There are no full camping dates yet, for either tents or trailers. It's a good time to start making plans.
There are a few days already with no cabin availability. August 11, 12, 13, and 14 are full. As you may have noticed, I don't use availability calendars. There would have to be 4 calendars, one for each cabin. When I am quoting availability for groups, it would be very difficult for everyone concerned were I to use booking engines and availability calendars, because I hold on to dates for groups until they can get their plans solidified. Imagine trying to plan a family reunion, only to get back to me 48 hours later and find that the Saturday night has been booked out in one cabin, so there is no longer room for the entire group. Everyone gets some time to confirm, once they have made a firm request. Availability calendars make this type of consideration a nightmare.
There are no full camping dates yet, for either tents or trailers. It's a good time to start making plans.
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Happy spring break everyone.!
There is no wind. It's much warmer than it has been any morning for ages. Yesterday was above zero, and today is likely going to get there too. It's strangely quiet outside. I had expected there to be many more snowmobiles running the trails this weekend. So far not though. Maybe everyone went south? How would YOU score? It would be a much different "review" world if the clients were publicly assessed, don't you think?
There is an idea out there that a couple of bucks makes the client king. That may be true in a large impersonal accommodation chain, but it doesn't work here. At no time is it appropriate to damage the premises or abuse the staff. One reviewer actually did comment on other clients, which I found strange. My intent to provide a quiet (non-amplified) getaway for people comes with a codicil; the clients need to cooperate with the mandate. The reviewer who mentioned other clients said that they were quiet. However, had they not been quiet enough for that individual, that would have been outside my control. I cannot control anyone. I can only ask for their cooperation. The neighbours did not play any music; I think the reviewer was not even considering that type of sound though. This is not a library; it is a vacation spot. Children's laughter, music during the daytime, people playing sports are all good sounds. Respect for others is a guideline for guests. Quiet time is from 11 pm to 7 am. That means that late arrivals in the campground cannot assume no one will hear them if they turn up the tunes, or drink too much and forget that they have neighbours. Skinny dipping at night is fine as long as you don't scream when you hit the water and wake up other clients. If you keep your party to yourself, it will all be good. If you don't come to the office if there is unwarranted noise at night and let me know, there is nothing I can do about it. Yelling at me the next morning is useless. I cannot identify the noise problem source once the noisy ones are sleeping off the party. Most of the time it is very quiet here. Most of the people who come want to listen to birds and other nature sounds. The departure from this is long weekends, when the place is full. Sheer numbers make for more sound. Again, if you keep your party to yourself, it all works out. Everyone has a good time. It's amazing how many places on the internet one can find reviews about everything and anything! What used to be the domain of "qualified" experts is now within the power of each individual to be heard. Sort of. After all, opinions are like a**holes; everybody has one. This means that many reviews are, at best, a selfish view of the world shouted large.
