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Date:         Thu, 11 Nov 2010 11:50:22 -0800
Reply-To:     Al Knoll <anasasi@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Al Knoll <anasasi@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Stealth Vanagon Camping
Comments: To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <AANLkTi=L2JuYg6RZgT5OJ5Ab2+6L-mkSezB-BKsp18um@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

You're certainly guilty on all counts. I fully agree with your philosophy of minimal impact silent camping. For those of you frequenting state parks in California, some have a policy of enroute camping. In at sunset out early, no charge. Check first though. Truck plazas often have showers available, just wear your Peterbilt hat and you're in. In California the truckdrivers are not allowed to idle their 'rigs' so parking amongst the giants is often quite nice. One of my favorites on I5 is Harris Ranch, just park in the lot. Another is Porter Ranch north of LA a big shopping center with plenty of nice stores and tolerant security folks.

For more remote sites displaying a sign like "Warning! Occupants may be naked, armed or drunk or any combination of the above" can be significant.

Having veterans plates is often a good thing when the gendarmes happen by. Having a 'Geezer Pass' or Parks pass displayed shows that you're a person of substance and not just your average dirtbag. And at some facilities there are reduced rates for you.

Another find is the Indian Casino RV parking. No obnoxious drunks. Generally no hassles inexpensive fuel open early for breakfast. Good security too. A favorite of mine is on the north end of Bishop CA. Geezer and Veterans specials all year round.

As a last resort you can inquire of a local gendarme where you as a passing tourist might park for the night. Avoid the term "camp". It has connotations not becoming your intentions.

A BLM map is also very useful, generally speaking you can camp anywhere on BLM Public Lands. Thanks Woody Guthrie for "this land is your land".

The technique of looking like one of the other sheep works for urban camping as noted by others. I suspect RoadCow would have no trouble fitting in on a Holstein farm.

My 'average middle class white van' fits pretty well almost anywhere and if a cardboard or blanket covers the reflectors it's even better.

Pensionerd. (Bessie the Charolais Camper)_

On Thu, Nov 11, 2010 at 10:52 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:

> A thing to consider, also, about your 'mind-set' for stealth camping. > > It is no 'disgrace', no stigma, to decide you don't need or want to spend > a bunch of money to park overnight and sleep. While many humans would > think > it normal, in these times, to spend say $100 US dollars for a bed and a > shower, maybe and it doesn't even occur to them that there is another way > to > behave while traveling or away from home....there is no law (yet) saying > you > must do so. We, with our Vanagons, we are harming no one by sleeping > aboard, just parked somewhere without paying some fee...(pre-supposing we > are not leaving any traces of our stay) > > It is not a "right" and if you 'make a statement' of it (like putting out > your Barbie or setting up lawn chairs), you will likely draw the jealous > attention...or whatever motive it is...of someone who will want to "stop > you" .just because.... > > We don't need to think we are 'Dirt-bags' for not paying. I have done the > "motel" thing, too...and that style traveling sucks, in my opinion. You > need reservations, you have fees for crappy noisy rooms that you must drag > your gear into for a few hours, etc etc. RV parks and Government run > campgrounds are ok, if you need all their facilities and want to trade > money > for them.. I like having my own little house with me, and I am at ease > being a bit out of the mainstream and not paying for a fancy RV park every > night.. > > Don Hanson > > On Thu, Nov 11, 2010 at 10:14 AM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote: > > > On Thu, Nov 11, 2010 at 8:43 AM, Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@q.com> wrote: > > > Keep in mind, even in a camo colored brown van, to park in such a way > > that > > > your reflectors don't reflect. > > > > > > I usually pull off the road, then pull off the side road, then get > behind > > a > > > tree or some such thing. > > > > > > Karl Wolz > > > > > > > > > > > In hindsight, I guess the fact that I painted my bumpers flat black > > when I refurbed them is an advantage in that regard. (they were old > > school rust bent chrome before) > > > > Neil. > > > > > > -- > > Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco" > > > > http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/ > > > > > > > http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines > > >


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