The Unity Twin Bed/Mercedes Benz

In 2017 we started to look for a new camperized van and settled on the Leisure Travel Unity Twin Bed Mercedes Benz diesel Plus B motorhome. This vehicle runs on diesel fuel and so we get better mileage. The motor is a Mercedes Benz built in Germany. The Chassis is built by EEE in Winkler, Manitoba. It is 5 feet longer and wider, as well as higher than the Dodge Lodge. It has mattresses on the twin beds, televisions back and front. Larger 3 way fridge, microwave/convection oven, pull out pantry, sink, 2 burner propane stove and corian counter top in the galley. There is a toilet and sink in the bathroom and a self contained shower across the hall. The shower door, when open shuts the bedroom and bath area off from the rest of the area in the van. The passenger seat and drivers seat are very comfortable and adjustable. They turn to face the table that sets up just behind them, with 2 more seats facing the table. The table too is adjustable and locks into place.

Repairs, etc:

• 2018:
  

  While on our trip to the US in 2018 a light came on in the display. We imagined the light was something to do with the Bio Diesel we had added to the fuel. We spent a couple of days worrying about this light. When we got to Sacramento we happened to meet a knowledgeable person who told us about where to take the Benz to find out about this problem. He said that the best place to go to would be in Rocklin. Pat made an appointment with them. In the morning we set off in a horrible windy sleeting storm but made it to the dealership. The light was to due to a software upgrade; not the B fuel. They did the upgrade, topped up the DEF, no charge. The work done was under warranty. The trip back to Sacramento was better as the storm had abated somewhat by this time.

  While on our trip to Saskatchewan in 2018; on our way home the freezer door locked up. When we got home Pat spent days trying to get this fixed. He finally got Fennells to have it fixed. This too was under warranty, but once Pat had presented Dometic with the bill for the repair it took from September to Februrary to get them to send the cheque for the $80.00 dollars. He was persistent and finally they delivered. They seemed to be having some internal problem with their mailout system.

• 2019:
  

  When refilling the tanks for this season the Truma water heater indicated decalcifying was required. Triangle RV got the required tablets and Pat fixed it.

• On our one overnight at Beaver Lake Resort, at Cowichan Lake, on May 4, we noticed that there was water seeping out from under the toilet. We mopped it up and turned the pump off after flushing to keep the water flow to a minimum.
  Also on this ill fated trip we hit a rock and did some serious damage to the right side of the van, with a long scrape along the bottom, including the part over the fender of the back wheel. On June 4th Pat picked up the Mercedes Manor from BMT. They repaired the scrape perfectly for $2,735.61. It looks as good as new. We now wait for parts to fix the toilet. We got back from Cyrs with toilet parts in hand. Pat arranges to deliver them to BMT. On July 16, 2019 Pat got the Benz back from BMT with the toilet fixed and $1321.66 lighter bank accout, plus taxi fare.(just one way, this time)

• On May 16, 2019 Pat took the Benz to Three Point Motors for its service "A" which was a basic oil change. They checked the brakes, they checked the tires, they topped up the DEF and repaired the left side door latch which wasn't responding to the key. This cost $358.00. Service "B" is at 30,000 km or in about a year.

• On July 10, 2019 we caught the Coho to go to Dan and Irene's place. Pat had arranged with Dometic to have the parts to repair the toilet delivered to Dan and Irene's place. He has an order form from BMT for the part, which he has paid for. We had a fine visit and overnight with them. We had gone with them to their RV group's meeting the night before. Irene is the secretary. The part arrived later in the evening. In the morning Irene made breakfast and shortly after they took us to the Coho. We had a nice cruise home and passed the inspection with a $7.00 duty to pay on the part.

• 2020:
  

• In July of 2020, Pat found he could get the leveling jacks installed in the Benz. He phoned Big Boys Toys at Parksville, who told him they needed to look after their people, and he wasn't one of them. And that they might be able to look after him in September or October. He emailed EEE LTV in Winkler and communicated with Benji Wall about a date to have the jacks installed at the factory, in Winkler Manitoba. We were to be there on August 6, early in the morning so that they could start what they estimated was going to be 8 hours of work. They let us stay overnite on the 6th and spend the day in the lounge at the factory. Since they did not need to remove any stablizing jacks, it took them less time to get the job done. We were having trouble with the water heater indicator light. They installed the jacks and gave Pat an app on his phone to operate them. (there is a manual operation panel on the side of the side door entry step)They showed him how to run the App. They suggested wiping down the jacks to keep them clean as dirt can jam them. They also mentioned getting some kind of guards added to the jacks. They fixed the water heater pressure thing but forgot to add some kind of code and had to take the Benz back into the shop to add the code. Pat pays the piper at $5481.24 and we head back to the campsite at Morden at about 2:00, with a stop for ribs at Boston Pizza. Pat is happy with his new jacks. They work well. But we did get into a campsite that was way, way off level and Pat figured out that he had to added 3 boards under one of the jacks to get it level.

