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If you’re looking for things to do this fall, look no further. Here’s my Canadian fall bucket list.
For my first Canadian Thanksgiving, I visited my friend Jamie in Vernon. It’s located about an hour from Kelowna in British Columbia’s Okanagan region. I met Jamie when I was traversing through SE Asia. She had the absolute pleasure of being my roommate for about two weeks.
She then came and spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve with my family on Magnetic Island. I am glad I got to visit and not only meet her beautiful family, but see the place she has called home her entire life.
Vernon is pretty damn spectacular. The town is surrounded by green, yellow and barren hills, snowy mountains (when it’s winter that is) and the smoothest lakes. Their still presence made me want to ski across them, but the water was a bit cool for this Australian. The sun’s reflection off the pristine waters was blinding on the fall days. I could imagine they wouldn’t be as quiet in summer though.
The fall bucket list
During my trip, we visited a lot of Vernon treasures, with our first stop being Davison Orchards. The village encompasses a market, cafe, petting zoo, kid’s corner, apple orchard and pumpkin patch. The best part, however, was picking up a copy of their Fall Bucket List. Out of the 20 items I’ve managed to complete 19 – not too shabby. I also really don’t do soup. Here’s the list for your enjoyment as well.
Enjoy fall
1. jump in a leaf pile. Thank you, Stanley Park.
2. take a walk and enjoy the fall leaves.
3. take a deep breath of crisp fall air.
4. get outside.
The feast
5. make applesauce. First time and it was so easy.
6. roast autumn vegetables. We roasted brussel sprouts as part of a “new fall recipe” – see 13.
7. decorate with pumpkins and gourds.
8. take a family picture.
9. wear a cosy sweater.
10. light a candle.
11. be thankful. I am so thankful for friends, for family and for the opportunities I have had.
12. enjoy a piece of pie. Pumpkin pie to be precise. Still not a fan.
13. try a new fall recipe.
At the orchard
14. see a snake gourd.
15. pick a pumpkin.
16. sip a pumpkin steamer. Still not a fan also.
17. savour some warm soup. I just don’t like soup/haven’t found one I like enough.
18. cozy up with some hot/cold apple cider. So I tried some hot cider, but I just like cold cider more, so I bought some of that too.
19. crunch a caramel apple.
20. pick an apple. So we didn’t want to break the rules and pick an apple from an orchard, so my genius host tied an apple to the tree for me.
As you can see, I had a fantastic weekend in Vernon with old friends and new.
Even I have never seen a snake gourd before! Awesome! One thing Dan was surprised about is how many gourds and pumpkin varieties we have here. I dont think he is a fan of pumpkin pie either, but really loved apple and rhubarb crumble…. you should try making that… it is sooo yummy and a nice fall dessert as well
Dan is right – Canada does go a little pumpkin/gourd crazy this time of year! And I will definitely try that crumble, sounds yummy :)