I’ve dispersed camped since the late sixties. It has been a joy.
The situation at dispersed campsites for me has changed dramatically over the last ten years or so, from happy weekenders/vacationers out for a short escape, like me, to full-time living on supposedly shared free resources.
Some of those users of free dispersed campsites are in dire financial straits due to poor life choices, and others just caught up in these troubled times. Many others just want a free place to camp. The economic gap continues to widen.
Some of those dispersed campers have sold homes, have solid retirement income and would trade some of their financial success for a few more years of guaranteed life. Some now realize if they had waited a very few more years to sell out that their money pile would be much larger. Often the money pile they now have cannot buy what they had before, if they wanted to go back. Some places I camp show this wide economic gap, with a few expensive rigs looking very out of place. Deep pockets looking for free, full-time camping/living.
How long before mandates begin? All it takes is a decision to severely limit, close, or charge for dispersed campsites, and the FreeLiving/camping dream ends. More budget expenses.
Dispersed where there is no cell coverage has not been a problem for me. Starlink may possibly affect that.
Handy, popular dispersed? I try to show up on Tuesday or Wednesday. Beginning Thursday the save-a-spot campers show up to claim their spot, then sit unoccupied until the owners return. Some seem to think their throw away chair or crime tape at the entrance serves as a reservation, while ignoring that rule on the signs.
YouTube, etc. influencers? It’s always about the money. Take away any financial reward and most would disappear. Click my Amazon link, subscribe, become a Patron, I have an issue, then later thank the ones who donated. Tug at heartstrings. Rinse, repeat.
I live in a rural area, surrounded by many small churches, some relatively new with very few members. It was finally revealed to me the financial benefits to becoming a non-profit. In the last few years, other non-religious, non-profit entities have been started for various seemingly good causes. It’s almost always about someone else’s money and control. Choose carefully. Beware of false prophets. I would not allow someone to video my rig if that person would not reciprocate. Helping others without expecting anything in return is truly helping.
Anyone remember the motorcycle gang movies in the sixties and seventies, where they rode in and took over the small towns, usually in the dusty Southwest? I do get a chuckle thinking about a roving caravan of campers swooping in and taking over a campground. Swapping recipes and sharing stories is not very terrifying. Well, as long as a part-timer can find a spot on supposedly shared resources for enjoying the outdoors. How can someone decry stealing the American Indian’s land and then do the same for public, supposedly shared land never established for full-time living?
My rural home county is agricultural, has no big box stores and almost no industry. Millions of chickens, and more cattle than people. County leaders have adopted an ordinance to not allow permanent living in tents or RV's and have banned trailer parks. The writing is on the wall.
Greed is greed, and I see it in the mirror, a reality I cannot escape and try to keep under control. My past wage earning and what I’ve assisted through collective efforts pales in comparison to my lifetime of consumption. My life seems a matter of fortunate time and place. It has been a good ride.
The situation at dispersed campsites for me has changed dramatically over the last ten years or so, from happy weekenders/vacationers out for a short escape, like me, to full-time living on supposedly shared free resources.
Some of those users of free dispersed campsites are in dire financial straits due to poor life choices, and others just caught up in these troubled times. Many others just want a free place to camp. The economic gap continues to widen.
Some of those dispersed campers have sold homes, have solid retirement income and would trade some of their financial success for a few more years of guaranteed life. Some now realize if they had waited a very few more years to sell out that their money pile would be much larger. Often the money pile they now have cannot buy what they had before, if they wanted to go back. Some places I camp show this wide economic gap, with a few expensive rigs looking very out of place. Deep pockets looking for free, full-time camping/living.
How long before mandates begin? All it takes is a decision to severely limit, close, or charge for dispersed campsites, and the FreeLiving/camping dream ends. More budget expenses.
Dispersed where there is no cell coverage has not been a problem for me. Starlink may possibly affect that.
Handy, popular dispersed? I try to show up on Tuesday or Wednesday. Beginning Thursday the save-a-spot campers show up to claim their spot, then sit unoccupied until the owners return. Some seem to think their throw away chair or crime tape at the entrance serves as a reservation, while ignoring that rule on the signs.
YouTube, etc. influencers? It’s always about the money. Take away any financial reward and most would disappear. Click my Amazon link, subscribe, become a Patron, I have an issue, then later thank the ones who donated. Tug at heartstrings. Rinse, repeat.
I live in a rural area, surrounded by many small churches, some relatively new with very few members. It was finally revealed to me the financial benefits to becoming a non-profit. In the last few years, other non-religious, non-profit entities have been started for various seemingly good causes. It’s almost always about someone else’s money and control. Choose carefully. Beware of false prophets. I would not allow someone to video my rig if that person would not reciprocate. Helping others without expecting anything in return is truly helping.
Anyone remember the motorcycle gang movies in the sixties and seventies, where they rode in and took over the small towns, usually in the dusty Southwest? I do get a chuckle thinking about a roving caravan of campers swooping in and taking over a campground. Swapping recipes and sharing stories is not very terrifying. Well, as long as a part-timer can find a spot on supposedly shared resources for enjoying the outdoors. How can someone decry stealing the American Indian’s land and then do the same for public, supposedly shared land never established for full-time living?
My rural home county is agricultural, has no big box stores and almost no industry. Millions of chickens, and more cattle than people. County leaders have adopted an ordinance to not allow permanent living in tents or RV's and have banned trailer parks. The writing is on the wall.
Greed is greed, and I see it in the mirror, a reality I cannot escape and try to keep under control. My past wage earning and what I’ve assisted through collective efforts pales in comparison to my lifetime of consumption. My life seems a matter of fortunate time and place. It has been a good ride.