August 26, 2020
Pat took the Benz to the First Response glass shop, on Vanulman, and had a stone chip on the windshield fixed. The cost was covered by ICBC insurance.

In early September
Pat found he could have a table that would swing to the side installed right in the same place that the more stationary table is now. With further communication with Triple E in Winkler they decided what parts he needed to get the job done. On September 8th the table shipped, arriving on our doorstep on the 13th via UPS. Pat was delighted with the new table. It was assembled, and he installed it on the 14th. He says "As to install, virtually plug and play!" All this for $536.55.

• 2021:
  

  June 16, 2021
  We damaged the ladder on the back of the Benz. Pat ordered a new one from the Triplee factory in Winkler. It arrived mid June, and cost $324.81 including $109.94 of shipping. As at June 17th Pat is in the process of replacing the bent ladder.

• 2022:
  

  March 29, 2022
  Pat says: In January 2022 Triple E sent us a recall notice respecting the exhaust from the Fridge when running on Propane. Heat shields were available as a precautionary measure as some discolouration had been noted, which could lead to a fire hazard. As we have no local dealer presently they sent us the parts with instructions. Triangle RV agreed to perform the installation, in about 6 weeks, which they did on March 29th. As I had agreed to pay them, Triple E have agreed to reimburse me $84.00.
  While at Triangle RV I asked about the rubber pads for the automatic leveling jacks. They ordered them in and they arrived the next day. As I was in their "system" they gave me a 10% discount, which helped bring the total to about $306.00. I'll install the pads on the jacks on a warm day, when the rubber pads are nice and malleable.
  

• 2022:
  

  August ?, 2022
  hit by the bus. Put in the information.
  

• 2023:
  

  August 15, 2023
  The step to the side door has had its 10,000 cycles and the drive mechanism has failed. Put in the information.
  We learned to use the converter and the generator on this trip to Sask.
  

• 2024:
  

  May 15, 2024
  Kaltire for new front tires: Put the information in here.

Albums:

• Since the Unity Twin Bed / Mercedes Benz Van is just new at the time of making this page I eventually expect to have more photos added to this photo album HERE Any trips where we go camping in this motorhome will be mentioned on the Travel Logue page and perhaps on the Antiques page or the Model Ts page depending on the event, and on the Travel page, as well.
  There are a few photos of the Unity from our trip to Kelowna to pick up our new motorhome.


• Feb. 16 to March 8, 2018.
• The maiden voyage of the Unity was a horrendous trip flying before a storm down the coast of Washington, Oregon and part of the California coast on the #101. We had the storms to contend with as well as learning about how to operate things Unity. We still have have much to learn. The photo album for this trip will eventually be seen HERE


• May 29 - 30, 2018 Saltspring
  We went to the ferry terminal at about 12:00 to catch the 1:00 ferry to Saltspring Island. We packed a lunch and ate in the Mercedes Manor, at the ferry terminal. We arrived at the Cedar Beach Resort at about 2:30 and got set up. The washrooms are not inviting. We get levelled up and plugged in. The walk to St.Mary's lake is all downhill, with a climb to get back up to our campsite. We went to work on the wifi extender following Trevors instructions and eventually get on with good wifi. Pat couldn't get any TV. We had dinner of spam, beans, cole slaw and too much wine and cheese. We had a bit of rain during the evening and the tall trees we were parked under were dripping. A leisurely start in the morning. Pat showered and I had a bird bath. Pat did his breakfast and I had the coffee set up at night ready to go in the morning. Pat did a masterful job of getting out of our parking spot through the big trees and we went on our way to Fraser Thimble Farm at the end of North Road at the tip of the island. We get lost at a fork in the road. The roads are narrow and winding. We had some trouble getting turned around, but with a little help from some locals, and the gps on my phone, we finally get there. We have another little bump on the Mercedes Manor, as a reminder of trying to turn around on narrow roads. We pass the gate to Fraser Thimble farms and Pat backs the Van up for about a block and we get in the gate with very minimal parking. Pat is getting really good at this by now and does a great job of parking. He waits in the van while I go to the nursery. I get 3 trilliums, an indigeneous lily (tall turks cap type) and a rhodohypoxis bauri Lily Jean (like an African violet). We get out of the cramped parking and on our way to Ganges without further troubles. We could not find suitable parking in Ganges to have lunch so we headed to the ferry at Fulford harbor where we had lunch while waiting for the ferry. A few photos on the 18 Saltspring album HERE


