Meet In Kelowna (Pix. Heavy)

Past and future planned - events/ outings/ training sessions/ offline meets/ camps/ matches etc.
User avatar
ckkalyan
Veteran
Veteran
Posts: 1484
Joined: Sat May 29, 2010 10:37 pm
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Contact:

Re: Meet In Kelowna

Post by ckkalyan » Thu Sep 26, 2013 2:30 am

Day 3 Mon, 23 Sep

Come Monday morning it was raining steadily, cold and no sign of the Sun. Since the weather was not great there was not much hunting, outdoor or gun related activity that could be considered. Grrrr…. :cry:

Alternate plan: Baljit’s uncle works the week at Oroville WA, USA and drives back home to Winfield BC Canada for the weekends. We decided to take him up on his earlier offer and visit him. The route to Oroville would take us admirably, over a major part of the Okanagan Valley Wine Route including wineries in Kelowna, Penticton and Oliver. The plan was to do the wine route on our way back giving us more time to explore, driving at a relaxed pace keeping an eye out for attractions by the route.

Link to more information here http://okanagan.com/maps/wine_map.htm

After a quick lunch we left at 1:20 pm driving through the rain, which incidentally, did nothing to reduce the amazing beauty of the mountains and lakes. On our drive we would have the mountains on our right and we would cover most of the route with the huge 80 km long Lake Okanagan, on our left.

Rainy Day!
Image

Image

Image

While driving in the Okanagan Valley I could not help but notice that this is definitely truck country; all sorts and manner of trucks passing by, their huge engines growling powerfully on the mountain terrain. I could spot very few saloon cars on the streets and highways.

Truck Country
Image

Image

An hour and half of driving on Highway 97 South, past incredible scenery of craggy mountains and sparkling lakes took us through towns with curious names such as Peachland, Summerland, Penticton, Okanagan Falls, Oliver and brought us to the unique border town of Osoyoos - which is a desert!

Desert Country in the midst of Cold Canada- how cool is that?!
Image

Welcome to Osoyoos - a treasure in the sun. Osoyoos is Desert Wine Country's Sweet Spot with the charm of a beach town surrounded by the only living desert in Canada. Taste award winning wine bottled where it is grown, savour sun-warmed fruit straight off the tree, visit centres devoted to preservation of our ecology, native culture and local history and then refresh yourself in the warmest fresh water lake in Canada.

More information at Link http://www.osoyoos.ca/content/about-osoyoos-1

The only living desert in Canada
Image

Craggy Mountains....
Image

Image

Image

The interesting thing at Penticton is that Lake Okanagan ends here, transforming itself into a canal that carries on across the border and into the States. In fact as we progressed on the next day came across a county called Okanogan (note the minor difference in spelling) and also a river of the same name.

Here is a link to more information on the spelling and how it flows from BC Canada to Osoyoos, WA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okanogan_RiverOkanogan Canal / River

Okanogan River
Image

Image

The border crossing was completely empty, we got through in no time but, we noticed that there was a line up on the way back into Canada. Oroville just across the border is a small, one time prosperous mining town, area 1.64 square miles, POP of maybe 1,700 with a mostly agriculture based economy. A few vacation cottages have been built recently, so I guess the lumber mill is a pretty big player in the town’s economy.

Duty - Freeeeee...........Canadians - save in the US of A
Image

Booze Galore – Low Prices and you can have your Goose too!
Image

Image

No rush to get in to the US - but a huge line-up to get back into Canada
Image

Welcome to Washington State!
Image

Image

We soon reached the mill – the Gorman Bros Plant; we quickly met up with Baljit’s uncle who immediately offered to show us around the plant. Uncle is the chief of the Wigwam – the Plant Manager! We enjoyed his personally guided tour of the board plant and were impressed by the latest computerized, processing equipment. The tour of the plant was of keen interest to Baljit as this is his line of work too in the same company in West Kelowna.

