[Paddlewise] Port Townsend

To the group:

I usually only read these and yes, I'm new to this group. I have only
been kayaking for three or four months. So I thought that this would be
great for a newbe. A person suggested that I put in for reservations at
Fort Warden State Park I did to early they sent it back for that reason.
I waited until 58 days before or 2 days after the dead line for
reservation.

This is what happened:



>Hi
>
>I really do not know if this is the right place to E-mail to, but I'm
>starting here. I had put in reservation at Fort Warden on July 20, at
>6:00PM I waited and tried to call them. When I did finally they told me

>that the Symposium had rented all the sites. I thought that it was a
>State Park and that it was first come first serve! Now that you have
got
>all sites how does one get a place to stay. Yes,  I'm upset I was
>looking forwards to this, now I'm not sure.  It is still the industry
>with the money, not the individual that wins. This is for people not
>just money.
>
>thanks
>
>Steve James
>
 I am not quite sure how to respond to your e-mail, and phone call.
It's
true we have reserved the State Park for that weekend for our event.  We

have been doing so for the last 16 years.  We do it so that the people
attending our event will be assured a place to stay on site if they so
desire.  It also helps people like you, who may not be interested in
spending their vacation with a thousand plus sea kayak enthusiasts, make

an informed choice about where they want to stay.  I would be happy to
book one of our campsites for you, if I had any left, but as I write
there are sea kayakers who are awaiting some very bad news.  If you are
still interested in coming to Fort Worden that weekend, I believe they
do
have a little known "walk on" camp ground with about 5 sites, which no
one is allowed to reserve.  In addition, one of the dorms is contracted
as a youth hostel.  I understand it is very inexpensive to stay there.
As far as the park being reserved for us, yes it was opportunistic of us

to nab such a great site, but it was the park's decision to allow us to
do so, and I can't say that I blame them.  Our event does bring the park

probably the most (and I know this is an ugly word) revenue that they
see
in a single weekend all year.  This probably doesn't excite you
directly,
but for them it may make a difference in how fast their renovation gets
completed.  It is owned by the government, so it's not like they're
making a profit off of our business.

I apologise on behalf of the Trade Association of Paddlesports for
interfering with your travel plans.

Sincerely,

Tina Haiser
Director of Membership Services
The Trade Association of Paddlesports
12455 North Wauwatosa Road
Mequon, WI
53097
414/242-5228
fax 414/242-4428
www.gopaddle.org

Some of the real world hit hard. I'm still going not quite as excited
NOW

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