High Hopes

[drpaddle]

We are very much looking forward to joining this wonderful community of travelers/campers/escapists. We'll be traveling with our new Escape 21... at some point. Like many others here, we'll have to exercise patience.

We like to get out and about, and like to take the Cairn terriers with us. But those pet-friendly motel rooms aren't always the spiffiest. So, camper. Or something.

We have done this before. Tent camping, kayak camping, VW Westfalia camping with dachshunds. Now we have the bug again. Researched (and came close to ordering) some a-frame models, and then looked briefly at TrailManor, and then read about various eggs. And then...

We traded emails with Rhonda at ETI; she pointed us to a couple right here in our town (!) with an Escape 21; and they graciously gave up an hour of their time to let us stare at it.

It was better than I had expected, and all the commentary online had set my expectations pretty high. DW was goo-goo-eyes-blown-away. Next day (this happened last week), Rhonda sent us a build sheet, we made our choices, and we're on a list.

Well... some sort of list. We're hoping to be able to put down a deposit soon, and have our 21 for lots of adventures next year. We must wait until the ETI folk have time to think about next year's production schedule. But we're on a list. Next week we'll drive up to Chilliwack (3+ hours north of here) and spend a few hours immersing ourselves in Escapism.

We will have a few things to occupy us while we wait. We'll need a different tow vehicle (leaning toward a Nissan Frontier but it's early yet), and we'll be preparing a parking pad beside our house (don't tell the neighbor yet). And we'll have fun reserving state park campsites 9 months in advance, and reading up on boondocking opportunities in the region.

Thanks to all of you on this forum for offering so much insight and enthusiasm. This is going to be good.

Doug & Susan Smith
Gig Harbor, WA USA

[Donna D.]

Exciting isn't it! Fun times ahead and you'll make tons of memories along the way.

BTW: enjoy the build sheet, truly. You'll have lots of time to make decisions that will make your trailer perfect for you!

[Sandra L]

Welcome Doug and Susan. Its good you have a lot of time to plan as there are so many things to consider. I'm sure you've gotten lots of ideas already from some very knowledgeable and very happy people.

[cpaharley2008]

Welcome Doug and Susan, to our Escape world. My parking pad looks like a patchwork quilt as I have had different campers there in past 7 years, each of varying sizes, necessitating expansion in width and length, but I have not had to change it for past 3 years since coming to Escape Trailers. I think it is perfect now.

[drpaddle]

Our high hopes have been rewarded! A 2014 completion date opened up in November, and we had the good fortune to snag it.

I was supposed to head to California for a business meeting on Wednesday. But the meeting was cancelled and suddenly I had two days with no client expectations. And the sun was out! On impulse we decided to make the 3-hour drive to Chilliwack and stare at all the trailers (not to mention the eye-popping scenery all around).

Got to the posh Best Western motel at 4. Went round back to the Escape factory and briefly met Tammy. Poked my head into a 21. Even nicer than I remembered! DW and the puppies waited patiently (well, reasonably patiently) in the car. We planned to visit at greater length the next morning when it would be cloudy and the terriers could wait comfortably in the car.

We headed back to the motel to get the boys (and ourselves) settled (if you ever need to go to ETI and have a dog... it's quite nice as pet-friendly lodgings go). Fired up wifi, checked email and... Rhonda at ETI had sent notice that a November 14 completion date had opened up. I think she must have been sending the email about the time I was chatting with Tammy.

We thought about it for about 15 seconds and then sent back a reply (Yes! Please! Us! Wowsers!).

Thursday morning we got to meet Rhonda, Tami, Reace and the resident dogs, and spend some quality time exploring the 21. And starting paperwork, and sorting through Formica chips.

Wow, what a busy place, and what a success story. Even the motel staff seem impressed and proud of ETI's growth. We look forward to heading back up to the area when we can stay a little longer to do some exploring.

And of course more staring at all those trailers. Yippee.

[Sandra L]

Congratulations!

[JohnB]

What a neat story. Congrats on getting your 21 completion date booked earlier than expected.

[escape artist]

Hi: drpaddle...Now you can let go of the horseshoe in your back pocket!!! That'll be a load off. Welcome to the club too. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Vicki A.]

It took you a whole 15 seconds?! Congrats!

[Donna D.]

Neato for you! Things happen for a reason and this is COOL BEANS! Let the fun begin and the plotting and planning too. Picking out Formica and fabric is waaaay fun.

[tractors1]

US TOO! August 22nd is perfect for us - wifey retires at the end of September. This IS a trip to Canada in our near future for a visit.

[Donna D.]

One of the best pieces of information I've gleaned by being a member of the EscapeForum, was when Paul posted it was a good idea to get bigger samples of the Formica. I had chosen several business card sized samples at the local big box store. But OH MY did my thoughts change when I saw the 5"x7" pieces I ordered from Formica Laminate from Formica.com

[drpaddle]

Thanks, Donna, sounds like very good advice. We will narrow our choices at the big box, then request a few big samples.

Choosing fabric sounds like a nightmare to me. But DW says she is up to the task. Thank goodness.

[padlin]

The big box stores do not carry the whole line of Formica, check the web site. I was able to order a 12"x12" from the web of what I thought was my final choice.