Thank you for this.  Nice essay.  We try.  And yes, the geezer's pass is
the greatest bargain in the land.  I use it proudly.  Dave Mc

On Sat, Sep 26, 2009 at 8:43 AM , Al Knoll wrote:

> 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.