About Us and FAQ's.

Albertawow.com is located in Calgary, Alberta. Canada. It is privately owned, developed and maintained by Mark Townsend.

Mark was born in and resides in Calgary. Mark, his wife Margaret and their dog 'Skoal' have traveled throughout the province of Alberta taking pictures of the natural beauty that abounds here. Mark can be contacted here.

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ's.

What do you Camp in?

We camp in a 8.5 meter (28 foot) holiday trailer. Any RV over 8.5 meters (28 feet) will severely limit it's use. Most campgrounds will fit a 8.5 meter (28 foot) trailer comfortably. For over 20 years we camped in a tent and in some areas we miss it. Back country tenting in the National Parks can be a rewarding experience to say the least. We have found over the years that we enjoy ourselves much more with a few comfortable amenities. There is a lot to be said about a heated recreational vehicle after spending a day out in the rain. We also find a hard wall trailer offers more privacy.

Is a motor home or trailer better?

Both have there pluses and minuses and are hotly debated. In my opinion, a motor home is for road trips and touring and is the best option for tourists. A holiday trailer can also be used for touring and is better suited for spending more time in one area. The holiday trailer allows you to leave your temporary home in one spot and then tour around with the tow vehicle, you can also carry more gear. If you're staying in a motor home and need to, or want to go anywhere, you have to break camp. However, if you're a Tourists planning a holiday, the motor home is a perfect solution as you'll be on the move to one campground to the next and rentals (insurance) would be easier as there is only one vehicle involved. The National Parks are full of rented motor homes and are perfect for touring the parks.

Is that mushroom I viewed on your web site edible?

I'm never sure which ones are edible, but I do know for sure that several of them are poisonous and if eaten or even handled it can lead to a gruesome death. See the NAMA web site for poisoning details. Although mushrooms are very interesting to look at, the microscopic spores found on the gills can contain serious toxins, wash your hands well after handling wild mushrooms and don't eat them. I quote a mycologist who said the following "Fungal species are to numerous to identify and no one can claim to be an expert". There are several deadly look alikes and some have not even been documented. The 'deadly look alikes' could be your last dinner.

How much does a National Park Pass cost?

Far to much, the cost of a National Park Pass has severely impacted the local use of the National Parks.

An average family cannot afford over $130.00 for a park pass to access the park plus gear, fuel, food and camping fees. In 2007 after a large increase in Park Fees a National Park official stated that the "Drop in Park attendance was due to the local population loosing their interest in Nature". Seemed like a very odd statement when statistics show that the population, eco tourism, nature tourism, camping, outdoor sporting gear, outdoor clothing and recycling are increasing every year.  Current National Park Pass cost can be found here.

When do you start camping?

Early April to Late October. You could start earlier and go later but the night time temperature will drop below zero. This of course is not a problem when camping but can freeze the trailer pipes when not in use. I winterize our trailer the end of October and de winterize in April. Most of the National Park campgrounds close in mid September. There are still several nice campgrounds located throughout the Rocky Mountains outside of the National Parks. I've included an official web site link for open and closed dates on all the individual campgrounds indexed on this web site. This web site has an interesting 'Calgary Seasons' page showing photographs the 1st of each month for a one year period that will give you a good idea of the monthly temperature and conditions. If you're planning a trip to Alberta I would come between June1st to September 30th. Early spring and late fall can be colder but considerably less crowded.

What do you take with you to eat?

With a holiday trailer or RV, we can take and eat anything that you would find at home.

We have a fridge, stove, oven, microwave and a small propane Barbeque. When hiking we pack a simple lunch consisting of trail mix, fruit, sandwich and chocolate. For dinner we like to treat ourselves with a good meal, especially if we're with friends or family. We've prepared everything from French toast to Pad Thai. Yes, we no longer rough it with dehydrated rations.

Where can I get a fishing license?

The National Parks and the province of Alberta require a separate fishing license. If you want to go fishing outside of the National Parks you will need an Alberta Fishing License . This license can be obtained online or most sporting goods stores. Larger store chains such as Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire also sell provincial fishing licenses. If you want to go fishing in the National Parks you will require a National Parks Fishing Permit. This license can be obtained inside the National Parks at  information centres, ranger stations, hot  pools or larger campground kiosks, as well as some local retail outlets.

What is your favorite spot in Alberta?

Difficult question. I have many favorite spots. If I had to pick just one, it would be the Columbia Icefields in Jasper National Park. The accessibility and views of the local Mountains and their glaciers just doesn't get any better then this. If you're contemplating a trip to this area I can assure you, you will not be disappointed. You should allow at least 2 days to explore this area and don't be afraid to hike the lower mountain ridges, views of the surrounding Glaciers are spectacular, several of these ridges are not marked or trailed, but will be well worth the effort and provide an unforgettable experience. It's wise to stay off the Glaciers and their lateral moraines unless you have mountaineering experience. Camping in the National Parks has a friendlier, more inviting social feel to it. Most of the campers are tourists from around the world that have spent a considerable amount of time and money to see and enjoy the area. They're all very friendly, respectful to others, and a joy to be around. We're just as interested in their homeland, as they are ours, and find it rewarding to see how much they appreciate the local beauty we often take for granted. It reminds us how lucky we are to live here. Alberta also offers some beautiful landscapes that varies from Mountains, Foothills, Boreal Forest, Badlands and Prairies. You should try and experience both the Prairies (Great Plains) and the Rocky Mountains. The extreme difference is stunning, both of these terrain's located within a few hours of each other is not a common sight. If you're touring Alberta try and do both within a week of each other, definitely a "WOW" experience that most tourist miss.

Can I run a small generator on my RV in the National Parks?

Yes, but there is proper etiquette not to disturb others. Do not run your generator before 10AM and after 7PM. If your generator is a loud older model expect to have your day ruined the same as you have ruined it for others.

What kind of camera did you use to take all those pictures?

I use a compact digital Sony Cybershot, 10 megapixel.

How did you take those close up pictures of mushrooms, lichens, fossils, etc.?

I leave the cameras Macro setting on and carry the camera in my back pocket or my jacket breast pocket for quick access. Before shooting, I pickup or sometimes carry a short stick or rock, to rest the camera on for stability. I find the easier it is to access the camera, the more pictures I take. Also frequent stopping to dig through a pack can be very annoying to others you're hiking with.

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