Red Deer Log Cabins

I went to an industry workshop in April, where we were actually helping the workshop leaders build a packaging workshop.  As participants we were expected to form affiliations with other businesses, to build packages for tourism.  Interesting, however, the other businesses are all from a tight geographic location, far from here.  Due to the nature of tourism organizations, there is nothing local representing this armpit of Algonquin Park directly.

In a roleplaying exercise, I was handed $600 hypothetical $$s, then subjected to a list of requirements that cannot be fulfilled in this area.  The workshop leader was stunned when I turned the money back, and suggested that he approach a much more expensive business with more resources in a more populated area.

Some people will promise anything to get as much of your money as possible.  At Red Deer in Madawaska, there is little to spend money on besides the roof over your head (or a place to pitch your tent). 

One of the reasons a lot of other campgrounds are crowded and suburbanized is for capitalization, i.e. so that every square foot of the place has been monetized (otherwise known as dedicated to the God of Currency).

I leave room to breathe.  Of course, I'm not getting rich this way, but my clients' experiences have great quality.

Why would you leave the city to be crammed in next to your neighbours?
I go to the city if I want to be in a crowd.  It's expensive there.

If you want to give your wallet a rest, this place is a good choice.  However, if your identity is tied to swiping plastic during your leisure hours, I don't have a lot to offer.
The closest WalMart is over an hour away...

Timmy's is coming to Barry's Bay.!  Building has begun.
It's almost like Barry's Bay is joining the rest of the world.  This summer we have 2 new gas stations (an Ultramar and a Shell) which has been great for us, because we now have the lowest prices for gas in the area.  THAT is a treat.  The gasoline alley has moved to Barry's Bay, Bancroft's loss.  There has been a lot of real estate turnover, so likely there will be new enterprises next summer.
Maybe they'll get a Burger King too?

Update:  Timmy's is supposed to open October 5, staff have been hired, uniformed, and sent for training in Bancroft.  It's going to be a 24 hour location.

Preparing the outhouses today for the long weekend, I noticed someone has thrown a bag of garbage into one of the pits.
Why is there confusion between toilet and garbage can?  Everyone is told where both are when they arrive.

The pumps are ON!  Madawaska Country Store now sells gasoline.  The drought is over.
Strangely there are also 2 new gas stations in Barry's Bay, a Shell and an Ultramar.  The Esso finally has some competition.
Note: debit or cash only accepted for gas in Madawaska.  Make sure you get a receipt.

Well, the lazy hazy days of summer it's not.  Not cold out, but not hot.  I wonder if that is why Bancroft is so quiet?  I didn't realize it until I was heading back here yesterday, but there were no traffic hangups on the main drag.  Traffic was like off season levels.  The bridge repair is finished; I think that is way ahead of schedule.

On the other hand, despite a bit of rain, it's very enjoyable out.

Selling vacations as though they are books, as Amazon.com does, is bad for the tourist.

Your vacation accommodation prices are set to rise.  Here's why.
I received this email, from an organization that I have already distanced myself from.  I can't afford their 15 to 18% fee and keep my prices down.  This is what you are doing when you book online, inflating the costs associated with your vacation.  This movement will kill small, independent operations. 

These mega search engines are 'capturing' information from tourism providers (with and without their permission) then putting it out there for the public, but only opening the connections once the property pays a fee to have contact details disseminated to potential customers.  Because the big search engines rank so high in internet searches, they can effectively block any independent sites by pushing them down the list.  Then there are other levels of fees, to 'increase' bookings.  Works well for 400 room hotels.

Note below  that the only thing that distinguishes a Super Host from the rest is paying a higher fee.  This is as it has always been in the industry; CAA approval means that the property paid to be included, not that it is special.  Check marks and stars are all paid for, and not truly a measure of distinction.
This organization offers to write reviews.  That is an unethical practice.

Anyway, here it is.  You can't book a vacation here with these guys (Vaway), so call or email for information and reservations.  I have also disengaged my premises from Hostelworld, because of the false advertising paradigm they are using, as previously mentioned (Hostelworld + TripAdvisor = no bookings)

Vaway's fancy graphics did not copy over.  I think the basic information is all here though.



