The path of least obstacles was for Kevin to back out of the site and try to stay on the gravel then loop around to the paved road to hook up the toad. Theresa signaled the maneuvering with one hand so she could hold the umbrella in the other. The Smitanic was one of the first 3 RVs to exit the RV park before 8:30 AM. 
As soon as the trans Canada HWY was reached and Kevin got the rig up to full speed, the rain let up and even some blue sky was peaking thru. The drive was again up and mostly down the mountain HWY with 6-8% grade signs scattered along the way. Theresa used her limited bandwith on her iphone to check for a Pilot/Flying J station that was on the route. The MyPilot app said it was at exit 276 which was 10 miles away, then Kevin looked up at the next ext and spied a Flying J off in the distance! Was that it? Theresa checked the app again and confirmed the exit. No says there is still one in 8 miles now. As the target exit was approached there was no sign of the Flying J! Desperate for fuel Kevin exited and pulled into the truck lanes at a Shell station. Theresa validated the MyPilot app again to see that it had the station they were at marked as the Flying J. Surely there had been some changes in ownership or and incorrect location in the app.
The pumps were a bit confusing so Kevin headed inside to explain what he needed and verify which pump nozzle to use. The clerk ran the AmEx card thru to set him up. Back out to the pump, Kevin discovered that the pump needed was still not on... back in the station the clerk indicated she rang up the incorrect pump so she voided the previous transaction and attempted to retry the AmEx on the correct pump. The card came up blocked! Kevin used another card and proceeded to pump 291 L of diesel. All done and back on the road.
About 30 min after gas, Theresa gets a call. This is the Credit Union, we are trying to reach Kevin. Theresa handed the phone to Kevin and the banks security person asked about not only the recent gas purchase but a few other transactions he had made while in Canada. He confirmed the transactions and mentioned that there should have been a note on both his and Theresa's card of all the locations for the trip. She made new notes and all was good. Kevin thanked her for calling. It can be a pain if cards do not work because the bank puts holds on them, but sure glad they keep a very watchful eye out!
A map was given to Theresa at check in and Kevin unhooked the Toad. The assigned site was a very tight squeeze between a Tree and the power post for the site. Kevin aligned the rig precisely down the middle with Theresa giving critical adjustment directions. The pad was dirt and rutted so no level spot could be found. The boards were placed under the jacks to have a hard platform for better stability. The electric was hooked up using the 30 amp surge protector. This was also used at previous flood plains RV site from the last 2 days. Water and a sewer line that need all 3 pipe sections were also assembled. Kevin checked the power, nothing.... After a few resets of the surge protector Kevin went to the office to inquire if there was an issue with the power or request a different site. He returned back to the site with the manager. The manager made his diagnostics and even tried the next site over. No luck. OK we can put you on a different site. Kevin walked around with the manager and selected a 50 amp back in site. All the previous set up was undone and packed back up and stowed. Then it was reassembled at the new site which only required one of the pipe sections for the sewer! All this took well over 1 hour. Normally camp set up is an easy 20 min max.
About 30 min after gas, Theresa gets a call. This is the Credit Union, we are trying to reach Kevin. Theresa handed the phone to Kevin and the banks security person asked about not only the recent gas purchase but a few other transactions he had made while in Canada. He confirmed the transactions and mentioned that there should have been a note on both his and Theresa's card of all the locations for the trip. She made new notes and all was good. Kevin thanked her for calling. It can be a pain if cards do not work because the bank puts holds on them, but sure glad they keep a very watchful eye out!
The route continued thru the valleys of the lush forests with water falls filling the rushing stream below. The valley then opened up to some high rolling range land with cattle dotting the hills. Theresa had made reservations at Moonshadows RV park in Merritt, BC. It was the name that had her and Kevin singing the Cat Stevens song that brought thoughts of college days when that was a hit. The promise was a pull thru site 30amp with full hook up! The holding tanks were getting to the full mark as it had been 3 nights without any sewer connection...
A map was given to Theresa at check in and Kevin unhooked the Toad. The assigned site was a very tight squeeze between a Tree and the power post for the site. Kevin aligned the rig precisely down the middle with Theresa giving critical adjustment directions. The pad was dirt and rutted so no level spot could be found. The boards were placed under the jacks to have a hard platform for better stability. The electric was hooked up using the 30 amp surge protector. This was also used at previous flood plains RV site from the last 2 days. Water and a sewer line that need all 3 pipe sections were also assembled. Kevin checked the power, nothing.... After a few resets of the surge protector Kevin went to the office to inquire if there was an issue with the power or request a different site. He returned back to the site with the manager. The manager made his diagnostics and even tried the next site over. No luck. OK we can put you on a different site. Kevin walked around with the manager and selected a 50 amp back in site. All the previous set up was undone and packed back up and stowed. Then it was reassembled at the new site which only required one of the pipe sections for the sewer! All this took well over 1 hour. Normally camp set up is an easy 20 min max.
The wifi was fairly good so Kevin and Theresa were able to do email and blog items. When Kevin checked his email he saw a note from AmEx wanting him to validate some transactions. He promptly went to the AmEx site and marked the bogus gas transactions from early that day as not valid. The site then announced that the transactions would flag a fraud notification and promptly invalidate the card and a new card would be mailed. What? That is not what is needed! It will take weeks to get the new card since it has to make it to the home in Cary and then Jack will pack it up with the rest of the ,if it fits it ships, items and send to Hemet or where ever it can be received. Well that is one less card that can be used!
Frustrated with all the banking processes it was time to take Zin down to see the river on the other side of the park. The water was flowing rapidly over rocks and downed trees. A beaver had been busy as well building a small dam.
Dinner was at a local restaurant attached to a hotel in town called the Coldwater Hotel and Restaurant. It had an old saloon style look with large wooded pillars and ornate steel ceiling. It was hard to make a choice of delectable delights off the many tasty choices on the menu. Kevin had the Bangers and Mash and Theresa had the special Prawns and wings. Needless to say, there were no leftovers!
Dinner was at a local restaurant attached to a hotel in town called the Coldwater Hotel and Restaurant. It had an old saloon style look with large wooded pillars and ornate steel ceiling. It was hard to make a choice of delectable delights off the many tasty choices on the menu. Kevin had the Bangers and Mash and Theresa had the special Prawns and wings. Needless to say, there were no leftovers!
This was the last night in Canada. Plans for the next nights stay in Mount Vernon, WA were confirmed and more blog posts were completed.
This RV park was ok but not one that would be recommended for more than a 1 or 2 nights stay.
It's always something, isn't it? We're you being followed...(by a moonshadow?)
ReplyDelete