• June 27 to July 24, 2018 Sask
  After a lunch stop at the Asian Pear we proceeded to Cindy and Larry's place where we were parked in their driveway over night. They had arranged for a celebration of John's 90th birthday in their garden. It was a fine party. Thereafter we travelled to Sask. for Fran's 98th birthday and visiting friends and relatives. Was hot and windy. Our air conditioning worked great. It works on 110 when we are plugged in, but would probably work on the Generator which runs on propane. The generator runs the microwave and the coffee pot. Three days short of arriving home the freezer door locked shut. As at July 30th we are waiting for the parts to replace the broken latch.
  On September 4th Pat took the Benz to Jay at Fennel's to have the freezer door fixed. Jay had finally got the parts in and did the job. Pat has emailed the work and parts costs to Dometica for re-imbursement under the warrantee.
  On Sept 18 Pat provided Dometica with: The coach number is: 2018 Unity U24TB, Serial#U242NJW027471. The Mercedes chassis VIN number is: WDABF4CC1H9715755. Upon receipt of this information Kristin from Dometica has replied that the reimbursement of $97.34 will be forthcoming.


• Sept. 19 - 22, 2018 LTV rally, Osoyoos
  September 19 t0 22, 2018, Osoyoos LTV rally
  Pat catches the first ferry on Sept. 19 and got to Osoyoos about 3:30. Registered and took his smoked salmon to the Pot Luck dinner. It was enjoyed by all and quickly disappeared. On Thursday, the 20th, he breakfasted in the Last Lodge. There were 4 wineries on the wine tour with a lunch at Tinhorn Creek for $58. Later Pat had dinner of beans, cole slaw and sausage, then visited at the community center over the evening. On Friday he had breakfast in the Last Lodge, then walked up hill all the way to the Nk'Mip desert culture center where they had a tour of the place. After this he had noodle cup lunch and went back to Question and Answer session in the afternoon. The wind up barbeque in the evening was very good. Pat had a good steak. Next morning breakfast, tanks maintenance and got away about 10:00 with a fuel stop in Osoyoos. Caught the 7:00 o'clock ferry after one ferry wait. Dinner on the ferry and home.


• May 4 - 5, 2019, at Cowichan Lake
  We left home at about 11:00 and were at the York Street diner in Duncan for lunch. Fine lunch with the expected good food. On our way to the campground we stopped for eggs at the Country Grocer. Upon leaving the parking lot we hit a rock and put a serious scrape along the right side of the Benz. We continued to the Beaver Lake Resort. After crossing a very narrow bridge we got registered for $54.10, including a useless $5.00 each for the use of the wi-fi. We took a walk to the little Beaver Lake. Upon using the toilet we found there was a puddle of water on the floor, leaking from under the toilet. We had to turn the pump off after flushing to keep the water level to a minimum. We had supper of spam and beans, and after trying to get wi-fi, no tv because there is no cable hook up, we read and got to sleep. The next morning after breakfast Pat unplugged, drained and filled the tanks and we went for a drive to Honey Moon Bay to the the entry way to the Provincial Park at Gordon Bay. Thereafter we continued to Jake's Cafe at Cowichan Lake where we joined a good turnout of BMW riders for brunch. Good food and company, then off home. See above for the repairs and the album for a few pictures.


• July 18 to August 8, 2019, to Sask and back.
  We had a fairly good trip to Sask and back in the LTV Unity Benz. We spent a week at the Wadena Campground while visiting Fran in Pleasant view. Visited friends and other relatives.


• August 27 and 28, 2019.
  We have the Benz packed and leave for Port Renfrew to arrive in Sooke for lunch. The place is very busy. We see Glenda and catch up on the Whitehouses. Onward over the winding, narrow road to Port Renfrew. We get into the Pacheedaht Campround and a camping spot right on the beach. This place, too is quite full of campers. I do a beach walk and we have left over pizza for supper, after appies of smoked oysters. There is a campfire just up from us and the people stay up for what seems a long time to me. There was a bit of a sunset, lots of stars once the campfires were all out. The drawer that holds the wine bottles got crammed with some packing paper. I had finally got most of it out and slammed the drawer shut, never to be opened again. In the morning we showered, breakfast, took on water. We found our way to the road that leads to the Avatar. A nasty, pot-holed narrow road. We finallty get to the Avatar. Pat climbs up 80 meters over a distance of 500 meters and a perilous climb to get to see the gnarly tree. People who followed us out this road left Pat with a couple of photos, that will be included in the album photos. We head back to Port Renfrew and have lunch at the boat launch, and then home; stopping at the French Beach dumping station for $5.00; and home at last, unpack and supper.


