Message

http://www.team.net/

Please=20 don't hesitate to post your questions, comments, or queries about the = Tour to=20 the list. The more participation and feedback, the better the Tour = will=20 be.

I'm=20 looking forward to hearing from you on the JONAT-Chat = List!

Bob=20 England
'69 E-Type = & '72=20 XJ6
Jaguar Owner's North American Tour (JONAT)
Route=20 Coordinator
http://www.jonat.org

------=_NextPart_000_0036_01C3A074.801CFDE0-- From engl@accesscomm.ca Sat Nov 1 18:37:40 2003 From: engl@accesscomm.ca (Bob) Date: Sat, 1 Nov 2003 12:37:40 -0600 Subject: [JONAT-chat] JONAT CHAT MAILING LIST In-Reply-To: Message-ID: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_003C_01C3A074.F0811DF0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit MessageMaybe as another thought, anyone who registers should get a similar message (?) Bob England '69 E-Type & '72 XJ6 Jaguar Owner's North American Tour (JONAT) Route Coordinator http://www.jonat.org -----Original Message----- From: jonat-chat-admin@autox.team.net [mailto:jonat-chat-admin@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Bob Sent: November 1, 2003 12:35 PM To: jonat-chat@autox.team.net Subject: RE: [JONAT-chat] JONAT CHAT MAILING LIST How about something like this. We have just started a web-based mailing list for people interested in the Jaguar Owners' North American Tour scheduled for spring of next year. As you had indicated a while back your interest in the Tour, we would appreciate if you could subscribe to this mailing list. Instructions are as follows: 1. In your web browser (Explorer, Netscape, or whatever) go to http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo/jonat-chat 2. Read the instructions and fill in the form provided. 3. A confirmation note will be sent which you must return (this prevents someone else from subscribing or unsubscribing you without your knowledge - we all get enough spam!). 4. You're in ! If you want to find out more about Team.Net, go to http://www.team.net/ Please don't hesitate to post your questions, comments, or queries about the Tour to the list. The more participation and feedback, the better the Tour will be. I'm looking forward to hearing from you on the JONAT-Chat List! Bob England '69 E-Type & '72 XJ6 Jaguar Owner's North American Tour (JONAT) Route Coordinator http://www.jonat.org ------=_NextPart_000_003C_01C3A074.F0811DF0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message

Maybe=20 as another thought, anyone who registers should get a similar message=20 (?)

Bob=20 England
'69 E-Type = & '72=20 XJ6
Jaguar Owner's North American Tour (JONAT)
Route=20 Coordinator
http://www.jonat.org

-----Original Message-----
From:=20 jonat-chat-admin@autox.team.net = [mailto:jonat-chat-admin@autox.team.net]On=20 Behalf Of Bob
Sent: November 1, 2003 12:35 = PM
To:=20 jonat-chat@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: [JONAT-chat] JONAT CHAT = MAILING=20 LIST

How=20 about something like this.

We=20 have just started a web-based mailing list for people interested in the = Jaguar Owners' North American = Tour=20 scheduled for spring of next year. As you had indicated a while=20 back your interest in the Tour, we would appreciate if you could = subscribe=20 to this mailing list. Instructions are as = follows:

1. In=20 your web browser (Explorer, Netscape, or whatever) go to http://www.team.= net/mailman/listinfo/jonat-chat

2. Read the instructions and fill in the form=20 provided.

3. A confirmation note will be sent which you must return = (this=20 prevents someone else from subscribing or unsubscribing you without your = knowledge - we all get enough spam!).

4. You're in !

If you=20 want to find out more about Team.Net, go to

http://www.team.net/

Please=20 don't hesitate to post your questions, comments, or queries about the = Tour to=20 the list. The more participation and feedback, the better the Tour = will=20 be.

I'm=20 looking forward to hearing from you on the JONAT-Chat = List!

