Osoyoos, British Columbia (Pronounced “O-sue-use”)
Osoyoos is one of British Columbia’s southernmost communities, the US border being five minutes away. The name Osoyoos is an Indian word meaning “Narrows of the Lake”. Osoyoos Lake is British Columbia’s warmest lake and it crosses the border into the United States.
In 1811, the first white men to visit the area were David Stuart and Mr. Montigny. The area then became part of the fur-trading route by the Hudson’s Bay Company. After the gold rush a customs house was built on the border in 1861. The first commercial orchard was established in 1890 and a canal was built in 1919 for irrigation – a necessity in such an arid region.
Low-lying at 227m (909ft), Osoyoos is well known for it’s relatively mild winters and very hot summers. The average temperature during July and August is 38 degrees Celsius, 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Luckily Osoyoos Lake and the Waterslides provide relief from the heat of the day. On arrival in the Osoyoos area, the arid countryside may remind the tourist of the Nevada Desert. Well, Osoyoos is home to Canada’s only official desert. With plants and animals that are native only to this area, preservation of such species has taken a priority in this region. The Desert Centre is well worth visiting. A boardwalk has been built so that the plants and creatures remain undisturbed. Interpretive tours are offered by the Desert Centre and the visitor can see examples of desert plants such as the prickly pear cactus, and, creatures such as praying mantises, snakes and desert inhabiting spiders.
Even if you are afraid of such creatures, they are not close enough to do you any harm. I went on the tour a couple of years ago and learned so much from it.
The Desert Centre also holds Bird Watching tours and everyone from amateur to professional is welcome. The area is home to many different species of bird including the Golden Eagle and the Bluebird so don’t forget your camera.
While in Osoyoos you may wish to visit the local Windmill. This striking landmark houses a tearoom and gift shop and not something one would expect to find in the desert area of British Columbia. The windmill also puts on free flour grinding demonstrations.
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