MrNoodly
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2012
- Messages
- 4,967
- Reaction score
- 60
I found a listing at iOverlander.com, with positive reviews, for the parking lot at the community center in Arcata, California. I was skeptical. Like nearly every other coastal town, I expected it to be hostile to anyone trying to stay the night without paying high prices for lodgings or campgrounds. So I figured this parking lot would be one of those places you spend all night anticipating The Knock.
But no. The community center is closed down for the duration of the pandemic, but even before that it was cool to stay there. There were about a dozen rigs last night, well scattered around the large lot. About half the people appear to be travelers, like myself, and the rest appear to be living there long term. This morning police came by and talked with some of the latter — to see if they were okay, not to chase them off. In the afternoon, a woman from some charitable organization came around asking if I needed any food.
Since it’s high tourist season, campgrounds and RV parks are full all along the coast. Plus people out of work and out of shelter because of the pandemic are filling up dispersed camping areas. So it’s great to have a free, uncrowded, clean and legal place to stop.
But no. The community center is closed down for the duration of the pandemic, but even before that it was cool to stay there. There were about a dozen rigs last night, well scattered around the large lot. About half the people appear to be travelers, like myself, and the rest appear to be living there long term. This morning police came by and talked with some of the latter — to see if they were okay, not to chase them off. In the afternoon, a woman from some charitable organization came around asking if I needed any food.
Since it’s high tourist season, campgrounds and RV parks are full all along the coast. