Chilliwack, BC is a short 60 mile drive from Surry. This is where Escape Trailer Industries is located-this is the manufacturer of the travel trailer we own. Since we knew we would be in the area we planned a maintenance stop to add a few things and gets some other items checked out. We arrived Monday afternoon (appointment was for Tuesday) just to confirm we were on the schedule. Upon walking in the door we meet Tammy and Reace the owners. This is literally a Mom and Pop operation with Tammy handling the office and paperwork and Reace dealing with manufacturing, desgin, etc. They currently have 48 employees and have been in business for 10 years or so. It was great to meet them, then meet another new trailer owner just getting his new unit. We arrived early the next morning left the trailer, then headed to town. On our list of work: opening window in the kitchen, opening window in the bath, check bearings and brakes and some updated graphics (and a few other minor checks). Unfortunately we did not get a tour of the facilities as the commotion of manufacturing is just too great during the day. Our unit was ready by 3 when we returned.
Finished trailers waiting for pickup
Our new Texas graphics!
Tuesday night we were invited to join several other Escape owners at the Canyon Springs CG which was on the way to the rally site. Although the directions to the CG were accurate the distances were off by a bit but we still managed to find the site and meet the other owners. Tammy and Reace showed up about dark and several of us gathered around a great camp fire for a while. It is nice that the nights in many of these areas are still cool to cold with temps dipping into the 40s.
The next morning several pepople departed for the rally site but we stayed at the CG one more day and had a nice day hike along the river.
Log bridge crossing the Similkameen River
View from the trail
Road sign in the area (but none spotted)
Early Thursday we departed for Osoyoos (sounds kind of like OH-soy-use), BC for the rally. For the past 5 years the Escape company has put on a rally for their customers. This year there were about 200 people and 100 trailers, the largest rally yet. It is a great time to meet other owners, drink some wine or beer, share ideas, drink some more wine or beer, well I think you get the idea. There was no specific agenda planned but we did partake in a wine tour of the area, that, while great fun with new friends, the wines were not the best. But a good time was had by all. This area of BC is in their desert (looks somewhat like Big Bend country but no where near as dry). The area is full of orchards and wineries and is a destination vacation area as well.
We spent a long weekend at the rally and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was great to meet other Escape owners from all over and especially to spend some time with the owners of the comapny and get to know them better. I certainly feel that I can know recommend this comapny without hesitation-they listen to their customers, make changes as needed, are very inclusive and were a blast to hang out with!
At the rally
One of the vineyards
"Ali" the winery dog
Sunday was time to move on again and we packed up and headed to our next stop Kelowna, BC. Here we are "car docking" again at our friends Hayley and Mark. We met them a couple of years ago in Lajitas at the MTB festival there and I made contact before our trip. They were gracious enough to offer their driveway for a few days. Kelowna is a beautiful town on Okanagen Lake. The lake is about 83 miles long so it stretches through many towns along it's length. The town of Kelowna is very outdoors oriented with bike lanes everywhere, bike maps posted on some corners and has a great laid back feeling. Our friends run a B&B from their house as well which is a one block walk to the beach. Quite nice! Our first afternoon here Hayley took me for a MTB ride in the mountains nearby-my first ride in several weeks. I did OK considering and had a great time. We hope to go again tomorrow when Mark returns to town.
Parked at the house
The house gardens
Hayley and me at "teddy bear junction"
Cycling map on the bike path
Map even indicates bike shops (wrenches)
Bike locker
All trash cans and electrical boxes coverd in historical photos
Lake near the house
"Sail" sculpture at the marina
We plan to be here until Thursday morning the begin our northerly drive through BC toward Alaska.
Until next time.....
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