Best weather location for most of the year?

[Dennis]

Gideon, I came real close to turning right on 90 and coming through Sierra Vista and on to Bisbee. In Benson now.
I visited Tombstone back in late 80's. A to do stop if in the area.

 

[introverting]

My vote would be for Hawaii.

 

[lenny flank]

My vote would be for Hawaii.

Nah--it rains there all the damn time.

 

[Ballenxj]

There's actually a lot of cool history for this area. For instance, the San Pedro river was once over a mile wide.
At the time, Tombstone was known for it's ability to grow flowers and most of the area was swamp.
Malaria was actually a huge problem here. There were no cacti anywhere on the plateau.
Then and earthquake in 1895 (iirc) sent the San Pedro underground and the area became a desert.

That is some cool, unknown to me history. Got any linkage on that?

 

[user 15857]

I haven't seen much of anything in the forums or Bob's blogs about boondocking on the coast, Oregon, Washington or California. Is it pretty much impossible? I'm thinking mostly of beach areas, not cities. I can't-do mountains because of the altitude, and probably can't afford to travel very far for the first year or two. Thanks.

Not impossible but difficult anywhere near the beach areas in Oregon.  The BLM forested lands have some boondocking available but even that is being restricted by the rangers.  Not high altitude, seldom over 1,000 above sea level.  The state parks (except the campgounds $) are day use and signed, as are most town parks, etc.  Some of the Walmarts and other big box stores allow overnights, but many of the towns have ordinances banning it now.

 

[Gideon33w]

Dennis. When done in Benson (shouldn't take long, nothing there) come on down to check out Tombstone and Bisbee.

The south-west is about half BLM land so it makes things easy. Once you get to the west coast that goes away for the most part sadly.

Ballenxj - Some info in the links below but I'm not sure where the best sources are.

http://downbytheriverbandb.com/2013/05/15/san-pedro-river-history/
http://www.wyattearpexplorers.com/the-truth-about-the-san-pedro-river.html

 

[Dennis]

Nothing but a fuel stop on I-10.
Had already decided to head to Silver City, NM. Made the rounds in Tombstone years back. I like the sky islands because they are cooler. Spent the night at Madera Canyon and was nice there.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Once upon a time, I meet a cute little traveling nurse. She grew up in LA area. Left after high school to travel and sail the Pacific. Toured Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, lived in Hawaii for a decade, lived in Bend and Portland, OR. When I met her, she was living in Boise ID and had raw land up near Bonner's Ferry in northern ID that she bought at the peak of the market that she was looking to sell. Had worked on contract all over and she was still looking for the best place to settle down and live.
She couldnt understand when I told her that happiness is where you are. Live in the moment. 

Hawaii had island fever, the valley of the sun is too hot, coast rains too much, desert too dry, city too big and nowhere has nothing. 

The endless search for Utopia, Shangri La, heaven on earth. Life and love is where you find it and make it.
The rest doesn't matter, we're human. We can cope.
We're all different, seeking different things. Be positive on your comments and may everyone go find what works for them.

 

[rvwandering]

I haven't seen much of anything in the forums or Bob's blogs about boondocking on the coast, Oregon, Washington or California. Is it pretty much impossible? I'm thinking mostly of beach areas, not cities. I can't-do mountains because of the altitude, and probably can't afford to travel very far for the first year or two. Thanks.

  The main problem with the coast of Oregon, Washington, and northern California is the cold, wet winters.  Beautiful summer weather though!
You can camp for free at DNR campgrounds in Washington if you buy a Discover Pass which is $30.00 - $35.00 a year. You should be able to move from one campground to another as you reach the time limit at each one.  None are right on the coast but most are in nice locations. Higher elevation locations may be closed in the winter. https://www.dnr.wa.gov/DiscoverPass        http://rec-map.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html

 

[mert6706]

  The main problem with the coast of Oregon, Washington, and northern California is the cold, wet winters.  Beautiful summer weather though!
You can camp for free at DNR campgrounds in Washington if you buy a Discover Pass which is $30.00 - $35.00 a year. You should be able to move from one campground to another as you reach the time limit at each one.  None are right on the coast but most are in nice locations. Higher elevation locations may be closed in the winter. https://www.dnr.wa.gov/DiscoverPass        http://rec-map.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html

Thank you. The Washington State link proved invaluable! That's where I will probably go for the summer months once I start fll-timing. I appreciate your input.