Bob=20 England
'69 E-Type = & '72=20 XJ6
Jaguar Owner's North American Tour (JONAT)
Route=20 Coordinator
http://www.jonat.org

------=_NextPart_000_003C_01C3A074.F0811DF0-- From engl@accesscomm.ca Wed Nov 5 03:23:39 2003 From: engl@accesscomm.ca (Bob) Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2003 21:23:39 -0600 Subject: [JONAT-chat] JONAT In-Reply-To: Message-ID: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3A319.EA1EC1E0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit MessageHello, and welcome to the new JONAT-chat mailing list (I noticed a few adventurous souls had signed up already). For those of you that are not Sector Coordinators, we'd like to get some feedback from you on some of the things we are thinking about so far. Take a look at the website, particularly the route through the areas you are thinking of joining the Tour on, and let us know what you think. Comments and suggestions, ideas, and thoughts are some of the things we hope to gain from your feedback. It's a grass roots volunteer group that are organizing this Tour, so if you have not already been buttonholed into assisting the Sector Coordinator in your area and you think you have the time and energy to assist, please let us know. It's highly unlikely we'll refuse any help! Anyway, the Tour is only 6 months or so away, so we'll be doing the bulk of the finalization of planning shortly. Now's your chance to contribute, so don't hesitate to speak up! Bob England '69 E-Type & '72 XJ6 Jaguar Owner's North American Tour (JONAT) Route Coordinator http://www.jonat.org ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3A319.EA1EC1E0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message

Hello,=20 and welcome to the new JONAT-chat mailing list (I noticed a few = adventurous=20 souls had signed up already). For those of you that are not Sector = Coordinators, we'd like to get some feedback from you on some of the = things we=20 are thinking about so far. Take a look at the website, particularly the = route=20 through the areas you are thinking of joining the Tour on, and let us = know what=20 you think. Comments and suggestions, ideas, and thoughts are some = of the=20 things we hope to gain from your feedback.

It's a=20 grass roots volunteer group that are organizing this Tour, so if = you have=20 not already been buttonholed into assisting the Sector Coordinator in = your area=20 and you think you have the time and energy to assist, please let us = know. =20 It's highly unlikely we'll refuse any help!

Anyway, the Tour is only 6 months or so away, = so we'll=20 be doing the bulk of the finalization of planning shortly. Now's = your=20 chance to contribute, so don't hesitate to speak up!

Bob=20 England
'69 E-Type = & '72=20 XJ6
Jaguar Owner's North American Tour (JONAT)
Route=20 Coordinator
http://www.jonat.org

------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3A319.EA1EC1E0-- From engl@jonat.org Wed Nov 5 17:22:04 2003 From: engl@jonat.org (Bob England) Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 11:22:04 -0600 Subject: [JONAT-chat] JONAT CHAT MAILING LIST - this is great that you have come out of the "cold" I have sent maybe about 10 notes In-Reply-To: <03a201c3a3bb$5473e880$6501a8c0@comcast.net> Message-ID: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_000D_01C3A38F.0A75F7E0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit MessageHello from me too Mike. For planning your trip to PEI in June, we are definitely planning the Tour around ensuring we will be at the VanDusen show in Vancouver on the Victoria Day long weekend, so that part of the itinerary is fixed. We're also pretty fixed from there through the Winnipeg sector. The US Midwest sectors may need some fine tuning, but the dates will only vary by a day or so I expect. The Toronto and Montreal sectors might vary, but I think they are pretty much fixed in terms of days (I expect the route might vary a bit, but the days in each sector would be pretty close if not spot on). I know the planning in Ottawa is pretty much advanced. I'm not sure if you would break off in Quebec City, or follow through to New England (going up through Nova Scotia or New Brunswick to PEI), but if you plan on staying the course through part of New England, the eastern part of the US is probably close to within a day or so. Your own cross Canada tour sounds like a lot of fun in itself, and hopefully our Tour will coincide with your own personal trip from BC to PEI. I hope you don't mind, but I'm posting my response to the JONAT lists as I think your own trip is one worth relaying to some of the other JONAT adventurers. Bob England '69 E-Type & '72 XJ6 Jaguar Owner's North American Tour (JONAT) Route Coordinator http://www.jonat.org ------=_NextPart_000_000D_01C3A38F.0A75F7E0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message

