What are your essential thing you look for.

vanbrat · Nov 2, 2024

Maki just stated that gyms are not her essential thing to look for in a camp spot. And it got me thinking I know what I look for in finding a spot. And that is not the same as what hubby looks for, sometimes this is a problem. 99% of the time we can figure it out and work through what we want. But what do you all look for in finding a spot?

Me, it should not be to be crowded. It should have bathrooms though for a few days not a deal breaker. I like to cook so I like power, but again not a deal breaker. I have power enough for a few days with no problem and I have solar to keep it charged. I want to see wildlife of some kind. Birds, squirrels, flowers, bugs something.
hubby wants to see people doing things. kids swimming, riding bikes, playing ball etc. He doesn't like to just sit and watch the grass grow. He wants there to be an attraction of some kind around. I like funky art, and a good fabric shop makes me happy. And shops to walk in are fun but not something I want to do all the time.
We are not full timers and for the last 2 summers have had to be home for medical stuff but even healthy we like our house so just road trippers which means we look for different then you full timers. We actually use KOA sometimes to do laundry and hot showers and cook some things to add to the freezer thingy for when we just heat and eat. One had a train about half a dozen yards from our spot and it was great to watch the trains go by. One was by an airport for small planes it was fun to watch the planes take off.
One campground we stayed at for a week hubby loved, a huge family camped next to us on all sides and the kids spent all day in the lake in front of our camp. Drove my son nuts, he had joined us for a few days and he likes silence, but hubby loved it. It was loud and they had a blast, and we all played most of the day on/in the water. I liked the turtles on my early morning kayaking trips. I liked the time with my own family
Hubby was just about giddy when we stayed one night at a fairground, campground because the fairgrounds that weekend had a big community garage sale going on the next day. We haaaad to go and it was fun.
So what about you what makes you say nope, NO, not ever. and what makes you really want to stay a bit longer?

squire · Nov 2, 2024

Pets and kids with parents that think rules do not apply to them.

WandringKnight · Nov 3, 2024

vanbrat said:
Maki just stated that gyms are not her essential thing to look for in a camp spot. And it got me thinking I know what I look for in finding a spot. And that is not the same as what hubby looks for, sometimes this is a problem. 99% of the time we can figure it out and work through what we want. But what do you all look for in finding a spot?

Me, it should not be to be crowded. It should have bathrooms though for a few days not a deal breaker. I like to cook so I like power, but again not a deal breaker. I have power enough for a few days with no problem and I have solar to keep it charged. I want to see wildlife of some kind. Birds, squirrels, flowers, bugs something.
hubby wants to see people doing things. kids swimming, riding bikes, playing ball etc. He doesn't like to just sit and watch the grass grow. He wants there to be an attraction of some kind around. I like funky art, and a good fabric shop makes me happy. And shops to walk in are fun but not something I want to do all the time.
We are not full timers and for the last 2 summers have had to be home for medical stuff but even healthy we like our house so just road trippers which means we look for different then you full timers. We actually use KOA sometimes to do laundry and hot showers and cook some things to add to the freezer thingy for when we just heat and eat. One had a train about half a dozen yards from our spot and it was great to watch the trains go by. One was by an airport for small planes it was fun to watch the planes take off.
One campground we stayed at for a week hubby loved, a huge family camped next to us on all sides and the kids spent all day in the lake in front of our camp. Drove my son nuts, he had joined us for a few days and he likes silence, but hubby loved it. It was loud and they had a blast, and we all played most of the day on/in the water. I liked the turtles on my early morning kayaking trips. I liked the time with my own family
Hubby was just about giddy when we stayed one night at a fairground, campground because the fairgrounds that weekend had a big community garage sale going on the next day. We haaaad to go and it was fun.
So what about you what makes you say nope, NO, not ever. and what makes you really want to stay a bit longer?

Far enough away to make it inconvenient for criminal types, but close enough to be convenient for me to resupply. Parker, AZ is near perfect sized city for my liking.

Tony's Dream · Nov 3, 2024

I have always disliked crowds, for me its about a spot where there are a few people but not too many. Bathroom and showers are always a plus but not necessary. I like to see life....animals, trees, and running water. Cell serivce is a major plus because it's how I communicate with my family. I also use my cell phone as entertainment and I'm linked to Spectrum TV, Amazon Prime, and Youtube.

bullfrog ! · Nov 3, 2024

For us it has always changed with our financial situation mainly. If we are unable financially to travel we work camped for full hookup sites so we could stay comfortable at night and during our time off in usually hot climates. We like remote areas where there a few people but if need be do fine in urban areas. We have never had a problem with security or thieves as we always insure our safety before setting up camp. As we have aged our needs have changed as well especially when it comes to health care facilities and access. Staying healthy opens up a lot of options for camping locations. We have always planned a minimum of two week stays as that eliminates the need for nearby stores and supplies when determining where to stay. Most of our time has been in a camper trailer or motorhome but did tents, vans and pickups as well. It varies as storage for supplies becomes limiting. Guess we are pretty much hermits and that has made remote living easier for us. Even now we prefer our camper over a sticks and bricks.