The Gorman Bros. Lumber Mill (Reman & Reload Plant, Oroville WA, USA)
Image

Broadening our minds - a wonderful education...!
Image

...on what keeps a Lumber Mill ticking...
Image

Image

Image

Me with Uncle in the plant...he is a wonderful person!
Image

Board going into auto grading scanner
Image

Trim Saws
Image

Out of the saw box
Image

Auto Printed Board Ends
Image

Strapping and Packing
Image

Wrapping
Image

Image

Finished Product Packaging
Image

Ready to Ship
Image

In the Gorman Yard - looks like I almost work here - huh?
Image

As you might have guessed there wasn’t much to do in Oroville. There was still light so we decided to take a trip to Omak a much larger town about 65 kms away to take a look at what was available in Walmart.

On the way to Omak
Image

Desert Country continues!
Image

Image

On the Way Back - to Oroville
Image

We were soon done shopping having picked up what was needed, we returned to Oroville and set up shop for an evening of drinks.

The Bar!
Image

Spoilt for choice....hmm...what do we pick?
Image

Image

We all enjoyed a pleasant time chatting and lowering the levels in uncle’s bottle of Beefeater’s Gin. Baljit of course, chose to stay with Crown Royal. I got the opportunity to sample a bottle of Appleton Estates Jamaican Rum, a blend of 15 choice aged rums. It was so smooth I was able to sip it straight! Dinner was some delicious fried chicken purchased at a local shop, I am sure the recipe borrowed quite heavily from the famous Colonel!

Mixing Cocktails and having fun...
Image

Image

Yummy - Lipsmacking! :lol:
Image

Khao, Piyo - Aaish Karo!
Image

All too soon it was time to give the body its mandatory 40 winks...
Last edited by ckkalyan on Thu Sep 26, 2013 12:21 pm, edited 2 times in total.
When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns!

For Advertising mail webmaster
User avatar
brihacharan
Old Timer
Old Timer
Posts: 3112
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2010 3:33 pm
Location: mumbai

Re: Meet In Kelowna (Pix. Heavy)

Post by brihacharan » Thu Sep 26, 2013 10:00 am

CKK / Baljit,
> Great going You & Baljit....
> If I have nothing to do over the week-end - I'll just go through your pics & travelogue - Close my eyes and have a virtual trip of the trail you guys blazed :D
> Oh! by the way the pic of you squeezing lime over a Vodka Martini is too much man ... while you are at it the next time... make one for me & down it with "here's to briha"... rest assured the spirit will get to me :D
:cheers:
Briha

User avatar
ckkalyan
Veteran
Veteran
Posts: 1484
Joined: Sat May 29, 2010 10:37 pm
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Contact:

Re: Meet In Kelowna (Pix. Heavy)

Post by ckkalyan » Sat Sep 28, 2013 2:11 am

Day 4 Tue, 24 Sep

We woke up at, as Bertie Wooster likes to put it, ‘at a decent hour’ no worse for the wear with all the ‘Khaao, Piyo – Aaish Karo’ mood that was on the night before! :lol:

We noticed that the weather was fine and sunny, prefect for a drive through wine country. Our drive took us through greenery and clean smells of the sun-warmed earth assailed our nostrils. We passed farming establishments with the names of their owners and brands of produce / wine on prominently displayed signs. A striking fact was that we came upon names like Sandhu, Gill, Sidhu, Sahota, Ahluwalia, Sodhi, interspersed with Desert Hills, Oliver Twist, Cassini Cellars, Castoro de Oro, Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, Cedar Creek Estate Winery and Gold Hill Winery.

On the way back to Canada.
Image

Image

Before we cross the border we make a quick stop at local store here.

Image

Image

Image

Back on the road again.

Image

Image

Crossing the Canada/US border.

Image

Image

Back in Canada.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

All of a sudden, we spotted what we thought was a castle. We realized later that it was a very large manor house and that it is referred to in Punjab as a ‘Koti’ – quite an amazing sight. :shock:

"Koti"

Image

We also spotted a Sikh Temple here.

Image

Image


Whenever something caught or eye or fancy, which was frequently, we stopped for photographs.

Bunches of Purple Grapes hanging heavy on their vines

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

We were attracted by the name Castoro de Oro and decided to stop by the vineyard, a quaint little cottage with an outdoor arbour and signs of welcome everywhere. We were helloed cheerfully by a lady who asked us if we wanted to try some of their wines. Stella owns the winery with her husband. She was very knowledgeable about their wines, kept up a continuous flow of information going during the tasting. Stella had a fantastic sense of humour and explained that they were a boutique winery but has a few more variants than other vineyards. We got into a discussion about Rose’ wines and how they were mostly seen and consumed in France and other parts of Europe; she mentioned that Roses were fast regaining popularity, worldwide.