Hello=20 from me too Mike. For planning your trip to PEI in June, we are = definitely=20 planning the Tour around ensuring we will be at the VanDusen show in = Vancouver=20 on the Victoria Day long weekend, so that part of the itinerary is = fixed. =20 We're also pretty fixed from there through the Winnipeg sector. = The US=20 Midwest sectors may need some fine tuning, but the dates will only vary = by a day=20 or so I expect. The Toronto and Montreal sectors might vary, but I = think=20 they are pretty much fixed in terms of days (I expect the route might = vary a=20 bit, but the days in each sector would be pretty close if not spot = on). I=20 know the planning in Ottawa is pretty much advanced. I'm not = sure if=20 you would break off in Quebec City, or follow through to New England = (going up=20 through Nova Scotia or New Brunswick to PEI), but if you plan on = staying=20 the course through part of New England, the eastern part of the US is = probably=20 close to within a day or so.

Your=20 own cross Canada tour sounds like a lot of fun in itself, and hopefully = our Tour=20 will coincide with your own personal trip from BC to PEI. =20 I hope you don't mind, but I'm posting my response to the JONAT = lists as=20 I think your own trip is one worth relaying to some of the other JONAT=20 adventurers.

Bob=20 England
'69 E-Type = & '72=20 XJ6
Jaguar Owner's North American Tour (JONAT)
Route=20 Coordinator
http://www.jonat.org

------=_NextPart_000_000D_01C3A38F.0A75F7E0-- From engl@accesscomm.ca Wed Nov 5 20:58:03 2003 From: engl@accesscomm.ca (Bob) Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 14:58:03 -0600 Subject: [JONAT-chat] FW: The 2004 tour Message-ID: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0020_01C3A3AD.36C4C240 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit MessageThought you all might be interested in the comments Jamie has for Kevin below ... Bob England '69 E-Type & '72 XJ6 Jaguar Owner's North American Tour (JONAT) Route Coordinator http://www.jonat.org -----Original Message----- From: Jamie - JONAT [mailto:jamie@jonat.org] Sent: November 5, 2003 11:11 AM To: Kevin Watson Cc: Engl-JONAT Subject: Re: The 2004 tour Hi Kevin, thanks for dropping me a note and asking some questions. I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability at this time. However at least one of the subjects is still not quite settled on at this time as you will see from my answer. Please check below as I am threading my answers in your original note. Hope this has helped some. By the way? Where are you located? Just curious to know what portion of the Tour you will be enjoying this coming year. Actually if you'd go ahead and go to the Site right now and register it'll tell me all I need to know. By registering we get some information on your location and interests with regard to the Tour. It helps us with our Tour planning so we can provide a more enjoyable experience when you join us. Thanks for the opportunity you've given me to share some of the information about the Tour. We look forward to you joining us at some point. It can only be fun, right? Jamie Jamie & Dru - Everett, WA 88 Series III V12 VdP - Roxanne 89 XJS V12 Convertible - Butch Jaguar Owner's North American Tour - http://jonat.org April 15, 2004 - July 4, 2004 ----- Original Message ----- From: Kevin Watson To: admin@jonat.org Sent: Monday, November 03, 2003 6:20 PM Subject: The 2004 tour Hi, Just a couple of quick questions, 1- What will be the registration fee be to drive our vehicle in the tour? We have not settled this exactly yet. In fact we have not really decided if there will be a "registration fee" at this time. What we may have is more of a Tour Packet available for participants, available at a slight fee to cover costs. And we have discussed a contribution to a charity too. We will have all these issues set and published around the begiinning of the year I suspect. 2- Do we have to drive the entire tour or can we just do some of it? I ask this because of family issues (We have a 13 yr old still in school). A great question. We also have teens in school too and believe me, I understand the query. Participants are free to join the Tour for any length of the routing. Feel free to join for the opening or closing get togethers for your local Sector, for a day drive along the route with other Tourers, several days and a couple of Sectors? Or take the whole Tour. The last not too likely for most of us due to we are still "working stiffs" and for some reason our jobs expect us to show up if we want to get paid. Can you believe their gaull? 3- What type of vehicles are you allowing in the tour (Jaguars I would assume but any particular models)? Any kind of Jaguar is totally welcome. I don't think the purist among us will mind too much if a car has been lumped as it will still appear to be a Jaguar as it sits in the parking lot next to theirs! We are actually somewhat open to "any" British cars, but if it isn't Jaguar, they must start at the rear of the procession so to speak. One of the things we are hoping to generate by the Tour effort is not only each of us getting our own personal kicks, but to bring some attention to the hobby in general by way of the press we are hoping to generate along the way. By gathering a lot of Jaguars in one place or along one route at the same time, we feel we are going to generate interest from the public. And that can only help generate interest in the restoration or longevity of our cars and the spreading of our passion to others. Perhaps if more people get involved the concept that Jaguars are unreliable or expensive to keep can be understood for what it really is ... the truth! . Really prehaps more cars can be saved from the crusher. 4- Who is bringing the spare parts ?? <--- just kidding :) That's not really a joke! We have discussed a "Rally Truck" being available in each Sector, but it isn't a realistic concept as we do not have huge Manufacturer's backing, i.e.; big bucks, available. I believe a couple of Sectors may still be trying to provide some kind of route coverage truck though. Your best bet is to ensure, as much as you can of course, that your car is in the best shape it can be for a roadtrip prior to departure. Perhaps carry some of the more common parts in the boot, like hoses (or a repair kit), plugs, ignition module, etc. I for one have my AAA card readily available on a moments notice! 8>} Thanks Kevin Watson ------=_NextPart_000_0020_01C3A3AD.36C4C240 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message

