Our grand adventure to Chilliwack & Back!

[Vermilye]

I've been to both Wind & Jewell caves; preferred Jewell, but both were worth the visits. Some photos of each at my 2011 Trip Page.

[tash]

The countdown that began on November 1 is at 0 today!!! Our grand adventure to Chilliwack begins today! As soon as we get the truck loaded--finally--we will be on our way! We will have stops along the way and time in the Canadian Rockies--and then arrive in Chilliwack on July 20 for the pick up of our Escape 21 the next day!

We cannot believe that the day has finally arrived! Thank you to everyone for all of the information that you share--we have learned a lot here!

We will try to upload some pics when we can! Take care and see you on the road!

[Grant & Kathy]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

I've been to both Wind & Jewell caves; preferred Jewell, but both were worth the visits. Some photos of each at my 2011 Trip Page.

I agree with Jon, if you can only visit one visit Jewel Cave. It has more color. However, at Wind Cave the cave tours have fewer steps than at Jewel Cave. Also Wind Cave is very unique, it wasn't made by running water.

My blog entries and pictures from our visits:

BirdingRVers: South Dakota’s Hidden Treasures – Part 1 Wind Cave National Park

BirdingRVers: South Dakota’s Hidden Treasures – Part 2 Jewel Cave National Monument

[Sandra L]

Originally Posted by tash

The countdown that began on November 1 is at 0 today!!! Our grand adventure to Chilliwack begins today! As soon as we get the truck loaded--finally--we will be on our way! We will have stops along the way and time in the Canadian Rockies--and then arrive in Chilliwack on July 20 for the pick up of our Escape 21 the next day!

We cannot believe that the day has finally arrived! Thank you to everyone for all of the information that you share--we have learned a lot here!

We will try to upload some pics when we can! Take care and see you on the road!

Have a wonderful trip!

[tash]

I will share some more pictures and stories from stops along the way in the next few days, but here is a brief trip report of our grand adventure to Chilliwack and back:
Days traveling – 19
Countries – 2
US states – 9
Canadian provinces – 3
Indian reservations – 2
National parks/monuments/forests – 13
Time zones – 3
Places our dog got to swim – 5
Ice cream stops – 7
Microbreweries – 2
Campgrounds – 7 (1 national park, 3 state parks, 3 private)
Escapes spotted – 2
License plates – 45 states, 8 provinces, 2 tribes
Time in the truck – 144 hours and 55 minutes
Miles driven – 5829.4
Mileage average en route to pick up the trailer – 21.7
Mileage average towing the trailer home – 13.3

Trip of a lifetime – PRICELESS!!!

[cpaharley2008]

Wow, I'm impressed you get close to 22 mpg with that hemi, seems like I get 12, whether towing or not !! That new Ram with the small diesel is tempting, 30/20 highway/city mpg figures. Saw one at Osoyoos.

[tash]

Yeah we couldn't believe it either! Must have been the all the driving in the Great Plains of North Dakota and Saskatchewan! Mostly I drive in town with the Ram and get 16ish, so was very pleased with the mileage on the way to Chilliwack as it also included mountain driving in Alberta (Banff to Jasper). And we are pleased with the 13 mpg towing too. And the Escape towed so well! There is still a bit of a learning curve with backing the trailer, but doing okay so far!

[dbailey]

Tash,

I think we met in Custer, Stockade Lake North...

The worst fuel economy we got on this trip was towing on the prairies. We we towing westward-bound into a head wind, from Regina all the way to Medicine Hat. The Frontier couldn't keep in 5th (top) gear, even on the flat and at 90 km/h (55mph). I think we averaged around 22 l/100km (11mpg) on that stretch.

In the list of "things that affect fuel economy", I think:
o the worst was head wind (westward out of Regina, 22 l/100km)
o followed by top speed (we preferred to stay under 70mph, regardless of fuel economy -- with no wind at 70mph, we got about 18-20 l/100km on the flat)
o followed by hills (terrible economy up hill, of course, but up hills tend to be followed by down hills. A day driving the Crowsnest, for example, we got around 16 l/100km with insignificant wind and a speed for 80-90 km/h)
o with no significant wind or hills, we get 14-15 l/100km at 80-90 km/h

[tash]

Originally Posted by dbailey

Tash,

I think we met in Custer, Stockade Lake North...

Hi Doug! Yes, we met at Custer State Park. And then later we saw your Escape in the parking lot at Wall Drug. Small world!

[dbailey]

Yeah, I forgot about Wall Drug. When we saw your unit there, we made sure to park close.