The reviews for my property are mostly positive. I have only had one review removed, because of a personal attack. I don't go after reviews, like some places do. My website is supposed to find the people who want to be here. I keep it as real as possible. I try to provide as much information as possible. Also, I happily answer questions by email or phone. There is no such thing as a stupid question as far as I am concerned. Assumptions are far more dangerous to a holidayer's enjoyment. I don't like to have unhappy people here; life is too short. Consider that some places actually DO pay for reviews. There are businesses that sell reviews. I get asked every summer for free accommodation in exchange for a review on some blog or other. Not ethical by my way of thinking. Strangely these requests are always for the high season, not the off season. Of course, by turning them down, I do run the risk of negative publicity... One of the two negative reviews on TripAdvisor is from a person who arrived on the fly. The extended family was revisiting the place her son had worked, a hostel in Madawaska, now out of business. Mom was disconcerted that I did not have her choice of accommodation available at the last second, then posted a negative review. Had they stayed at the hostel her son worked at, they would have to slept in dorm single bunks, and had breakfast and dinner included. I wonder which is the better deal, 2 cabins (privacy) with equipped kitchens, one on the waterfront, or the hostel, which was on Highway 60, not waterfront? The hostel cost more for 4 people than the 2 cabins here. Hmmmmmm....Oh, these folks left with a balance owing, which I thought was an oversight until I read their review on TA. The other negative review on TripAdvisor is from someone who wanted to change her high season booking from 2 nights to 4. I rearranged another client so that I could accomplish this without having to move the plan-changing client half way through her stay. This meant I upgraded the shorter stay person @no charge, and discounted the longer stay person. Then the person who wanted to stay longer changed her mind again, and wrote a negative review, after saying to my face that everything was fine. This easily explains why I am not keen on reviews. As a proprietor, I get a limited amount of time to respond, and only one chance. There is no taking back what is said. If I happen to be busy with clients on site, is it fair to take time away from them to respond to cranks? I find it takes some time to find the composure to make an intelligent, useful reply. Used to be if you liked a place you told your friends. If you didn't like it, you told the management so they could remedy the situation. Now we have ninja review writers instead. Lots of happy clients are not interested in writing reviews. After all, they are on vacation. Suits me fine! As soon as the temperature goes above zero, people start booking their summer vacations. Phone calls and emails all day...
No full dates yet, but don't wait too long! There are only 4 cabins, and 40 campsites. I don't double book, like some places do. Not meaning to make anyone paranoid, but this was on my radar as well. Apparently now it is a reality
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/hackers-hijack-car-computers-and-take-the-wheel-1.1322678 Convenience has its hazards... Hardly a day goes by that we don't hear of another data breach. Walmart and Neiman Marcus having their customers credit cards hacked. Canadian Security forces spying on their own citizens in airports. Etc.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/personal-data-online-5-of-the-biggest-security-breaches-1.2514287 I expect soon we will hear that travel sites and other internet portals will have the same problems. Hackers are often way ahead of the curve when it comes to technology. Some companies have even admitted to allowing spying through their digital products (though not in a very loud voice). Meanwhile, we are all pushed to use more and more devices, because of the "convenience". Is it convenient to have to replace your credit cards, or rebuild your credit reputation because of data theft/breaches? With regard to this, I have continued to make sure that any data I receive is secure. I don't share it with anyone, unless required by law enforcement. The only requests to date have been for information due to compassionate searches for individuals. This occurs when someone is on vacation and the police are contacted to find them because there is a problem at home. I am not using booking engines for this reason, and also to keep the cost of business down. Did you know that booking platforms can charge up to 15% to capture your reservation? It may not be as convenient, but if you make direct contact with me to make your booking, I can assure you that your financial and personal datum are secure. As well, I can answer any questions you may have about the premises. Assumptions can ruin a vacation. Asking questions is always a smart move. As a proprietor, I have heard many stories about a website and the reality not matching. My website is full of photos taken by myself, clients, and volunteers who have stayed here. There is one file photo on the entire site. If you can figure out which one it is, I'll give you a free 1/2 day canoe rental, value $15. Of course, there are a few people who know the answer to this, and they do not qualify for the prize. Also, you must pick a time when all of the canoes have not been rented by other clients (the prize cannot displace a paid booking). To qualify for this prize, an accommodation booking must also be made. Are you game? 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. CBC exposè tonight "Watch The Dirt On Hotels: We're Back at 8pm/8:30 NT" CBC Marketplace
Apparently rain on the way for 6, count 'em, 6 days! Somehow I doubt this bunch of weather is going to miss my little river valley. No wonder there are no calls for accommodation this weekend...I don't mind. Much as being host to people from all over the world is engaging, I could use a long nap.!
I just discovered that Google has made the town of Madawaska disappear. In doing a Google map search, one is directed to the Township of Greater Madawaska, which is 100 km east of here.
