BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 May 05 - 08:58 AM

Slept in the back of a Lada estate many a time at Fylde Folk Festival. Signs all over the place warning of the dire consequences of overnight sleeping but provided that you don't get in anyones way and keep a low profile no-one seems to bother:-) Word of warning to anyone doing this and drinking a lot before turning in, apart from the obvious toilet problem that is! Be aware that if you are in your car, with the keys, drunk, you can get collared for being drunk in charge of the vehicle. Not quite as bad as drunk driving but can still cost a bob or two at the local magistrates:-( I am pleased to report I never had to put it to the test but figured out that if I gave my keys to a friend for safekeeping after I had let myself in I may have got away with it.

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: sixtieschick
Date: 15 May 05 - 05:53 PM

Inquiring minds might want to know: The term "boondock" comes from a remote mountain village in the Philippines called Bontoc. During WW II, some U.S. soldiers were sent there to fight the Japanese. They considered it the most far-flung, primitive area on the planet. The name got bastardized to "boondock" and then "the boondocks."

And in case inquiring minds want to know, I learned this because I was a teacher in that area. It's a very wonderful--and remote--place.

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 15 May 05 - 05:40 PM

Many years ago some friends and I pottered around Devon and Cornwall with an old Anglia van and a small tent, for about a fortnight. We found the best plan was to arrive before 5pm, go straight to the police station and ask where we could pitch/park/sleep without causing offence/getting moved on/getting hassled/getting nicked.

Usually the police were so amazed at three hairy hippies actually bothering to ask that they were very helpful.

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: Azizi
Date: 15 May 05 - 12:51 PM

Somewhat off topic:

I remember using the word 'boondocks' as a term for 'the sticks' and 'the sticks' meant 'rural areas', 'out in the country', 'the opposite of urban areas'.

Did 'boondocking' come from this meaning of the word 'boondocks'?

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 May 05 - 10:28 AM

leeniea, as I understand it, signs like that get posted in areas where there is a town ordinance against the practice, and the signs may be new but the ordinances and store policies are not-- people who have docket at Wally world have advised, always call ahead for local store policy.

To respond to Boab-- Some folks do it not in their van, as I do, but in a full-scale RV. And no, it isn't really "camping," when it's done on the fly for a night or two along a long route. What you call "kipping," some call "cooping". At our house, we call those "crash-and-burn" stops-- arrive tired, crash after a boughten (not grilled) meal, set up only what is minimally needed, and depart early. (Crash = sleep, burn = burn fuel.) For a crqaash and burn, it doesn't have to be a spacious campground with scenery and amenities, it just needs to be somewhat level, and easily found in the dark.

On the other hand, people boondocking at other locations do actually camp-- set up what is needed, cook onsite, etc., for instance at BLM locales or wilderness spots, or at a cooperating farmer's property.

One approach I found interesting was, people will arrange to be "caretakers" of a vacant property for weeks or months, but instead of staying in the house, will stay in their RV or tent or combo of both. We had one housesitter, and she did a great job, but it took two days for me to teach her all the oddities of our house-- such as, the upper oven only broils, please use the lower oven, and so forth. If she'd been a camper-- how much easier it might have been for us!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: GUEST
Date: 15 May 05 - 05:32 AM

WYS - is in the consumable generation - part of the problem not the solution.

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 14 May 05 - 10:38 AM

The Wal-mart near me has a sign "No overnight parking by trucks or campers."

I fear that if you tried it, you might have an unwelcome visit from the cops or a security guard in the middle of the night.

A trend to be aware of.

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: Mooh
Date: 14 May 05 - 06:17 AM

Spent many nights stretched out across the seat of my late great Dodge pickup while on fishing trips. Slept under the stars in the back too. Had a Ford Escort hatchback which, with the right seat pulled up and back seat down, allowed just enough room to sleep in the back. The head room was a major issue. The current Plymouth minivan rarely has all its seats installed, so there's room to sleep.

In every case it's a good idea to have extra cushioning underneath because metal is always very close and it's always cold to the touch. Condensation is often an issue too, so I usually keep a window open slightly. Park close to somewhere to piss, or have something to piss into. Lock the doors. I like sleeping bags, but extra blankets and a liner sheet are handy. I find sleeping in the vehicle seats uncomfortable if I can't stretch out.

We've got a pop-up tent trailer which has served us well, and I like the canvas vibe. The family doesn't enjoy sleeping on the ground anymore so it's a pretty good compromise between roughing it and motels. In fact, we've come to prefer the trailer, and I absolutely hate motel living.

Folks often crash in the parking lot next to my favourite beach and as long as they're quiet and trashless I don't mind...I like an adventure even when it's someone else's.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: Boab
Date: 14 May 05 - 02:16 AM

"Camping"?? In a van?? Jeeze---how concepts --and languages--- change with time and place...
   I still can't think of kipping in a vehicle, or even a trailer--as "camping." Perhaps the word "boondocking" is the key, being a word which refers specifically to living in a vehicle? [My ignorance is genuine here; maybe somebody can set me right.]
For the record, the cross I had to bear was being compelled by my mates , if we pitched camp too far from a handy stream,was to sleep with my steaming feet OUTSIDE THE TENT!

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 May 05 - 10:04 PM

Bought two really spiffy battery lamps today for next time, bright enough for reading; the kind that have a pullout base so you can set it down and aim the light where you want it... a case to keep them in... some mosquito netting to make window covers....

