just emptied their home library.
Amazingly, we found several other neighbourhood libraries, uptown, Lowertown and in Trout Creek which fed our curiosity of reading other people’s books, and became a great way to expand the usual safe go-to authors and topics. We would then restock the libraries with books from our own collections and pass along the ones we’d borrowed.
A huge thank-you to all those lovely neighbours who took the time to build some unique outside library shelves filled with books to share.
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Sometimes we met people we knew, snowbirds who were benched from their usual winter travels and would typically not be home. What a gift to speak with friends and catch up on each others stories.
We also made new friends along the way, people who were also trying to keep sane and healthy by being outdoors and active, another unexpected gift.
Often, we would stop and ask homeowners, winery and orchard owners how they were doing and would hear tales of sadness of missing faraway family and tales of joy when family had moved home due to lack of work or being unable to pay rent. Not everyone was totally happy with the boomerang family situation but everyone seemed to be making it work.
From the downtown streets to the bike trails of Test of Humanity, from the rail beds of the Kettle Valley Railway to the noise of the walkway along the highway to Trout Creek, we have walked it all. Who knew there was so much local history to be found when we just walked a little slower and little further and explored?
We found walking can give a different perspective on where you are no matter if it’s your home town or a new destination.
How many locals know about the flume that delivered water to the orchards when settlers first moved here? Take a trip up Morrow Avenue.
Who knows about the lovely strata complex along Garnet Avenue or the locations of the silviculture (tree growing) businesses?
Who has passed by the house with the model trains in the front garden or seen the places to buy fresh eggs? Have you seen the lambs from Dale Meadows Road?
Diana Smith is a Summerland resident and an avid walker.
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