Thought you all might be interested in the = comments=20 Jamie has for Kevin below ...

Bob=20 England
'69 E-Type = & '72=20 XJ6
Jaguar Owner's North American Tour (JONAT)
Route=20 Coordinator
http://www.jonat.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Jamie - JONAT=20 [mailto:jamie@jonat.org]
Sent: November 5, 2003 11:11 = AM
To:=20 Kevin Watson
Cc: Engl-JONAT
Subject: Re: The 2004=20 tour

Hi Kevin, thanks for = dropping me a=20 note and asking some questions. I'll try to answer them to the = best of my=20 ability at this time. However at least one of the subjects is = still not=20 quite settled on at this time as you will see from my answer. = Please check=20 below as I am threading my answers in your original note.

Hope this has helped = some. By=20 the way? Where are you located? Just curious to know what = portion of=20 the Tour you will be enjoying this coming year. Actually if you'd = go ahead=20 and go to the Site right now and register it'll tell me all I need to=20 know. By registering we get some information on your location and=20 interests with regard to the Tour. It helps us with our Tour = planning so=20 we can provide a more enjoyable experience when you join = us.

Thanks for the = opportunity you've=20 given me to share some of the information about the Tour. We look = forward=20 to you joining us at some point. It can only be fun,=20 right?

Jamie

Jamie & Dru - Everett, WA
88 Series III V12 VdP - = Roxanne
89 XJS=20 V12 Convertible - Butch
Jaguar Owner's North American Tour - http://jonat.org
April 15, 2004 - July = 4,=20 2004

----- Original Message -----
From:=20 Kevin = Watson=20

To: admin@jonat.org

Sent: Monday, November 03, 2003 = 6:20=20 PM

Subject: The 2004 tour

Hi,

Just = a couple of=20 quick questions,

1- = What will be=20 the registration fee be to drive our vehicle in the = tour?

We=20 have not settled this exactly yet. In fact we have not really = decided if=20 there will be a "registration fee" at this time. What we may = have is=20 more of a Tour Packet available for participants, available at a = slight fee to=20 cover costs. And we have discussed a contribution to a charity=20 too. We will have all these issues set and published around the=20 begiinning of the year I suspect.

2- = Do we have to=20 drive the entire tour or can we just do some of it? I ask this because = of=20 family issues (We have a 13 yr old still in = school).

