Let's face it, most family vacations these days aren't vacations at all. They are simply a change of venue. Parents have their cell phones and laptops and kids have their cell phones and ipods. Everyone is so attached to their electronics that they don't even interact with the people around them, the people that should matter most - their family. So how can you fix the problem? Easy, start by leaving all that stuff at home and take a journey into the great outdoors. Take a wild wilderness vacation. If nothing else, the cheaters that try and sneak along their electronics will see that their cell phones probably won't work and there's nowhere for them to recharge their ipods. Just imagine a vacation where you actually talk to each other and find out what's really going on in everyone's lives. When was the last time you did that? Have you ever done that? Sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows, making s'mores, catching fireflies and telling ghost stories is what it's all about. There are so many opportunities to have fun and bond with your kids once you get away from all the distractions of the big city. All you need to do is tell your kids to get ready to do some hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and whitewater rafting, and see what their reaction is. It will be a trip to remember.

Howdy! Listed below are a few very nice places that I have picked out for your convenience.

You are free to share all the information and photos in this press release with your readers. Just click on any image for a high-res version.

Have a great day & Giddy-Up!

Dusty Dave

Mountain Springs Lodge
Leavenworth, Washington

The lodge offers a variety of seasonal activities. Wagon rides and horseback riding are popular in spring, summer and fall. When the snow flies, sleigh rides or guided snowmobile tours offer spectacular views of the area. For skiers, Steven's Pass offers fresh powder only a half hour's drive away. Cross country skier's take off right from our doorstep. For sight-seeing and shopping, the Bavarian town of Leavenworth is 20 minutes by car or one hour by bicycle. We have something for outdoor enthusiasts of all breeds, from tennis and golf to lake sailing, swimming or fly fishing.

www.mtsprings.com

Paradise Lodge
Lake Louise, Alberta

Located near the shores of world-famous Lake Louise in the Canadian Rocky Mountains of Banff National Park, Paradise Lodge & Bungalows is a family run business that has been owned and operated by the Pedersen family for more than 50 years. Today the facility boasts newly renovated, luxurious cabins as well as spacious, cozy suites. In updating the lodge facilities to contemporary standards of comfort and convenience, the operators of Paradise Lodge have not compromised any of the charm of the original facility.

www.ParadiseLodge.com

Please join Greg Palmer on a once in a lifetime wilderness nature adventure to the Valley of the Grizzly Bear. A three hour tour that will take you to the spectacular Khutzeymateen Valley, home of Canada's only grizzly bear sanctuary. Your photography and sightseeing adventure includes the possibility of viewing whales, seals, mountain goats, wolves, deer, sea otters, bald eagles and schools of Pacific wild salmon as you travel through the glorious coastal rainforest.
To reach bear country, you will fly 45 km northeast of Prince Rupert, crossing over the rugged terrain of the Coast Range Mountains and land in the sheltered waters of Khutzeymateen Inlet. From there, you will set off in a two-hour boating expedition in search of the mighty grizzly bear.

www.palmerville.bc.ca

Nestled on 150 acres of private land in the heart of Arizona’s White Mountains, Hidden Meadow Ranch is an authentic, all-inclusive western guest ranch where visitors revel in the cowboy lifestyle and strangers quickly become friends. Each of the 12 private cabins is richly outfitted with family-friendly amenities (no distraction of a television!) and accommodates up to five guests. Included in the price of each stay are a myriad of activities that are sure to suit every member of the family, including horseback riding, fishing, canoeing, archery, leather-making, arts and crafts and more, in addition to three gourmet meals each day.

www.hiddenmeadow.com

Strathcona Park Lodge and Outdoor Education Centre offers courses in wilderness leadership training, customized holiday adventures, summer camps for youth, and superb family vacations. Overlooking the shores of Upper Campbell Lake and a procession of snow-capped peaks, the Lodge's accommodations consist of rooms in log and timber framed chalets and private self-contained waterfront cabins. They also offer accommodations on Mount Washington for families and small groups. There are guiding options for activities such as rock climbing, white water kayaking, canoeing, survival skills, and a high ropes course. Additionally, they offer backcountry adventures such as alpine hiking, backpacking, mountaineering and camping in beautiful Strathcona Provincial Park.

www.strathcona.bc.ca

Become one with the history and wild beauty of the old West while enjoying luxury, waterfront accommodations right on the Colorado River at Sorrel River Ranch Resort. Relax around the fireplace in your room while you plan to tackle the many biking and hiking trails. Surround yourself with open sky as you explore the ranch on horseback, and then enjoy a round of golf at the nearby Moab Golf Club. Or simply drift off to sleep, snuggled in a custom made log bed, soothed by the sounds of nature. Mealtimes at The River Grill are an experience not to be missed. Spa treatments, horseback riding, river-rafting, hiking, biking, Hummer and ATV tours, canyoneering, rock climbing, and scenic flights are just a few of the activities you can enjoy in the desert wonderland.

www.sorrelriver.com

Surrounded by wide open spaces and tranquil wilderness, Echo Valley welcomes you to a spectacular western adventure, a superb sanctuary of first class accommodations, healthy gourmet food, complete spa services, and an enriching diversity of outdoor recreational activities. Echo Valley offers a great get-away experience for families of all sizes. All this is made possible by the unique geographic location of the ranch. To the east of Echo Valley Ranch & Spa is the Marble Range and Edge Hill mountains, to the south is the Fraser Canyon with near desert conditions, to the west are grasslands and to the north a Cariboo plateau with countless lakes and marsh lands. Dust off those hiking shoes and get ready for the time of your life.

www.evranch.com

Discover the great Canadian wilderness at Kenauk, a 65,000-acre private domain located midway between Montreal and Ottawa. This anglers’ paradise offers outstanding fishing in more than 30 sparkling lakes and five miles of headwater river reserved for fly fishing. For accommodations you may choose a 4-star chalet, nestled on its own private trout lake or the historic Chateau Montebello, the world’s largest log building, located six miles away. Make the most of the glorious surroundings at Fairmont Kenauk at Le Chateau Montebello. Whether you come for a family vacation or to simply immerse yourself in nature, we are sure you will have an excellent time. Families especially enjoy our adventure trips and boating excursions.

www.fairmont.com/kenauk

YOUR READERS MAY ALSO ENJOY MY AWARD WINNING BOOK:

THE TOP 100 MOST BEAUTIFUL RUSTIC VACATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA

With over 700 color photos you'll be sure to find just the right rustic getaway. Choose from dude ranches, fishing lodges, farms, log cabins and even yurts. Activities for families, couples or singles include fishing, horseback riding, cattle drives, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling and much, much more.

The book can be purchased online at

www.rusticvacations.com for $22.95

click here to view book