I Dream of Jeannie

It is our first day in Kelowna with Jen and Przmek and our friends Ray and Lesley. We have a 2 bedroom motel with living are and kitchen for the 4 of us and R&L are at a hotel close by. We are all up early and Jen and I begin planning the day. Of course we have googled "best things to do in Kelowna" and our friend, Mark, who lives in Kelowna has given us some tips too. At the top of the list is Myra Canyon and Jen says excitedly that she wants to bike the trail. I see Rip's eyes widen and I know what he is thinking! "No way I am going to get on any bike 3,000 feet up a canyon wall!". Hmmmm. We set out and the first challenge is for the Westy to climb the rough gravel road into the parking area for the canyon tour. In fact, we can smell that the van has overheated when we arrive - we hope we can get back! The Kettle Valley Railway was built through the canyon with 18 trestles (huge bridges supported by long, daddy-long legs kind of supports. A fire in 2003 destroyed all but one of them and since then they have all been rebuilt to preserve this historic railway trail. The skies are cloudy and as we park, and there is the light sprinkle of rain. We discover that the bike ride/walking path is 12 km. There are only 5 bikes left, and Rip has decided to walk the trail for a bit and then relax in the Westy. We set out and very quickly the rain stops and the skies clear. Immediately we are blown away by the views along the trail - Jen shouts to me "Mom, stay on the left side!". The trail winds its way close to the edge of the cliffs, 3,000 feet up, and I decide it is best to pass walkers on the right and stay to the left! It is awe inspiring to see the views of the canyon, the mountains in the background and Okanagan Lake. We also bike through 2 long tunnels and every turn brings a "wow". Along the way, I realize it has been some time since I used my bike. I see a woman in front of me wearing her biking shorts with that lovely padding. I visualize where my bike shorts are at home - our bedroom closet, centre baskets, top basket. I remember the show "I Dream of Jeannie" of years ago where Barbara Eden would twitch her nose to make something happen - genie style! I wish I could twitch my nose to bring my biking shorts right now! My butt is getting very sore! The views keep me going and Jen sees a sign "5 km.". She says, it must be counting down from where we started - so I have hope - only 5 km to go. Only trouble is that the next sign we see says "7 km". Oh no, it is counting up and we are only just past halfway. Again, I wish I could twitch my nose and bring us closer to the last trestle, except for the views that are amazing. Finally we get there. Lesley says, "it is only a 3% grade" on the way back - I realize it is 3% UP grade. I slow the group down a bit, but keep on peddling! We return 2 hours later and 24 km of biking later, with photos and memories of views that no one could create with a twitch of the nose - amazing! And the Westy has cooled down and Rip has had a nap, a snack and read a magazine. We are super pumped from our experience - and so glad to have gone to Myra Canyon. I'll be packing my biking shorts next trip!