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories, especially the "camped in the dark/woke up xxx" series! And feral cats, oh my! Must be where the hook-handed man urban legend comes from.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: Bill D
Date: 13 May 05 - 07:20 PM

I have used first a VW bus, then this BIG Dodge van with switchable, removable seats. I collect 'stuff'...foam, mattress pads, ice chests...etc...anything to make my life easier when I park. I have almost everything I need except a bathroom, and I have learned to investigate THAT situation as soon as I park.(and a plastic bottle for REAL emergencies and when rain makes a hundred dash unpleasant)

I have pulled into big truck stops on the interstate and and parked way in the back, pulled my curtains, and slept just fine. I carefully make sure I won't be in anyone's way.

I arrange the van so that I can move back & forth from bed to drivers seat without opening doors...just in case..(rain, bugs, animals...etc.)...and I always have flashlights, drinks, maps, handy...and EXTRA set of keys! Also, I have a set of rain gear and umbrella that never leave the van....oh...and some sort of flasher/marker when I need to be seen!

I, too, have gone to a conference and been unhappy with the setup (amazing snoring!), and switched back to the van in the middle of the night with almost no hassle.

Haven't done a lot of this for a couple years, and I suppose there are things I've forgotten....but I used to sleep in the van at the Getaway to avoid the snoring.

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 13 May 05 - 05:15 PM

Ya know SWYGS ... It appears your interests and talents lie more in doonbocklering ... why don't you try and stir up a "cycle of fifth vs fourths" discussion in a WalMart parking lot?

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

SSSHssssshhhhhhh!!!! some people!

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 May 05 - 05:03 PM

Camped in the dark - Woke up in the middle of a Sunday morning bootfair.

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 13 May 05 - 04:34 PM

Susan:

Not sure exactly what you want to know.

We've used a 21 foot RV for over 20 years to work, visit friends, go to folkie campouts and festivals and just plain have fun. We've spent hundreds of nights in it, maybe even thousands.

On the whole, our experiences have been wonderful. It's great to be able to retire to your own space when you want to and have your own bed, bathroom, shower and cooking facilities. It's also very nice not to have to worry too much about where you will spend the night.

A lot of the nights we slept in school yards because we were doing programs there the next day. Don't try this without written permission. Other places we have stayed include Walmart, rest areas, campgrounds (private, state, national forest, county, BLM, Corps of Engineers, etc.) and on the street when visiting friends. We also often spend the night on quiet street with apartment buildings on it. Everyone who sees us thinks we are visiting someone else! When the vehicle broke down, we once spent five nights at a Toyota dealer waiting for a part.

We've been busted by the cops a few (less than five) times and all that happens is that we had to move. Most times the cops told us where to move to so we wouldn't be bothered again. We never got robbed or assaulted but we have been threatened three times, all in school parking lots. We took care of it ourselves twice and called the cops the third time.

We have been awakened by feral cats walking on our roof and we were once hit with a paint ball.

There is a lot of negative feeling towards people who sleep in their vehicles. This is mainly caused by otherwise homeless people who move in and make a mess. If you keep a very low profile and act responsibly, you can pull it off.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: robomatic
Date: 13 May 05 - 04:21 PM

don't drive so far and so late that you can't see where you're camping (unless you know in advance and have reservations).

Camped in the dark - - woke up to a sprinkler system installed in the (day-use) picnic grounds.

Camped in the dark - - woke up to kids walking to school which was 50 yards away.

Camped in the dark - - woke up at 3 AM to the sound of a train coming straight at us - we were under a trestle.

Camped in the dark - - I won't say what we woke up to, but we were on the edge of a city dump.

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: CarolC
Date: 13 May 05 - 12:01 PM

Allan C has a lot of experience with boondocking.

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 May 05 - 11:53 AM

Yes, there is a lot of Boondocking Etiquette posted on the Net, and it's the same sensible advice 99% of campground campers follow.

WalMart is still a good bet.

But what I want to HEAR are YOUR experiences.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 May 05 - 11:45 AM

The U of Notre Dame used to let people in RVs and such stay in their parking lots before and after football games. Folks in the neighborhood did the same thing (yes, everybody charged something, even the U -- maybe especially the U.).

Not anymore. Some of those who parked emptied their dump valves on the ground, creating at the very least an unpalatable mess. The City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, the University, and the neighborhood property owners put a stop to it.

Subject: RE: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 13 May 05 - 11:22 AM

this is less and less possible these days - as many places which used to allow overnight parking are posted against it.

On the other hand - having a camping van - or provisions in your auto to "nest" can make staying with someone much easier all round - if all yu need is a parking spot.

Subject: BS: Boondocking (Camping) Experiences?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 May 05 - 11:19 AM

"Boondockers" is a term used to describe people in RVs and camping vans who make good use of WalMart and other parking lots, as well as scenic nature spots, for free overnight camping stops. (Google BOONDOCKING to learn more.) One example-- Dharmabum has his minivan outfitted for festival camping.

I just got back from a one-night test run at a church conference-- when I inquired about accessibility ahead of time, I was pretty sure that the sleeping facilities provided just didn't suit me-- so I got the OK to bunk on my own. Before setting out, I outfitted the minivan with curtains, a box spring and mattress, and my legendary pile of travel pillows. Slept like a baby. Now I realize I can go anywhere, and find (by advance arrangement when possible) welcoming space in the parking lots of several denominations' churches.

I'm not looking for how-to's as much as just hearing fellow musicians' experiences (good and bad) in doing this, either van-style, or RV-style.

I imagine other Googlers may wander in now that I have started this conversation-- so for their benefit, may I say, "Hi, welcome to The Mudcat Cafe, a music forum."

~Susan