• July 29 to August 18, 2020:
  Winkler, Manitoba with stops in Wadena, St. Gregor, and Quill Lake, Sask. Edmonton, Alta and Vancouver, B.C.
  We leave home in the loaded Benz at 7:30 on the 29th to make our 9:30 reservation on the ferry. We have had the freezer plugged in over night with all the stuff in the fridge keeping cool and frozen. We have a week to get to Winkler, Man. for our appointment with the EEE LTV factory. All goes well. Pat is operating, driving and navigating wonderfully well. The food is good, and we have a few stops for groceries and wine. Pat makes reservations for the campsites along the way. We have excellent wifi at a few places. Otherwise Pat uses his data on his phone to locate and reserve the campsites. We visit Sandy and Ralph in their backyard in Winnipeg for a couple of hours after having the work done at the Winkler Factory. We get to Wadena and park in the driveway. Hazel Ann gives us her wifi. We get into the house and Pat packs the things for Bonnie and for Colleen. We visit his Mom outside at the home on a couple of days. She is looking very good and doing fine. The water is on a 'notice to boil the water' in Wadena, so we go to find water and finally found a place at Watson to poach some water at McNab's golf and RV campground. We have purchased some pepper jelly from Clossons at Quill Lake. After our stop at Wadena we carry on to our Battleford campsite with a stop at St. Gregor for sausages for Lloyd for his 80th birthday. And a lunch stop at Arby's in Saskatoon. Next we stop in John and Colleen's driveway for dinner at their home and an overnight. We deliver the picture and everyone is happy with how it looks hanging on the wall. Our next stop is at Irvin's at Valemont. Theee best campsite. We set up the instant pot again to do the smoked turkey drumstick. Takes more time than I figured so supper is late. We have an extra hour as we are on B.C. time now. Onward to Hope through some very hot weather. Pat fixed the stove cover where some screws came out of it and it was rattling. The new leveling jacks are working wonderfully well, except when we try to use them in a site with too much difference to level out. He needs to add three boards to one of the jacks to get level at the Wild Rose campsite at Hope. Also took a minute to look up how to run the microwave and made a bit of progress with using the power button before setting time. Much more to learn about it. Next day we get to Vancouver to Bonnie's place and deliver her stuff. She takes us to a yummy fish and chips place, (cockney kings) for lunch and to a Gelato place. The dishes survived! Thereafter we go to Lloyd's place. Dinner with Lloyd, Pam and Mike. Sausages are much appreciated. In the morning Lloyd makes us bacon and eggs. Then we pick up some sandwiches and meet Harvey and Valerie for a visit in Moscrop Park. We get home about 6:00 and unpack. See photo albums at 20 Winkler. More trip detail on the Pre 1989 Travel logue page, this page is private and password protected. Contact me for the password.


• 22 Sask. - 2022 - June 22 to July 8. We travelled in the Last Lodge through good travelling weather, through rain, over roads with a lot of construction (the #1 just after Golden where they were widening the road and the bridge was being repaired after some damage last winter). And over some scenic highways, on the return trip. We went to see Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, with some bad luck with rain the first day at Fort Walsh and the Elkwater part of the Park on the Alberta side was closed for the day. I have a good capture of a red-winged black bird on a cattletail rush, and a herd of mountain goats at the roadside, despite all the 'weather'. I was primarily shooting through the front window at road signs; and so this became the trip of the Highways and roads (new GPS roads and our great driver and navigator, Pat). We visited friends and relatives along the way. Fran is 102 this year and is doing very well. Thanks to Wally and Brenda for the skylink wifi at Wadena. Thanks for the hospitality: Rose and Harry at Chestermere, Paul at his home at the lake, Gerry and Bev in Saskatoon, Dan and Carol in Regina, and Isabelle, Randall and Ellen in Ardrie. Was so good to see everyone. See photo albums at 22 Sask. More trip detail on the Pre 1989 Travel logue page, this page is private and password protected. Contact me for the password.