Image

Image

Tasting the wine.

Image

Image

Rack of wine
Image

Baljit declined to try the wines as he was the designated driver; but he had no objection to purchase a bottle of their excellent 2011 Merlot; I picked up a bottle of Pinot Noir 2010.

Image

Link to Castoro de Oro here http://www.castorodeoro.com/index.html

Back on the road again.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Playing with sling shot.

Image

Image

This is the rout we took it.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

I must mention here that this trip was partly to celebrate my taking the first step to becoming a firearms owner in Canada.

A couple of weeks ago, soon after returning from the thoroughly enjoyable trip to Minnesota, visiting xl_target, I decided purely on impulse, to make a ‘now or never’ effort.

I applied and paid for a two-day (8 Hrs / day) course for the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC). Passing these is mandatory to apply for a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL). With the CFSC one can own long guns; for the right to own handguns one needs to pass the CRFSC as well. I felt it prudent to get both done together; in for a penny…logic!

I am happy to report that I aced both the theory and practical tests with 98% and 100%
I had brought along with me the application form for the PAL which Baljit kindly helped me fill out this evening. I also had to attach a latest mug-shot which I got done today at the local Walmart. Once mailed with the requisite fee the application take about 73 days to get vetted and approved.

If anyone is interested in what the CFSC / CRFSC entail here is a link for the PDF version of the course books

http://www.firearms-safety-course.com/m ... Course.pdf

http://www.firearms-safety-course.com/m ... Course.pdf


More pictures with Baljit's Toy's coming soon. :D
Last edited by ckkalyan on Sat Sep 28, 2013 4:00 am, edited 2 times in total.
When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns!

User avatar
xl_target
Old Timer
Old Timer
Posts: 3488
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 7:47 am
Location: USA

Re: Meet In Kelowna (Pix. Heavy)

Post by xl_target » Sat Sep 28, 2013 3:39 am

I am happy to report that I aced both the theory and practical tests with 98% and 100%
I had brought along with me the application form for the PAL which Baljit kindly helped me fill out this evening. I also had to attach a latest mug-shot which I got done today at the local Walmart. Once mailed with the requisite fee the application take about 73 days to get vetted and approved.
Woohoo!
Congratulations! Time for another celebration?
Or are you all celebrated out? :wink:
“Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense” — Winston Churchill, Oct 29, 1941

User avatar
Hammerhead
Shooting true
Shooting true
Posts: 607
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2011 6:52 am
Location: Toronto

Re: Meet In Kelowna (Pix. Heavy)

Post by Hammerhead » Sat Sep 28, 2013 5:54 pm

Nice ........ CK should be appointed Ambassador of IFG.

And Baljit Photographer just say'ng :mrgreen:
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. - Edmund Burke

User avatar
Baljit
Shooting true
Shooting true
Posts: 882
Joined: Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:27 am
Location: Kelowna , BC . Canada

Re: Meet In Kelowna (Pix. Heavy)

Post by Baljit » Sun Sep 29, 2013 12:05 am

September, 25/2013

Last night CK and I had a long chat about the trip to US; also he is very interesting to know more about the Gorman Mill plant in the US and one here in West Kelowna. I explain him how this company start out 60+ years ago.

Same time we go through all of the pictures which we took it today and resize them with lowering the levels of Crown Royal. When I look at the clock it’s past 4:00AM. I said "CK we should hit the bed because we going to wake up again in few hours".

We also make a plan for the day as well; both of us decided that we have to wake up around 8:00AM, and then we going for hunt in the morning for few hours.

As we made a plans for the day, I woke up in the morning and I notice that CK still in the bed. I walk into his room and try to wake him up but he said “I need more sleep”.
Now, looks like to me is we have to cancel the hunting plans. When clock hits the 11:00AM, I went to his room again and wake him up. When I wake him up first thing he said “What time is it” and I said "its 11 O’clock".

