VCBC Fall 2004 Tour - Volvos in Osoyoos

After the fun we had at our Osoyoos meet in September 2002 we decided to do it again this year. The three day meet will be held in Osoyoos, BC, located at the south end of the Okanagan Valley, on the weekend of September 10 to 12, 2004. For the information of our American friends, Osoyoos is just 5 miles north of the border from Oroville, Washington. That's about 220 miles north-east of Seattle on some of the most beautiful roads in the Pacific North West. For those unfamiliar with the Okanagan Valley it is renowned for its fruit orchards, wine vineyards, recreational lakes and sunny weather. Take a look at the Osoyoos website at www.town.osoyoos.bc.ca

This year we will stay at The Holiday Inn Sunspree Hotel which is located right on the lake and every room has a beautiful view. The rooms and suites are great and our special rates are terrific. (Standard room $75 and 2 bedroom suites for $89.) A block of rooms will be held for us and I encourage you to book early as it makes it much easier for me to negotiate with the hotel for extensions to the reserved block. The room cancellation policy is 24 hours. The hotel phone number is toll free 1-877-786-7773 or local number 250-495-7223 and remember to mention the Volvo Club event. The hotel is right on the beach and there is an indoor pool a bar and a restaurant. Their website is www.holidayinosoyoos.com

There will be a $20 per person registration fee for this meet to cover overhead costs such as advertizing, awards, dash plaques etc. Costs associated with the meet, such as food, beverages, winery tour etc. will simply be on a pay as you go basis. A registration form will be included in a future newsletter and is available on our website. Send in your registration form promptly so we can gauge the attendance at the various activities.

This is to be a relaxing, largely social event. It will provide an opportunity to get together and enjoy the company of our Volvo friends. The activities we have in mind will take advantage of the beautiful Okanagan recreational features. The lake is available for swimming or boating or just lying on the beach. There are lots of good wineries, and with the help of the hotel we will arrange a wine tasting tour by bus for Friday (48 passenger school bus), followed by an informal reception at the hotel.

On Saturday we will go for a half day drive on some of the terrific local roads. This years route will take us directly south of the border to Oroville, Washington and then east to Midway where we will cross back into BC and return to Osoyoos on Highway 3. ***Remember to bring your passport or ID so you can get through the border!!*** I have investigated the route and it is a terrific drive. When we return from the drive we will have a car show/display at an interesting location. There will not be a judged concours, however we will provide peoples choice awards and raffle prizes and perhaps dash plaques.

On Saturday evening we will have a banquet at the Osoyoos Golf and Country Club . This is where we held our banquet in 2002 and the food was great and the view spectacular. On Sunday morning there will be a farewell breakfast and it will be all over for another year.