• 23 Seal Bay LTV Rally - 2023 - May 29 to June 1. Norm Lavoy's report on the Seal Bay Rally Pat has the Last Lodge prepped, plugged in with the fridge on cold. I have far too much food and clothes packed. We leave on May 29 at 11:00. After a stop to put in the awning we get to Oyster Bay Husky station and lunch at about 1:00, at the A&W. We take the old 19A highway to about Comox and take the required turns (my phone gps after Comox) to get to Seal Bay arriving at 4:30 and get registered. Its 19 degrees and nicely shaded in the trees. Pat gets us levelled with the new jacks and all hooked up. No TV or WiFi. Have KFC for supper and then go to the meet and greet. Finally get checked in by Norm Lavoy and helper. We get our LTV names plate. We don't know anyone and so go back to the van and read until about 9:30. Windows closed and its cool in here. May 30 - Pat read up on how to put the toilet on travel mode: Hold the first button down for 5 seconds - last night. We were awake a lot in the night but comfortable. Pat is up at 7:30 and has the Dyson heater on. It is 12 degrees. Showered, breakfast of cereal, microwaved coffee. Then to the Club house for snacks and coffee - not much of either there. He met the Mahs from Surrey. I am up, showered and breakfast (cereal, blueberries and yogurt) by 8:30. Pat gets back and we have more coffee. There is a wine and cheese at 3:00 today (by Big Boys Toys). I walked around and took photos. 53 LTVes at the meet. I caught a picture of Dean with a babe on each arm, mouth open, squinting into the sun, saying "cause we are all going to be drunk." He looked the part. I doubt if he drinks, being a mennonite. Pat empties the tanks, right at our site and fills the water (we are hooked up to city water). We have lunch at 12:00 - Pat hot dogs and me left over A & W chicken. Both have pop. We pack the Steam 'n' T bag with our campy wine glasses for the wine and cheese party. After too much wine and very little cheese, meet the guy from Poland, Africa, Vancouver. Pat meets and greets a few others. Back to the last lodge and have big plate of spaghetti and sauce and wouldn't you know it, more wine. May 31st: Pat goes for coffee at the pavilleon after his breakfast. I sleep most of the day. . . am not feeling that great. We have a few bits of rain, Pat goes for a walk. We go to the Barbeque (by LTV) and sit with some Victoria people. We have our hambergers, potato chips, a piece of nanaimo bar, beer for Pat, water for me. I tell Dean about the picture. He shows me a video of it on his phone and says "they have posted it already" (to their blog I imagine). Pat gives the Triple E box that Gary gave him, to Norm Lavoy (who is retiring from organizer now). Back to the Van and more reading. June 1, 2023 - We shower, breakfast unhook, empty tanks, and take the jacks up and are on our way by 9:00. We take the 19A with an 11:30 stop for coffee and walk at Parksville and then on to Ladysmith. We get parked and walk back down the hill to the Old Bakery for the famous cinnamon buns. We drive to Chemanius and find a level spot in the shade to eat our cinnamon buns. On our way by 2:00. It is 21 degrees. Mill Bay stop at 3:00 to fill up with diesel. $97.00 at $1.65.9. Home at 3:40. About 2 hours to unpack. Pat is really good at driving and navigating and doing all the camping chores, now. Halibut, french fries, buttered beets, white wine for supper.


