For Judy and others who advised me on my earlier post (thanks!), this will be a stopover enroute from Seattle to Banff. Although I did have somewhat different plans already in place, I haven't been having much luck with Priceline bidding in Vancouver/Victoria and am looking at a shorter stay there. So, I am moving our route around somewhat to give us one more day exploring between Banff and Vancouver.

We arrive in Seattle around 4pm on Friday, 9/7. We're only going as far as Leavenworth, WA, that first day (with rush hour traffic, that alone is a bit ambitious). (We're staying at Pension Anna) The next day, we're going to drive up 97 and cross over into Canada at Osoyoos. Plans are to mosey up the Okanagan, stop for lunch at a winery, etc., and then spend the night at either Salmon Arm or Sicamous. The next morning, we drive into Banff, where we'll stay for 5 nights (actually in Canmore, at a timeshare).

My obvious choices are the Holiday Inn Express in Salmon Arm or the Best Western in Sicamous. DH is leaning toward Sicamous, as it is closer to Banff. Also, we drove from Banff to Kamloops a couple of years ago, and he remembers it took him about an hour between Sicamous and Salmon Arm, in a driving rain along with 18-wheelers. Bad memories for him, he was driving.

Questions are: How is the Best Western compared to the Holiday Inn Express? Rate is about $85 for Best Western vs. $100 for Holiday Inn -- not much difference. How long will it really take to go from Salmon Arm to Sicamous (AAA says 27 minutes) in the morning? Which location would be more scenic?

BTW -- on our trip back, we're staying a night in Nelson, then traveling toward Vancouver. Different route.

Hi Sludick
I can't recommend one hotel over the other as we haven't stayed there but you do go out of your way to go to Salmon Arm. The drive from Vernon to Sicamous is a scenic one so I would suggest you stay at Sicamous.

By the way we had my birthday lunch the other day at Burrowing Owl (I think they are on the wagon again) and the duck confit was out of this world.

I think I mentioned the new wineries but if you have any questions on them let me know. Have fun!!

Happy Birthday! My birthday is in June -- is yours in July or June?

We do hope to stop at Burrowing Owl for lunch. If we do, I'll have to try the duck confit. It would be pretty hard to tell about those owls -- were there no soused birds in sight? Or have they started attending meetings?

Hi Again

The owls were quite well behaved - the 12 steps seem to be working. Acutally my birthday was on the 12th of July. It was such a hot day that we sat inside but had a great window table and a fantastic and funny waiter. He really added to the day. Of course being my birthday and all I had to have the warm flourless chocolate cake with homemade cherry ice cream and Callebaut chocolate sauce. If you don't get Callebaut chocolate in Florida you must try some when you are here. Nothing like a glass of great red wine and a piece of chocolate I always say.
I don't know if I mentioned to you the Oliver Twist winery. It is just south of town and is brand new. They aren't releasing their merlot until next year but they have some good whites and I really liked their Pinot Gris. A lot of the wineries are going for the twist caps now as they are having too much trouble with the cork and the plastic corks do impart a taste. I think the Oliver Twist is a great name as well as great wine. The heat is almost unbearable this summer just because we decided not to go back to Victoria. So - off we go to the Oregon coast.

Sludick:

AAA is right. It's about a 25 min drive from Salmon Arm to Sicamous, and the road is good. It's been upgraded in recent years and there are lots of passing lanes so that it's not nearly so bad if you get stuck behind a transport truck. You also get some beautiful views of Shuswap Lake from above.

That said, coming from the Okanagan towards Banff, it's a bit longer through Salmon Arm than directly to Sicamous.

As to where to stay, Sicamous is quite a bit smaller than Salmon Arm, so you would have a better choice of places to eat in SA. Both hotels are right off the Trans-Canada.

When all is said and done, for an overnight, I would stay in Sicamous. However, before you leave, drive a few miles towards Salmon Arm and take a look at the lake from the lookout. It's a fabulous view.

The best place to eat in Sicamous is Moose Mulligans, right on the channel between Shuswap and Mara Lakes.

I always stay at the Best Western in Sicamous on my way back from the west coast. And as the previous poster said, best place to eat is Moose Mulligans.

laverendrye and cruiseryyc, thank you both. I do have reservations at Salmon Arm (Holiday Inn Express), but think that overall I will use the Best Western at Sicamous. As you suggested, lavrendrye, we can drive back a few miles and enjoy the view before heading on out.

And a bonus -- Moose Mulligans. I checked out the menu and this will do nicely, thanks. I will be sure to add this to my trip report on our return. I think we could use some more coverage along this route, don't you.

Tally - Ho!