THE END

( OF THE ROAD )

THE OKANAGAN VALLEY has many more roads to travel, all of which showcase its natural beauty and diversity. Some wind along the lakeshores and river valleys, lush with broad-leaved trees; others traverse orchards and vineyards or climb to the cool forests of the mountains and plateaus. Whether you have come to the Okanagan for its sun, sand, birds, or wine, these roads will take you through a rewarding and often inspiring landscape.

As more and more people fall under the spell of this valley, more houses are built, and habitat is inexorably lost. There’s a new housing development above my home in Naramata with the motto, “The End of the Road is Just the Beginning.” I hope that this book has provided a new beginning of sorts and has given you a new way to look at the Okanagan Valley. It’s easy to see the bounty of wines and fresh fruit, and the attraction of a sandy beach on a hot summer day is obvious as well, but the natural beauty of the valley is too often taken for granted.

We share this special valley with many other species; it is small, with limited water supplies and a sensitive ecosystem. It would be very easy to do irrevocable damage to its forests, grasslands, and wetlands through shortsighted development. But with proper long-term planning, there is no reason to believe that we cannot continue to enjoy drives through the natural Okanagan, smelling the scent of the pines on warm summer winds or viewing a valley framed in golden grass.