CAMP TRIP #1
When: Easter Weekend - 2013 (March 28- 30th)
Where: Okanagan Falls Provincial Park
Who: My 2 kids (age 13 and 6) a friend of my daughter (age 13) my boyfriend (who visited after work) and I! Plus 2 mini dachshunds and my yellow lab (yes, I am crazy!)
I had the week off work - holidays! The weather was supposed to be high 20's for the weekend. So I packed my 24 foot motorhome up and hit the road. I wanted somewhere close (same elevation) and this provincial park opened it's gate for the season on Thursday, March 28th. I had scouted the grounds some half a dozen times over the course of the week, trying to determine the "perfect site" within this small but quaint campground. I decided that the back site farthest away from the gate would be best for privacy; mostly so I didn't have to listen to the dogs bark at every person that walked past our site. I wasn't expecting it to be busy but I guess again! By the time I left on Saturday, every single site was taken, except the one I pulled out of.
We were about the 4th unit into the 25 site park in the morning and I booked it for the back end. Relief! My site was available. Set up took me 45 minutes as I always need to make my site look like I live there. Dog fencing to put up, tent for the big kids, table with bbq, dish pans and water jugs. Sirius Satellite was all set up, my own fire wood, chairs and VOILA! Time to mix a drink! As I am sitting enjoying my first sip of the season, my dogs start to go ballistic. I look over my shoulder to see that my "fab site" is located right next to the walking trail along the dyke to the river. Oops - oversight! That was the beginning to no end in site of barking for my yappy co-pilots. After some adjustments to the dog fencing and a few "people blocking" blankets and towels, we all settled in.
I am quite a private camper. When I come equipped with enough kids and dogs to assemble a small pet parade, I like to just stay to myself, keep from wandering and relax and enjoy "my home away from home" My privacy was profusely breached in many ways during this trip. It started with the "walkers" - you know the ones? The people that usually do a 5 km walk twice a day at home and can't sit still when they are camping. Those same people circling your block at home are the same multi-lappers that walked the loop of our campsite 38 times per day. Every single time they got to my site they would pause, giggle to each other, point at my dogs screeching at the top of the lungs, hover for a few minutes and continue on their 39th walk of the day. I need to invest in tarps. Large ones. Ones that I can stretch across the front of my campsite so nobody can see in. From the people walkers we went to the dog walkers - the feeling of an overwhelming need to stop and linger at my site with that stupid blank look on their faces. I could actually read the thought bubble that appeared above their heads "Wow - she has no control over those dogs" Yes, I understand. My hair is grey for a reason. PS - those pink polka dotted hair ties on your well behaved Shih Tzu sure are cute! Nice touch.
My Thursday - Saturday camp trip was a good one, don't get me wrong. The kids had fun and I was in heaven. For $21 a night I would never stay in this particular site during peak season. Too busy, too close to town and too small. $21 a night is a pretty standard rate in provincial parks for camping without showers. I used my site and the taps. The kids used the toilets - I opted for the one inside my motorhome so I think we tapped out the amenities for the most part. No playground or anything exciting at this park but my 5 year old got some great exercise doing laps on his bike. The last day we did take a stroll to the river. Gorgeous but high water levels. I know this river is great for fishing.
One more note. The camp facilitator was very nice. She was friendly, helpful and always checked with me on firewood. She didn't worry that I had a few extra cars come to visit me and park at my site. She laughed at the dogs when they barked at her and never once blinked an eye at the chaos unfolding before her eyes. Or wait, maybe she did. Maybe she felt sorry for me. Either way, customer service was fantastic!
On my 6 star scale:
I would vote this one a 3 1/2
location, being pet friendly, friendly customer service and shade (but not privacy)
amenities lacking, price steep and no privacy.