 

[user 15722]

I haven't seen much of anything in the forums or Bob's blogs about boondocking on the coast, Oregon, Washington or California. Is it pretty much impossible? I'm thinking mostly of beach areas, not cities. I can't-do mountains because of the altitude, and probably can't afford to travel very far for the first year or two. Thanks.

Bottom line in California is money.
Please bring a lot !

Those who own or control the dirt demand compensation for all usage.
And there will be a line of them, in succession, when you are discovered.

There is a fee, or tax, on just about everything you can imagine here.

If you are perceived as different from the common aberration by some one, or any one, they will cellphone an enforcement agency and you will get more attention than most would wish for.  Or worse. 
Any time, any place.

I do like it here in coastal California. And many of the other distinct regions of this State !
It's wonderful for many reasons.
Unfortunately, many, many people agree with me, and they ALL came here !
And demanded services.

The price of poker has gone up.
Like a rocket.
With even more on the way !

I was born here, was paid to stay, and worked long and hard for that opportunity.
Now, I have been priced out.

I am left hoping I may help others, elsewhere, with benefit of my experiences.
My needs are simple and I won't ask for much.
wheels

Oh, this is Not a Communist state as said above...  It is some odd blend of capitalism and socialism, for corporate profit.
I have considered it might be some sort of odd mash-up of fascism ??

I am sure the Best way to live from a van is to avoid discussing politics and religion in public.

 

[mert6706]

Bottom line in California is money.
Please bring a lot !

Those who own or control the dirt demand compensation for all usage.
And there will be a line of them, in succession, when you are discovered.

There is a fee, or tax, on just about everything you can imagine here.

If you are perceived as different from the common aberration by some one, or any one, they will cellphone an enforcement agency and you will get more attention than most would wish for.  Or worse. 
Any time, any place.

I do like it here in coastal California. And many of the other distinct regions of this State !
It's wonderful for many reasons.
Unfortunately, many, many people agree with me, and they ALL came here !
And demanded services.

The price of poker has gone up.
Like a rocket.
With even more on the way !

I was born here, was paid to stay, and worked long and hard for that opportunity.
Now, I have been priced out.

I am left hoping I may help others, elsewhere, with benefit of my experiences.
My needs are simple and I won't ask for much.
wheels

Oh, this is Not a Communist state as said above...  It is some odd blend of capitalism and socialism, for corporate profit.
I have considered it might be some sort of odd mash-up of fascism ??

I am sure the Best way to live from a van is to avoid discussing politics and religion in public.

Thanks for the input, Wheels. I lived in the Bay Area from 72-84. Thought if I left I could always go back--wrong!! Once I left the economy I couldn't ever afford to get back in, so I know what you're saying. I was just hoping maybe there was some free or cheap camping in summer. Looks like it will be Washington or Oregon instead!

 

[wagoneer]

back on topic MY BACK YARD

 

[wagoneer]

UNTILL THE "BIG ONE " HITS

 

[USExplorer]

If you want nothing above 80 all summer and nothing below 40 in winter, the central Pacific coast is your only option. Otherwise, Arizona's got all the elevations from 800 to 8000 ft a few hours' drive from each other.

 

[user 15722]

I suppose you could solicit for ranch work... and try to grab a few days lodging along the way.
All the state parks have fees.
Parking lots adjacent to public piers are verboten also.
Any place that rents out lodging for tourists usually has a strong campaign against overnight parking in their jurisdiction.
I called a nearby KOA the other day and they were $58 a night, and full up. wheels

 

[mert6706]

If you want nothing above 80 all summer and nothing below 40 in winter, the central Pacific coast is your only option. Otherwise, Arizona's got all the elevations from 800 to 8000 ft a few hours' drive from each other.

Thanks, those temperature ranges will be about what I can handle as long as I am in a tent and not a true "vandweller."