Issue 26 HAPPY CANADA DAY AND A GREAT JULY 4TH

Diary published weekly since 2001

I have posted all my impressive pictures to albums under ‘Trip West’ - more to come, please check back often. (BE SURE TO VIEW THEM AS A SLIDESHOW) at http://picasaweb.google.com/rv.lifetstyle.consultants

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Hi All: We hope each of you will find neat places to CELEBRATE CANADA’S 140TH B’DAY and the same wishes are extended to our American friends for your upcoming 4th JULY CELEBRATIONS. John and I are enjoying Canada Day at the one of the most beautiful parks we have ever stayed at – VACATION RESORT IN RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, BC. It’s just across the Rockies from Banff through the Kooteney National Park. A beautiful gentle memorable drive that we’ll take en route to Calgary on Tuesday. Cool


Each extremely spacious site in Vacation Resort has a 25-foot wooden deck including a 12’ by 12’ roofed-covered cabana style structure. It includes many storage cupboards, a huge picnic table plus a barbeque with free propane on each site (see pictures link above) What an outstanding place! Everywhere you look impressive mountains surround us on all sides. We love Radium Hot Springs and although this park has two huge swimming pools and a hot tub, exercise rooms and more, on Sunday we plan to take a swim in the huge mineral pool in the town centre. Cool

Yesterday all three of us drove to Cranbrook for a Wally-world fix and some catch-up shopping. We were on our way to the German community of Kimberly but because it was getting late we decided to save that for another day. Spectacular mountain panoramas are everywhere in this region, the return trip towards Radium was totally impressive because the mountains were nearer and the afternoon sun was brighter. However by the time we arrived at the LUXOR the sky turned black and hail and rain became intense. It lasted all evening, however this morning the sky is bright and it is a perfect day. Just an info note, gas in this are is $1.19.9 Cdn$ per litre ($4.03.00 US$ per gallon). It is beautiful but just a tad costly Cool

For a bit of excitement - last evening, a driver of a brand new large motorhome backed into one of the cabanas while trying to get into his site – he did quite a bit of damage to the cabana and do not know what he did to the motorhome. So this morning right outside my window I am watched the restructuring as I write today’s Diary. Cool ________________________________________

THE PAST 12 DAYS IN REVIEW

Our trip from Calgary to Canmore was dicey, mainly because the ongoing rain was almost snow. The scenery in Canmore was awesome even though the clouds were real low – it was cold too. En route driving was slow due to mega construction through Kicking Horse Pass – John had to drive most of the way in second and third gear. We are happy to announce they are building an extra high bridge over all the ups and downs of this challenging pass – for sure it will make this route much more enjoyable to drive. A pleasant lunch break at Denny’s in Revelstoke helped revive us – since RV parking was at a premium, we asked and were granted permission to park in the hotel/restaurant lot. Our journey continued through the tunnels of the gentler Rogers Pass and by the time we reached Kelowna, the sun was shining bright, what difference sunshine makes to the terrain. Everything jumps 10 points towards perfection Cool
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KELOWNA

We had reserved at the beautiful HOLIDAY PARK IN KELOWNA for 4-days. Our site included a paved patio, plus attached parking pad – manicured trees surrounded it. It definitely is one of ‘Canada’s Top 5-parks’. Because we reserved as RPI, we only paid $8.00 a night (regular nightly rates are $50.00+) – but this park also offers discounts to members of other groups as well. Cool

During our 4-day pre-school stay at Holiday Park, we took time for an afternoon visit to the picture perfect waterfront at Kelowna. We strolled the boardwalk, lunched at the classy Earl’s Restaurant and found time to relax and enjoy the wondrous scenery. What a delight to see so many people relaxing in the water and on the spacious parkland. The tour boats were also very active. All in all, it was a great day. Cool

En route to the school we stopped for an oil change w/filters and coolant flush w/filters at the local full-service WESTERN STAR/FREIGHTLINER DEALER. Whenever we are in Kelowna (about a dozen times) we go to WS for service- always outstanding. We appreciated the fact that they made space for us on short notice – plus our service and pricing was extraordinaire. Thanks for the fantastic service call guys. Cool
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BIT ABOUT THE SCHOOL

By 1:15, we arrived at OKANAGAN COLLEGE - many RV’s were already parked. See details on the school at http://www.okanagan.bc.ca/misc/rvlife Entry was not suppose to be until 1RazzM, but early arrivals provided ample opportunity for everyone to meet their neighbours, to register and to get ready to enjoy the Wine and Cheese party, A musical trio entertained us at the ‘Memory Pond’ on Saturday night and the Culinary students cooked a decadent buffet meal on the Sunday, In a word, the RV Owners Lifestyle school was a rousing success. Cool

