Family In the Valley

January 31^st – February 4^th, 2010

I left for Penticton Sunday morning. I was excited to meet some of my family which I hadn’t seen in quite a while. So long in fact, that I couldn’t remember when they’d come to Kapuskasing last, or even meeting them for that matter. I was a young child and there would have been much family to visit during their stay. My father’s god mother, Claudette, and her family live in the Okanagan Valley. Claudette was my grandmother Alice’s niece. Her and her family had left Kapuskasing almost 40 years ago. I had called them a few days prior, from Vernon, to let them know I was closer, as they had been awaiting my arrival since I left Kapuskasing.

Driving along the Okanagan lake was as beautiful as the drive a few days earlier. It turns out that Penticton was created after a massive mudslide came down from the mountains, filling the lake in one spot where the town now resides. If you look at a map, you can tell that the shores align perfectly on either side of the town.

The valley, for those who haven’t visited, is a Canadian desert. Many different type of cacti live there and anything can be grown, apart from citrus fruit and bananas. The summer offers lush vegetation but very dry conditions and therefore requires much irrigation. If it wouldn’t have been winter, I would have seen the cliche tumbleweed rolling around, I was told.

When I got in to town, I had a few errands to run but soon found myself at what would become another home away from home. Claudette was waiting for me at the door when I got in and I was introduced to her husband, Steve, and one of their daughters, cousin Stephanie. Cousin Sharol was at work and would end up joining us for dinner with her two children Paige and Kyle. Steve had whipped up a Hungarian dish which was a very tasty, mouthwatering, and welcomed homemade meal. The whole family made meals while I was there, a nice change when you’re on the road and eating healthy usually means getting a salad and garlic bread at the bar you’re playing at.

We visited most of the night, reminiscing about living in Kap, about my grandmother, and how she used to keep the kids entertained with her music and crafts. We also made plans for the next day since I’d be in town until Thursday. I wanted to try and book some shows but I also wanted to see the sights. Luckily, both Sharol and Stephanie were off and were kind enough to show me around the area. Stephanie offered to drive and we decided to leave late morning, drive down to Osoyoos and stop at scenic outlooks and landmarks along the way.

When I got up coffee had already been brewed and after a cup we hit the road. Taking the scenic route to see some wildlife, I finally got to see some mule deer, Steph spots them from a mile away, how, I don’t know. I know they’re like pests in the valley, but being from Ontario I didn’t want to miss them.

We stopped along a lake where Swans were wintering. Sitting on the edge of the ice, some of them were sleeping. Sharol manned the still cam while I did some videotaping. I couldn’t believe it was February and I was looking at swans in Canada.

Spotted Lake was also interesting. The water looks polka-dotted because of the minerals which settle withing the lake’s bed.

When we got back to town later that afternoon, we stopped at a local pub to have a drink and some appetizers before going around town to see where I could play. I tried my luck at the bar we were at but the owner didn’t have the time of day for us as he sat at the bar and told the waitress to let us know he wasn’t interested. It didn’t matter much since the Copper Mug Pub was more than willing to have me and take part in the Good Faith Tour.

Ron was sitting at the bar when I walked in. I told him what I was doing in town and after a short walk to the back, he returned to the front of the bar and said he was interested. He also had some contacts for me on my way to Vancouver should I need them. I thanked him for his time and set the date for Wednesday.

On my down time I got to know my family more and built a bit of a bond with the family dog, Daisy. A young border collie, Daisy has a lot of energy. We went for a couple night walks which helped seal the bond, I was walking Ms. Daisy.

I truly felt at home. With the go ahead to raid the kitchen when I wanted and a room of my own, it was more than I could of asked for after being on the road for so long. I didn’t have to worry about a place to sleep, eat, work, or relax, thanks so much again! I’ll definitely be back, hopefully in the summer so I can enjoy the valley to it’s fullest.

While reading my emails one night, I saw that Canadian Music Week had responded to a press kit I’d sent out earlier last year. To my surprise, they were interested in having the band for a showcase downtown during the festival. I’d wanted to attend with my band since it is Canada’s music Mecca for the year. People in the industry from all over the world come to Toronto to talk business and scope out talent from all over the country. Bands from everywhere come to play in Toronto during the festival, for exposure and to expand their fan base. The catch…it takes place in March. How was I to get back to Toronto in time to play the show without making the tour suffer? I’d fly! I’d leave my van in Calgary which seemed like a reasonable place to be by March, and fly back to it after the show to finish off the tour. I would get to see my friends and family, and play with the band again after being on the road for 5 months. I was totally thrilled at the opportunity but I was a little stressed out as I had to make this all happen and make sure I was back in time for the flight. I still hadn’t reached Vancouver or the island and I had no booked gigs ahead of me.

I played the show on Wednesday and it went well. The bar doesn’t usually have live music but the patrons seemed to enjoy it as I sold cds to some and received compliments from others. Sharol and Stephanie were out to see me play too!

I have to share the barter of the bar, even though I don’t usually discuss business publicly, it was one of the most interesting barters yet.

- Money for the road

- 1 six pack of beer for the road

- 1 candy cane

- 1 diet coke

- 1 chocolate parfait

I don’t know what inspired the last three but I couldn’t stop laughing inside while remaining appreciative. I thanked them again for their help and participation and called it a night.

I was headed to Nelson the next day for an interview and hopefully a few shows. Aaron from Golden, had made a few phone calls after I’d left and arranged for me to meet Bob Keeting, CBC’s Kootenay rep, for an interview. I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity and was looking for a reason to see Nelson as it’s famed for being one of Canada’s laid back hippie settlements!!