Shortly after that he went to washroom for a shower, after shower when he come downstairs, its 11:40AM already on the clock.

He made a coffee for himself and I am working on breakfast/lunch. When we finished breakfast/lunch it’s about 12:45PM on the clock.

After lunch, he said "I like to go through your collections of Toys" I said "sure lets go upstairs". Shortly after that both of us went to my room, where I keep all of my toys in two large gun safes.

Here is CK with my both gun safes. All of you guy's can see the smile on his face
Image

When I open both of my gun safes CK went through each and every one of toys and asking me guns related questions. I explain him everything he ask me about my toys.

Here is when i open my first safe.
Image

My M1 30 carbine.
Image

My SKS, 7.62x39.
Image

My Ruger 10/22 in .22LR.
Image

My Ruger SR22 in 22LR.
Image

My CZ 453 in 17HMR.
Image

My Remington 870 in 12 Bore.
Image

My Italian SxS 12 Bore.
Image

My Russian O/U in 12 Bore.
Image

My S&W 38 Spl.
Image

Image

My Webley mark IV in 38 S&W.
Image

Image

My 1911 Para in 9MM.
Image

My other two 1911 Para in 40 S&W.
Image

My 1911 SGS in 22LR.
Image

My CZ 75B in 40 S&W.
Image

My M14 in 7.62x51 (308).
Image

My Remington 700 in .223Rem.
Image

My Sako in 3006.
Image

My Sako in 7MM Rem.Mag.
Image

My Savage 110BA in .300 Win. Mag.(long range toy).
Image

CK put all of my toys on the bed.
Image

Image

Image

Image

He still playing with 30 Carbin. :?
Image

Once he is done with my collections of Toys, we put all of toys back into safe and went downstairs. Its 3 O’clock already and CK said “I think I should leave now because I have four hours’ drive ahead of me”.
Shortly after that we said good bye each other and promise that we going to have fun with the toys again. :D

Here is CK when he is living for Richmond. :(
Image

Image

Image

Image

Ck, Thank you very much for staying and spent some time with me and my family. I hope we going to meet again very soon . :cheers:

Enjoy.
Baljit

User avatar
xl_target
Old Timer
Old Timer
Posts: 3488
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 7:47 am
Location: USA

Re: Meet In Kelowna (Pix. Heavy)

Post by xl_target » Sun Sep 29, 2013 10:52 am

HA! That's not a collection Baljit, That's an Arsenal! :)
“Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense” — Winston Churchill, Oct 29, 1941

User avatar
brihacharan
Old Timer
Old Timer
Posts: 3112
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2010 3:33 pm
Location: mumbai

Re: Meet In Kelowna (Pix. Heavy)

Post by brihacharan » Sun Sep 29, 2013 11:29 am

xl_target wrote:HA! That's not a collection Baljit, That's an Arsenal! :)
That's an Arsenal! ROTFL ROTFL ROTFL

Briha

User avatar
Vikram
We post a lot
We post a lot
Posts: 5059
Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:14 am
Location: Tbilisi,Georgia

Re: Meet In Kelowna (Pix. Heavy)

Post by Vikram » Sun Sep 29, 2013 7:53 pm

Excellent photos again.

Baljit, that is a nice collection. I especially like your revolvers.


Kalyan, congratulations on clearing the first threshold to firearms ownership. We will all be looking forward to what you will be getting.

Thank you both, Baljit and Kalyan, for this excellent report.

Best-
Vikram
It ain’t over ’til it’s over! "Rocky,Rocky,Rocky....."

User avatar
essdee1972
Veteran
Veteran
Posts: 1195
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 5:54 pm
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Re: Meet In Kelowna (Pix. Heavy)

Post by essdee1972 » Mon Sep 30, 2013 11:09 am

Arsenal, hell, that's an armoury!! Very nice collection Baljit..... drooling over your "shauk hatyaran da"!!
Cheers!

