Topless Sun Run 2017
Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28, 2017
Saturday Tour Leader: Bill Grigg, Bruce Stevenson, Steve Kinsey
Photos: Steve Kinsey, Rolly Grimm, Sharon Andres, John Galant, Mike Jervis, Owen Torode, Bruce Stevenson
The Topless Sun Run 2017 was held in Penticton at the Lakeside Resort. When we opened registration in February, we had no idea that we might need to provide participants with life jackets, hard hats and boots! Major renovations at the hotel as well as our very wet Spring caused serious flooding in Penticton. The life size bronze statues of 3 children playing on the beach ended up being submerged with only their heads still above water! Regardless of natures' challenges, we managed to create our personal dome of protection over the South Okanagan for our guests. Wonderful sunny weather lasted the for the whole event. We had 199 guests and 107 cars from all over the Pacific Northwest, representing 10 Miata Clubs. We also had a couple who drove their Miata, pulling a small trailer from Ontario! They saw all the Miatas in the parking lot and asked if they could join in. We welcomed them and they joined our club!
Friday night we all enjoyed a BBQ on the patio overlooking the lake at the hotel. Saturday morning, we provided breakfast and then everyone basked in the sunshine in the parking lot preparing for the 3 runs that Bruce had organized.
The first run left for Osoyoos, to visit the Model train exhibit and lunch at the golf course. The second run was to Summerland with a ride on the Kettle Valley train followed by lunch at Zias. The third headed off to Naramata for a wine tour and lunch at the Inn.
From all accounts, everyone enjoyed the drive, scenery and activities at each destination. Dinner Saturday night at the hotel was a delicious banquet, followed by the raffle ticket draw for the fabulous theme baskets created by Debbie Hartley. One guest won 3 baskets! She also won $1100 at the casino the night before! Everyone wanted to know her secret!!!!
Sunday, another sunny day dawned, and most people headed off home or continued their vacation!
Another successful Sun Run thanks to all the wonderful people who came and to the fabulous committee that organized the event! We donated $4000.00 to the South Okanagan Woman's In Need Shelter from the money earned from the 50/50 and raffle baskets. They were very grateful for our donation! Thanks everyone for your generosity! Now its time to think about TSR 2019 in Kelowna area. Hope to see you there!
Cheers,
Jadine Leclaire, Topless Sun Run Chair 2017
Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28, 2017
Saturday Tour Leader: Bill Grigg, Bruce Stevenson, Steve Kinsey
Photos: Steve Kinsey, Rolly Grimm, Sharon Andres, John Galant, Mike Jervis, Owen Torode, Bruce Stevenson
The Topless Sun Run 2017 was held in Penticton at the Lakeside Resort. When we opened registration in February, we had no idea that we might need to provide participants with life jackets, hard hats and boots! Major renovations at the hotel as well as our very wet Spring caused serious flooding in Penticton. The life size bronze statues of 3 children playing on the beach ended up being submerged with only their heads still above water! Regardless of natures' challenges, we managed to create our personal dome of protection over the South Okanagan for our guests. Wonderful sunny weather lasted the for the whole event. We had 199 guests and 107 cars from all over the Pacific Northwest, representing 10 Miata Clubs. We also had a couple who drove their Miata, pulling a small trailer from Ontario! They saw all the Miatas in the parking lot and asked if they could join in. We welcomed them and they joined our club!
Friday night we all enjoyed a BBQ on the patio overlooking the lake at the hotel. Saturday morning, we provided breakfast and then everyone basked in the sunshine in the parking lot preparing for the 3 runs that Bruce had organized.
The first run left for Osoyoos, to visit the Model train exhibit and lunch at the golf course. The second run was to Summerland with a ride on the Kettle Valley train followed by lunch at Zias. The third headed off to Naramata for a wine tour and lunch at the Inn.
From all accounts, everyone enjoyed the drive, scenery and activities at each destination. Dinner Saturday night at the hotel was a delicious banquet, followed by the raffle ticket draw for the fabulous theme baskets created by Debbie Hartley. One guest won 3 baskets! She also won $1100 at the casino the night before! Everyone wanted to know her secret!!!!
Sunday, another sunny day dawned, and most people headed off home or continued their vacation!
