Travel Etiquette Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada. Tourism British Columbia.

MYTH: "Ogopogo" A myth trapped deep in the lakes of the

Okanagan Valley. Reported to be 50-80 feet long and is shaped like a snake or serpent. Supposedly the Ogopogo lives so deep in the fresh water lakes and knows all the hiding spots that for years it has eluded scuba divers, sonar and common sense. There have been pictures of the elusive giant, but whether real or not is yet to be decided.

MYTH: "Too far from Vancouver BC" Whatever! The Okanagan Valley, from the Ferry Terminal in Richmond, Vancouver on the coastal mainland shores of BC, is only a 4 hour drive to the communities of the Okanagan Valley. The road trip takes you through mountain passes, along roaring rivers and beside crystal clear blue lakes. From the city of Vancouver BC anchored on the mainland, the Okanagan Valley can be reached by vehicle or plane. The distance is not far and before you know it, you will be cruising the lake communities in the Okanagan Valley.

MYTH: "Sasquatch" A myth, a folklore, or a rare animal hiding from civilization? It is yet to be proven, but it has been said over a beer or two that a large 500+ pound, 7-8 foot hairy man like creature that walks upright with a slight slouch, has prominent shoulders, and a flat face has been known to roam the West Coast of BC living off of leaves, fish, shellfish, waterfowl, deer, small mammals, and the occasional domestic animal. The long shaggy hair colour can vary from black, brown, reddish brown. It is rumoured the Pacific Northwest is a popular home for the elusive Sasquatch. Ahhhhhh ... Ohhhhhh! What is next, Sasquatch Bells when hiking?

MYTH: "It always Rains" Ok, catch 22 here. You love to come and play in our green and lush backyard, spread out on our sandy beaches under the sun and roam around in our desert but then you complain about the rain. Rain is what makes it all happen. It comes in waves and is unpredictable, yes. Focus on the sunny days because those mean more to us. Because we know the many consecutive sunny days is just around the corner when it is green and lush and hot. Historically we record levels of rainfall far less than the cities of Vancouver, Canada and Seattle and Washington in the USA. Rain lands some where else or evaporates. The Okanagan Valley is part of a desert ... need we say more.

MYTH: "We live in Igloos" Maybe in the movies or in a real old book. But igloos are way north from here. We have charismatic homes on stilts, resorts that float, hotels on beaches and all come with amenities. We have electricity and running water believe it or not but... sorry.... no igloos.

MYTH: "Connected to Vancouver BC" The Okanagan Valley is not a subdivision, district or municipality of Vancouver located on the mainland of British Columbia. The city of Vancouver BC is its own community and the Okanagan Valley is a four hour drive away through the mountains, pass rivers and lakes.

MYTH: ``It is Cold.` Parkas are scarce, most of us have toques and gloves for winter holiday seasons, special occasions and the few odd times it gets cold. The Okanagan Valley temperatures rarely dip below zero Celsius ( 35 F). To some that might be cold. To us, it is what we call seasons. Each season brings different adventures. The Okanagan Valley boosts some of the best weather in western North America. A mild average temperature during the , fall, winter and early spring. Often we are fortunate enough to be able to golf, walk the beaches, backpack, and bike round. The sun... it hangs around a lot. Clouds and rain seasonally. Minus temperatures rarely. Your imagination is your only limitation, not the weather.