by lakecountry | May 26, 2017 | Bloggers, History of Lake Country, Natural History, Thomson, Duane
We read in the newspaper that the current flood conditions are a “once in two hundred year” event. How would we know that? We have no written records for Lake Country before settlement, which began with Tom Wood’s pre-emption of 160 acres at the south end of Pelmewash...
by lakecountry | Aug 19, 2016 | Bloggers, History of Lake Country, Thomson, Carol
Oft on a clear, fresh summer morn I’ve stood as one deep-rooted to the ground And gazed and gazed upon its loveliness; Taking a deep draught to my thirsty soul. It was the lake of many colors and I thought No man can rob me of this gem – all else may go; Sports,...
by lakecountry | May 13, 2016 | Bloggers, Gibbons, Richard, History of Lake Country
“Everyone should believe in something; I believe I’ll go fishing.” (H.D. Thoreau) Our particular part of the Okanagan Valley affords myriad opportunities for recreation. One of the most pleasant, enjoyable and affordable, enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, is...
by lakecountry | Apr 15, 2016 | Bloggers, History of Lake Country, Thomson, Carol
The hills and valleys are covered with gold, A sight to see on the winding road. The Sunflower, gay and yellow, Seems to say “Cheer up, old fellow,” I send you a message of hope and cheer, By “Shooting Star” who dwells quite near. Then when I am gone, others are born,...
by lakecountry | Feb 12, 2016 | Bloggers, Community Events, History of Lake Country, This Day in History, Thomson, Duane
During some particularly cold winters Kalamalka Lake freezes over. Harold Thomson, who was raised in Oyama, said that in his experience Kalamalka Lake froze once every ten years and the adjoining Wood Lake froze nine out of ten years. Hauling freight on the lake was...
by lakecountry | Jan 2, 2016 | Bloggers, Community Events, History of Lake Country, Thomson, Duane
Curling became popular in Eastern Canada in the early nineteenth century and as the West opened up, the game found a natural home – long cold winters and idle time for prairie farmers. Clubs were formed in Winnipeg, Calgary and other western cites in the 1880s. The...
by lakecountry | Aug 21, 2015 | Bloggers, History of Lake Country, Thomson, Duane
On last week’s blog the mention of the possible origin of the name Kalamalka was interesting but it left the impression that there is agreement on the derivation of the name. Carmen Weld suggests that Kalamalka may be a form of the name Kenamaska, the name of the...
by lakecountry | Aug 14, 2015 | Bloggers, History of Lake Country, Natural History, Thomson, Carol
Every resident and tourist alike will agree that one of the jewels of the Okanagan is Kalamalka Lake – but what is it that gives the lake that alluring blue-green colour? As it turns out, Kal Lake is one of only a handful of very special “marl lakes” that...
by lakecountry | Sep 19, 2014 | Bloggers, History of Lake Country, Thomson, Carol
December 12, 1918. Vernon News A rather unfortunate accident happened on “The Railroad” last Saturday. Rev. Mr. Cassidy was driving and his team of horses became frightened and ran away throwing Mr. Cassidy out of the rig. Mr. Henry Irving who had just been offered a...
by lakecountry | Sep 12, 2014 | Bloggers, History of Lake Country, Thomson, Duane
The earliest domestic cattle in the interior arrived from the Columbia Valley in the 1840s, trailed in by the Hudson’s Bay Company and traded among the Okanagan Indians. By 1850, Okanagan Chief Nicola owned a large number of horses and “a good many cattle.”...
by lakecountry | Jun 6, 2014 | Bloggers, History of Lake Country, Thomson, Duane
Charlie and Harold Thomson constructed a diving tower in front of the family home on the shore of Kalamalka Lake in the summer of 1933. As can be seen from the photograph of the tower under construction, it was made of poles and boards lashed and nailed together. The...
by lakecountry | Jan 3, 2014 | Bloggers, History of Lake Country, Thomson, Duane
Before the navigation canal was built in 1908, a creek drained Wood Lake into Long (Kalamalka) Lake. Wood Lake was initially four feet higher than Kalamalka, perhaps five or six feet higher during the spring freshet. In some years the water gushed down the creek...