Another successful Sun Run thanks to all the wonderful people who came and to the fabulous committee that organized the event! We donated $4000.00 to the South Okanagan Woman's In Need Shelter from the money earned from the 50/50 and raffle baskets. They were very grateful for our donation! Thanks everyone for your generosity! Now its time to think about TSR 2019 in Kelowna area. Hope to see you there!
Cheers,
Jadine Leclaire, Topless Sun Run Chair 2017
Rolly’s write up for the Summerland Train Ride and General comments
On Saturday, we broke up into three different runs. One of these was a trip to the Kettle Valley Train in Summerland. Just over 30 cars and 60 some people enjoyed a sunny drive up to the train station via Lakeside Drive along the beach below Summerland. After arriving at the station, we were handed our tickets for the 90 minute train ride. Both enclosed and open cars were used and our group were seated in both. The trip was enjoyed by all. A magnificent lunch was held at Zia's Stonehouse Restaurant in Summerland. It was amazing how efficiently we were served by the staff and, of course, how fantastic the meals were. Zia's even included a chocolate cake drizzled with caramel sauce and paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for desert! Our little group of cars again divided up and headed for three destinations - Dirty Laundry Winery, Thornhaven Winery and Summerland Sweets. Actually, a few of the attendees ended up hitting more than just one destination. Everyone was on their own to head back to the hotel and prepare for the evening's banquet. Nearly 200 people were seated for an incredible buffet dinner at the Lakeside Resort. Sunday saw a couple of exit tours for those wanting a bit more of our paved offerings. One of those runs was for those heading south. A detour via Green Mountain Road and a stop at the Yellow Lake rest area started the journey under blue skies and sunshine. The journey continued on past Twin Lakes and Willowbrook before entering Oliver on Fairview Road. From there it was down 97 to Osoyoos where they could continue on eastward, southward or westward depending upon final destinations for the day. All in all, a very successful Topless Sun Run. Just to note it was our 12th!
Rolly
On Saturday, we broke up into three different runs. One of these was a trip to the Kettle Valley Train in Summerland. Just over 30 cars and 60 some people enjoyed a sunny drive up to the train station via Lakeside Drive along the beach below Summerland. After arriving at the station, we were handed our tickets for the 90 minute train ride. Both enclosed and open cars were used and our group were seated in both. The trip was enjoyed by all. A magnificent lunch was held at Zia's Stonehouse Restaurant in Summerland. It was amazing how efficiently we were served by the staff and, of course, how fantastic the meals were. Zia's even included a chocolate cake drizzled with caramel sauce and paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for desert! Our little group of cars again divided up and headed for three destinations - Dirty Laundry Winery, Thornhaven Winery and Summerland Sweets. Actually, a few of the attendees ended up hitting more than just one destination. Everyone was on their own to head back to the hotel and prepare for the evening's banquet. Nearly 200 people were seated for an incredible buffet dinner at the Lakeside Resort. Sunday saw a couple of exit tours for those wanting a bit more of our paved offerings. One of those runs was for those heading south. A detour via Green Mountain Road and a stop at the Yellow Lake rest area started the journey under blue skies and sunshine. The journey continued on past Twin Lakes and Willowbrook before entering Oliver on Fairview Road. From there it was down 97 to Osoyoos where they could continue on eastward, southward or westward depending upon final destinations for the day. All in all, a very successful Topless Sun Run. Just to note it was our 12th!
Rolly
Jadine’s write up for The Miniature Train Run and Ossoyos lunch
It was a beautiful sunny day in Penticton when the 37 cars and approximately 75 people headed out on Green Mountain Road and through the back country to Osoyoos. While waters were still high along the roadway, we were lucky that the flooding had receded enough to enjoy this beautiful country drive. The drive into Osoyoos was breathtaking and the view of the South Okanagan Valley was dazzling.
We parked at the model train museum which is truly amazing; It is a World Class Miniature Wonderland Experience 4000 sq ft. of family fun with up to 40 computer controlled trains traveling on 2 km (1 1/4 miles) of tracks weaving through mountains and towns. Discover the 16000 + hand-painted little people and animals in scale 1:87 (HO) placed in humorous situations and scenes. Watch with delight as the uniquely operated car system runs through towns, stop for gas and wait for traffic lights.