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CAMP TRIP #2
When: May 3rd-5th
Where: Bear Creek Provincial Park
Who: My boyfriend and I! Plus 2 mini dachshunds and my yellow lab
As soon as I had that "camping taste" in my mouth it was hard to shake. I had a very busy April with no free weekends to take another camp trip. Nearing the end of the month I had my heart set on the first weekend in May. This led to the scouting of the campgrounds to find the perfect one. I wanted to go somewhere I hadn't been yet. I wanted to take advantage of our high 20 degree weather once again. This time my vision was that of a peaceful trip with many naps, good music, plentiful campfire drinks and just quality time with my boyfriend Nick.
I took a road trip out to Westside road in Westbank during the week. I had heard all the hubbub about Bear Creek but I had to see for myself. Once I arrived I understood. The lower campground (sites 1-80) were fantastic! All level, green, close by all amenities, shaded and close to the lake. Although privacy lacked a bit I was destine to spend the weekend at "that Bear Creek place" that everybody talks about. So on a Friday after work we took off like speed demons for the 40 minute drive to try to secure a good spot or even just whatever may be left.... We arrived in one piece and set out on finding a spot. Every spot that was so perfect, peaceful and inviting in the middle of the week was now full .... with someone else's RVs. We had our choice of 2 spots. The handicapped spot and the double spot next to the entrance. Panic starts to set in. Suddenly my boyfriend points out the "other campsite up there" I quickly dismissed his absurd idea. "That campsite is closed until peak season" I knew this because it was closed 2 days ago. But I was wrong. They had opened it Friday at 3pm when the record high temperatures and RVs piling in by the dozens tipped them off to a very busy weekend ahead. So off we went to inspect the upper sites and wow, am I ever glad we did!
Sites 81-122 are MY KIND OF SITES! Private, spacious, close to amenities without the busyness of the lower sites. There were all sorts to choose from. Lake front, shady, private, open, tenting spots, large double sites, deep sites, sites close to the washrooms. We settled into "our favorite site" #112" across from the water tap with no immediate neighbours and a 1 minute walk to the washrooms/showers. Yippee!!
I stepped out to help Nick back the motorhome in. Suddenly I noticed something strange. I grew 3 inches. I checked the bottom of my shoes to discover that they were caked in little sticky sappy buds from the trees above. Good thing for my dedicated boyfriend who scraped our entire site free of the little buggers... not without us and the dogs bringing some home with us. According to the park ranger, they were in such a rush to open the upper sites that they didn't get a chance to clean and prep the sites. Note to self: always pack a rake!
Our site was HUGE and very bushy. We set up the dog fencing all around our fire area so that they could always be "with us". The same barking nonsense carried on at this site too but we knew it would happen so we took some necessary measures to assure they didn't "see" every person and dog walking by. The dogs took their own necessary measures to assure they were comfortable and happy......
We did pack the generator and used it between the designated hours only. We utilized the showers, washrooms and conveniently placed water tap. We took walks around the entire campsite and I entered all of my favorite "next time" sites into my iphone. I know, I am a huge camping nerd.
I am so glad that we ventured north beyond the Summerland borders and checked this campground out. I would HIGHLY suggest this campsite if you are lucky enough to book it during peak season.
*TIP* You may need to book a week or 2 weeks even for the week prior to when you want to stay. Then go back online and cancel the additional days you didn't want for $18. If your heart is set on this campground, and believe me I understand why, then this is the way to do it! It's popular and busy! Otherwise I suggest shoulder seasons. Go down and get a spot 2nd and 3rd week in September after school is back in session. Your odds are good, weather is still nice and you will not regret it.
Playgrounds, picnic sites, beaches on Okanagan lake, washrooms, showers, water, tons of green space too!
Oh and yes, the drinks were very plentiful and so were the naps - in that exact order ;)
$30 a night was absolutely worth it here.
It's a 5 1/2 stars in my books.
Good location, pet friendly, good price for what you get, privacy and shade, good camp facilitator who told me we got his favorite spot (and then probably told the next campers over the same thing too ), good amenities. The only thing missing is power. I hope BC Parks puts this one on the radar next year for adding power!
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