[JONAT-chat] Updated Itinerary

Sat, 15 Nov 2003 04:41:11 -0800

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Bob & members:

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

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

I was checking the map and noticed a few things maybe you are and maybe you
aren’t aware of.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now let’s assume you decide to take the Toll Booths.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The city of Kamloops does too as well.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sicamous is only another 30-minute drive from Vernon.

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

Tony

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<body bgcolor=3Dwhite lang=3DEN-US link=3Dblue vlink=3Dblue =
style=3D'tab-interval:.5in'>

<div class=3DSection1>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Bob &amp; members:<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>All highway descriptions below are given in one-way.<span
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">=A0 </span>So unless I say otherwise, then a =
four-laner
is actually a eight-lane highway <span style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes">=A0</span>coming
and going.<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>I have traveled most of these roads since coming to Canada in 94, =
in
just about every conceivable weather condition you can think of, so I =
thought I=92d
add my input if this will help in finalizing the =
plans.<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>I was checking the map and noticed a few things maybe you are and =
maybe
you aren=92t aware of.<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

The map shown is not a true representation of the area. =A0=A0Some minor, and others major, =
but can make a
few problems for those not aware. <o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>From Hope to Vernon is just about 400 miles, maybe a little =
less.<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>From Hope to Sicamous is about 400 miles: maybe more, maybe less. =
<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>I assume you chose this route to avoid the toll charges on the =
Trans
Canada highway at the Coquihalla Toll =
Booths.<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

Assuming the above, the correct route in the one in yellow to =
Kelowna. =A0=A0YOU DO NOT want to take the =
other since you
add about 100 miles of back roads to the leg.=A0
<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

Either way you will be going through a town called Princeton, =
about halfway
from Hope to Kelowna. =A0It is =
a winding
two-lane only, nice country road with a couple of nasty switchbacks near =
Princeton,
but otherwise OK.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Now let=92s assume you decide to take the Toll Booths.<span
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">=A0 =
</span><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>For each car the toll is $10.00 Canadian or about $7.00 U.S. =
<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Anyway you can enjoy a fast modern two to three lane highway to =
Merritt.<span
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">=A0 =
</span><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

From Merritt head east on 97A, again on a very fast modern =
mountain
highway. =A0Except for a =
20-mile stretch
just east of Merritt, this is a very good mountain road.=A0 =
<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

The only real, but very minor problem is getting to the =
booths.=A0 The highway is very steep just =
west of the booths
and although a Jag will sneer at them, mine does, other vehicles might =
have a
problem. <o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>There is a real nice rest stop at the Merritt junction and just =
about
two miles down the highway, with easy on and off ramps, a large =
gathering of
fast-food places.<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

97A is called the =93CONNECTOR=94.=A0 You
will arrive just south of Kelowna and this is where the fun begins: =
Traffic, rush
hour mayhem, etc. depending on the time of arrival, but beautiful lakes =
and mountains,
and major shopping centers.=A0 =
<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Kelowna has a major airport that serves major airlines for those =
in need
of emergency international jet =
get-away.<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>The city of Kamloops does too as well.<span =
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">=A0
</span><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>There is an airport at Vernon that has a commuter feed to =
Vancouver.<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

Just south of downtown Kelowna is a floating, three-lane (total)
bridge.=A0 It is expected to be =
replaced or
renovated soon.=A0 The problem =
is, depending
on the time of arrival, the center lane switches depending on traffic =
flow.=A0 Once past the bridge though, it =
turns into a
four-lane city street through town, a three-laner to the highway and =
then a
fast modern two-laner to Vernon. =A0<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

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

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

Anyway, presently there is major construction on a new egress =
just north
of Vernon to the city of Kamloops.=A0
Although they are making good progress even as I write this, =
there is no
way they are going to be finished by the time of the tour.=A0 So include about a 30-minute =
delay here. <o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

I might also add that British Columbia is finally updating a lot =
of
highways and making them safer, so west of Sicamous, or as shown =
incorrectly on
the map as Squalix, there is a lot of highway construction. =A0(Maybe I should send you a =
corrected
map)=A0 So I=92d add about =
15-30 minutes for
travel from Sicamous to Revelstoke.=A0 =
<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

Once past Revelstoke, to the best of my knowledge, it should be =
smooth
sailing on a modern two to three laner all the way to Golden, which is =
not
shown on the map, but an important location for food, gas, or the all =
important
10-100 emergency pit-stops. (I think I just gave my age away.=A0 For the younger crowd, 10-100 was =
CB lingo
for potty stops)=A0 =
<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>There are about nine-avalanche sheds covering the highway, so the =
lanes
narrow down to one-laners, but hardly impede the flow of traffic.<span
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">=A0 </span>They can pose a problem for those =
not used
to traveling fast and then being plunged into darkness for several =
seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

After Golden there is a very dangerous mountain road for about 10 =
miles
and then it really opens up to Banff and the border.=A0 It too might have some construction and/or mountain =
sheep
blocking the roads. Actually I=92ve never seen them, the sheep, on the =
highway,
but they do walk parallel to it, including a few black bears, moose, and =
deer.=A0 =
<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Warning!<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">=A0 =
</span><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>DO NOT stop to pet the cute little cub bears eating the =
flowers.<span
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">=A0 </span>Mama bear is not too far away and =
she is
ultra protective.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">=A0 =
</span><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Oh yes, incase anyone is interested; Sicamous is the home of the =
world=92s
largest houseboat manufacturing center.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes">=A0
</span>Those interested can get into parties of 10, 20, or 30 and go out =
onto the
lake for a day of leisure comfort.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">=A0 =
</span>I know
the owners of one such company and I think I can get a really good =
deal.<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Sicamous is only another 30-minute drive from =
Vernon.<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

Also as an FYI, and again possibly shooting myself in the foot, =
for
those wishing to by-pass Kelowna and Vernon and getting an extra day of =
rest,
instead of jumping off in Merritt just stay on the Trans Canada and it =
will take
you directly to Sicamous, again on a very modern highway.=A0 The houseboat company I mentioned =
takes about
20-30 houseboats from Sicamous to Salmon Arm (A beautiful town of =
18,000) and leases
them for day outings. <o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DEmailStyle22><font size=3D2 =
color=3D"#003300"
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Tony<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblack face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><![if =
!supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]></span></font><font
color=3Dblack><span =
style=3D'color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></font><=
/p>

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