San Antonio to Canada - Part Deaux

[rbryan4]

Thanks for the tip Jim. I have some black Velcro straps I use when traveling. Sometimes I forget to put them on.


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[rbryan4]

This thread sort of melted into the rally thread once we got here, so I'd better tidy up. We arrived at Osoyoos Thursday morning at about 10:30. Although we had site C8 on our reservation, they explained that for the rally sites it was first come first served, and they put us down the hill in site 54. That's fine, we were here. Overall mpg average on the way up was 15.4 mpg, which was knocked down quite a bit due to heavy winds for a large portion of the trip north.


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[rbryan4]

Thursday after set up was spent meeting bunches of great people, some of whom we knew from the Escape Forum.

Friday we did the wine tour and hit 5 vineyards, with a nice break for lunch at Miradoro restaurant.

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[rbryan4]

Meeting so many people you think you already know is a bit overwhelming, but we are enjoying every minute of it. Today we had the parade of trailers and met a bunch more. Tonight is the pot luck dinner. We're hungry, so we'd better head out.


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[cpaharley2008]

Those name tags become invaluable in placing a face to a screen name. I spent a lot of time on my bike riding around each day, luckily we we arrived on a Tuesday so we had a little more detraveling time than you guys did. I really like Osoyoos and the town itself.

 

[rbryan4]

You're right about the name tags Jim. Really handy.

Last nights pot luck was a huge success. So many great dishes and basically every rally attendee came.

This was the best pot luck I've ever attended. Also, a local winery (Tunahill Cellars) had a little secret. The owner reserved a special Cabernet and Pinot Grigio specifically for the rally, and provided wine free to the dinner. The bottles even had a rally label. Neat stuff.

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[freespirit]

Robert...did you happen to check your actual trip mileage from SA to Rally?
and was your route from SA to the Canadian border much different than the route you took to pickup your trailer originally?

 

[rbryan4]

Robert...did you happen to check your actual trip mileage from SA to Rally?
and was your route from SA to the Canadian border much different than the route you took to pickup your trailer originally?

Yes, the average mpg for the entire trip to Canada was 15. We should do better on the way home, since we'll be going downhill/downwind for a good part of it.

Our trip to Osoyoos was indeed a different route than when we picked up in March of 2015. This time it was Amarillo, Denver, Cheyenne, all the way across Montana, the Idaho Panhandle, Spokane, Grand Coulee then Osoyoos.

The route both coming and going the first time is documented in the thread "Past Tents First Journey".


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[BCnomad]

Thanks for posting the pics Robert.

Nice to meet you finally.

 

[rbryan4]

Well, the rally is over. We had a great time, simple as that. The farewell breakfast this morning was fantastic. Even caught a glimpse of Jim Bennett manning the grill making French Toast. Marlene (Tammy's mom) brought bunches of fresh BC blueberries and they were put to good use during the pancake breakfast and today as well. Said goodbye to a lot of new friends then hit the road south. We're in Coure D'Alene tonight, but we don't really have a set route south. We'll probably stay down the western border of Idaho and work our way toward Boise, and spend some time boondocking in a forest service campground or something like that. Average fuel economy is already improving, and we averaged 15.7 for the short distance from Osoyoos to here.

For anyone wondering if the long trip to Osoyoos is worth it for a short 3 day rally, I can answer with a resounding YES. Great folks, those Escape Owners are. We're already looking forward to next year.


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[rbryan4]

Coco is getting a "bathy". She doesn't look enthused.

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[soultrek]

south. We're in Coure D'Alene tonight, but we don't really have a set route south. We'll probably stay down the western border of Idaho and work our way toward Boise, and spend some time boondocking in a forest service campground or something like that.
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Bob: If you're heading south toward Boise and have never been to McCall, that might be a worthwhile stop. Ponderosa State Park offers serviced sites in wonderful alpine, lakeside scenery. The weather will be warming considerably in the next few days, and there are plentiful sites available - including a few of our favorites on the north side of Aspen loop. Same suggestion for any others who might be heading our way…Glenn.

 

[Mary F]

You're right about the name tags Jim. Really handy.

Last nights pot luck was a huge success. So many great dishes and basically every rally attendee came.

This was the best pot luck I've ever attended. Also, a local winery (Tunahill Cellars) had a little secret. The owner reserved a special Cabernet and Pinot Grigio specifically for the rally, and provided wine free to the dinner. The bottles even had a rally label. Neat stuff.

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Wow. That is so cool!

 

[SpokanEscape]

Where are you staying in Coeur D'Alene? Just curious as people have asked for recommendations in our local area and I have no clue since we never camp locally!

 

[rbryan4]

Where are you staying in Coeur D'Alene? Just curious as people have asked for recommendations in our local area and I have no clue since we never camp locally!

We're at Tamarack RV park for one night. Didn't want to drive too much today and it was relatively close after the rally. $20 with full hookups and pull throughs for Passport America members.


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[rbryan4]

Bob: If you're heading south toward Boise and have never been to McCall, that might be a worthwhile stop. Ponderosa State Park offers serviced sites in wonderful alpine, lakeside scenery. The weather will be warming considerably in the next few days, and there are plentiful sites available - including a few of our favorites on the north side of Aspen loop. Same suggestion for any others who might be heading our way…Glenn.

Thank you Glenn for the recommendation! Ponderosa SP sounds right up our alley.


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[SpokanEscape]

We're at Tamarack RV park for one night. Didn't want to drive too much today and it was relatively close after the rally. $20 with full hookups and pull throughs for Passport America members.


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Thanks!

 

[Patandlinda]

We're at Tamarack RV park for one night. Didn't want to drive too much today and it was relatively close after the rally. $20 with full hookups and pull throughs for Passport America members.


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Robert you say you are using Passport America ? Is in your opinion a good club to join ? In the past tried KOA and really didn't care for their campgrounds . Now just have senior pass and automobile club for discounts . Will give this a try if you recommend this pass . Pat

 

[Iowa Dave]

Robert if you stop in that old restaurant in McCall right along the highway, see if that big mounted cougar is still on the wall there and let me know. He's a biggun.
Dave

 

[float5]

Pat, we have PA and most places take it only weekdays. We did not use it much at first but on this trip used it plenty, and it easily paid for itself. Depends on where you go. We usually don't use private campgrounds but had to this time for a while, due to off-season and location factors.

KOA in the area we are in is $40, and weekends $50, which is not uncommon before their discount, so we never use them. Our PA gave us half price at places that were mostly $30 to begin with, so $15. We are using the senior pass at ACE most of the time, often $10 but only $6 off-season.