Issue 27, ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL RALLY IS OVER

Diary published weekly since 2001

NOTE: I continue to periodically post more impressive pictures to my Picasa Albums under ‘Trip West’ Watch for images of our memorable drive from Radium to Calgary through the Kooteney National Park PLUS the pictures of the simply awesome Grandstand Show and Rodeo at the Calgary Stampede and Explorer RV Club Rally. They will be up sometime this week, 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: Well I am late again this week but we have had so much fun playing at another rally that I just did not have time to send this weeks blurb on Saturday as planned – due to our schedule I expect next week’s Diary may not go out till Monday/Tuesday again.

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OUR WEEK IN REVIEW

Our Canada Day began with a pancake breakfast at the impressive RADIUM VALLEY VACATION RESORT in Radium Hot Springs. Although this one of a kind park is a membership park, non-members are welcome. It is without a doubt one of the best campgrounds we have ever stayed at. Call for info 1-250-347-9715 or go to www.radiumvalleyvacationresort.com/rv.htm See last weeks Diary for park details – take a look at the pictures in my Picasa Albums. This park is also a timeshare establishment.

This years Canada Day activities included a visit to the amazing huge Hot Springs Mineral Pools (there are two large pools – one warmer than the other). We also took a drive through more outstanding local scenery. Nearby Invermere hosted an interesting parade to highlight this momentous day.

Tuesday we headed for Calgary through the spectacular Kooteney National Park. A few deer along the highway (one stopped in the middle of the road to stare at us approaching) was all we saw, but no elk or other critters were roaming during our drive, but the vistas were awesome. Those who simply drive through the park without stops to visit sites along the way do not have to pay the park entrance fee – however a visit to the Hot Spas located inside the park is free access. This route is approximately 150 miles to Calgary.

NOTE: Just for info there is a very high climb when leaving Radium Hot Springs, but the rest of the journey is a gentle picturesque mountain drive – the scenery is second to none.

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CALGARY STAMPEDE – EXPLORER RV CLUB RALLY.

We arrived at SYMONS VALLEY RANCH AND RV PARK in Calgary www.symonsvalleyranch.com two days early for The Explorer RV Club 11th Anniversary Rally (this club is Canada’s answer to Good Sam) www.explorer-rvclub.com. John and I checked into the park on Tuesday so we could spend time with Wanda – a good friend and a Toronto workmate of mine – she calls Calgary home, plus I had to make numerous photocopies etc. for my seminar on the Saturday – there was not much chance to complete the copy task in the vacation spot of Radium Hot Springs.

The land surrounding Symons Valley Ranch RV Park complex is slowly being encroached with numerous housing communities. We were in this area 9-years ago when it was in the country – but not any more. This park includes a typical western style bar/grill/restaurant/patio plus several halls that cater for weddings and many special events – some of their Stampede functions even included a mini rodeo.

Besides having a superior time for club members to celebrate with old friends and meeting many more new ones. Bill and Ted brought their guitars along with their voices – plus several others participated to lead us in singsongs. So our gang was entertained at IMPROMPTU MUSICAL GATHERINGS before, after and during the rally.

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ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH TO WEAR PINK?

THE FIRST 30-HOURS OF THE STAMPEDE was devoted to a major fundraiser for Breast Cancer. Thanks to Wrangler shirts, numerous men and oodles of the women wore pink shirts, hats and other adornments – many participants were friends and family associated with breast cancer survivors. Volunteers sold bandanas and a variety of ‘pink coloured’ souvenirs throughout the first day of the Stampede. The ‘Pink Theme’ was also an obvious addition to the parade, the opening ceremonies, the rodeo, the chuck wagon races, the entertaining groups throughout the stampede and so much more. It seemed that everyone got into the act. The ‘ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH TO WEAR PINK CAMPAIGN?” began in 2005 with a couple of hundred participants and this year the Stampede raised well over a ½ million towards the cause. Watch for even bigger and better things in the future

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CALGARY STAMPEDE

Some rally attendees took an early bus down to see the parade but most of us left at noon in time to enjoy an afternoon at the incredible full event Rodeo and at 8 PM, we had tickets to watch the spirited CHUCK WAGON RACES – what a rush !!! This event was followed with a most spectacular stage show presented by several hundred ‘YOUNG CANADIANS’. Three categories of performers begin at age 6-8 years old. Over the years they graduate from Juniors, to Apprentices, to Seniors during this progressive annual event. The ‘Young Canadians’ celebrated their 39th year of participation at the Stampede – it reinforces a commitment to youth and the community.

The entire cast made the performance look so easy – but it takes the cast months of endless practice to ‘get it right’. What an amazing accomplishment – words cannot explain the energy, choreography, music, dancing, singing, costumes and much more – in a word it was simply awesome. Theme of the 2007 extravaganza – “Under the Cowboy Skies - The Spirit of 1912”. It celebrated the magic, heart and soul of the Calgary Stampede and of the west. Taking in the Grandstand show should be an absolute must for every visitor.

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RALLY EVENTS CONTINUED OVER THE WEEKEND

We didn’t arrive back at the park till 1:AM, so Saturday morning was free for a late sleep-in. Three-seminars Sat afternoon helped to educate everyone. Doug presented a most informative presentation on ‘BATTERIES/SOLAR PANELS’ – www.gpelectric.com, Dan from www.explore-canadacaravans.com/ moderated a discussion reference ‘GAS VS DIESEL’ and I outlined a seminar covering ‘EXTENDED TRAVEL’ – attendees at my seminar received an extensive 7-page handout.