Vaway Super Host Services your Distribution Network and Online Manager

Welcome to the Super Host Exclusive Membership!

You are receiving this email because your property is already listed with us. Vaway put together a new account type allowing us to manage your Distribution, Bookings, Inquiries, and services online. Once you have requested the Super Host upgrade Vaway Super Host will setup your new accounts on our channel sites Booking, Airbnb, Homeaway, Trip Advisor, Kayak, FlipKey, Holiday lettings, Expedia, Agoda, Wimdu, 9Flats, and many others (Some assistance is required from you). This is pay for performance no payment upfront. If you don’t get bookings we don’t get paid!

You are receiving this email because your property is already listed with us. This is an Exclusive membership and only certain properties get approved depending on the property photos, furnishing, and location. You may not make the cut but we will reply with the requiremenets to become a Super Host if you don’t. We increase your bookings in Super Host by average of 50%. All sites distributed to are managed from one Master Calendar that prevents double bookings and removes the need to login and check each partner site. You may control this calendar from your dashboard.

(Super Host Cost is 18% Per Booking Managed and 15% if you Manage bookings yourself. Below is list of Managed services)

 

Super Host Distribution Network



Vaway will setup the majority of accounts and assist you in setting up remaining accounts through Super Host. To see the Full list please visit http://vaway.com/page/partnersync . Once Super Host Partnersync is completed Super Host will manage the accounts with the services listed below. Note: If your property is already listed with some of the rental sites above we can manage and integrate these accounts and calendars for you. We do all the work you receive bookings and complete management of your bookings.

(Note we will need your assistance to setup these accounts as it requires information from you online)

 

Super Host Services

Your Vaway Personal Assistant

 

How Vaway Super Host works

1.       Since your Property is already Listed with us you can go to My Properties in your dashboard once you are logged into your account and select “Super Host Upgrade”. To login your account use your previous credentials or
2.       
Username: (Your Current Email Address this message was sent to you)
Your Password: vawaytravel
 
If you changed your given password above please go to http://vaway.com/users/forgot_password and a new one will be sent immediately.  Once again go to My Properties in your Dashboard and click “ Super Host Upgrade” to apply to be a Super Host.
 
 
3.       Vaway account manager will ask a few questions about your listing and respond with an email and begin setting up your property on our partner sites. We are selective on the properties we allow into Super Host program so if you get an email stating your need better photos or your listing is not well kept we cannot list it. Please understand this is why we call it Super Host and it’s an elite property status. Everyone is eligible if you correct issues we request.
 
4.       You start receiving bookings and getting paid. We increase your received bookings over 50% on average.



 

Professional Photographer



We will schedule a professional photographer to contact you and schedule photographing of your property. It is a proven fact that without great pictures your listing will lose bookings. This is included in service and is Free with Super Host.

Responding to guest inquiries



24/7 Super-Fast
We reply to inquiries around the clock, within minutes, so you can get booked even when you sleep. You can sync calendar from your other rental sites Homeaway, VRBO, Flip Key, 9Flats, Wimdu, Google or any of the distribution sites we cover. Some may not be listed on the site but you can see http://vaway.com/page/partnersync for sites we sync your calendar with.



Professional
We gather a lot of data from your message history and other resources so we can answer any question your guest may have.



Faster Replies =
More Bookings
On average, Vaway and Partner Site guests look at 3-4 properties before making a reservation. It’s often the first host to reply who gets the booking

Handling bookings



Screening potential guests
based on your criteria
Tell us about your ideal guests - we'll screen inquiries and find the best match for you.
You can set age limits, required verifications, minimal reviews and just about anything else.


Accepting Bookings
We’ll approve the bookings or let you have the final say.
We will communicate with your guest and give them all the information they need, including directions from the airport and instructions for the keys.


Handling Reviews
We are professional reviewers so we can leave beautiful reviews for your guests.
We will write 5-stars review unless you tell us differently.
Optimizing your listing and profile



Better Profile and Listing
We give you tips on how to make your profile and listing more attractive and rank higher by Airbnb criteria



Search Optimization
Our secret sauce increases your search ranking and gets you more inquiries. (For example: Updating your calendar daily)

 

Pricing analytics



For optimal pricing of your listing
We monitor prices in your neighborhood of Vaway and Partner site listings and hotels, so you can make smarter decisions on how to price your listing.

