We headed out to Escape in Chilliwack on Thursday. Great travel conditions, and was able to make good time. Beat Google Maps prediction of 9 1/2 hours by 45 minutes, doing it in 8:45 with a couple stops. Stayed at the Travelodge as the Best Western was full when I booked. Not too bad, but BW was definitely better when I stayed there in December.
Anyway, got to Escape for 8am for our orientation yesterday. Saw our trailer in person for the first time as we went through an abbreviated orientation with Roger. Most stuff we knew, but still lots of new and additional features we got to learn about.
Dennis and Nigel et al, did up a few last minute things, readied us for travel and threw in a few things I will need to do my thing as with finishing.
The drive back was very good, in fact you could not likely ask for better conditions smack dab in the middle of winter. We had mixed sun and cloud, and mostly dry roads, other than a few places that had skiffs of snow overnight. Traffic was moderate and we were able to do at least the speed limit everywhere, except we kept it a bit below the 130 kph (75 mph) speed limit on the Coquihalla.
Our return trip took us 9 1/2 hours, but we did four stops, including one to check the torque on the wheels. Two lug nuts took a very small tweak at 95 ft-lbs is all.
I am fine with nighttime driving, but it did take some good concentration once it got dark, travelling on the two lane part of the Trans Canada Highway through windy mountain roads, where the light snow covering and road scum obliterated the lines, and there was quite a bit of on coming traffic. Just had to make sure we drove between oncoming traffic and the snow bank on the other side.
Once we hit Banff National Park and the divided 4 lane, all was good again.
Drove straight to a car wash to give the truck and trailer a bath before heading home. Pretty much docked the trailer, brought some stuff in, and crawled into the sack, a bit weary from the 19 hours of driving in 2 days, but feeling very satisfied that the trip went off according to plan.
Here are a few shots of the travel yesterday. I will take some trailer photos to share once it gets light out, though not really much to see that other trailers have, in fact less as a bunch never got done.
Here are a couple shots of the truck at Escape. In the second photo you can see the front building Escape is working on now that the former tenant is out. Tammy gave us a wee tour. It is going to be a great space for them. Offices for the sales staff, meeting room, lobby, parts sales, indoor trailer showroom, service bays, orientation bay, and more. Pretty exciting for them.
A quick stop at Time Hortons before hitting the road.
Here are a couple cell phone shots Lisa took along the highway. You can see road conditions are quite good. The second one is nearing an avalanche shed in Rogers Pass.
Here are a couple shots at the Info Center at Rogers Pass. Not near the snow we expected, but still lots of winter left for it to accumulate.
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