Day 3 came and went in a blur.  With a long day ahead the riders left Manning Park Lodge at 8 a.m.  There were some long climbs but many more very long downhills awaiting so they felt confident about riding for 173.4 km.  It was a gorgeous morning with heat promised--lots of sunblock, lots of water and energy food. 
Marlie had admired Sou's socks so I presented her with the pair that I'd knit out of leftovers seeing as she had been such a good sport about riding those mountain roads and we were saying adios to Marlie and Tom on this day.  Tom, our self-named sommelier, left us with one last bottle of wine which we consumed with over-looking the lake in Osoyos.  But I digress.
We had play time in the games room before setting out on our drive.   Said good-bye to the marmottes and headed out.  The packing up of bits and pieces is the hardest part!  The little plug-in cooler works like a charm and has been a godsend.  Olin kept Helen and I entertained with his songs and chatter as we drove through some more amazing scenery.  Caught up to the riders and managed to get some shots of them as they steamed downhill.  The scenery changed from giant trees and mountains to more ranch country around Princeton.  We stopped for a grocery shop in Princeton where we were into giant hot sunshine.  Princeton felt like a movie set for a Western!
Now onwards to our picnic spot--Bromley Rock.  We passed the riders again and then waited with the picnic beside a rushing river.  And then to our amazement and joy, out of the parking lot I spied Betsy and Richard Laine who had driven from Kelowna to see us.  They had already caught up with the riders having followed them on the blog!  Very clever. 
After lunch we drove into Hedley where we picked up yet another jug of water--hot day.  Now into Keremeos where there were all kinds of fresh fruit stands.  We saw cherries hanging off the trees.  Mountains all around this valley.  Another drive and then we were in the hills above Osoyos looking down onto the lake.  Olin, bless his soul, had slept from the picnic spot all the way to this point!  We found our Coast Resort Hotel in Osoyos, perched on a spit of land between the two lakes.  And there was a beach waiting for us--hooray!
Time passed and no sign of our riders.  Finally heard from them that they had been delayed near Keremeos by a rock slide.  The road was closed because the rocks had downed power lines, and there were brush fires!  I guess we just missed it all.  They finally got to Osoyos at 8:30 pm.  We quickly ordered pizza, spaghetti and chicken wings for our starving hordes.  This was augmented by hummus, chips, carrots and celery sticks and various cheeses from lunchtime. All food and drink vanished.
Olin had had his take-out dinner already on the deck looking out at the lake.  Helen and I were able to slightly relax and enjoy our cocktail hour. 
The pictures will tell all.  I'm writing this on our 4th day as we were exhausted last night.  On to Greenwood today--about 70 km I think.
We have been so spoiled to have Helen and then Marlie and Tom along with us.  They have added to the fun and also were of invaluable help to me. 
Madge