Press release for Canadian Adventure Rentals, 525 words, 2004

Western Canada conjures up visions of the Rocky Mountains, rugged coastline, vast ancient rainforests and abundant wildlife.

Yet many visitors settle for viewing this natural bounty from afar because they aren't equipped for an outdoor experience. Paul Merrick set out to remedy that situation in 2001 when he launched Canadian Adventure Rentals.

Based near Vancouver, B.C., the company arranges custom self-drive camping vacation packages that come complete with a Nissan Xterra sport utility vehicle and all the necessary equipment.

Merrick describes his service as mix-and-match, allowing travelers to tailor their package to create the Canadian camping vacation of their dreams. The flexible packages range from a basic three-day rental of a truck and camping gear up to an all-inclusive multi-week experience with add-ons such as Trek mountain bikes, single kayaks, Clipper canoe and camping reservations. Prices start at $143 CDN per day.

The company is geared to the independent traveler who values convenience, freedom and choice. The closest alternative would be renting an RV.

"It's totally unique to the West Coast, and, I think, Canada," Merrick said.

All packages include unlimited mileage and a travel manual with maps, directions for setting up the camping equipment and other useful information. The company also offers itinerary suggestions and contact information for activities.

Once you're on the road, the possibilities are endless. In a single summer day, it's possible to hike to a waterfall, canoe in a glacier-fed lake, view eagles and black bears, catch a salmon for dinner and bed down among giant evergreens. Or perhaps you'd rather walk through an ancient rainforest, kayak the coast, see a heron snatch a fish from the ocean, watch a whale splash in the Pacific and then soak in a natural hot spring before turning in, exhausted, under the biggest stars you've ever seen.

How about whitewater river rafting through Class 5 rapids, horseback riding in the desert, mountain biking through winding forest trails and rock climbing on a towering cliff face?

From Vancouver Island to the Rocky Mountains, Western Canada offers infinite opportunities to get back to nature.

And when you're taking a break from your adventures, there are plenty of interesting things to see and do. Visit the Gold Rush trail, experience First Nations culture, tour the Okanagan's world-renowned wineries or see where the dinosaurs roamed in Alberta's Drumheller.

One Canadian Adventure Rentals customer wrote that after a holiday of fishing, canoeing and visiting hot springs, "the best part was being able to drop the truck off at the rental site and not have to bother unpacking the camping gear.

"I'd recommend it to anyone flying to Vancouver that wants a camping experience, or anyone with a small two-seater car that is a local - like me!"

An Australian couple raved about the company after visiting the Rockies.

"We had a great time and have found ourselves constantly talking or referring to the time we spent in the SUV and on the mountain bikes. What you have set up is excellent, and you could find a few Aussies wanting to rent one of the SUVs in the future!"

For more information, visit http://www.canadian-adventure-rentals.com or call 604-466-5940 or toll-free 1-866-466-5940.