Small seaside towns. Beautiful ocean vistas.

The crisp sunny days of September and October are made for road trips. The good weather was making me restless, and the coastal towns of Vancouver Island were calling me. 

Sunday, at nine in the morning, I impulsively strapped my e-bike onto my car rack, tossed a few items into a suitcase, and hit the road. 

I didn't have a defined plan except to head to the island for a few days. To breathe in moist salty air, watch the waves, and eat fresh fish.

After brief stops at Parsons Fruit Stand in Keremeos to stock up on crisp Ambrosia apples and the Grand Union Cafe in Hedley for a latte, I continued driving southwest toward the coast.

Instead of driving straight through to Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal, I spontaneously detoured onto Highway 7 at Hope and overnighted at the Sasquatch Inn in Harrison Mills. 

Sasquatch Inn

The inn is a favourite stop for groups of middle-aged to senior motorcyclists, enjoying a road trip in perfect fall weather. 

The pub food was good, and my bed was comfortable. 

In the morning, I retraced my route a short distance. I was the first customer of the day at the Cabin Fever Junction bakery in nearby Agassiz. Their scones are to die for! 

Cabin Fever Junction Bakery

And then the rain started. I had a reservation for a mid-afternoon ferry sailing from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, leaving plenty of time to negotiate 92 kilometers of heavy commuter traffic between the outlying cities and Metro Vancouver. Stop and go. Stop and go!

A ferry reservation between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island is always a good idea. When I traveled with my little adventure buddy, Sparky, prebooking was the best way to ensure that our car would be on the upper, open deck, and I would be allowed to remain in the car with him. Drivers on the lower decks must exit their vehicles. Only registered service or guide dogs are permitted inside the boats. There is a pet area on the top deck, but it can be unpleasant and noisy. As Sparky aged, he became more sensitive to the blast from the ships' horns and preferred to remain in the car. (I miss my travel buddy. On May 2nd, Sparky left for a new adventure somewhere in the universe.)

Ferry to Nanaimo BC

When the ship docked in Nanaimo, I turned north toward Nanoose Bay to spend a couple of days with friends whom I have known since 1981. Their charming Cairn terrier was happy to provide much-needed doggie love.

The steady rain continued to thwart my cycling plans, but in the interim, I had my bike tuned up at Big Grin Bikes in Qualicum Beach. Several bolts had rattled off over the summer. Georgia tightened, replaced, adjusted, cleaned, and polished my bike. It looked brand new. When I went to pick it up, Georgia also adjusted my handlebars into a more comfortable position. 

Ladysmith Old Town Bakery

A few days later, when I was traveling south toward Sooke, I chanced upon the delightful Old Town Bakery in the middle of a downpour. I detoured from the Island Highway into Ladysmith for a short break from driving in the rain. After hunting for a parking spot in the quaint downtown area, I dashed into the bakery. And stopped! 

The bakery was packed with customers waiting for a chance to order their favourite indulgence. As we slowly inched along toward the front of the line, I changed my mind several times. Cookies, bars, tarts, slices of pie, savory rolls, and then the famous cinnamon buns in a multitude of flavours: pumpkin pie, peanut butter, chocolate, and of course, cinnamon. It's October. I had to try the pumpkin pie flavour! So, so good. I nearly went into a food coma. 

Sooke BC

Back on the Island Highway, my next stop was the Prestige Oceanfront Resort in Sooke. One look at the view from my room, and I added another night to my reservation. The proximity of the ocean filled my soul with peace. 

The Prestige chain was founded by Josef and Anna Huber, who arrived in Canada in 1950 and started with a small motel in the Okanagan Valley. Built in 2010, this hotel has the feel of a 1920s seaside resort. 

My oceanfront room had high ceilings, crown moldings, and interesting architectural details. The staff are fabulous. 

Galloping Goose Trail

The weather had finally cleared, and I cycled a good chunk of the Galloping Goose Trail, running from Victoria to Sooke. 

It's a well-maintained trail and an easy ride, but the dense rainforest vegetation frequently blocks the view of the ocean.

Two days later, I meandered along country roads, exploring the oceanfront communities of Sooke, East Sooke, Metchosin, and Colwood, and then I discovered Hatley Castle. 