vanbrat · Nov 5, 2024

I have to have my vehicle and sleeping spot comfy and warm enough to sit up and read and do hand work. I have to have good lighting. I need/like to cook, so a good way, place, power, etc to do some cooking. I want cell service or WIFI so if I need to run home I can get the message. I need music to sleep to so again cell service or wifi. Hubby likes to people watch so he doesn't want it to quiet, there needs to be something for him to do or he gets grumpy. We are working on this. As in finding things he can enjoy doing again now that he is retired. I like to take my dog with us so it has to be dog friendly as in not to hot or to cold if he waits in the van for us. He loves to go with us and if he could, he would sleep in the van while it is parked in the driveway. While he is a great dog, he is NOT other dog friendly, so it needs to be a place where dogs are not running crazy and loose. He is very protective of me in particular when we are out. A few folks found out he won't back down. We are always aware of this.
We have camped in the snow with a heater going and we have camped in 100 + heat with the fan going over ice. We have done lots of rain. Yea PNW is wet.
I like to find used bookstores. And sometimes toy stores. The old preschool teacher in me likes to find good homemade toys to take back to the classroom. I want to be close to water if I can hear the water moving that is great.
I like to look for interesting information/ history/ science/ facts about areas that we are going to. I like to ride my bike and I have a good rack to carry it but that has not really worked of us yet and it may not ever.

twomountainlions · Nov 27, 2024

vanbrat said:
I have to have my vehicle and sleeping spot comfy and warm enough to sit up and read and do hand work. I have to have good lighting. I need/like to cook, so a good way, place, power, etc to do some cooking. I want cell service or WIFI so if I need to run home I can get the message. I need music to sleep to so again cell service or wifi. Hubby likes to people watch so he doesn't want it to quiet, there needs to be something for him to do or he gets grumpy. We are working on this. As in finding things he can enjoy doing again now that he is retired. I like to take my dog with us so it has to be dog friendly as in not to hot or to cold if he waits in the van for us. He loves to go with us and if he could, he would sleep in the van while it is parked in the driveway. While he is a great dog, he is NOT other dog friendly, so it needs to be a place where dogs are not running crazy and loose. He is very protective of me in particular when we are out. A few folks found out he won't back down. We are always aware of this.
We have camped in the snow with a heater going and we have camped in 100 + heat with the fan going over ice. We have done lots of rain. Yea PNW is wet.
I like to find used bookstores. And sometimes toy stores. The old preschool teacher in me likes to find good homemade toys to take back to the classroom. I want to be close to water if I can hear the water moving that is great.
I like to look for interesting information/ history/ science/ facts about areas that we are going to. I like to ride my bike and I have a good rack to carry it but that has not really worked of us yet and it may not ever.

#1 No one else in sight
...
#10 No one else in sight
#11 - #20
No spaces for anyone else to setup close
#21 Away from the road
#22 away from towns (at least 15-20 miles), a few hours from any city, far away from any National park (big NPs - at least 200-300 miles away) or similar attraction, far from popular travel corridors

bullfrog ! · Nov 27, 2024

twomountainlions said:
#1 No one else in sight
...
#10 No one else in sight
#11 - #20
No spaces for anyone else to setup close
#21 Away from the road
#22 away from towns (at least 15-20 miles), a few hours from any city, far away from any National park (big NPs - at least 200-300 miles away) or similar attraction, far from popular travel corridors

Sleeping on BLM land a few miles outside National Parks and Recreation Areas allow you to access lots of things during the day to make life easier and stays longer like trash, water, dumps, plug-in to charge with, showers, laundromat and even a place to be inside and use the internet with restrooms during inclement weather. Not a bad deal if you are a senior, have a disability or are a veteran to get cheap or free admission for day use.

twomountainlions · Nov 27, 2024

bullfrog ! said:
Sleeping on BLM land a few miles outside National Parks and Recreation Areas allow you to access lots of things during the day to make life easier and stays longer like trash, water, dumps, plug-in to charge with, showers, laundromat and even a place to be inside and use the internet with restrooms during inclement weather. Not a bad deal if you are a senior, have a disability or are a veteran to get cheap or free admission for day use.

I can comfortably stay without contact with civilization for about a month now. Anywhere within almost hundreds of miles from big NPs is overrun with tourists en route or just visiting locally now...and just stressful...glad I visited them in my tent camping days

bullfrog ! · Nov 27, 2024

twomountainlions said:
I can comfortably stay without contact with civilization for about a month now. Anywhere within almost hundreds of miles from big NPs is overrun with tourists en route or just visiting locally now...and just stressful...glad I visited them in my tent camping days

Take a look at Glen Canyon Recreational Area on the north end where Lake Powell used to begin. Lots of dispersed camping spring and fall best temps. School property can be gotten with a 99 year lease as schools are financed by 40 acre parcels in most sections. Water will be the biggest challenge and the remoteness, probably one of the more remote areas in the continental US.

twomountainlions · Nov 27, 2024

bullfrog ! said:
Take a look at Glen Canyon Recreational Area on the north end where Lake Powell used to begin. Lots of dispersed camping spring and fall best temps. School property can be gotten with a 99 year lease as schools are financed by 40 acre parcels in most sections. Water will be the biggest challenge and the remoteness, probably one of the more remote areas in the continental US.

