Issue 28, MY SEMINAR SCHEDULE IS OVER FOR NOW

Diary published weekly since 2001

NOTE: I ran out of time to post more impressive pictures to my Picasa Albums under ‘Trip West’. They are on my agenda this week. 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 are coming – I thank you for your patience. (BE SURE TO VIEW THEM AS A SLIDESHOW) at http://picasaweb.google.com/rv.lifetstyle.consultants

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Hi All: I should be on time for the next few weeks till we take off again over a weekend. We have about another 9 days before we get back to Ontario – 2-days with friends in Great Canadian Barn Dance SW of Lethbridge (we are there now) and one in Swift current, 2 nights in Regina and then 3 en route to Sault St Marie and back to London through Michigan. We are on the way home but we prefer to saunter along.

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THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT WEEK.

We left Calgary for Lethbridge last Monday. We have previously driven through Lethbridge, but never stopped for a visit. This progressive city is so squeaky clean and the entire shopping area of all the big box stores looks like the city was a new entity. Lethbridge, like most communities are rapidly moving forward but they are doing it with a lot of planning. It was such a neat place to visit – one more first for us. Another high point - we touched base with Lynne and Fred who live in Lethbridge. Lynne Benjamin just picked up her new publication call Jacob’s Tails – a first publication for her. When I have a chance to read my copy I will enlarge on it.

The BRIDGEVIEW HOLIDAY TRAILS RESORT in Lethbridge is another membership park we can stay at for bargain prices, but it too is also one more Gem. Huge unique unusual shaped hills that appear as though they popped out of the ground, plus an extremely high railroad bridge provided interesting vistas through our front window. Parking pads were crushed red gravel and the surrounding site was bright stone pebbles instead of grass. Very pretty plus they always looked good. Great connections, good activity schedules and many amenities added to a stopover, plus the park offers WiFi for $3.00 per day – however my Dish worked well so I didn’t try their WiFi. All this was a mere $11.00 per night – as an RPI or Coast-to-Coast member we do enjoy special savings. Anyone who wants details on how to buy into a park for a few hundred $$$$’s please send me an email. For that price you only get the basics but you can spend upwards of $6-$10,000 for the full package if that more completely suits your style. We have stayed enough nights at membership parks to make our reduced purchase very worthwhile for us.

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NIKKA YUKO JAPENESE GARDENS

This week we visited the NIKKA YUKO JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN www.nikkayuko.com in Lethbridge, Alberta. What a peaceful relaxing place. It is not a floral garden, instead it is a landscape design using rocks, water and aesthetically pruned trees and plants to satisfy all your senses from balance, to unity, to scale, to harmony, to sight and sounds. There are five basic areas: a dry garden; mountain and waterfall; stream, island and moon bridges; ponds lakes and ocean; plus a prairie garden. The history of this type of garden began in the 16th century; it was designed to promote meditations and reflection. The peace and tranquility within the garden is overwhelming. A meandering path encourages visitors to take a leisurely stroll from one presentation to another.

We started our journey at the Wishing Well. Originally it provided water for the ‘tea ceremony’ in the Cultural Centre Pavilion – the focal point of the garden. In true Japanese fashion to visit this historic centre, you have to take your shoes off. The building is patterned in 16th century fashion – there are minimal furnishings in the centre so as not to distract you from the relaxing ambiance. On your journey be sure to ring the giant friendship bell and enjoy the aesthetic Pagoda – observe its five tiers that represent earth, fire, water, wind and sky.

During the Second World War Japanese Canadians were uprooted from their homes on the British Columbia coast to southern Alberta. This moved changed the face of Lethbridge forever and the garden stands as a testament to the perseverance of these men and women.

The garden is celebrating its 39th year – it opened to commemorate Canada’s centennial. The entrance is via a long path to provide visitors time to transform from their busy lives to one of reflection, relaxation and tranquility. The variety of hardy and ornamental plants in this lush utopia was chosen to withstand Alberta’s harsh winters. A partial quote from their brochure says it all. “Art is contemplation; it is the pleasure of the mind” The Nikka Yuko Garden definitely fits this description.

Sara, dressed in her traditional ‘yukata’, escorted us to the gate where she took time to share the wonders of each area of the garden sights and sounds and how each appeals to the senses. Hearing the waterfall before you could see it creates a relaxing feeling that draws you to the source. All in all the ambiance provided an extremely relaxing visit to say the least.

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BUCARS U

Friday we checked into BUCAR’S RV www.bucarsrv.com to present my seminars on Saturday - I had a several handouts to copy. First one, my comprehensive ‘Canada Hotspots’, was at 10 AM, followed by a BBQ at noon and a ‘Packing’ seminar at 1 PM. I am happy to say that both presentations were well attended by numerous attentive new and seasoned RVers. It was a fun time. Bucar’s RV in Calgary hold their ‘University’ one day each month. If you live in the Calgary area take a look at what they have to offer. The seminars are Free so why not give them a call. I send a big thanks to the few loyal Diary readers who also attended. It was great to touch base with each of you. Great talking with you Roy and thanks for joining us Wanda – even if you’re not RVing as yet.