Hatley Castle, Royal Roads University

I have lived in British Columbia most of my life (except for a dozen years in Mexico) and had never heard about this stunning 800-acre historic site. Oh, sure, I knew about the Royal Roads University, originally a military college, but I didn't know it is a national historic site open to the public. The castle was closed in preparation for a wedding, so I just walked around the perimeter. 

My next find was Fort Rodd Hill and the Fisgard lighthouse. It's another national historic site, located in close proximity to Royal Roads University. Surrounded by coastal landscapes, Fort Rodd Hill was a 19th-century artillery fortress in active duty from 1895 to 1956. Fisgard Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on Canada's west coast. Exploring the site is a great way to stretch your legs, then relax on a driftwood log, and breathe in the fresh salty air. 

Fisgard Lighthouse

Driving from Fisgard Lighthouse, I explored the twisty Prospect Lake Road, driving past lush farms and stunning homes. Moving on through Brentwood Bay and Moses Point via the West Saanichton Road, I arrived at The Waterfront Inn & Suites in Sidney, BC. 

This was the last night of my one-week poke around on Vancouver Island. The hotel is located on the boardwalk in downtown Sidney. I stayed in the newer annex, on the 2nd floor overlooking the harbour. 

View from Waterfront Inn & Suites, new annex

Nearby shops specializing in quality clothing, outdoor gear, home decor, and bed and bath accessories are fun to explore. The Riva Restaurant is in the same complex. I enjoyed a yummy meal with an oceanfront view. It was a great area to hang out on my last night before heading home to the Okanagan.

Sidney is a short distance from the Schwartz Bay ferry terminal. I caught the 7 a.m. boat, heading home. 

Cheers, Lynda

Sparky's Story - A Surprise Gift

 

2014 Sparky and his servant

Chapter 40

The next adventure.

May 2^nd, 2025, Sparky departed for his next epic adventure, somewhere in the Universe.

He’s been suffering from chronic pain for years, and his medications weren't effective anymore. His spine and joints were disintegrating with age, and the after-effects of being hit by a car when he was very young.

When he adopted us, he could only use three legs. The back right leg was weak and damaged. Over time, we were able to help him regain the use of the damaged leg, but when he was tired, he lifted it to run. Now the pain in his right shoulder, his right hip, and his spine is causing him distress.

2016 Lawrie, Sparky watching the Super Bowl

Sparky has been my adventure partner and my grief therapist. We’ve lived in five cities in two countries: Isla Mujeres, San Miguel de Allende, White Rock, Summerland, and Penticton.

He’s traveled on airplanes seven times. Since returning to Canada in March of 2020, we have traveled 120,000 kilometers on driving trips and adventures. We visited fourteen American states and nine Canadian provinces.

I deeply miss his independent and quirky personality. His steadfast companionship. And his snoring!

Enjoy your next epic adventure, Sparky. Sir Fuzz-butt. The Sparkinator.

You were the very best surprise gift for Lawrie and me.

Small towns. Big mountains!

Typical September weather

September is my favourite month of the year in British Columbia. Cool nights. Warm sunny days. The aroma of ripe peaches, apples, plums, and pears. And clear skies.

Well, usually clear skies. This September started with an explosion of wildfires in diverse areas from the upper northeast corner of the province to the southwest, and on Vancouver Island. I planned to explore a variety of small towns nestled in the mountain ranges between the Okanagan Valley and the BC/Alberta border.

Gatzke Orchards Oyama BC

Driving north from my home city of Penticton at the bottom of Lake Okanagan, toward Vernon at the top of the lake, I stopped at Gatzke Orchards in Oyama to stock up on fresh fruit, and at the Village Green Coles bookstore to check on their supply of my Death in the Vineyards mystery novels.

I continued to Revelstoke, a former railway town in the Columbia Mountains. It is a popular skiing, cycling, paddling, and hiking destination. I had a pleasant night at a condo-style hotel in downtown Revelstoke, located near restaurants and shops. The next morning, I fueled up with a large latte and tasty omelet at the Main Street Café before heading toward Golden.

Golden BC

Situated in the Rocky Mountain Trench between the Canadian Rockies and the Purcell Mountains, Golden is surrounded by six of Canada’s most stunning national parks: Yoho, Glacier, Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Mount Revelstoke. 

