Hi All

[Okotoks Camper]

We're the latest newbies.

Our rig is described in the signature. Looking forward to exchanging notes with you all.

Cheers,
John, Mary-Ann & Panda, a Chow cross
2003 Dodge Ram 1T DRW, 6 Spd Std, 3.75, CTD HO,
BD exhaust brake, big air intake & exhaust system, Magellan Roadmate 700
2004 Titanium 26E31DS Fiver, 1750W inv., 4 solar panels, 4 6V batt.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

 

[Steve CDN]

John and Mary et al,

Welcome to the RV Forum!  How long have you had your RV and where are your favorite travel destinations?

Feel free to join in any ongoing discussion or start one of your own.

Regards,

 

[Winghawg]

Your Chow is a cross dresser, now that's funny, hi, nice to see you join.

 

[Ron]

Welcome to the RV Forum. Please join in any of the ongoing discussions or start new discussions relating to the RVing lifestyle.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Welcome aboard, John & Mary Ann (and Panda too).

 

[Okotoks Camper]

Hi Steve et al,

We bought this RV in late 2003 after running a 20' TT for 3 years and a slide-in camper for about fifteen years.

Our dream is to full time, starting next year in May. Lots of work to do before setting out, but we are really looking forward to it. We hope to make the forum rally in Quartzite area Jan. 2007.

So far we have primarily visited Alberta and B.C. campgrounds. We loved Vancouver Island and Waterton Park. Our first trip next year will be a shakedown to Saskatchewan for about a month, then we plan to work our way across Canada to "Da Rock" (Newfoundland and Labrador).

Do you have a home base?

John and Mary et al,

Welcome to the RV Forum!? How long have you had your RV and where are your favorite travel destinations?

Feel free to join in any ongoing discussion or start one of your own.

Regards,

 

[Steve CDN]

John and Mary Ann!

Fulltiming is a wonderful adventure and is a worthwhile goal..  There are lots of factors to be considered, in particular for Canadian fulltimers which we can discuss in a separate thread for the benefit of others who might be interested.

Our home base in Canada is in Ottawa which we recently established after fulltiming for seven years.  In winter we are based in East Central Florida.

Regards,

 

[UK-RV]

Hi John and Mary-Ann

Just the people I need  ;D

We have already booked for the Stampede next year, but cant decide on a campground.

Any advice please ?

Ideally with 50Amp (that should narrow it down a bit).

Also, we've booked for the last 2 days of the Stampede - would you recommend the opening day parade ? - if so, we would probably stay in Banff for a few days and then Calgary for the last 3 of the Stampede.

Many, Many Thanks

Paul and Ann-Marie

 

[Okotoks Camper]

Hi Paul and Ann-Marie,

Our recommendation for a campground would be Pine Creek Campground, just south of the city limits. It's quite new, very clean and all hookups. Only drawback is that it's a little close to the highway. If you can book away from the highway, it's just about ideal. It's about $25Cdn/night and is a Good Sam Park (10% off for Good Samers).

It's a very short drive (8 min) to a major big box shopping area with three supermarkets and the end of the LRT train line. You can park there and go to the Stampede grounds, downtown, NW & NE sections of town for $2 each way. Very convenient and no parking hassles. Also, since it's the end of the line, you can most likely find a seat.

Regarding the parade, Calgary is an old fashioned city and goes all out for the parade. Many businesses close during the parade so their staff can see it. I notice a lot of cities nowadays are too "sophisticated" to attend such a thing and yell & cheer. Calgary jams the parade route every year and the parade is about an hour and a half. Friday of the parade is also one of the slowest days at the Stamped Grounds and therefore easier to get around to see things. The Stamped runs for 10 days, from Friday July 7 to Sunday July 16, 2006.

If you come, leave suits & ties at home because most of the city dresses western. Also, be sure you can attend some of the many, many free Stampede Pancake breakfasts all around town. One of them, on the first Saturday of Stampede hosts 50,000 to 70,000 people for a free breakfast at a shopping centre and lineups are 5-10 min. This is BIG!

http://www.discovercalgary.com/Calgary/WheretoStay/Campgrounds/
http://calgarystampede.com/about/contact_us.html

Hope this helps. Let me know if any other questions

John & Mary-Ann

 

[cpurves]

Hi Paul and Ann-Marie:- I have to agree. I've been to Stampede and the parade is the thing to see! AND anytime you can dress western is a good time.

To John and Mary-Ann - thanks for the tip on Pine creek campground. We are planning a Rockies trip this summer.
We may just have to swing over to Calgary for the stampede if we can get the holidays booked right.

Cheers
Chris

 

[Okotoks Camper]

Glad you found the posting useful. When you're in this area and if you don't need more than 20 amp power AND you want to be away from the crowds, many of the small towns around Calgary also have nice campgrounds. I'm thinking of Didsbury, Carstairs, Olds and Carbon (a gem).

John B.