• 23 Trip to Sask. June 27 - July 15 - Sask 2023
  - 2023 - June 27 to July 15. On June 25 while packing for our trip the slide out step at the side door is malfunctioning. It makes a great groaning noise while trying to retract. We decide to continue the trip using the front doors to enter and exit. We have an early start as we have a reservation on the ferry for 9:00. We carry on with the trip despite the forest fires and floods happening around the Province. This is the worst year on record for B.C. and around the world for the hotest on record. We try new roads and campsites and spend time in some old favourite campgrounds. On June 27 we stop at the Britton Falls rest stop. There is heavy rain, hail, thunder and lightning. Pat phones the campsite near Merritt. They have sunny, hot weather only 60 kms away! As the storm lessen a bit we left the rest stop. Not more than 10 minutes away the highway is dry and the sky sunny. We get to our Moonshadows campsite and hooked up. We take the 5A highway past the Nicola lake and other lakes to Kamploops. Nice drive. The area is getting very built up. At Kamploops (34 degrees) we take the No.1 highway to Sicamous where we stop at the Dutch Dairy for icecream. Then carry on down the road to our Lamplighter campsite at Revelstoke. Air conditioning on as it is 28 degrees. From Revelstoke we go to Cochrane where Pat has reserved a spot at Bow River Edge Campsite. There is construction at the snowsheds and the weigh scales. They are getting more of this highway four-landed. Much better than last time we were through here. We have a fuel stop at Golden and sandwiches for lunch. We take the 1A highway to Cochrane where we stop for ribs from Boston Pizza. We find our Bow River Campsite at 6:00. There was a great thunder and lightning storm for the evening's entertainment. Great wi-fi, lovely site at $63.70. Harry Lilo had phoned to see if we would stay over. We had reserved the spot so told him we would see them tomorrow. There were heat warnings for the area. We had a good visit with Harry and Rose in Chestermere for an overnight stay, and dinner at Jessica's. Rose is in good health, Harry is losing his sight and is waiting for surgery on his hernia problem. We narrowly missed a tornado at Didsbury (North of Calgary between Ardri and Olds) on our way to Medicine Hat. Four days at Gas City Campground, Medicine Hat. Two of these days were in the overflow area (as it was the long weekend) where we had a marvelous view over the city and a visit from a deer. Two more nights in the full services campsite. We visit Elkwater in the Cypress Provincial Park. The store/cafe is closed and the bus tours are not running this year. There are high winds and rain on our last night on the edge of the cliff overlooking the city. The next day Pat gets the DEF and diesel at the Flying J. Then we go to Sobeys for groceries and to their LB store. Pat had earlier turned on the converter and then I could charge up my phone. We went to the Visions store and Pat got me a USB-C to USB-A cable. This allows me to plug my Pixel phone into the USB outlet in the Last Lodge. We go back to the campsite and get plugged in to the all services site. Leanne is to pick us up tomorrow (July 4th) at the campsite to go to their home for dinner. We have a fine dinner with her and Burke and her Mom (also a Margaret). They all come back to get a look at the Last Lodge. The next day we travel to Moose Jaw and the Peanut Hill campsite. Pat arranges to meet Sean and Richard, to deliver the leaded glass window, in Regina at the Willows and in our motorhome. Then an overnight at Dan and Carol's place with dinner out at the Red Lobster. Watched the football game when we got back. We phoned Bernice. She has breast cancer, but is on some treatment that does not use chemotherapy. She is already having less pain. She will get a report on her progress in August. Next morning over breakfast we had a good visit about the family tree. Left their place about 10:00 and missed the turn to highway No.35. We had a bit of an adventure on gravel roads to find our way back to No. 35 to take us to The Fort and on to Kelliher, with a stop at Leross for a quick look around. Pat talked to the people at Kelliher town office and got directions to the cemetery and picked up a book about the history of the towns. Pat paid his respects to Don at the graveside with a wee dram of scotch. Then we carried on to Wadena campground, then to Wengs for supper. The next day the Wallsters decided to give us the password to their wi-fi. So very good of them. We visited Fran at Pleasant view. She has a good attitude, but needs help to move around now, and cannot see or hear very well. She is on pallative care. We extended our stay at Wadena another day and visited Fran again. July 10 on to Saskatoon when we had to take an alternate route due to road construction towards Prince Albert on No.2 to No.27 towards Prud'homme. Then turn on to No.41 and Saskatoon is 35 kms away. We find Arby's for lunch. Then to No.11 to the Battlefords. Stop at the Co-op for groceries ($60.00) Diesel ($52) and KFC ($36). There are terrible detours to get to the campground due to more road construction. July 11 we travel from Battleford to Red Deer where we are reserved at the RV There Yet Campsite. We travelled south on No.41 to Consort and turned onto No.12 at Consort. Stettler is 143 kms away. It is raining heavily. We get to Red Deer and the RV There Yet campground about 6:30. It has been a long day. July 12 we travel from Red Deer (with a stop at Rocky Mountain House) to Golden to Campers Haven campgrounds ($55.45). Also $18.00 for a day pass through Banff National Park. We had stopped at Kicking Horse rest stop due to a highway sign that highway No.1 was closed due to a highway accident. We have no serice on our phones. We carry on and see that the closure was at Revelstoke so we continue to Camper's Haven. Coming through the construction at Golden was not too bad this time. More of the road is completed, but still lots to do. A fantastic thunder and lightning storm last night and great wi-fi. On July 13 we travel to Enderby to boon dock at a Harvest Hosts winery. (Waterside Vineyard). We pass 3 Valley Gap where the accident had happened yesterday. Several vehicle pile-up. No fatals. We stopped by the Lake for lunch. And then a stop at Sicamous at the Dutch Dairy for icecream. Then on to No. 97A to Ederby and the winery. $45 for a red and a white wine after the tasting. Very hot in the Last Lodge. I believe we ran the generator and the air conditioner. On July 14 we travelled to Chilliwack. (Cottonwood Meadows RV and Country Club $80). We could not get a campsite at Hope as there were no vacancies. Upon leaving the winery the air was really hazy along the No.97A. We pass Silver Star Ski Haus, and Earl's in Vernon. A couple of places that Jim and Pat frequented on their Red Deer swap meet trips. We went through Kelowna and all the stop lights, then on to Highway No.97C on our way to Merritt with a stop at Loon Lake rest stop. It has wi-fi and nice clean washrooms. The air is clearer here and 23 degrees. On to a lunch stop at Britton Falls rest stop - no thunder, lightning, rain and hail this time. On to the Cottonwoods RV campsite at Chilliwack. There seems to be a lot of permanent residents here. It is all very nice. 22 degrees and running the A/C. Devyn Gale, 19, has been identified as the B.C. wildfire fighter who died on the job on Thursday, July 13, 2023 in the Revelstoke area. R.I.P Devyn. July 15, 2023 - Chilliwack to home. We made it to the ferry terminal in time to catch the 12:00 ferry. Lunch on the ferry. I believe this was the ferry mentioned in the news reports: A mechanical issue with the Coastal Celebration has forced BC Ferries to again cancel some sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay. Since then there have been 9 sailing backups for this route of the ferries. It is now the 24 as I type this and the ferry is not back up running yet. We were lucky to have missed any weather or accident disasters on this trip. This has been the hotest year and most forest fires, in B.C. Alberta, too is on fire and has hot weather and cylones. Saskatchewan has many areas that are in the highest level of drought with extremely hot weather, also. We got home to a serious drought happening. We are lucky to have the Sooke Reservoir at 82.3%. Halifax is flooded today. There are terrible fires in southern Europe and all over the world. I have not recorded the food, drink, fuel costs and other details along this trip. More trip detail on the Pre 1989 Travel logue page, this page is private and password protected. Contact me for the password.



Please see the photo album for this trip at 2023 trip to Sask.