Unfortunately, the spectacular mountains were well hidden by the smoke. Luckily for me, I have driven through this area several times before, and although I missed the familiar presence of the mountains, the town of Golden was fun to explore.

From Golden, I turned south toward Fairmont Hot Springs for a two-night stay. Fairmont Hot Springs is located in British Columbia's Columbia Valley, situated between the Purcell Mountains to the west and the Rocky Mountains to the east. The resort has both mineral-rich pools for guests and natural, undeveloped hot springs, accessed by a trail from the resort's RV park entrance. The pools are a pleasant way to relax after a long day’s drive.

Fairmont Hot Springs, smoky

The next morning, I drove to the trailhead of the 25-kilometer Markin-MacPhail Westside Legacy trail, running from the highway at Fairmont Hot Springs north to the town of Invermere. 

The paved Westside Legacy trail has numerous benches, picnic tables, viewpoints, and three public toilets. It has a variety of easy sections and tougher areas, including sharp corners and gut-grinding hills.

I confess. I stopped at the top of the last two-kilometer descent into Invermere. It was a steep hill with several switchbacks, and I didn’t have the energy to fight my way back up the incline. My 46-kilometer round trip was an enjoyable workout, even though the view of the magnificent mountains was obscured by smoke.

Markin-MacPhail Trail

Later in the afternoon, I drove to Invermere and poked around the downtown area while listening to the First Friday live music event in the square.

The next morning, I soaked my sore muscles in the mineral pools before heading south. 

With plenty of time to get to my next destination, I took a side trip to Kimberley, a former mining town that in the 1970s marketed itself as the Bavaria of the Rockies to stimulate tourism. The town is nestled within the Purcell Mountains, which are a sub-range of the larger Columbia Mountains system, located west of the Rocky Mountain Trench. 

More recently, the town of Kimberley abandoned the Bavarian theme, focusing on their mining history and mountain recreation to boost tourism. My tacos at the Hourglass Bar & Kitchen were spectacular, as was the ginger-peach iced tea.

Kimberley BC

By the time I arrived at Cranbrook, my patience with the ever-present smoke was running out. I cancelled all of my upcoming reservations and continued driving for a few hours to get closer to my hometown.

Instead of a ten-day slow poke around enjoying the best time of the year for road trips, I decided to go home. It was a disappointing end to my plans, but I had rediscovered Invermere and Kimberley, plus the Markin-MacPhail Westside Legacy trail was a new adventure for me.

You might have noticed Sparky’s absence on this road trip. My little adventure buddy succumbed to age-related problems on May 2nd, 2025. I deeply miss his company.

Cheers

Lynda

Sparky, star of the Isla Mujeres Mysteries and Death in the Vineyards Mysteries!

Grab your copy today.  Available at online book stores.

Cover to Cover, multi-author event @ColesPenticton

 

CANNED: crime novel set at Penticton brewery

John Arendt
about 22 hours ago

Crime novel set at Penticton brewery

Canned, by Lynda Lock, is set in Penticton’s thriving brewery scene

Lynda Lock’s book, Canned, is a crime story featuring Penticton’s brewery scene. The book is the fourth in Lock’s Death in the Vineyard Mystery series, all set in the South Okanagan. With Lock is her dog, Sparky, who is also featured in the novel.John Arendt/Summerland Review

A crime novel, written by a Penticton author, it features the city’s thriving brewery scene.

Canned, by Lynda L. Lock, features Jessica Sanderson and her mutt, Sparky, in the aftermath of an accident at a fictional craft brewery in Penticton.

While police investigate the death, Sanderson — who is not a police officer — also does some sleuthing and uncovers clues in the case.

While Lock describes the book as a beach read, the story also touches on drug use and addiction, which are noticeable in the city and throughout the country.

“My stories are fluffy, but I also want them based on fact,” she said.

The book is the fourth in Lock’s Death in the Vineyard Mystery series, all set in the South Okanagan.

While her previous B.C. novels feature the region’s wineries and wine culture, Canned involves a death at a brewery.

“I’ve always had a soft spot for the breweries here,” Lock said.

She is familiar with the world of craft beer as she and her husband Lawrie moved to Penticton in 1992, and in 1995 the couple opened Tin Whistle Brewery Co, in partnership with Linda and Richard Grierson. It was the 12th craft brewery to open in the province, and the first in Penticton. The group sold the brewery in 1998. 

