Ogos Ice-cream Parlour Penticton

I had just about come to the end of a glorious bike ride down the Okanagan River Channel, stopping in the Rose Garden for a water break and a chance to smell the beautiful roses. As I made my way home I spotted a sign that said Ogos.  I was drawn to the place and very happy to find it was an ice-cream parlour, because a cold treat was exactly what I fancied.
I chatted to Sharon the owner and found out some very interesting history about the beginnings of the place. It was started by a couple of university students a few years ago and the premises used to be an alley which has been very creatively transformed into a perky and inviting ice-cream parlour. One wall is home to a huge 50 ft. mural painted by Kelowna artist Luke Hunter.  There is also an impressive 8 ft ogopogo, standing guard in the foyer, which has tables to seat guests while they enjoy their icecream.

 

Eating my ice-cream in front of the mural

 Out of close to 60 flavours to choose from,  I chose a yummy orange one which always is the most refreshing to me on a hot Okanagan day.

Anyhow, as I chatted more with Sharon she happened to tell me that she had just received a phone call from a film company back in Ontario. Guess what?  They will be doing a documentary on Okanagan Lake and the Ogopogo and happened to see Ogos advertised on Urban Spoon. They are coming to Penticton on Sept 26th to interview Sharon and take shots of  Ogos Icecream Parlour.
I will be there to take some photos because after all this will be a pretty neat happening for Penticton.
By the way, Ogos is on the bead trail which I think is another fantastic Okanagan treasure. Naturally I bought the ogopogo bead for my bracelet so that completed my very happy bike ride today!

 I forgot to say that the ice-cream was delicious and really hit the spot.  There won't be too many summer days left now so go and experience Ogos before it beds down for the winter.

Ogopogo - The Okanagan's Most Elusive Resident

Today's blog post is by our guest writer Travelin' Pat.  Thanks Pat for a great story.

Last night I dreamed I saw Ogopogo.  He looked just the same as he looked when I was a kid. (I should be honest here; I have never actually seen him live) I guess unlike me he never sags or bags or gets all withered up with age.  Lucky guy… Funny, I always think of him as a guy, and always think of him as being all-alone.  You never hear about seeing Ogopogo with his family or friends.  Anyway, I digress.  It was early morning and sunny out and I was perched on him like I was riding a horse.  Regally sitting  between his second and third hump I felt like a sea priestess as we were smoothly cruising down the lake.  At the end of the ride he gently took me to shore, let me off and elegantly glided away. 

Indian Legend has it that before the white man arrived there was this lake monster with a serpent like body living in Okanagan Lake.  Cool.  His home base is supposed to be just around Rattlesnake Island somewhere but apparently he travels around quite a bit.  I wonder if it is a cave condo or what.  I once stayed in a cave hotel in Turkey and it was great! 
Anyway back in the day I think he was supposed to be pretty snarky and dangerous but now he’s friendly, a gentle giant as they say.  There are copious rumors about him. He is brown or blue or black.  He has fins or feet or legs or maybe all three. He has a head like a horse or a sheep or a cow. Possibly he is shaped like a dinosaur or a giant frog or a 20 to 50 foot long 3ft wide snake…but everyone agrees that he has astonishing speed and that’s probably why we hardly ever spot him.

Since 1870 there have been countless reported sightings of Ogopogo.  Lots of them happen just before tourist season. Hmm…. As for me, I have only seen him in the wee hours of the morning in my dreams. There he is, swimming effortlessly on a lake as smooth as glass before slipping silently away back to the deep. 

Stay in a Kelowna Vacation Rental and see the Ogopogo statue for yourself.