• Over night at Chemainus May 16 - 17 2024. We have a leisurely trip up to Chemainus to do a shakedown run before the Western Sunsetters LTV rally in Osoyous. We have lunch at the York St. diner in Duncan and carry on to Chemainus. Pat finds the RV parking just up from the Theatre. Get parked and levelled. We walk back to the theater for dinner and to see Jeeves at Sea (Wooster). Quite a silly, fun play; something we all need a little more of. Very windy over night. The street lamborgini was running at about 7:00 in the morning. Pat was up, showered and waited for me to get done. We went to breakfast to Bonni Martin Cafe at about 9:15 and were back to the Mercedes Manor at 10:15. We drive around Chemainus a bit to catch photos of a few of the murals -- not great --older ones are fading and newer ones are blocked by bushes, cars, etc. We get home and unpacked at 1:00. New tires worked fine.
  See Chemainus on the travel page, and CanAm 2013 on the Model T page, for more Chemainus photos and information.


• Osoyoos LTV Rally - May 28, 2024 to June 1, 2024.
  Osoyoos LTV Rally, May 28, 2024 to June 1, 2024 organized by the new Leaders of the LTV Western Sunsetters Club, Linda and Rob Clark, as well as the help from Drew & Heather McArthur Rally Coordinators, and Tim Morris Rally Coordinator. 108 LTVs participating. It is held at the Nk MIP RV park at Osoyous, B.C. All the information for the event
  We are all packed and left home on our reservation on the 7:00 o'clock ferry, in the pouring rain. Pat drives and navigates across Vancouver to the No.3 Road, in an exemplary fashion. We stop to turn on the gas and have a coffee on to the Stop of Interest Tashme. It is about the Japanese Canadians internment camp in 1942. Location: Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, 20 km east of Hope along Hwy 3. Sign Text: In 1942, over 21,000 Japanese Canadians were unjustifiably removed from British Columbia's coast. Tashme internment camp held over 2,644 men, women, and children who lived in 347 crude tarpaper shacks. Despite horrible living conditions, the community organized stores, schools, churches, and a hospital, at this site. More information HERE and HERE. It has stopped raining at Manning Park RV resort. On the way to Princeton we are beside the Similkameen River where we stopped, and Pat gets a call from a car club member. We get into Princeton at 12:45 for lunch. On our way at 1:50 and get to the NK MIP RV Park at Osoyous and are registered and plugged in at 4:30. We have a very well placed campsite near the club house where all events take place. There have been rain showers off and on. People set out their dinners on table cloths, etc. only to have it rain all over everything. There are quails running all over the site. We have supper of tuna surprise, olives, crackers and cheese, bottle of pinot gris, inside, of course. Finished dishes shortly before sundown. It is quiet and cooling in the Mercedes Manor. The scenery today on highway 3A was spectacular, but lots of 30Km tight curves on the up and down curvey road! To bed at 8:45. After a 5:30 a.m. start, with no naps we are beat bunnies.
  May 29th: Pat went to the club house for breakfast and coffee. I had my usual breakfast aboard, after showers, of course. Then we attend the welcome introductions. There are 107 LTVs registered, for an approximate total of 214 people and their dogs. Pat has a passport card thing where he has to get the signatures of certain people to fill out his card. He talked to the photography guy. The 'Welcome' is by the ever entertaining, Dean Corrigal. At 10:15 to 10:45 - Supersteer suspension talk. Break. 11:00 to 12:00 - Part I by Towney Sausville - informative and entertaining. Talked about electricity and batteries and the Inverter. It and the propane should be shut down when in storage. 12:00 - 12:50 - group photos by drone. 107 LTVs apx 200 people this year - big turnout with the new organizers. 12:30 - 2:00 - Lunch provided by Oliver Eats - Hambergers of all kinds. Pat calls them sandwichs and salads, desserts. 2:00 - 3:00 - Towney Sausville - Part II. 3:00 - 3:15 - break. 3:30 - 4:30 - Expert Panel. Pat says it was good questions and answers. Other people have that dripping silcon from the awning problem. There will be new fridges from a new company due to some problem with Dometica. Not sure when available, and do not remember the name of the new company. 4:30 - 5:30 - Happy hour. Pat attends. I have my own happy hour. Pat accidentally wins a garish attrocity (aluminated palm tree) to be bequeathed to Dan Cyr. Pat is ever after referred to as the Palm Tree Guy. 5:00 onward. We have our supper of schnitzel, potato salad, apple sauce and white wine. There after back to the club house to listen to gabby Lori Rabey talk about her adventerous travels through Southern US and Mexico, as well as things to add to your RV for this or that. Back to the Mercedes Manor (also known as the Last Lodge) at 9:30 ish.
  May 30: Cold overnight. Pat is up and showered and goes to the clubhouse where they had cookies, muffins and coffee, in slippers and no name tag. He attributes that to his advanceing years. I had breakfast in the van. Pat had his breakfast in the van. Then we dumped the tanks and filled the water, lifted the jacks and step. Then we turned in our grey cards on our way out. (not using them). To Gehringer Bros. winery which we found with the gps and the nice lady looked after us. So, there is a case of dry reisling and 1/2 case of Ehrenfelher and 1/2 case of merlot for $400.00 - average $16.66/bottle. Instead of spending $380.00 on the other miscellaneous wineries and lunch. I expect the wine each bought was plus the $380 tour and lunch cost. We had our our own lunch at a Chinese place downtown. On our way back to Osoyoos we went to Area 27 race track and we were not track members so could not get in for the member special event. Backed up and Pat put Osoyoos into the gps and we had quite an adventure getting to Osoyoos on several different little roads. We got diesel and lottery tickets at the Co-op in town and had a look at the old home hardward store (since 1942) where they have EVERYTHING. Then we got back to the campsite. Pat had a nap and I went for a walk in search of quail and down to the Lake. After his nap Pat went to happy hour and was immortalized as the Palm Tree Man, and the garish atrocity that he somehow won a draw of the orange tickets (lots of prizes). The last one that they drew was for the Palm Tree. This evening at happy hour he won a LTV toque. Then got to the Mercedes Manor about 7:00 bringing home the palm tree and fitting it into the compartment under his bunk. More happy hour and went back to the club house to listen to the photographer and the draw for the prizes where he won the LTV toque. Then back to dinner of chicken, carrots and parsnips, cranberries, ben and gerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream, and music as I did the dishes, and pictures of quails, at last. Set up for coffee as we leave in the morning for Vancouver.
  May 31, 2024 - Osoyoos to Vancouver - Breakfast, etc. Have jacks down, unplugged, tanks filled and ready to go at 8:45. Sunny warm. Stop at Hadley at 10:00. 13 degrees, past Manning Park at 11:20, after very curvey roads and a bad accident at the top of this steep descent. Allison pass, about 70km east of Hope and just past Manning Park. Road is curvey but wider and we are descending again. Still along the Similkameen river. The west gate of Manning Park is about 27km east of Hope. Missed the sign, therefore: Allison Pass is a highway summit along the Crowsnest Highway in British Columbia. It is the highest point on the section of highway between the cities of Hope and Princeton. Elevation: 1,342 m Road: Crowsnest Highway, Range: Cascade Range, North Cascades. To Hunter Creek rest stop at 12:30. Finished lunch at 1:30 and on our way to Vancouver. To Tom and Diane's place after Pat did an excellent job of navigating and driving to get there. Garden and Garage visits. Diane makes a delicious spaghetti and seafood, salad meal with ice cream for dessert, more visiting in living room until 10:30, back to Mercedes Manor. It rains at night, Pat gets the furnace to run.
  June 1, 2024 - Vancouver to home - We are up and breakfast. (Pat and the microwave have a disagreement) He gets his eggs fried in pan and goes in for coffee. I finish my breakfast and go in at about 8:30. More visits until 10:30. We get back across town to Sussex and Bond, get changed and wait for Harvey and Valerie to get here at 11:30. They are right on time in their new Pruis electric car, they are learning to drive. We go to the Hilton for a nice lunch with wine, compliments of them. Upon leaving I find I have left my bag behind under the table.(how embarrassing) Go back to get it and then continue our nice drive on the way back to the Mercedes Manor. Arrive at 2:45 and on our way to the ferry. Home and unpack everything.



