Spring camping! - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Camping | Places, Gear and Planning > Trips and Travel Planning
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 04-08-2014, 09:44 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
bvansnell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2010 Escape 13
Posts: 431
Spring camping!

Last week we escaped to Whidbey Island for a few days of camping. We stayed at Fort Casey State Park which was first-come-first serve. No serviced sites were available but we managed quite well using our solar system, which supplied more than enough power to operate lights, furnace, water pump, fan. We drove down Whidbey to Langley and took the ferry across to visit Fort Townsend and Sequim. Lots of flowers and animals to brighten our days! A few photos here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/brian_...7643667056523/
Attached Thumbnails
IMGP7630sm.jpg  
__________________
Brian

2003 Subaru Forester
2012 Toyota Highlander V6
2010 Escape 13 "Ladybug" Feb 2010
bvansnell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2014, 09:49 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2002 Escape 13'
Posts: 967
Great pictures! I envy you!
hotfishtacos is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2014, 09:54 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Great pix, as usual.
We're planning on going somewhere next week. That way sister-in-law can stay at our house and I don't have to.
Any recommendations, nearby, preferably that don't require travel medical insurance, although I guess I could, if I have to.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2014, 10:29 PM   #4
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Vancouver, BC, British Columbia
Trailer: sold 1980 Boler 13' dreaming of Escape 15
Posts: 30
Nice spring getaway Brian. When you went to Port Townsend did you take your vehicle on the ferry or did you walk on? Does Fort Casey State Park allow dogs with you? Thx!
Jim
mitsui is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2014, 10:54 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
bvansnell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2010 Escape 13
Posts: 431
Quote:
Originally Posted by mitsui View Post
Nice spring getaway Brian. When you went to Port Townsend did you take your vehicle on the ferry or did you walk on? Does Fort Casey State Park allow dogs with you? Thx!
Jim
We left our trailer at Fort Casey which is right at the Keystone (Coupville) ferry terminal for Port Townsend. We took our car to Port Townsend so we could also visit Sequim.
Rates are: Vehicle under 14 ft. with senior driver $6.75
Senior passenger 1.55

This is a remarkable bargain!

Yes, dogs are allowed at Fort Casey, although they need to be on leash.
__________________
Brian

2003 Subaru Forester
2012 Toyota Highlander V6
2010 Escape 13 "Ladybug" Feb 2010
bvansnell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2014, 11:09 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
bvansnell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2010 Escape 13
Posts: 431
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
Great pix, as usual.
We're planning on going somewhere next week. That way sister-in-law can stay at our house and I don't have to.
Any recommendations, nearby, preferably that don't require travel medical insurance, although I guess I could, if I have to.
If you travel outside BC you will need travel medical insurance. We buy ours from BCAA and feel rates are reasonable. You can't take it with you!

State Parks in Washington close to Vancouver that we have stayed at include Bay View, Deception Pass, Fort Ebey, Fort Casey. Bay View is close to Mount Vernon, Anacortes, Burlington. Good nearby shopping and lots to see in the surrounding area -- we have stayed here many times.

We also stayed at Alice Lake Provincial Park (near Squamish), which has serviced outlets. Sites tend to be shaded. We have visited Porteau Cove near Lion's Bay but not stayed there. A bit too close to town for us.
__________________
Brian

2003 Subaru Forester
2012 Toyota Highlander V6
2010 Escape 13 "Ladybug" Feb 2010
bvansnell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2014, 01:32 AM   #7
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Vancouver, BC, British Columbia
Trailer: sold 1980 Boler 13' dreaming of Escape 15
Posts: 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by bvansnell View Post
We left our trailer at Fort Casey which is right at the Keystone (Coupville) ferry terminal for Port Townsend. We took our car to Port Townsend so we could also visit Sequim.
Rates are: Vehicle under 14 ft. with senior driver $6.75
Senior passenger 1.55

This is a remarkable bargain!

Yes, dogs are allowed at Fort Casey, although they need to be on leash.
The ferry was a bargain compared to our BC Ferries! I am making a list of places to visit and have placed Fort Casey on it. Thx.
Jim
mitsui is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2014, 01:44 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Bargains in BC too you know.

Inland Ferry Schedules

The inland ferries operate under private contract with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. ALL INLAND FERRIES ARE FREE OF CHARGE TO USERS. Schedule, crossing time, passenger and vehicle capacity and contact information may be found by clicking on the map below or on each route listed on the left sidebar.

