LettersFROM READERS:
Desert Disaster: Once again it was time to prepare the permanent trailer for summer storage at the Fountain
of Youth in California. Aſt er another great winter it was time to think about leaving friends, warm sunny weather and making the long journey home to British Columbia. “Why don’t we go via Borrego Springs?” I suggested to my husband, Mike. “Everyone has
been telling us how beautiful it is there in the spring. T e wildfl owers and cacti should be blooming and the Visitor Centre is worth seeing. Also, there is free camping in the desert.” So, the decision was made and we were ready to leave for the Anza-Borrego Desert two
days later. “Where’s my wallet?” Mike asked, but I didn’t know! Well, it must still be in the trailer,
which was now in storage and our friend had the key as they were storing something in it for their later departure. No problem, except we found out Dave had gone to El Centro for the day! Of course our keys were in his truck, we were told by his wife. So we had to wait patiently for his return around 1:00pm, which turned out to be later. T is should have been the fi rst sign that the day would not end well. T e wallet was in the trailer. Aſt er fi nally getting away it was my turn to drive our 25-foot motorhome for a while. So I
drove all the way to Borrego Springs, and noticing the many RVs parked in the desert, I soon turned off the highway to fi nd a spot because it was getting late. As I was driving along the dirt track my husband mentioned that we just passed a nice spot, so I started to turn around, driving away from the hard-packed track. Well, apparently these were not the kind of desert conditions we had boondocked in before! I soon got the RV stuck! T e more I tried to go on, the deeper our motorhome sank! We used our carpets and anything else we could fi nd to try for traction, but to no avail as these soon disappeared below the sand! Now, the motorhome had sunk down almost to the door level, no need to get the steps out!
Aſt er many phone calls Mike found out that the nearest help would have to come the next day from San Diego, two hours away. Well, we may as well make the best of it for the night and hope the other campers would soon tire of fi nding us a source of entertainment. T e next morning Mike had to meet the
Fort Victoria RV Park
tow truck on the highway and direct him to our spot. Of course the tow truck was over an hour late and poor Mike, aſt er hiking to the highway had to wait in the heat for our rescuers. T e driver at fi rst told us he had seen worse and it would be no problem. Well, fi nally aſt er trying for over an hour the motorhome was winched out, again much to the amusement of fellow campers! So, for a free night of boondocking in
300 Hookups Free Showers Laundromat City Bus Playground
Water/Sewer/Electric/TV WiFi & Modem Access Sani-dump Salmon Fishing Charters Whale Watching Tours
Just 6 km from City Centre 340 Island Hwy,
Victoria BC V9B 1H1
250-479-8112 • Fax: 250-479-5806
info@FortVictoria.ca
www.FortVictoria.ca 8 RVT 149 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 RVT 149
enlarged.indd 8 8/22/12 9:07:23 AM
Borrego Springs it cost us $625 U.S., and it was too early for the wildfl owers to be blooming! Oh yes, we were still talking to each other! My husband conceded that it could have happened to him, and it was just another adventure in our RV travels. Of course it has never ceased to be a subject of amusement for our friend Dave and he will never let us forget it.
Christl Taylor Via Email
Help fi nding Vacation spot in Arizona: My husband and I are interested in trying
Arizona for our warmth during the winter. Does anyone know of some inexpensive
places without golf courses and preferably having some hills or mountains! We are thinking of renting a land-based trailer for a month.
Roz Graham
rozcadillac@hotmail.com
T e best RV stay of the season: T e bright light in the sky today is strange
and exhilarating because we haven’t seen the sun in several days. But being stuck in the rain hasn’t been too much of a hardship at this excellent resort on Cortes Island. Gorge Harbour Resort had a huge faceliſt
about three years ago and nothing remains of the run-down campground and marina that we fi rst visited about 20 years ago. T ere are now about half a dozen full service pads and numerous partial hookup sites plus tent sites set among a grassy orchard – this in addition to a full service marina and boat launch. T e landscaping is absolutely beautiful and well maintained. A well-stocked store (awesome fresh baked goods), hot showers, laundry facilities and a good restaurant round out the services. We were impressed with the welcoming
staff and great amenities and delighted with all the complimentary extras – wifi , pool and hot tub, live entertainment, fi rewood, well appointed patios, a gazebo with a wood stove, fi repits and barbeques, morning yoga, and activities for kids. We haven’t had a better RV experience! On Canada Day, we took advantage of the
special activities that the management put on: open air morning yoga at the water’s edge, a free lunch of roast beef and salads, craſt s for the kids, a fi shing derby and excellent live entertainment down by the waterfront. We were very impressed with the Resort’s organization and generosity, but mostly the authentic experience of enjoying our nation’s birthday in such a beautiful setting. We’ve already booked to be part of next year’s Canada Day. T is is the best resort that we have found
on the BC coast, well worth the trip to Campbell River and the two ferry crossings, which added to our coastal experience. M & J Cumming Via Email
Exceptional Service: I regularly read in your magazine about
sources for exceptional service to RVers. Now it’s my turn to report one. If you ever fi nd yourself in need of
assistance with your RV in the Vernon- Kelowna area, I heartily recommend Dave’s Mobile RV Service. His number is 250-317-2445. I had a problem with my RV and called
Dave at 8:30 on a Saturday morning. He was at my RV site at 9:15! T e problem was quickly diagnosed and repaired in a most effi cient and professional manner. Dave Dvernychuk is the guy to call. Enjoy your magazine Sheila. Keep it up. Terry Stephenson Kamloops, BC
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48