Lock’s novel, Canned, was released around 30 years after the brewery started, and 24 years after Cannery Brewing, another well-established Penticton brewery was formed. The release also occurred around the Okanagan Fest of Ale, the long-running Penticton beer festival. 

In addition to her four Okanagan novels, Lock is also the author of the Isla Mujeres Mysteries, a series of seven books all set in Mexico and written when she lived in the area. She has also written three children’s books.

Canned on 293 pages and is available through Amazon Canada and other booksellers.

A launch party for Canned is scheduled for Sunday, April 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Cannery Brewing, 198 Ellis St., Penticton. The public is invited to meet the author and have their books signed.

In the beginning: South Okanagan's 1st craft brewery

 

Logan Lockhart
Apr 2, 2022 3:25 PM

The start of the South Okanagan’s brewery scene can be traced back to 1994

Early results indicated that Tin Whistle was a success shortly after its official opening in 1995

The late Lawrie Lock, one of the co-founders of the South Okanagan’s first brewery, pictured in the mid-1990s inside his business. (Photo courtesy of Lynda Lock).

When Lynda Lock and her husband, Lawrie, moved to the Okanagan from Vancouver in 1992, they wanted to put their passion for being adventurous to the test.

Their idea of starting the region’s first brewery may have been simple, but to many, it was too ambitious. The two individuals, along with Lawrie’s sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Richard Grierson, embraced the challenge.

Front: Steve, Richard Grierson, Lynda Lock, Dave Prechel.
Back: Lawrie Lock and Linda Grierson

And from there, Tin Whistle, the South Okanagan’s first brewery, was born in 1994.

“For us to do the brewery, it was just a fun, crazy thing to try,” Lynda said.

At the time, there were eight wineries in the Okanagan. Before their arrival from the Lower Mainland, the Locks always believed they were destined for the wine business.

After realizing the opportunity they had to lead a new scene in the region, however, their approach quickly led to excelling in the brewery business.

“With wine, we didn’t have a clue,” she said.

“You had to grow the grapes and then you harvest them, crush them, go through a bunch of other stuff. So we just decided to stick with something much easier.”

Early results indicated that Tin Whistle was a success shortly after its official opening in the summer of 1995.

But little did the Locks know that their venture would be partially responsible for starting the now vibrant brewery scene in the South Okanagan.

“It was amazing how well it was received at that time,” Lynda said. “And today, you see about 10 breweries within 20 kilometres of each other.”

Opening Tin Whistle didn’t come without feedback from skeptics within the community, who believed the idea of owning a sustainable brewery wasn’t possible in what was known as “wine country.”

“People said ‘are you crazy?’ and I said, yes, I guess we are,” she added.

Lynda Lock is proud of the legacy Tin Whistle, the South Okanagan’s first brewery, has left on the community almost 30 years later. (Photo courtesy of Lynda Lock)

The family sold Tin Whistle in 1998 after three years of existing among the South Okanagan’s first-ever breweries. Lock’s husband passed away in 2018 due to Rapid Onset ALS.

That didn’t come before he sparked the idea to start the community’s very own beer festival, better known today as the Okanagan Fest of Ale.

“Lawrie told the sales manager at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre about this festival in Victoria,” Lynda explained. “They checked it out for themselves and then in the spring of 1996, a board of directors at the centre decided to do the same thing right here.”

Since then, the festival has been a community success each year. The 2022 edition of the Okanagan Fest of Ale is set to begin on May 14.

Reminiscing about the start of the festival and what Tin Whistle’s legacy has meant to Penticton after all these years still makes Lock as proud as ever.

“It’s nice to get a little bit of acknowledgment that we as a group of four people did something kind of cool and different and has helped spawn this other part of the tourism scene,” she said.

Alexis Esseltine and Tim Scoon purchased Tin Whistle Brewing on Oct. 30, 2020, and continue to call the business “the original craft brewery of the South Okanagan.”

Tangled Isla #20 in Best Sellers in Canadian Women Writers!

 

Tangled Isla Book #7, Isla Mujeres Mysteries

#20 of the Best Sellers in Canadian Women Writers.

Grab your copy today!

Has an unidentified killer of several Florida women relocated to the tropical paradise of Isla Mujeres?