Providing support to your guests



Information about Your Area
For most of your guests it's going to be the first time in your city. We will supply them with all the information they need



Directions from the Airport
We make sure your guests know all the options to get to your place, by car, public transportation or taxi



24/7 Concierge & Hotline
Whether it's asking for directions or help turning the heater on - We are available all the time

 

 

Optional Website Development

Vaway can develop a state of the art Website custom or Standard template (Below) to fit your needs and sync into the Vaway platform as well as all our Channel Partners. Your Property will be fully integrated to all partner calendars preventing double bookings from your personal site. This is additional cost and optional service so not required to setup with Super Host. It removes the need for you to block dates out manually from your personal website calendar if you currently have one.

 


Website templates
Vaway provides high-end templates for your vacation rental business which will be a great experience for your clients on every platform (desktop, tablet and mobile).
Custom website
Our custom websites come to provide a totally different experience for you visitors. We build for you a custom design which complements your brand in every way.
Content Management System
Seamlessly launch & manage vacation rental websites with Vaway cloud-based web content management system software.
SEO package
Increase your website traffic with Vaway SEO services. Attract the clients thanks to your ranking in search engines.
Social media package
engage clients and boost your business through social media. We setup and manage your social media accounts.
 

 

We are no longer Partnered with Hostelworld due to a conflict of interest so if your property was listed with us through Hostelworld you may delete it yourself through the methods above. We do still have the capability of syncing your calendar to any site including Hostelworld however there is no relationship between the two companies.

 

 

The Madawaska Country Store is installing gas pumps.  The drought is over!  I'm going to bet it will be an Esso, because the owner also has a store in Harcourt, where he has an Esso.

Is anyone else tired of the "branding" experience?  How many logos can a single soul possibly respond to?  Consider that huge manufacturing conglomerates have bought up brands, and even changed the recipes while maintaining the recognized look.  When does a brand cease being a brand?

Of course, people need to be able to identify a product, so that they can purchase it again.  However, I think this over the top branding is another thing that crowds peoples' brains, and something from which they need a rest.

Branding costs the consumer.  You already know this because of the difference in price at the supermarket between identical products, one packaged with the brand name, and the other, on the same shelf, packaged with the grocery store 'brand'.  The are made by contract for distribution through certain stores by the expensive brand manufacturer.

So why have all tourist regions embarked on "branding" exercises?  Does it mean anything (except that an 'expert' was hired to help them through the exercise)?  More signs, more logos, more names; does anyone really remember one from the other?  Or does the consumer just remember the good times, inconsequent of the brands?

That being said, the name that goes with this property, Red Deer, is a brand in this area.  People have been coming here since 1947 to have a good time, one way or another.  Same place, new faces, but a lot of return clients as well.  I had a woman here in her 70s who stayed here the first night of her honeymoon, 50 years before.  There was a couple here who honeymooned 35 years before.  There have been clients whose parents and grandparents were here hunting and fishing in the 1940s.  A couple of people have told me that a forefather helped to build the cabins in 1946, when the property first started taking tourists in, making its first shift from farming.  In my time here, I have had return clients from Europe, and lots from the US and Canada.  Because this is not primarily a trailer park, I don't have the "poor man's cottage" type of embedded clientele, but there are a lot of worldly travelers who return every couple of years.  There are a few who make this their favourite getaway, so they come by a couple of times a year, or every year.  It's quite the mix.  I've been here long enough also to see people who came as kids now arriving without their parents, but with their own children.  It's great.  There is no one discreet group of vacationer who enjoys the property.  They come from far and wide, in all shapes and sizes, and all age groups.  Many nationalities are represented.

Everyone welcome...you don't have to belong to a club.!  Have a slice of the simple life.

Studies have shown it take 8 years to recover from discounting prices.   Meanwhile the cost of operating a business continues to climb.

Prices here are consistent with quality.  It is amazing how many booking calls I get from individuals who ask for a discount, after telling me how disappointing their last stay was elsewhere; dirty linens, filthy cabin, mouse crap everywhere, no swimmable waterfront...the list goes on.  My only option in these cases is to try to duplicate the conditions they found at a lower price.  Right?