Yes, water...water is a big deal.
I'm moving overseas where water is plentiful.
How much do those leases run?
I actually had lived in Yosemite NP long time ago, for some summers, back then crowds didnt bother me as much and out on Tioga road it wasnt that crowded yet, and campgrounds were all wak in.

bullfrog ! · Nov 27, 2024

twomountainlions said:
Yes, water...water is a big deal.
I'm moving overseas where water is plentiful.
How much do those leases run?
I actually had lived in Yosemite NP long time ago, for some summers, back then crowds didnt bother me as much and out on Tioga road it wasnt that crowded yet, and campgrounds were all wak in.

Last I heard it was $1200 a year.

rruff · Nov 27, 2024

twomountainlions said:
Yes, water...water is a big deal.

I wonder why you say that? For a vagabond carrying a months worth isn't hard, and by then it's time to resupply all kinds of things. Need to give the rig a little exercise anyway...

twomountainlions · Nov 28, 2024

rruff said:
I wonder why you say that? For a vagabond carrying a months worth isn't hard, and by then it's time to resupply all kinds of things. Need to give the rig a little exercise anyway...

Try gardening and animals with no water, man... Food self sufficiency.
I want to settle down, the place must have lots of natural water.
Anyway I think water sources for those living without own water will be cut off in the future or made very expensive, or conditions imposed.

bullfrog ! · Nov 28, 2024

twomountainlions said:
Try gardening and animals with no water, man... Food self sufficiency.
I want to settle down, the place must have lots of natural water.
Anyway I think water sources for those living without own water will be cut off in the future or made very expensive, or conditions imposed.

I believe Kentucky has the highest water table in the country. I can remember 9’ hand dug wells in some places but pollution is a problem.

twomountainlions · Nov 28, 2024

bullfrog ! said:
I believe Kentucky has the highest water table in the country. I can remember 9’ hand dug wells in some places but pollution is a problem.

Currently, almost any parcel in KY either has county water or is eligible, water systems are being run to very remote parts of it, mostly because of contamination. But they will want septic inspection on file befire they run water and plumbing inspection too

twomountainlions · Nov 28, 2024

bullfrog ! said:
I believe Kentucky has the highest water table in the country. I can remember 9’ hand dug wells in some places but pollution is a problem.

Though, forgot, these above rules apply to parcels under 10 acres, for 10+ acres there is farm exemption from plumbing and septic stuff in rural counties

Gr8ful · Nov 28, 2024

Michigan is the place to go. Water everywhere. 20% of the worlds freshwater. Outhouses legal. Look at a map & see all the National Forest. I bought 32 acres for $4500 4 miles of gravel Rd then 10 miles of 2 track to get to camp. Bordered National Forest Wilderness area on a ridge overlooking Silver River but I owned both sides. Cabin was tucked behind hills so only friends it was there. Not even the tax man. I owned both sides of the 2 track so if you heard a vehicle they were coming to see you. No MH would make it but I prefabbed a cabin we had closed in, locked & gone in a day & 1/2. Later my hunting buddy bought 13.5 acres for $1200. Logged it cutting only 14 inch plus& netted over $14k we spit 3 ways as my best friend in the UP had the skidder & equipment. One of the best weeks I had. Both parcels paid for themselves many times over.

bullfrog ! · Nov 28, 2024

Gr8ful said:
Michigan is the place to go. Water everywhere. 20% of the world’s freshwater. Outhouses legal. Look at a map & see all the National Forest. I bought 32 acres for $4500 4 miles of gravel Rd then 10 miles of 2 track to get to camp. Bordered National Forest Wilderness area on a ridge overlooking Silver River but I owned both sides. Cabin was tucked behind hills so only friends it was there. Not even the tax man. I owned both sides of the 2 track so if you heard a vehicle they were coming to see you. No MH would make it but I prefabbed a cabin we had closed in, locked & gone in a day & 1/2. Later my hunting buddy bought 13.5 acres for $1200. Logged it cutting only 14 inch plus& netted over $14k we spit 3 ways as my best friend in the UP had the skidder & equipment. One of the best weeks I had. Both parcels paid for themselves many times over.

Probably not as cold as Alaska either!

rruff · Nov 28, 2024

twomountainlions said:
Try gardening and animals with no water, man... Food self sufficiency.

I thought he was talking about renting a plot for camping. Don't know what you'd be allowed to do on a lease.

What are your essential thing you look for.

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