South Dakota Reservation Stress

[tlhdoc]

Uggggggggggggggggggg  I think I need a week off after making my reservation for South Dakota this coming July.:yikes:  For Custer SP in SD the entire reservation period started today Jan. 2.  The other SP in SD you can only make reservations 3 months ahead of time.  I had registered ahead of time so that registering today would not slow me down.  I had 4 windows open and kept refreshing them so as soon as the reservation center opened I would get my site.  STOP as soon as it turned 8 AM here the website came to a standstill.:compumad:  All 4 windows were just hanging.  I called the call center on the phone at 0803 and the recording said if the wait goes longer than 30 minutes that I could leave my name and number and they would call me back in the same slot I had when on hold.  At 0810 I called on another phone line and got a busy signal.  One of the windows made it all the way through at 0815 (I have cable internet) and I picked my number one choice campsite and started waiting again.:compumad:  I closed all of the other windows except one.  At 0830 the phone call was answered and I made my reservation for my number one choice campsite.  I was worried that by having clicked on it online that it would not be available on the phone, but it was.  I knew it would be busy, but I didn't think it would take so long online.  I am very happy to get the site I wanted and drained from the stress of waiting and worrying that the 4 sites I had picked out would all be gone until I got through.  I feel better now that I told someone.:eyecrazy:

[dthurk]

We're supposed to enjoy camping.  I guess that doesn't include the reservation process.  Sorry to hear you had such trouble.

[DiW]

I understand Tracy, since I do all the planning/booking for trips. Sometimes the site makes all the difference... I'm thrilled for you that you got the site you wanted. So, when are you going? For how long? Details, I want details. I live through you   . You know that, don't you? You can email me if you don't want to post...

[tlhdoc]

The trip is public knowledge, or I thought it was.  I am leaving on July 21st late at night after working, unless I can get a day or two extra off.  I plan on being at Custer SP on Monday the 24th for 10 days.  If I can pick up a day or two of vacation before mine starts, or the driving gets done in two days we will camp a night or two in the badlands.  I really want to visit there.  We may leave a day or two before early to come home, if I can't pick up any extra vacation days at the end of the trip we will stay until the end of the reservation.  I am hoping that the guy with vacation the week after my vacation doesn't use it (he has been off work for 2 years) and that I have a good chance of getting an extra day or two the week after my vacation).  I figure on 3 days travel each way, but I like a day or two to recover when I get home.  Recover means to get the laundry done and clean the PU if needed.  I feel bad for the dogs, especially KC, as she has bonded very tightly with me and she will not be going.  We will be away from camp too much to take her.  We plan on seeing Mt.Rushmore, Crazy Horse Mem., Devils Tower (Wyoming), the Hot Springs, of course Custer SP, the Badlands, Jewel Cave, Wind Cave, and a lot more.  So Di are you coming with me?

[DiW]

Tracy, your trip is sounding better and better. Do you have room for me? I could bring a tent and get my own site... if you get a chance, please email me some details. where, when, etc. Will have to look into this and from your post, looks like sites go fast there (not even sure which cg we're talking about). If J doesn't get into one of the summer pgms in NJ, we were going to attend a medical conference in CO 7/19-7/22. Maybe I could send him back to NJ and meet you in SD? so hard to make plans this far in advance...
Di

[tlhdoc]

That would work.  We are camping at Custer SP, SD not too far from Colorado.  I will be there by the 24th. and my reservation is over on the 3rd of August.

[tlhdoc]

Di I just sent you an email.