Also, I have found advice on traveler's websites to 'ask for a discount' or for the 'best price'.  My prices are already the best.  When you consider that minimum wage is over $10/hour (and the cost of an employee is double that to the employer) in Ontario, and that a meal for 4 in a restaurant can easily top $100, how can it be expected that a fully equipped log building on a waterfront should be less than a meal?

People tip in restaurants as well.  Tips for rooms are increasingly uncommon.  They used to be the norm.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not cheaper to live in the country.  Our taxes are high, and service level incredibly low.  There are no dollar stores around the corner, to readily replace broken/lost/removed cabin items.  Distances are great, so every item that needs to be replaced easily costs $15 in gas to obtain.  No big box stores for appliances with free delivery, very few places to find quality used items.

I have also found that when the price is too cheap, the client can be brutal.  No respect for the premises translates to damage, noise, lots of garbage, a big mess to clean up, and a bad attitude.

There are automatic discounts built in to my prices.  If you want one night, a Saturday, you have to expect the highest rate.  If you want the best rate, choose vacation times off the high season.  OR book a whole week.  If you take my weekly rates and divide the number by 7, you will find unprecedented value, tax included.  Less than a dinner for 4 at a mediocre restaurant!

My roses from Valentine's Day are still fabulous, so I was putting them in fresh water and cutting back the stems. 
There are fresh green shoots at the bud points on the stems.  Woohoo!  I'll be planting those when the ground thaws.  Then there will be 3 kinds of roses here; wild Canadian, wild American, and a cultivar from who knows where!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Man

This season is almost finished.  Time to start dreaming about next summer.
Make your dreams reality.  Book early.
Tell your friends.
Get together, and make your own good time the best time EVAR in 2014.

Full weeks are always the best deal.  They make your weekend free.

It no longer exists. 
Anyone who was avoiding the area because it was too loud here that weekend in the middle of August can come back.

WEMF has been sold to a bigger outfit, who is focusing on events in large population centres, aka cities.  No more party all night, but as a cog in the DJ concert presentation industry, my client says it "suits all the girls who want to walk on stilettos with their tits out to there"...so it suits the scene.
Concert over at 11 pm. 

If they had done that here, it would have been a fine event.  Those of us who were not there could have had sleep and skipped the nervous breakdown after hours of thump, thump, thump.  Or as I stated at the time, it is contrary to the Geneva Convention to refuse a prisoner sleep; that is a form of torture. 

All gone now.

It's obvious that the leaves are starting to change.  It's not that they are turned, but I have been able to see the underlying orange of the maples for most of 2 weeks already.
I don't recall seeing leaf change this way in previous years.  As usual, there are some early, stressed changers.  There is a flash of red and orange here and there, some yellows with downed leaves (poplar, willow).  This part is typical for mid August.  What I find unusual is being able to see the underlying colour while the trees are still green.  Maybe it's just me?

Anyone thinking of colours jaunts to the countryside this autumn should consider booking now.  The bookings for September and October are way up from last year. 

As refers to FAQs here...
The water coming from all of the taps is drinking quality water, from a drilled well.  It is tested regularly in accordance with drinking water standards that have been legislated in Ontario following the Walkerton disaster.  Before paying for private water tests as per regulation, and since, I have tested my water through the public health system, as a resident.  The water in my house has the same origin as the water in the campground.
FYI, the bottled water industry is not regulated.

Also, consider this.  The bottles you bring the water in go to landfill, unless you take them back to your tax base.  Our tax base is not large enough to support a recycling program, as well as keep roads in shape for use.  Why is the amount of garbage/camper steadily increasing here, instead of decreasing?  There are educational programs galore.  So...before you buy more bottled water, consider refilling the receptacles you already have.

After one, or was it two? oops, 11 day of local gasoline, there are signs back up on the pumps.  No gas.
Remember to gas up on the way into Madawaska.  Bancroft has best deal, the CanTire keeps the Esso hopping.

