Date: Sat, 24 Jun 2000 22:38:41 -0700
Reply-To: Tom and Dana Cates <dcates1@home.com>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tom and Dana Cates <dcates1@home.com>
Subject: Full Moon in Joon Trip Report
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
CAMPGROUND COMMENT AND EVALUATION CARD
PLEASE EVALUATE OR COMMENT ABOUT YOUR CAMPING EXPERIENCE AT LAKE POWHATAN CAMPGROUND.
THIS CAMPGROUND IS MANAGED BY THE CRADLE OF FORESTRY IN AMERICA INTERPRETIVE ASSOCIATION UNDER A CONCESSION ARRANGEMENT WITH THE US FOREST SERVICE. WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS TO HELP US IMPROVE THE CAMPING EXPERIENCE AND OUR MANAGEMENT OF THE CAMPGROUND.
HOW WOULD YOU RATE YOUR CAMPING EXPERIENCE (DO NOT RATE THE WEATHER)?
Comments:
Overall our camping experience was wonderful, with the exception of the Rangers and Hosts.
HOW WERE YOU TREATED BY THE HOSTS AND STAFF?
Comments:
The Rangers and Staff (Hosts) were horribly behaved.
We were part of an informal gathering of people, good old fashioned taxpaying citizens, who are primarily campers and secondarily VW Campervan Enthusiasts.
We were given a RUDE reception at the gate when we checked in for our RESERVED and PREPAID site.
Our experience at the check in was not exclusive. Most of the Campers in our group were greeted likewise. A few of the Campers did not feel offended by the Rangers at the gate.
It is very unpleasant and not even remotely hospitable to greet Campers as if they are intruding or somehow incovieniencing the Rangers by arriving to CAMP in a CAMPGROUND.Their attitude was plain unbeliveable. I felt like just leaving, but even though they had upset me I wanted to see my friends. Besides, when you reserve a site on the webpage, they charge you for the site in advance, non-refundable, so I was not about to let these ill mannered people waste my money.
IT GOT WORSE!
The Rangers were constantly patrolling the Campsites of everyone in a Volkswagen Camper. Their favorite pet peeve was to force people to relocate their vehicles. It is plainly posted that there is a two vehicle limit to any particular campsite, and this rule was vigorously and constantly enforced. I do certianly understand now the importance of adherence to this rule, but its logic even now escapes me. This rule was used exclusively as a tool of harassment by the Ranger/s.
The Ranger/s was also constantly approaching the campsites, uninvited, and threatning several Campers with a "FIFTY DOLLAR FINE" for non-specific and even better non existent rule infractions.
THEN IT GOT DARK.
The ranger/s approached several campsites, one specifically several times under cover of the night and the woods. Then when he was heard, he would turn on his flashlight and walk away. This is BIZZARRE behavior, and unacceptable from any perspective.
The next morning, Saturday June 17, The rangers resumed their harassment, abeit with slightly less vigor. By Sunday morning, they seemed to have calmed down. We, collectively as a group, and myself individually, did not change or modify our camping behavior over the entire weekend. Actually, to placate the Rangers we were forced into a policy of appeasment for the duration of the Weekend.
My wife and I camp on average twice a month, year round. We have camped as a couple and with groups all over the Southeast. I know we understand how to camp responsibly. In fact all of the campers in our group pride themselves on being responsible campers.
Nearly all of the campers in our group had prepaid reservations. We were not by any strech of the imagination a Horde.
HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE CONDITION OF THE FACULTIES (BATHROOMS, CAMPSITE,BEACH AREA, ETC)?
Comments:
Excellent
HOW CLEAN WERE THE FACILITIES (BATHROOMS, CAMPSITE, BEACH AREA, ETC)?
Comments:
Excellent
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS TO MAKE YOUR CAMPING EXPERIENCE MORE ENJOYABLE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
The Staff at Lake Powhatan Campground are in urgent need of remedial training in the areas of:
HOSPITALITY
MANNERS
POLITENESS
THE FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
PRIMITIVE THEORIES OF CAMPERS CAMPING IN A CAMPGROUND
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO FILL OUT THIS COMMENT CARD.
160A Zillicoa St. , Asheville, NC 28802, (828) 257- 4200, Fax (828)
257-4263
PS. Please note that in accordance with your above 'Privacy and Security notice' disclaimer I am also copying this Comment Card to an internet community of dedicated campers consisting of over 1000 people across the entire USA. I know they will eagerly anticipate whatever reply may be offered in defense.
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