Date: Sat, 26 Sep 2009 06:43:47 -0700
Reply-To: Al Knoll <anasasi@GMAIL.COM>
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From: Al Knoll <anasasi@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Defining Camping
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I'll certainly side with Karl on this. I tend to make a small distinction
though. Camping is overnighting, when I take out the folding chair and
enjoy my evening outside, my morning over coffee and trip planning and maybe
listen to the birds, watch the the thin grey time paint itself into a dawn,
check the oil, look for fuel leaks, decide whether or not to spend the
day here or yonder, back of beyond. Whip up a few tasty bites and rather
more serious coffee, tidy up and muse a bit over the always present sunday
New York Times.
Woody Guthrie had the right idea with "this land is my land" so I visit
often. Here in the west we have vast sections of "my land" NPS, BLM, the
elusive and vanishing California State Parks, NFS and just plain out there.
A favorite overnighting spot which tends to drift into camping is high on a
bench road in a tiny corner of genuine BLM overlooking Mono Lake and the
incredible Whoa Nellie deli. Dawn is always a treat there and such wild
critters as green towhees, voles, prairie falcons, velvet ants are there for
the voyeur. Coffee and a view hopefully a rather quiet view is the short
term goal. A favorite camping spot is Yellow Creek CG in Plumas county.
This is a Pacific Gas and Electric campground with a few amenities. Another
favorite is the geologist cabin in DVNP. In suitable places, a campfire is
part of the great american camping experience. The telling of tales and
magnifying the fish occur now along with discussions of world events,
national events, local events and 'whats that noise' to the distant strains
of Peter Kater or Carlos Nakai or similar before having solved most of the
worlds problems the fire goes to embers and then to "smokey the bear" dead
out. If you're camping with Maggie and Larry this can take some time.
The creation and gustatory devastation of magnificent cuisine is generally
part of the scene often followed by wee dram before the fire and in tolerant
company perhaps a cuesta rey.
Some must have flush toilets, some can be satisfied with clivus multrum
NFS-NPS vault toilets and the 600 grit accessories, some bring their own and
with that little bit of forethought are set free to camp in remote and
undeveloped locations rarely frequented by the campaign hat leos. Now that
the rocks and locks mentality is closing access to vast tracts of "your
land" for "your own safety" it's time to see it before you can't. It's
time to tell your congresscritters to stop doing that. Visit your ranger
stations along the way, collect the district ranger business cards (required
to be available to the public), write not email letters to DR, the Forest
Supervisor thanking them for looking after 'my land' and then in a tiny
voice express your horror that your favorite streamside camping is NLA, if
that is so. Ken Salazar is the stud muffin for NPS and BLM, his office
takes calls and paper letters. Buy a parks pass (or proudly display your
Golden Age Pass) and visit all those places that honor these keys to the
kingdom from the Cochise stronghold in the sky islands, to Jedediah Smiths
redwoods, to Crater Lake, to Joshua Tree, to Montezumas castle and casa
grande to Lassen Volcanic, Olympic Peninsula, Mt. Hood, Craters of the moon
Arches, Escalante... At each one ask to thank the Park Superintendent
personally for their work, cause kiddies, it ain't easy. If possible
develop a friendly relationship with the likes of J.T.Reynolds, Walt Dabney,
Wayne Merry, quietly express your concerns, ask how you can help, and see
what they have planned for your park. Now Reynolds, Dabney, Merry and the
like have moved on to other challenges, but you can sidle up to the
new super and thank 'em. They really like it when their public gets
positively involved. In our drive through double vente low fat latte
through the window society, few seem to take the time to really see where
they go. But that's a lagoon of manure into which we shall not wade at this
time. Don't be like Gord says "one who passed through but never saw"
Remember, these places are the Crown Jewels. Treat em with suitable respect
and clean up the other folks trash too. I am always amazed by the litter.
Leave it better than you found it and perhaps that will go around to your
next campsite.
BLM, ugh. Not easy work for them. Best just to chain it off and make
excuses why public lands are denied public access. Salazar is working to
change this. Buy a BLM map from your local government office see where your
land is, go there, check it out, pick up after the folks who didn't.
National Forests, US Department of Agriculture. There is a fine tome put
out some time ago by Coleman that describes campgrounds in detail in all the
National Forests. Now out of print. These NFS folks don't make enough money
leasing land to beef ranchers, or selling off timber to sustain the public
part of the national forest experience. Now there are "adventure passes"
one must buy to legally visit in many places. Which means those of limited
means may not be able to" see the forest for the fees" Fortunately those
who finally reached the summit of geezer pass, snapped up a lifetime of
adventure in the form of that GoldCard for only ten measly frogskins, the
'adventure fees' are covered to some degree. Don't let this sad situation
dissuade you from setting up camp somewhere less popular in your national
forests and listening to the silence, occasionally broken by a grumbly raven
or a spring peeper. Upon departure, you know the drill, clean up, pull all
that trash out of the firepit, that you didn't put there mark the spot on
your map should you like to return and slip away. Leave no trace and
remember "this site is protected by Smokey the Bear, smoke here and the bear
will crush your butt"
Overnighting is what I call the sometimes necessary but not always pleasant
event where we park in the late evening, draw the drapes, read a bit
perhaps, and in the dark-thirty scurry away to the rest of the adventure.
The resident wildlife may be only rats and seagulls or perhaps not even
that. No reason to tarry. In many places en-route "camping" is available
for those who are in late and out early. Check in advance.
Wilderness was once defined as a place where it is perfectly legal for the
local residents to kill and eat you. However unlike urban stealth camping,
the locals won't steal your money at gunpoint.
I lean towards the wilderness after all as Ed Abbey said "its the only thing
worth saving"
Pensioner -- NPS pass holder since '76 Buy one, wear it out.
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