A=20 great question. We also have teens in school too and believe me, = I=20 understand the query. Participants are free to join the Tour for = any=20 length of the routing. Feel free to join for the opening or = closing get=20 togethers for your local Sector, for a day drive along the route with = other=20 Tourers, several days and a couple of Sectors? Or take the whole = Tour. The last not too likely for most of us due to we are still = "working stiffs" and for some reason our jobs expect us to show up if = we want=20 to get paid. Can you believe their gaull? = <g>

3- = What type of=20 vehicles are you allowing in the tour (Jaguars I would assume but any=20 particular models)?

Any=20 kind of Jaguar is totally welcome. I don't think the purist = among us=20 will mind too much if a car has been lumped as it will still appear to = be a=20 Jaguar as it sits in the parking lot next to theirs! = <smile> We=20 are actually somewhat open to "any" British cars, but if it isn't = Jaguar, they=20 must start at the rear of the procession so to speak. <g> = One of=20 the things we are hoping to generate by the Tour effort is not only = each=20 of us getting our own personal kicks, but to bring some = attention to=20 the hobby in general by way of the press we are hoping to generate = along the=20 way. By gathering a lot of Jaguars in one place or along one = route at=20 the same time, we feel we are going to generate interest from the=20 public. And that can only help generate interest in the = restoration or=20 longevity of our cars and the spreading of our passion to=20 others. Perhaps if more people get involved the concept that = Jaguars are=20 unreliable or expensive to keep can be understood for what it really = is ...=20 the truth! <just kidding>. Really prehaps more cars can be = saved=20 from the crusher.

4- = Who is bringing=20 the spare parts ?? <--- just kidding :)

That's not really a joke! = <smile> We have=20 discussed a "Rally Truck" being available in each Sector, but it isn't = a=20 realistic concept as we do not have huge Manufacturer's backing, i.e.; = big=20 bucks, available. I believe a couple of Sectors may still be = trying to=20 provide some kind of route coverage truck though. Your best bet = is to=20 ensure, as much as you can of course, that your car is in the best = shape it=20 can be for a roadtrip prior to departure. Perhaps carry some of = the more=20 common parts in the boot, like hoses (or a repair kit), plugs, = ignition=20 module, etc. I for one have my AAA card readily available on a = moments=20 notice! 8>}

Thanks

Kevin=20 Watson

= ------=_NextPart_000_0020_01C3A3AD.36C4C240-- From engl@accesscomm.ca Fri Nov 7 02:26:11 2003 From: engl@accesscomm.ca (Bob) Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2003 20:26:11 -0600 Subject: [JONAT-chat] Updated Route Maps Message-ID: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_002D_01C3A4A4.37A5F240 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I've updated the route maps and introductory webpages for each sector from Orlando through to Winnipeg. The routes are as I understand them as of today (SC's, please let me know if I've screwed up somewhere). Comments appreciated. [Shortcut to http://jonat.org/bob/JONAT_Maps-Main.htm ] Bob England '69 E-Type & '72 XJ6 Jaguar Owner's North American Tour (JONAT) Route Coordinator http://www.jonat.org ------=_NextPart_000_002D_01C3A4A4.37A5F240 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

I've = updated the=20 route maps and introductory webpages for each sector from Orlando = through to=20 Winnipeg. The routes are as I understand them as of today (SC's, = please=20 let me know if I've screwed up somewhere). Comments=20 appreciated.

[Shortcut to http://jonat.org/bob/JO= NAT_Maps-Main.htm ]

Bob=20 England
'69 E-Type = & '72=20 XJ6
Jaguar Owner's North American Tour (JONAT)
Route=20 Coordinator
http://www.jonat.org