Should try to visit some of the places linked by these ferries.
And, if you can ever figure it out, please explain why these are free while coastal ferries are not.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2014, 08:18 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Dave&Kathie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Portland, OR, Oregon
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 #8
Posts: 437
Quote:
Originally Posted by mitsui View Post
Nice spring getaway Brian. When you went to Port Townsend did you take your vehicle on the ferry or did you walk on? Does Fort Casey State Park allow dogs with you? Thx!
Jim
Mitsui - We took our new 21 (and the 4runner) on the Port Townsend Ferry, it cost $42.00 which we thought was cheap.

Brian - thanks for the pics, one of our favorite spots!
Dave&Kathie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2014, 06:35 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
MyronL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
Why do Whidbey rabbits have short ears?
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
MyronL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2014, 07:10 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
bvansnell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2010 Escape 13
Posts: 431
Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL View Post
Why do Whidbey rabbits have short ears?
There are several breeds of rabbits native to Whidbey. From the description, the one I photographed may to be a Nuttall's (Mountain) Cottontail which does have short ears. See Descriptions and articles about the Nuttall's Cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii) - Encyclopedia of Life

More information about rabbits in Washington state here: Rabbits - Living with Wildlife | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
__________________
Brian

2003 Subaru Forester
2012 Toyota Highlander V6
2010 Escape 13 "Ladybug" Feb 2010
bvansnell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2014, 07:27 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
LarryandLiz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Maple Ridge, BC, British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 17B;2012 Nissan Frontier SV 4
Posts: 701
Short rabbit ears = I was thinking coyotes.
LarryandLiz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2014, 08:08 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Mike Lewis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 Tow: 2024 Toyota Tundra
Posts: 3,097
I'm on Whidbey now, at Deception Pass. It's very nice here.

Mike Lewis
Mike Lewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2014, 08:30 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
MyronL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
And I thought this was a Nuttall's cottontail...
Attached Images
 
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
MyronL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2014, 09:19 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
SpokanEscape's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Olympia, Washington
Trailer: 2016 Escape 5.0TA has gone to a good home in Manitoba. Now Class B+ owners sadly not an Escape
Posts: 460
Mike- we were interested to see that you are at Deception Pass- we pick up our 21 on 4/21 and will head there for our first few nights out!
__________________
Jan and Paul
"Le Bon Oeuf"
SpokanEscape is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2014, 10:28 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Mike Lewis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 Tow: 2024 Toyota Tundra
Posts: 3,097
Given that, I'll try to behave myself so that every subsequent Escape isn't banned from the park. I've been keeping a low profile as it is, since I don't know what I'm doing.

You'll like it here; it's really nice.

Mike Lewis
Mike Lewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2014, 05:43 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
kstock11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19
Posts: 895
I'm in the same boat. I've got a list of potential first sites. My orientation is May 2. Sounds like a good location to settle while I begin to figure out this trailering life. Thanks for your feedback on beginning the transition from tent to Escape.
__________________
Kevin
Thanks to the interstate highway system, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything - Charles Kuralt
kstock11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2014, 07:01 AM   #18
Senior Member
 
bvansnell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2010 Escape 13
Posts: 431
Quote:
Originally Posted by kstock11 View Post
I'm in the same boat. I've got a list of potential first sites. My orientation is May 2. Sounds like a good location to settle while I begin to figure out this trailering life. Thanks for your feedback on beginning the transition from tent to Escape.
Kevin and Barbara:

We have stayed in Deception pass too. Some pointers:
  1. you might want to make reservations so that you get a site with hookups
  2. most sites are treed so you will need to get the right site if you are counting on solar power
  3. there is a Walmart Superstore and a Camping World in Mount Vernon and Burlington just off the I5 near Highway 20 which have a good supply of RV items in case you need to buy any
  4. Deception Pass State Park is on the flight path for the NAS from Oak Harbor, so training flights can make it noisy at times
Here is a photo of our trailer at Deception Pass https://www.flickr.com/photos/brian_vansnell/4522813140
__________________
Brian

2003 Subaru Forester
2012 Toyota Highlander V6
2010 Escape 13 "Ladybug" Feb 2010
bvansnell is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:32 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.