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• Genoa Bay - We take at least an annual trip on the motorcycle to have lunch at Genoa Bay. I go every chance I get. Its a beautiful spot. It has a nice little art shop, on the water, of course.
• Car stuff - RROC & BDC - We have gone many places with the Fuel Economy Meet, and the Spring Meet.
• Car Stuff - Model Ts - We attend meets with the Can-Am group, the Model Ts day, annually.
• Car Stuff - Antiques - The cars and the members of this group are often the same as the people in the other groups, but we go to some interesting places with a meet that lasts 5 days with the Antique chapter of the VCCC. We attend the Island Challenge with this group annually.
• Car Stuff - The Chevy Van - We had this Van for 7 years and sold it in June of 2003.
• Car Stuff - The 1995 Pleasure Way Dodge Lodge - We had this Van for 5 years and traded it for the 2000 Wide Body Pleasure Way Dodge Lodge in February, 2008.
• Car Stuff - The 2000 Wide Body Pleasure Way Dodge Lodge - We purchased our 2000 wide body Pleasure Way Dodge Lodge after Pat had spotted it on Wheaton's car lot. When we got it on February 8, 2008 there was 30,800 kms on the mileage meter. We sold it privately on July 17, 2017, when it had 97,607 kms on it. In the nine years we used this vehicle we added 66,807 kms to the mileage meter. More info Here
• Car Stuff - The 2017/18 Leisure Travel Van - We picked up our new Leisure Travel Van in August, 2017

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