From Vernon, it starts off as a short shot of smooth 4 lane, then dissolves into a twisty bit by farmland, and rattling over the train tracks in a nasty off camber left. Smooth into Lumby, although heavily patrolled, when the Lumby Detachment is not dismantling a nearby grow op.
East of Lumby you get some smooth asphalt, followed by rougher stuff past Cherryville.
Stop at the Gold Panner and have a piece of rhubarb and strawberry pie if you can. It's on the left of a downhill right corner, into the first of a few interesting switchbacks in and out of draws.
Clear sailing after that, which decent road conditions, and yes, lots of critters, and the occasional farm vehicle. I'm not sure how active the logging is at the moment, but please watch out for the detritus thrown up by logging trucks as they/you pass.
The ferry is a complete no brainer. Idle, I said idle, your way to the front of the line, and be polite to the locals. Recently (okay, a few years ago) a group of loud motorcycles rapped their way to the front of the line, caused a stir, and a calm, cool, logging truck driver removed their tire valve stems while the riders cooled off at the picnic area. Really ruined their day, but the motorists who had been harrassed had a nice smile and wave for the riders as they got on the ferry, leaving the motorcylists behind. The ferry sails limited hours, I think 11 or 12 midnight is the last sailing, and it sails "on demand." The ride if 15 or 20 minutes, if that. If you arrive there, and it's on the other side, it'll come and get you. It's free. Northward to Nakusp is a bit of a boring drone. After the rains, usually in the fall, the gas station/restaraunt on the east end of the ferry serves mushroom burgers. Big deal, you say. Fresh, wild mushrooms picked by the locals, I say. A pinnacle of mushroom burgers. Don't buy gas there though. The fellow has some strange ideas about fueling motorcycles. Buy gas in Lumby, it's usually a couple of cents less costly than Vernon, if you buy Shell fuel.