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RV FRIENDS MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND

Dianna and Pat, fulltiming friends that we met through this Diary, own a lot at the Great Cdn Barn Dance CG near Pincher Creek and Cardston, Alberta. Dianna and Pat suggested we visit their park and join them for a BBQ – what a feast guys. The food, ambiance and camaraderie was wonderful. While we were at their place two attendees, George and Val, from the Calgary rally, stopped by. So all in all it was a perfect way to wind down from my hectic month of planning etc. They are leaving tomorrow but when they recognized our unit they had to stop by (great to see you again guys). Dianna and Pat, you two are a superior host and hostess. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts for a fun relaxing (I needed that) very pleasant evening.
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FINAL WORDS.

On Tuesday we expect to begin our trek back to Ontario. This has been an outstanding trip but it has also been extremely tiring. At least now we are on a wind down – hopefully we can stay put for a couple of weeks in London before we are on the go again. Hope each of you are enjoying your summer as much as we are enjoying ours. Have fun wherever your journey takes you, but be sure to leave time for some relaxation along the way. Travel safe. P&J

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TIPS THIS WEEK

RV RECALLS REFERENCE DOMETIC RECALLS – FIRE DANGER

There were many [i]RV RECALLS listed on this weeks RVTravel.com Newsletter. To see if your RV is affected go to http://rvtravel.com/publish/news/rv-recalls-June-07.shtml The RVTravel.com weekly newsletter overflows with great info. Why not sign up for yours today while you are on the site?[/i]

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ERS (EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE)

I continue to receive many email about what ERS is the best. I recommend you join one that provides …
1) Unlimited number of calls per year
2) Two tow trucks if required. – you don’t want to leave your towable on the road while your tow vehicle is removed for repair.
3) Unlimited distance to the most appropriate repair facility.
4) Payment for service should only be a signature – no extra fees should be required.

Auto clubs added ERS systems to their benefits when there were few RV designed ones available, but these days numerous services are accessible for RVers. In most cases, RV ERS memberships includes benefits fcover two people plus all those listed above – cost run between $79-$99 US$ per year. Some offer 24/7 tech support and others reimburse a nominal fee for breakdowns in Mexico. Shop around – with Goodsam.com, FMCA.com (motorhomes only), Escapees.com, Explorer-rvclub.com, Campingworld.com plus several others. Most work the same way – a toll free call goes into a California Call Centre and from there a service facility is contacted in the province/state and community you are in. You receive a return call stating help is on the way and how long it should take to arrive.

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HOW I INADVERTANTLY BLOCKED ACCESS TO MY DISH

Last October while in the Panhandle a notice popped up on my computer asking if I wanted to allow or disallow access to what I thought was park WiFi. I don’t know why but I said ‘Disallow’. However it was not the park system it was access to my own Dish that I blocked. I was horrified that I had been so ‘stupid’ (I usually never block anything) but after that I could only connect to my system by attaching a blue LAN cord from my computer to the ‘router’. In a word I was no longer wireless to my own system. The Techs from my Dish supplier at 31 Communications and many other tech savvy RV friends spent hours trying to solve the problem; but until last week I was still attached to my ‘blue umbilical cord’ that was strung around the room under rugs. I was operational but it was not the best situation.

It is the little things that seem to be out to get us especially with technology. At the rally in Calgary I shared my system security access number to my Dish with a friend. Just on a whim I decided to re-insert that number into my system and Voila, immediately I am once again operating wirelessly. The only reason I am sharing this info is if I was foolish enough to do something like this – others will be too. I continue to love my Dish but now my love affair is even more intense because I am now once again operating wirelessly on my own system.

If being on-line 24/7 without searching far and wide for WiFi ‘hotspots’ is important to you, why not add a Dish to your RV toy chest? They take only minutes to set up and they’re such a joy to use. Price is $1495.00 and monthly rates begin at $69.00 (USA/Cdn customers). Read the entire story about my wonderful Dish www.rvliving.net/EarlyObserationsDirecWay.htm

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PROMOS THIS WEEK


MEMBERSHIP PARKS ADD A TOUCH OF FREEDOM TO YOUR TRAVELS.

On much of this trip we have stayed at beautiful posh Membership Parks. RVers can buy into these systems for many thousand or they can purchase a resale membership like we did for a few hundred. I will be happy to send anyone info on our inexpensive package that covers COAST TO COAST (C2C) AND RESORTS PARK INTERNATIONAL (RPI) PLUS. (The ‘Plus’ includes a complimentary membership to RPI’s 50% Discount Camping Club called ‘Enjoy America’). These are two of the most popular membership park systems that offer deep overnight discounts – there are others! To use C2C and RPI, members also pay a small annual fee to each club. BUT then camping fees are only $8.00 US$ p/n ($10-$11.00 Cdn) – stay up to a week, twice p/yr at each park.

John and I bought into Shiloh RV Park, Monroe, LA a year ago. Park price was low with first year dues at $69.00 – $99.00 in future years. However we can walk away from this plan at any time for a small fee – no long term contracts. SEND ME AN EMAIL FOR MORE DETAILS.