MEALS were all catered by the park staff – Friday was chicken and ribs, Saturday we enjoyed a delicious prime rib feast and Sunday’s breakfast included everything from pancakes to eggs, hash browns, bacon, ham, sausage and more. We did eat well. Saturday night a DJ kept all of us ‘cowboys and cowgirls’ (many in western dress) busy on the dance floor. Sunday afternoon rousing games of BEAN BAG BASEBALL AND 50-FOOT PUTT added a perfect finale to the mix. Many door prizes satisfied the sense of chance plus.

Bill and Sue donated an elaborate STAINGLASS COWBOY ON A HORSE and Peggy donated one of her cute HOMEMADE TEDDY BEARS and Roberta donated a MEMORY QUILT – tickets were sold on each as cancer fundraisers. The Club collected almost $800.00 at this rally to help fight cancer. All in all, this was a most enjoyable gathering – too bad participant numbers had to be limited to only 72 units – that was the total of RV sites Marcia (Club Director) could reserve. Thanks Joe and Barb (club owners) and Marcia and Lee for another super rally.

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FINAL WORDS.

Sorry I am late with this Diary one more time and next week will not be much different. These weekend events are killing me. On Saturday 14th July, John and I will be at BUCAR’S RV DEALER in Balzac near Calgary presenting two seminars. One covering ‘CANADA HOTSPOTS’ at 10AM, followed with a BBQ. In the afternoon I will be relaying PACKING AND RV TIPS. Participation is Free – if you will be in the area why not give them a call (403) 207-1666 or go to www.bucarsrv.com to reserve a spot. Would love to touch base with each of you. Must go for this week. Thanks for your patience. Stay away from the road gaiters and travel safe. Till later P&J

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TIPS AND PROMOS ARE COMBINED THIS WEEK

I received four-exceptionally informative newsletters this week. So I am providing the links so you can read them for yourself. Why not sign up for your copy while on the site.

RVEDUCTION101.COM – Mark and Dawn Polk jam so much info into their monthly newsletter that I hope you will read it for yourself. Go to http://rveducation101.com/newsletter/july-2007.htm?siteID=0

QUOTE: A few very informative website highlights from their July newsletter
The following websites ‘geocode’ most of their info, so RVers can find the locations of these services by GPS coordinates:
www.roadcamping.com/ offers RVers the opportunity to search for 7000+ campgrounds by highway route, place name, county, or a visual map.
www.roadlibrary.com/ helps RVers search for public libraries that are the most common source for free internet access.
www.roadchamber.com/ was created to allow RVers to access local Chamber of Commerce. Experienced RVers know that the Chamber is often the best source for local tourism information.
www.roadmuseums.com/ has 10,000+ museums to search for by highway route.
www.road-police.com/ allows RVers to search for law enforcement locations by highway route.

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Each Saturday, RV TRAVEL .COM sends another jam-packed newsletter. To read last weeks blurb, go to http://rvtravel.com/publish/newsletter/issue283.shtml Editor Chuck Woodbury is also the owner of the largest RV Bookstore.com. His newsletter is loaded with video clips and entry highlights from the many RV BLOGS on this informative sites. Stay informed by signing up for this weekly issue as well

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In GOOD SAMS MONTHLY NOTICE I was reminded that GS offers out of country TRAVEL INSURANCE for Canadian members. Log onto www.goodsamclub.com and click on “member benefits”, then “insurance”.

Good Sam offer a free 2-day out of country medical insurance for all Canadian members for every time members cross the order. They also offer a similar plan for Americans going north. Check out the details on their website. NO ONE SHOULD VISIT ANOTHER COUNTRY WITHOUT EXTENDED MEDICAL COVERAGE. This gives you a good place to start. These are multi-trip policies so all you have to do is phone 1-888-237-1177 to activate your coverage. Top-ups are available.

One point – many websites sell GS memberships but we bought ours from Camping World a year ago and the cost was only $12.00 plus we received a $10.00 coupon to use in the store.
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Another very informative tell it like it is website is hosted by NORM AND LINDA PAYNE at http://www.seeya-downtheroad.com/ These two tell it like it is – about their travels, their actual budget plus many ‘how to articles. Norm and Linda are in their 8th year of Fulltiming and they freely share what they do and what they learn. Notices of their updated website arrives by email each month. Sign up to receive these notice too. These two freely share what they learn.
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Canadians can also access CHEAP PHONE CALLS that can be added to your landline phone bill. It is called LOONIE PHONE. There is NO membership or sign-up required but it does NOT work with cell phones. You can make 100 minutes of calls to the USA and Canada for a Loonie ($1.00 coin) using this program. Full details at http://www.looneycall.ca/

Just dial 10-15-565 before calling long distance. To contact the customer service representatives dial 416 279-1368, 1-800 785-5869 or 10-15-565-0 or by email at info@looneycall.ca for other alternatives. This is a Cdn company and the $1.00 per minute appears on your home phone invoice. This program will NOT work with a cell phone. You will have to ask if it can be added to a USA landline or is it only Cdns that benefit from this service.