| Time for one of those columns journalists pull out | | | | along with the beautiful sandy beaches, makes for |
| of their hat when no single thread wants to | | | | lots of fun for the kids. The campsites are |
| develop into an article… | | | | spacious, level and private (surrounded by large |
| • Our family camped and toured through the | | | | evergreens and lush foliage). This campground is |
| Rocky Mountain House/Nordegg area of western | | | | reasonably priced and well maintained, has |
| Alberta this summer. Base-camp for a week was | | | | showers and free firewood. The amenities are |
| at David Thompson Resort located just off | | | | basic, but clean. Excellent summer getaway spot. |
| Highway 11 and backing onto Abraham Lake. For | | | | • Rising oil prices are becoming an issue for the |
| raw beauty, there are few areas in North | | | | camping/RV industry. We spoke with Carston |
| America that compare to it. One afternoon, as | | | | Urban of the RVDA to see if the Association has |
| we stood overlooking the lake, a couple from | | | | noticed any trends. Are people venturing out less, |
| Washington exclaimed they had never seen | | | | making vehicle changes, etc.? The only significant |
| anything like it. The pristine shade of blue waters | | | | thing he has noticed is a swing from fifth wheels |
| combined with the snow-covered, jagged peaks | | | | to travel trailers. They are lighter and allow more |
| of the Rockies made for postcard material. | | | | options for pulling. Certainly manufacturers have |
| Facilities at the campground were comfortable | | | | made some excellent advancements in the |
| with most amenities available right on the grounds, | | | | variety and quality of ultralights and hybrids (travel |
| including gas. A half-mile down the road helicopter | | | | trailers with tent trailer extensions). Look for this |
| tours were available, as well as horseback riding | | | | trend to continue. |
| on the opposite side of the highway. The | | | | • There is a strange policy among many |
| surrounding area is also a hiker’s haven. | | | | campground owners regarding reservations |
| We took an afternoon to drive the Ram River | | | | refunds that the industry needs to re-evaluate. |
| Falls Loop which goes south from Nordegg and | | | | One resort we stayed at this summer (booked |
| returns at Rocky Mountain House. The falls are | | | | by phone well in advance) required the full |
| impressive, and there are a number of primitive | | | | week’s payment by credit card with no |
| camping spots located along the loop, many of | | | | cancellations within 14 days and no leaving early (if |
| which are free. Though the main road is good | | | | you wanted a refund, that is). Apparently this is |
| (gravel), you should have the right vehicle to | | | | quite common. |
| access the remote camping areas. (Your Honda | | | | The hotel industry is much more reasonable. Many |
| Accord with a tent trailer behind may not cut it.) | | | | hotels require only a partial deposit and allow |
| Again, the scenery is splendid. Friends of ours | | | | refunds up to 24 hours before arrival. In chatting |
| have even observed one of the few remaining | | | | with the owner about this he cited the need to |
| herds of North American wild horses that roam | | | | recover costs from vandals and deadbeats, and |
| the area. We hoped to see them ourselves but | | | | the difficulty of re-booking a site if vacated early. |
| were disappointed. | | | | The logic doesn’t add up though. If the |
| We also made it to another of my favorite spots | | | | campground is busy (and the customer wants to |
| this summer: Marten River Provincial Campground | | | | leave early), there certainly will be no trouble in |
| on Lesser Slave Lake. The lake is very large, like | | | | re-issuing the site. And if the resort isn’t busy, |
| being on the ocean, except that the water is | | | | well, what’s the problem? There are plenty of |
| shallow for quite a distance from shore. This, | | | | sites to choose from for any new customers. |