------=_NextPart_000_002D_01C3A4A4.37A5F240-- From engl@accesscomm.ca Fri Nov 7 02:26:10 2003 From: engl@accesscomm.ca (Bob) Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2003 20:26:10 -0600 Subject: [JONAT-chat] Participant's Pack Message-ID: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0029_01C3A4A4.37751E40 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit MessageSome discussions on the handouts you might want the think about .... ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 12:04 PM Subject: RE: Participant's Pack My comments (worth only 2 cents Canadian) : I like the "two pak" idea. Grille badges / dash plaque - how about a grille badge and a tour plate ? Take a look at Jaguar World Monthly June 2003 starting page 36 (London to Brighton Jaguar Run). They have licence plate sized tour plates, individually numbered, that one puts on the front of one's car. Very easy to identify tour participants - have no idea as to costs. In my vain attempt to get grille badges - nice ones ran about $20 a pop in quantity (Canadian money - so about $us14 each I'm guessin'). Dash plaque is not my preference, but some guys to like 'em. I always find pens in handout packages, and find the same pens in the same bags two years later when I am cleaning up (no comments about cleaning up more often, please!). If we can get them donated, fine, but my thought would not be to put any money into them. Coupons. Gotta have discount coupons (save 73 cents on the purchase of your next car! - limited time offer, quantities limited, see dealer for details). Laminated maps and itineraries - great idea ! Other stuff you suggested is also great. Other thoughts - more detailed City and Highway maps (CAA / AAA sponsorship) - sheet with contact names for local sector, along with Jaguar appropriate repair garages - more stuff ??? Would perhaps now be a good time to take this conversation to the JONAT or JONAT-CHAT lists? Bob -----Original Message----- From: Jamie - JONAT [mailto:jamie@jonat.org] I have actually been thinking about that some. I was thinking the pack would come at two levels. The overall Tour Pak and the Sector Pak. The TP (Tour Pak) might consist of the grill badge, dash plaque, pens and/or pencils with the JONAT 2004 spelled out on them, laminated map of the overall routing with the itinerary on back, and ??? The SP (Sector Pak) could have a dash plaque, pens and/or pencils with the JONAT 2004 spelled out on them, laminated map of the Sector routing, perhaps a copy of one of those books available which list out either or both the Bed & Breakfasts and Tourist Sites in the Sector, and ??? And of course perhaps each should have a copy of a flyer showing the items available to be ordered separately, like the grill badge, dash plaque, pens/pencils, maps, etc. Questions/Comments? Jamie & Dru - Everett, WA 88 Series III V12 VdP - Roxanne 89 XJS V12 Convertible - Butch Jaguar Owner's North American Tour - http://jonat.org April 15, 2004 - July 4, 2004 ------=_NextPart_000_0029_01C3A4A4.37751E40 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message

Some=20 discussions on the handouts you might want the think about=20 ....

----- Original Message -----
From:=20 Bob

Bob=20 & members:

All=20 highway descriptions below are given in one-way. So unless I say otherwise, = then a=20 four-laner is actually a eight-lane highway coming and=20 going.

I have=20 traveled most of these roads since coming to Canada in 94, in just about = every=20 conceivable weather condition you can think of, so I thought I=92d add = my input if=20 this will help in finalizing the = plans.

I was=20 checking the map and noticed a few things maybe you are and maybe you = aren=92t=20 aware of.

The map=20 shown is not a true representation of the area. Some minor, and others = major, but=20 can make a few problems for those not aware.=20

From=20 Hope to Vernon is just about 400 miles, maybe a little=20 less.

From=20 Hope to Sicamous is about 400 miles: maybe more, maybe less.=20

I assume=20 you chose this route to avoid the toll charges on the Trans Canada = highway at=20 the Coquihalla Toll Booths.

Assuming=20 the above, the correct route in the one in yellow to Kelowna. YOU DO NOT want to take = the other=20 since you add about 100 miles of back roads to the leg. =

Either=20 way you will be going through a town called Princeton, about halfway = from Hope=20 to Kelowna. It is a = winding=20 two-lane only, nice country road with a couple of nasty switchbacks near = Princeton, but otherwise OK.

