Coast and Back March 2014

Our maiden voyage, March 2014 in our new 178 HRE, 

towed from Calgary Alberta, over the Rocky Mountains, stopping at every gas station on the way to the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Two hours from Calgary, we need gas. And, in the beautiful mountain village of Field, it was only 50% more than it was in Calgary. Road guck encrusts the POD. the leading edge of the POD was solid muddy sandy ice from tire spray. 

Here's the view we were greeted by when we opened the door at our destination.

Our first sunrise by Jordan River on the west coast of the Island.

We had the beach all to ourselves. Copious amounts of cedar on the beach for firewood.

About 12 hours behind the wheel to get here, not including the 2 hour ferry ride from Vancouver to Sidney. 

Well worth the trip, as it was snowing when we left, and ten days later snowing in Calgary.

The weather was cool and we made good use of the heater/furnace. Skies were sunny so the solar panel had no trouble keeping the battery charged.

Our only issue was with the water heater, which thanks to this website, we figured out - contrary to the instructions of the RV dealership we bought from. I'll rant about them in the appropriate place. (Yes, the valves are under the bed, no they are not under the sink. Yes there are three valves to turn, not one)

Love the Pod, it performed as expected. The truck towed like a champ. Well, a champ that likes gas too much. Didn't use a WDH nor a sway bar. Logged 2400 KMs over crappy roads and good roads, encountered many big rigs and several irresponsible drivers, breezed through windy spots,  drove fast, slow, forwards and backwards. Drove over ice, snow, pooled hydro-plany water, ruts, pot holes, gravel, sand, bridges and twice crossed the Rocky Mountains in winter driving conditions. Loved it, will do it again next year, I hope.