Picked up our 21’ Escape Thursday July 2nd at 1100. Wow, so much information in such a short time then off (1315) to meet my parents (79 and 82, who just two weeks ago celebrated their 60th anniversary) in Manning Park about 1.5 hours northeast of Chilliwack, Highway 3A British Columbia. Found the reserved spot and after a few tries successfully situated trailer in campsite. Just getting settled in when parents arrived in a motorhome (MH) and parked in site next to us. Before they were parked it was evident the MH was leaking diesel fuel. A quick fix stopped the leak. The evening was a warm and the company great. Could hardly believe our first night of a planned three night inaugural camping trip was underway and everything with the trailer was going smoothly.
Saturday morning around 0930 my (Cheryl’s) mother (79) was making her bed in the MH and appeared to have dislocated her right hip. Decided to leave her on the MH floor for her comfort and drive to nearest hospital in Princeton about one hour away. Jim followed the MH in our tow vehicle after securing the Escape. In our haste to get Mom to the hospital didn’t secure the counters and a bottle fell off hitting Mom on the head causing a cut with fair amount of bleeding. The MH broke down, unrelated to the diesel leak, on the way to hospital going up one of BC’s longest and curviest highway (summits about 4000 feet). Couldn't get MH moving. Flagged down ministry of transportation vehicle to call an ambulance (as we weren’t going to be able to make the trip in the MH) while Dad waited on the phone for BCAA. Ambulance arrived about 45 minutes later. Rode with Mom in ambulance to Princeton hospital where a firm diagnosis of hip dislocation made. Initially Doc not certain if dislocation could be reduced there or if she would need to go to Penticton for surgical intervention.
Dad and Jim arrived at Princeton hospital about 1.5 hours later (around 1430). BCAA could not tow MH for at least four hours and advised to just leave the MH on the road. Temperature was about 35 degrees celsius and not shade. Did not want to stay in MH as traffic heavy with many transport trucks going in both directions.
Decided it would be best for Jim to make the 2 hour drive to get Dad back home (Kamloops) while as it was uncertain if Mom was going to have to stay in Princeton or be transferred to Penticton for orthopaedic surgery. Meanwhile back at the hospital second doctor arrived and together the two docs reduced Mom’s dislocated hip (around 17:00) and stitched up her forehead. Feeling a little exhausted and not very adventurous made a reservation at the Sandman motel across from the hospital so Mom and I could rest for the night before travelling again. At 6:30 pm called a cab and with Mom using crutches transported to motel about 2 blocks away. As checking in discovered Mom’s purse, which was just used in the cab to pay toll, was missing. When phoned cab company they said they couldn't find it. Cancelling credit cards at that hour was about to be the final straw. Five minutes later cab driver called and said he found the purse and brought it to the hotel. Such a relief hysterical laughter took over.
1930 Jim arrived back at hotel in Princeton with a walker for Mom, pick up the Escape keys and then back to Mule Deer Park. My mother in the bed next to me slept well. Jim, I could only assume, was comfy in the Escape trailer. He told me today that a couple out of Vancouver was looking for a campsite on Friday evening when he returned so he offered up the folks deserted site and made some new friends while he told the tale of our day.
Jim arrived this am with Escape in tow to pick up Mom and me and deliver us all back to Kamloops. The MH was towed on Friday to Hope but company so busy that day they opted to deliver the MH to Kamloops Saturday.
Thanks so much to the ambulance attendants/paramedics, the very professional healthcare staff at Princeton Regional Hospital and the helpful staff at the Princeton Sandman. Also, thanks to the Escape staff for their warm welcome and informative orientation.
An eventful inaugural first Escape trip that won’t soon be forgotten.
Looking forward to Escaping again next weekend.
Sorry no pics.
