Nicely put Al - the wild places are the real treasure.  =)

On Sat, Sep 26, 2009 at 6:43 AM, Al Knoll <anasasi@gmail.com> 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.
>

--
Jake

1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"

Crescent Beach, BC

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