Leading up to the busiest time of the year on Isla Mujeres, four young women similar in appearance to the Florida victims, are unaccounted for and have been reported as missing by concerned friends.

Longing for a reunion with her island friends Jessica Sanderson returns to Mexico on a solo visit, leaving her partner Mike Lyons with the challenging task of babysitting her legendary and finicky dog, Sparky.

When Jessica arrives on the island she is persuaded to participate in the annual children’s parade, wearing the Minnie Mouse costume. The parade is disrupted by an unexplained event, and Jessica becomes entangled in the mystery of the missing women.

Will Jessica be able to solve this mystery without the help of Sparky, her famous clue-finding pooch?

Available in online bookstores.

CANNED! My new mystery novel celebrates 30 years of craft brewing in S. Okanagan

 

Tin Whistle Brewing Company was created in 1995 by Lawrie and Lynda Lock, and Richard and Linda Grierson.

(Front) Steve Emshay, Richard Grierson, Lynda Lock, Dave Prechel  

(Back) Lawrie Lock, and his sister Linda Grierson

Photo credit Angela Prechel: 1^st South Okanagan craft brewery, Tin Whistle Brewing Company

It began in 1995 with a phone call between Lawrie Lock and his sister Linda Grierson. In 1994, Linda and her husband Richard suggested that the four of us open the first craft brewery in the South Okanagan. 

It took a year to buy a property, remodel it, order custom-made tanks and equipment, and, more importantly learn how to make English-style ales.

We opened the Tin Whistle Brewing Company in August 1995 with three ales: Penticton Pale Ale, Whistle Stop Dark, and Rattlesnake ESB. 

Three months later we changed the names to Coyote Pale, Black Widow Dark, and kept Rattlesnake ESB. By 1996, we had added Peaches and Cream and Killer Bee Dark Honey.

In 1998, local businesswoman Lorraine Nagy approached us, asking if we were interested in selling our company. Yes, we were! We had enjoyed the challenge of the startup and were ready for a new adventure.

Lorraine Nagy remained the owner of Tin Whistle until 2021, when she sold it to the current owners, Alexis Esseltine, Tim Scoon, and their family.

Congratulations to Alexis and Tim for steering Tin Whistle Brewing Company on a fresh new course. Follow the link below to see their interesting array of new products. https://www.tinwhistlebrewery.com/

~

My newest murder mystery is set in Penticton BC, 

The Craft Brewery Capital of Canada!

Canned Book #4

Canadian holiday ideas: Okanagan Fest of Ale, April 11th & 12th 2025

Food, fun, music, and amazing craft beers!

Follow this link for the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kta9H8K3Rv4&t=210s

Okanagan Area Breweries

"Enjoy Okanagan hospitality and great craft beer year-round in Penticton.  Recently named Canada's Craft Beer Capital by Lonely Planet, and one of the Best Beer Towns in Canada by Expedia, and one of the Top 10 Best Destinations for Beer Enthusiasts, 2018 by askmen.co  Penticton's booming craft beer scene won't be BC's best-kept secret for much longer."

"Penticton boasts a lively craft beer scene.  It is home to 7 craft breweries which makes Penticton the beer capital of BC with more breweries per capita than any other Canadian city!"

"Long before the craft beer craze the city has acted as host for the Fest of Ale.  The annual festival features craft beer and cider from BC and beyond and is one of the longest-running and largest beer festivals in the Pacific Northwest."

"Many local establishments offer a great selection of craft brews and fabulous fare. Make plans to check out the year-round local craft breweries in the sudsy Okanagan."

Canadian holiday ideas: Herring Neck Dory Festival, July 17th to 20th, 2025

My plan for the foreseeable future is to promote Canada in any way that I can. Today's post is about Newfoundland, our most easterly province.

The annual Grassroots Cultural Festival in Herring Neck Newfoundland takes place July 17th to 20th, 2025. (Close to Twillingate and Iceberg Alley.)

Great Music, Fun Competition, and a Whole Lot of Community Spirit.

This community-based festival highlights some of Newfoundland's greatest traditions. From Kitchen Parties to Rowing Races and everything in between, the Herring Neck Dory Festival has fun for the whole family to enjoy.

The four-day festival will take place July 17-20, 2025.

Stay and play in Canada!

Nearby Twillingate, and iceberg alley