After this we had lunch at the Osoyoos Golf Club and then drove back to Penticton with a stop at Burrowing Owl wineyard. Fabulous wine tasting and a tour of the grounds with their great views of the valley also!
A great day was had by all!
Jadine
It was a beautiful sunny day in Penticton when the 37 cars and approximately 75 people headed out on Green Mountain Road and through the back country to Osoyoos. While waters were still high along the roadway, we were lucky that the flooding had receded enough to enjoy this beautiful country drive. The drive into Osoyoos was breathtaking and the view of the South Okanagan Valley was dazzling.
We parked at the model train museum which is truly amazing; It is a World Class Miniature Wonderland Experience 4000 sq ft. of family fun with up to 40 computer controlled trains traveling on 2 km (1 1/4 miles) of tracks weaving through mountains and towns. Discover the 16000 + hand-painted little people and animals in scale 1:87 (HO) placed in humorous situations and scenes. Watch with delight as the uniquely operated car system runs through towns, stop for gas and wait for traffic lights.
After this we had lunch at the Osoyoos Golf Club and then drove back to Penticton with a stop at Burrowing Owl wineyard. Fabulous wine tasting and a tour of the grounds with their great views of the valley also!
A great day was had by all!
Jadine
Naramata Wine Run The Sun Run 2017
We left the Penticton Lakeside Resort around 09:15am and headed down the highway to Okanagan Falls. Everyone enjoyed the beauty of the drive down Eastside Road and we were able to maneuver, direct and squeeze all the cars into a parking spot when we arrived at the Blasted Church Winery. Everyone took turns getting into the tasting room and after a bit, the tasting room came outside to us. Many on the tour would have liked to stay a few minutes longer but we carried on along Eastside Road and paraded our Miatas through Penticton via Skaha Lake Road.
Our next stop was The Red Rooster Winery and everyone enjoyed the wine tasting indicated by the number of bottles that were seen leaving the store. Many relaxed and enjoyed the views from this vantage point and we left for our next stop after about 3/4’s of an hour.
We arrived at the Naramata Inn to find the court yard set up for us and a barbecue ready to go.
Chef Bongo and his staff did a fantastic job serving an African themed lunch which everyone enjoyed. We heard many great comments about the array of salads and the barbecued chicken and salmon. I think a few people will be ‘GOOGLING’ Chef Bongo to get some of his salad & Barbecues sauce recipes.
After lunch everyone had the choice of following us back to the Hotel or finding their own way back and stopping at some of the wineries and other sites. We had very few Miatas behind us when we reached the hotel so a lot of the tour did some exploring on their own. Nobody got lost as we saw most of the tour at dinner that night.
Steve and Lea
We left the Penticton Lakeside Resort around 09:15am and headed down the highway to Okanagan Falls. Everyone enjoyed the beauty of the drive down Eastside Road and we were able to maneuver, direct and squeeze all the cars into a parking spot when we arrived at the Blasted Church Winery. Everyone took turns getting into the tasting room and after a bit, the tasting room came outside to us. Many on the tour would have liked to stay a few minutes longer but we carried on along Eastside Road and paraded our Miatas through Penticton via Skaha Lake Road.
Our next stop was The Red Rooster Winery and everyone enjoyed the wine tasting indicated by the number of bottles that were seen leaving the store. Many relaxed and enjoyed the views from this vantage point and we left for our next stop after about 3/4’s of an hour.
We arrived at the Naramata Inn to find the court yard set up for us and a barbecue ready to go.
Chef Bongo and his staff did a fantastic job serving an African themed lunch which everyone enjoyed. We heard many great comments about the array of salads and the barbecued chicken and salmon. I think a few people will be ‘GOOGLING’ Chef Bongo to get some of his salad & Barbecues sauce recipes.
After lunch everyone had the choice of following us back to the Hotel or finding their own way back and stopping at some of the wineries and other sites. We had very few Miatas behind us when we reached the hotel so a lot of the tour did some exploring on their own. Nobody got lost as we saw most of the tour at dinner that night.
Steve and Lea