Ain't technology grand? The harder I work to make my place visible to the world, the more the powers that be bury my efforts. It has been noted previously that one of the GPS systems takes people to a dead end dirt road near Maple Leaf, which is also a long ways away. Please, follow my instructions to get here! Got my work cut out for today... Just found out that some of the inquiries from this site are not coming through the digital maze and arriving where I read them in a timely manner.
I have learned my lesson. Must check this site directly daily instead of relying on the digital messenger to not lose his way. If I don't get back to you, it does not mean I am ignoring you! Digitally speaking, I have an apparent ghost in the machine. Sorry to anyone who missed a chance to stay here because of this glitch. Still trying to find out why that happens... It seems the economy is really good in Alberta. How do I know? I get lots of phone calls and emails from Alberta, people who expound over how great my prices are! Unfortunately for me, and for them, this is not a match. They don't read far enough to see that the premises is in Ontario. In their fantasies, this great looking affordable place is somewhere near Red Deer, Alberta. In my fantasy, business is booming, instead of just chugging along. There have been some great conversations as a consequence.
There are 3 places in Ontario called Red Deer Lodge. Even thought mine was the only one that included "and Campground" I changed the name to Red Deer Log Cabins, to avoid confusion. One is in Nestors Falls, near Lake of the Woods, and is a fly-in fishing camp and lodge. One is in the Haliburtons, and is a leadership (boys and girls) camp. This is the only one with a resident Red Dear, AFAIK. 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. Seems it's official. This is not a trailer park. Woodall's, the largest trailer site listing service in the US, no longer wants to be bothered listing my place because it does not have enough serviced sites available for rigs. So all of you folks who want a place to stay that isn't full of trailers and the associated society, I guess this is the place for you.
I only get about one booking a year from Woodall's anyway, so no great loss at this end except for the backlink. Maybe they need me more than they think. The last product of their advertising, a couple from California, was completely in awe of what they found. A commonly asked question is do I provide bbqs with the cabins. For legal reasons, I do not provide gas bbqs. A certification is required for me to attach a tank for a client, though they can attach their own tank to their own bbq with no certification required. In that bbqs have become common at rental properties, there is an assumption that this is a lifestyle choice that should be supported.
Instead, I have firepits here with each cabin and campsite, and sell firewood on site. Which brings to mind another technicality. It is important that people do not bring firewood from other locales. I have already fought infestations of gypsy moth, carpenter ants, and asian long horned beetles that have come with firewood that clients brought into my premises. The cost for firewood here is minimal, $10/wheelbarrow. It is not a money maker. I provide local wood so that I can protect my trees, and provide shade and a sylvan environment for future campers. I try really, really hard to make my place easy to find. GPS is not helping...I have provided the coordinates measured in front of my front door. That should suffice. However, over the weekend 2 campers were taken for a tour in another county. Apparently there are 2 GPS systems, and they do not agree.
Please map your drive instead of relying on GPS. I cannot close the gap of faulty technology. Ah, for the old days, when a simple sentence got everyone to the door. My place is still located 2 km south of Highway 60 on Highway 523. I don't expect that to change in the near future... Those who follow GPS may take more than double the time to arrive as it should take, and may find themselves the recipients of my "Hansel and Gretel Award" for the vacationer who took the longest drive to get here, by following GPS. Someone with Wave Runners has discovered this bay, and is using it as a wave pool. I hope it's not someone who is around all summer.
Every wild bird nested in the reed bed just went for a huge ride, and so did all the frog eggs. Guaranteed to kill... Toys are great, in the right environment. Take the wave runners out on Bark Lake. Nothing smaller. They were created for ocean riding. People say they care about the environment. It's a subject taught in school now. People need to care for the environment, not about it. People need to understand their fun kills things they need to care for. It's not something another person can do for them. Just had another rainshower. Very pleasant outside. Warm, not hot. |
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February 2018
AuthorSince 1989, I have been known to many as The Red Dear. Most of the rest of humankind calls me Sandra. Categories
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