Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost

A midst the lush coniferous forests and towering rock formations of the Interior of British Columbia lies a dusty and rugged gem: an arid desert ecosystem that houses rare reptiles, animals and flora found nowhere else in Canada, along with a hidden collection of windy roads. Penticton, sits in the middle of this unique environment, situated between Okanagan and Skaha lakes. Cradled by these lakes, the city offers a unique experience in an exotic landscape with options to ride in every direction that weave in and out of the dense Interior. Rain doesn’t happen there often; I am reminded of this every time I pass through the area – and this time was no different.

I rolled into town with my jacket soggy and eyes heavy. My ride down from Revelstoke, B.C., had been rainy most of way, and although the ride was relatively short, the rain seemed to leach energy from my body in record amounts. As I passed a sign delineating the city limits of Penticton, the rain stopped and the temperature rose, as they do here without fail. I followed a vibrant rainbow of neon signs that flickered along the luminous waterfront to the Tiki Shores Motel, where I’d be staying for the next few days while exploring the area.

I met up with Thom Tischik, a friend who works for Tourism