Now=20 let=92s assume you decide to take the Toll Booths. =

For each=20 car the toll is $10.00 Canadian or about $7.00 U.S.=20

Anyway=20 you can enjoy a fast modern two to three lane highway to Merritt. =

From=20 Merritt head east on 97A, again on a very fast modern mountain highway. = Except for a 20-mile stretch = just east of=20 Merritt, this is a very good mountain road. =

The only=20 real, but very minor problem is getting to the booths. The highway is very steep just = west of=20 the booths and although a Jag will sneer at them, mine does, other = vehicles=20 might have a problem.

There is=20 a real nice rest stop at the Merritt junction and just about two miles = down the=20 highway, with easy on and off ramps, a large gathering of fast-food=20 places.

97A is=20 called the =93CONNECTOR=94. = You will=20 arrive just south of Kelowna and this is where the fun begins: Traffic, = rush=20 hour mayhem, etc. depending on the time of arrival, but beautiful lakes = and=20 mountains, and major shopping centers. =20

Kelowna=20 has a major airport that serves major airlines for those in need of = emergency=20 international jet get-away.

The city=20 of Kamloops does too as well. =20

There is=20 an airport at Vernon that has a commuter feed to=20 Vancouver.

Just=20 south of downtown Kelowna is a floating, three-lane (total) bridge. It is expected to be replaced = or=20 renovated soon. The = problem is,=20 depending on the time of arrival, the center lane switches depending on = traffic=20 flow. Once past the = bridge though,=20 it turns into a four-lane city street through town, a three-laner to the = highway=20 and then a fast modern two-laner to Vernon.

Maybe I=20 am shooting myself in the foot, but it is only a 45-minute drive from = Kelowna to=20 Vernon. The drive parallels beautiful blue lakes and mountains and = provides a=20 very scenic backdrop.

Anyway,=20 presently there is major construction on a new egress just north of = Vernon to=20 the city of Kamloops. = Although they=20 are making good progress even as I write this, there is no way they are = going to=20 be finished by the time of the tour. =20 So include about a 30-minute delay here.=20

I might=20 also add that British Columbia is finally updating a lot of highways and = making=20 them safer, so west of Sicamous, or as shown incorrectly on the map as = Squalix,=20 there is a lot of highway construction. (Maybe I should send you a = corrected=20 map) So I=92d add about = 15-30 minutes=20 for travel from Sicamous to Revelstoke. =20

Once=20 past Revelstoke, to the best of my knowledge, it should be smooth = sailing on a=20 modern two to three laner all the way to Golden, which is not shown on = the map,=20 but an important location for food, gas, or the all important 10-100 = emergency=20 pit-stops. (I think I just gave my age away. For the younger crowd, 10-100 = was CB=20 lingo for potty stops) =20

There=20 are about nine-avalanche sheds covering the highway, so the lanes narrow = down to=20 one-laners, but hardly impede the flow of traffic. They can pose a problem for = those not=20 used to traveling fast and then being plunged into darkness for several=20 seconds.

After=20 Golden there is a very dangerous mountain road for about 10 miles and = then it=20 really opens up to Banff and the border. =20 It too might have some construction and/or mountain sheep = blocking the=20 roads. Actually I=92ve never seen them, the sheep, on the highway, but = they do=20 walk parallel to it, including a few black bears, moose, and deer. =

Warning! =

DO NOT=20 stop to pet the cute little cub bears eating the flowers. Mama bear is not too far away = and she is=20 ultra protective. =20

Oh yes,=20 incase anyone is interested; Sicamous is the home of the world=92s = largest=20 houseboat manufacturing center. =20 Those interested can get into parties of 10, 20, or 30 and go out = onto=20 the lake for a day of leisure comfort. =20 I know the owners of one such company and I think I can get a = really good=20 deal.

Sicamous=20 is only another 30-minute drive from = Vernon.

Also as=20 an FYI, and again possibly shooting myself in the foot, for those = wishing to=20 by-pass Kelowna and Vernon and getting an extra day of rest, instead of = jumping=20 off in Merritt just stay on the Trans Canada and it will take you = directly to=20 Sicamous, again on a very modern highway. =20 The houseboat company I mentioned takes about 20-30 houseboats = from=20 Sicamous to Salmon Arm (A beautiful town of 18,000) and leases them for = day=20 outings.

Tony