Yesterday was an offsite day.  The lads and I went to Wilderness Tours to whitewater raft on the Ottawa River.  It's a promotional situation offered to OVTA (Ottawa Valley Tourist Association) members.  It was fun, and a great reason to be away for a day.  As there were no arrivals expected, it worked out fine.  We just did the rafting, not the barbq or dance afterwards; it's too far from here to stay and party.
So it was all very interesting, but it was not nearly as extreme a sport as I had expected.  A lot of it was floating downriver and listening to the river guide.  Turns out we were given a condensed version, and not the most exciting part of the river.  4 rapids in 2 1/2 hours.  Too much talk as far as I was concerned, and not nearly enough excitement.  All in all, a bit of a time waster.  I can't see promoting them having not had the real tour, and I don't appreciate their use of my time this way.  After the experience, I thought the (theoretical) price was high, and then was told that we were not shown the best part of the river for action.
It was nice to be on the river for an afternoon, as that is a rare experience for me.

"The lads" are my current volunteers.  One is from France, the other from New Caledonia.  One is a construction supervisor, the other a mechanical engineer.  They are very skilled people, and I am blessed to have them here, fixing things that others, who were paid, did not do correctly.  If anyone wants the name of a couple of lousy contractors, I am compiling quite a list at this point.

There is gasoline available again in the hamlet of Madawaska.  It can be found at Algonquin Bound Outfitters, on the north west corner of Highway 60 and Highway 523.

Passing by Algonquin Bound today, I see there is still no gas to be had in this town.  Hope they get that cured by the weekend, there is a trail ride.

No signs of life at the little restaurant either.

It's that time of year.  Unfortunately for tourists, black flies also love beautiful weather.  When it is cold or wet they don't fly.  The heat brings them out of the ground, where they hide to stay cool. 
They were a little ahead of schedule this year, and so some people were bothered by them on the Victoria Day weekend.  I was bothered a bit by what I discovered afterward.  One guest sprayed DEET on the windows of the cabin, to kill the flies that went inside with him.

Black flies do not bite once they are indoors.  They go to the windows, to the light, trying to escape.  If they do not escape, they die when the sun goes down, unlike mosquitoes.  Spraying windows with DEET is
1.  unnecessary, because the flies will die anyway, and won't bite you indoors
2. harmful, because any DEET that is oversprayed on the paint or varnish eats through it.  Many a piece of furniture here has been ruined due to bug dope bottles being parked upon them without being cleaned off.  Paint will not stick to the surface again, so repainting is a useless exercise.
3.  difficult to clean off the windows.  DEET does not reduce easily (see above, about ruining furniture).
4.  toxic to the person sleeping/staying in the room.  I thought people came here to get away from pollution?

DEET was developed for use by the American military in malarial countries.  It says on the bottle not to put it on your skin, only your clothing.  As skin 'eats', understand that you are ingesting this very toxic chemical.  'Overuse' can cause nerve damage.  In children, it has been shown to lead to permanent brain damage (multiple studies).  Even the official government information says to wash it off once you come indoors, and do not spray in an enclosed space!

A much more effective bug dope is olive oil (or any other oil, pick one).  Black flies smother in it; they cannot bite through it.  Instead of being covered in bites at the end of the day, you will be covered in dead black flies.  Olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil are all good for the hair and skin.  The down side is that you will burn faster in the sun.

Black flies are attracted by CO2 (your exhalation, your idling vehicle), colour (white, yellow, and khaki  are least attractive, and so the best to wear in this environment), and heat (your body and vehicle).  Oh, also any perfumed personal hygiene products are a HUGE attractant.  Leave the smelly soaps and shampoos at home.  Use ivory soap, or wash with straight baking soda instead.  Wear a white hat.  Black, brown, purple and navy blue are for the city at this time of year.  Purple stirs up stinging insects as well, like bees and hornets. 

Black flies love thick dark hair.  They think you are a moose!

If you eat sweet foods, biting bugs will find you more attractive.  The absolute worst fruit to eat during black fly season is the BANANA.  It makes you irresistible to the little black monsters.

If you use these simple bug management techniques, you will not only have a better time in the great outdoors, you will also save a substantial amount of money, and be healthier in the long run.  You may not have side effects immediately, but with enough exposure to toxins, you may be miserable in your old age.

For more info on DEET
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/chemicals/deet.htm
http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howthingswork/a/aa042703a.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002763.htm
http://www.naturalnews.com/029136_deet_toxic.html