EssDee
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In a polity, each citizen is to possess his own arms, which are not supplied or owned by the state.Aristotle

Get up, stand up, Stand up for your rights. Get up, stand up, Don't give up the fight.Bob Marley

Sakobav
Old Timer
Old Timer
Posts: 2973
Joined: Wed May 31, 2006 7:28 pm
Location: US

Re: Meet In Kelowna (Pix. Heavy)

Post by Sakobav » Tue Oct 01, 2013 8:53 am

Great pictures and narrative baljit and CK. Its truly gods country out there. I was in BC Vancouver for few days and its one of the prettiest places.

Thanks for sharing amigos

User avatar
Ramandeep
Almost at nirvana
Almost at nirvana
Posts: 208
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 10:54 pm
Location: Raipur (Chattisgarh)

Re: Meet In Kelowna (Pix. Heavy)

Post by Ramandeep » Wed Oct 02, 2013 5:15 pm

Wow! some amazing pics indeed with nice cooking, booze n road travel. Baljit paaji u got n amazing colllection of weapons. Very heavy arsenal. Would you please tell more about the scope you have fitted on your Remington 700 and about your Savage 110BA (looks like a barrett). Great Stuff!

Regards

Raman
1 shot 1 kill!

User avatar
brihacharan
Old Timer
Old Timer
Posts: 3112
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2010 3:33 pm
Location: mumbai

Re: Meet In Kelowna (Pix. Heavy)

Post by brihacharan » Wed Oct 02, 2013 7:54 pm

CK / Baljit,
> I couldn't help but go through your posts all over again :D
> After having feasted my eyes on Baljit's Arsenal - next in the 'ogling list' was the 'Wine Racks'...
> Oh! CK's anticipatory look at the Lady behind the counter extolling the praises of the contents of the bottle she is holding took me on a 'virtual trip' :D
> Holding the wine glass (a waterford crystal) filled with the purple crimson ambrosia, twirling it a bit, taking in the aroma, gently sipping it, roll it a couple of times in the mouth & gently let it descend down the gullet to feel the warmth... heady man heady...
> Remembered my old days with an international packaging company which gave me the opportunity to visit a few local vineyards & the discussions had with the brewmaster / vinterer....
* Learn to hold your glass
* Respect the spirit
* Savour it
* Let the spirit imbibe in your system
> The 3 decisive factors of a good wine...
1. Body
2. Bouquet
3. Potability (a combination of feel, taste & its passage down your throat)
> The art of wine making is a skill that can only be acquired over time, like painting, sculpting or playing an instrument...
> Finaly IMHO - The most appropriate toast for wines is 'Salud' - a salutation to the pristine melding of the body, soul & spirit :D
Briha

User avatar
Baljit
Shooting true
Shooting true
Posts: 882
Joined: Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:27 am
Location: Kelowna , BC . Canada

Re: Meet In Kelowna (Pix. Heavy)

Post by Baljit » Thu Oct 03, 2013 7:27 am

XL,brihacharan Ji,Vikram,essdee1972,ngrewal,Ramandeep and brihacharan Ji again, Thank you very much for your feedback.

XL......... You know me very well. :D

brihacharan Ji....... Thank you very much for your comment. :D

Vikram..... Thank you very much for your comment about those Rev. :wink:

essdee1972....... Thank you very much for drooling over my "shouknk hathyaran da"!! :lol:

Navi...... You was in Vancouver and you dont even call me. :deadhorse:

Ramandeep.... Thank you very much about you comment.On my both rifles they are Millett scopes.

Here is a link for those scopes on my rifles.

On my Remington 700 .223 Rem.....http://www.millettsights.com/scopes/trs/

On my 110 BA.......http://www.millettsights.com/scopes/lrs/

brihacharan Ji...... thank you very much for your interesting comment again.I think CK will put more lights on your last comment because he really enjoying the vine. ROTFL


Baljit

captrakshitsharma
Shooting true
Shooting true
Posts: 727
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:36 am
Location: Dehradun, Delhi ,Gurgaon
Contact:

Re: Meet In Kelowna (Pix. Heavy)

Post by captrakshitsharma » Thu Oct 03, 2013 8:48 am

What a great meet up and outing great pics @ CK fabulous write up and pics and thanks for raiding our friends gun safes.(I am sure there are more hidden treasures ).... @Baljit I can see what a gracious host you are amazing "Yaro ke Yaar"..,
I dont dial 911... I dial .357

Post Reply