A day by the beach & Ring Gate!

Our last full day consisted of sometime beach side for the adults, and more time at the Kelowna Wibit for the kids. The day did start fairly late though, for we didn’t get to the beach until about 12:30pm. Lisa made some French bread charcuterie pizza for the kids, and that kept them nourished until the late afternoon.

The Wibit was about a 20 minute walk from our apartment. I ended up driving the Tesla with most of our equipment and food that we would need for the day, while the others walked.

You’ll notice that James and Karen aren’t in the photo above. This is because they were still at the apartment looking for some jewelry that Karen had misplaced. Specifically, her engagement ring, wedding ring, and a 3rd ring. She specifically remembered placing the rings by the sink the night before while she was washing her face. They were looking for the rings for over 2 hours. Lisa and Jen eventually headed back to the apartment to help look as well. In fact, Lisa and Jen went into the Garbage room, and picked out the garbage that John had thrown away this morning.

James and Karen had looked everywhere, 2, 3, and sometimes 4 times in the same place. Eventually though, James found the rings in a wrapper\napkin from the Parlour Ice Cream (where we had ice cream the previous night), in the bathroom garbage bin in their bedroom. James actually did look through the garbage once before, but the second time was the charm. Crisis averted!!!

Anyhow, back to the kids. They continued to play at the Wibit, while John and I threw the football around, and peppered with the volleyball. The rest of the adults eventually made their way to us, and we setup the volleyball net.

By now, it was approaching 5pm, and the adults had a reservation at Cedar Creek winery, about a 25 minute drive south. The kids walked back, but went to Chatime for some bubble tea first.

The kids have been living the life!

John and I quickly showered, and the adults quickly drove our dinner reservation. Una met us by our apartment (she took a cab to us), whom would be joining us for dinner! However, before our dinner, we had to get some dinner for the kids. They had the idea that they wanted to go out for dinner as well, but by themselves. So they ended up making a reservation at Cactus Club at 7:45pm. It’s about a 10 minute walk from our apartment. Lisa and Jen gave them a budget and some guidelines. $30/person, no drinks, and make sure to tip.

While we got to our destination, the kids spent the time before their reservation at the apartment. They ended up doing a few loads of laundry for us and folded the clothes as well! What good kids.

Here they are walking to the restaurant.

Our venue for dinner was pretty spectacular. Amazing views of Okanagan Lake in the distance, the vineyard nearby, and the sun setting. Here’s where we were seated:

Us before dinner:

Our meal, which was delectable by the way…

During our meal, the kids messaged us and told us that they had been seated at Cactus Club. They took a selfie and sent it to us.

Their server asked them where their parents were. LOL. The boys all ordered a Rigatoni pasta dish for their entree, and the girls shared a Steak Frites. They also ordered some truffle fries for the table to share.

Here are some photos of their plates after they finished.

They stayed within budget too. Awww, the kids were so good. The server told the kids that they were very well behaved, and that it was her favourite table to serve that evening. They tipped accordingly as well.

Back to us, we took some group photos on the property, and here are some other photos of the beautiful restaurant.

Sunset:

The restaurant:

Some wine for my buddy back home:

We left the restaurant, to head back to the apartment at around 9:15ish. It would be our last evening here. Jen and John drove Una back to her hotel and they went to get a charge at the Tesla Supercharger as well. The rest of us drove back to the apartment, and we cleaned up, and wound down for the evening. The kids were all showered already, the clothes and towels were all folded. We always tell the kids that they are given this type of freedom because they can be trusted. Once they betray that trust, they will no longer be able to do things like this. Needless to say, I think they do understand this trust relationship that they have been able to build, and what the consequences are of betraying that trust.

That was our last full day here. We need to check out tomorrow morning, and we’ll be headed back to Vancity. Another wonderful holiday with our close friends. I know I’ve said it before, but it’s so great to have the ability to have like-minded travelers and friends to be able to share all of these experiences with. It’s so much easier to enjoy these moments when you are able to travel with such close friends, but also with friends that are agreeable. We made some great memories this week, and we also averted a major crisis today! Phew!!!!!! The kids all got to spend a full week together, and it’s always great to see the boys and the girls interact with one another. They didn’t fight all week. They all get along so well. They’re such good buddies and always have so much fun together. I love to see it.

Speaking of which, I forgot to post this video of the girls, and their Olympics inspired Synchronized Swimming routine…

Anyhow, I’m signing off. Until our next adventure!