All RVers should consider attending a program such as this – especially early in their travels. 21 seasoned RVers presented 50 informative 1.5-hour seminars - they simply shared their expertise and their love of RVing – none were product sales pitches. The majority of the students were new to this lifestyle – some attendees did not even have their RV as yet. 188 students reaped the benefits of the school (maximum capacity is 200) – for sure their RV experiences will be much more fulfilling as time goes on. They will also make many less mistakes. This year students called Alberta and British Columbia home but the instructors hailed as far away as Texas, California and us from Ontario. Cool

SPECIAL NOTE: During this trip we touched base with many ‘fans’ from P&J’s Weekly Diary, the RV Times and the RV gazette. Thanks to everyone for your praise and warm wonderful comments. However I send a special thanks to June B (I never use last names) for your unexpected gift and the heartfelt note. Tokens like this make my day Cool
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OUR TRIP TO RADIUM HOT SPRINGS

Monday night we relaxed from the busy week and when we set out Tuesday morning the sunshine was brilliant. Our drive to Radium was nothing short of breath taking. Each bend was more beautiful than the one we just past. To ride along with us, take a look at our ‘Trip West’ pictures in a slideshow format http://picasaweb.google.com/rv.lifetstyle.consultants Cool
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OUR ADVANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE REST OF JULY

Symon Valley for the Stampede 3rd -9th (we get there two days early) – Lethbridge (RPI) 9th –13th – then to Bucar’s U (Balzac, Alberta) 13th to 15th – and The Great Canadian Barn Dance (west of Lethbridge) 15th to 17th – we then we begin to move east. A stop is planned for Regina, but Buffalo Look-off is drive up only so dates are not confirmed. Not sure where we will be from there, Cool
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FINAL THOUGHTS

Hope your summers are shaping up to be everything you hope they will be. Do not forget to celebrate either (or both) July 1st and July 4th. Summer in the north is a special time for RVers to get out an explore North America – either close to home or distant places. I close with an email thought from friend Jean – “LIFE IS A JOURNEY, ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS AND ENJOY THE RIDE,” Happy Safe Travels Everyone. P&J Cool Cool Cool

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TIP THIS WEEK COME FROM EMAIL

#1 HAND SANITISERS

Many of us are routinely using hand sanitizers to keep our family safe. I received an email stressing that this product must be controlled when around kids. The email relays that a 4-year old kindergarten student ended up at the ER appearing as if she was intoxicated – the possibility of alcohol poisoning is also a real fact – all because she licked the hand sanitizer off her hands. These products contain 6% alcohol and although a warning on the label says ‘keep out of reach of children’, not everyone heeds these warnings. The full story is featured on Snopes.com here - www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/sanitizer.asp
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#2 CREDIT CARD SCAM

I have received this email several times, but it is worth repeating. An anonymous caller phones a credit card holder supposedly from the Fraud Department of the credit card company under the guise of verifying if a credit card has not been stolen. The person on the other end of the phone does all the talking as well as verifies your number, address, etc – You do not speak until they ask you to provide the three security numbers on the back of the card. They say they want to determine you have the card in your possession. IF THE CALLER HAS THESE NUMBERS ALONG WITH THE CREDIT CARD NUMBER THEY CAN PURCHASE ANYTHING. Never share these numbers with anyone unless you are buying something over the phone or on line. Phone your card company to report the fraud

#3 HOW TO CONTROL MOSQUITOS

Add some water in a white dinner plate with a few drops of Lemon Fresh Joy dish detergent. Set the dish on your porch, patio, or other outdoor area away from your festivities. Not sure what attracts them, the lemon smell, the white plate, or what, but mosquitoes flock to it, and drop dead shortly after drinking the mixture – within about a few feet of the plate.

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PROMOS THIS WEEK ARE FROM CONTACTS WITHIN AREA OF THE SCHOOL

1. WESTERN STAR/FREIGHTLINER DEALER IN KELOWNA offers outstanding service along with very reasonable pricing – they even made room for us in their busy schedule. Need RV Service in Kelowna, check these guys out-(250) 868-3202

2. SANI DUMP.COM – now includes 19000 worldwide listings and growing – the information is all free. You simply punch in the country, area plus region and locations will come up, GPS locations are now available, www.sanidumps.com/

3. HOLIDAY PARK - One of Canada’s Top 5 RV Parks with aesthetic sites in an outstanding location. This park offers specials to members of several membership parks. Many people buy their campsite. In BC RV Parks can be considered a year round home base. www.sweetlife.com

4. We stopped at the HUSKY DEALER AT EDWARDS AVE in Kelowna – we expected to pay $5.00, but because we filled up they gave us a complimentary dump & free coffee.