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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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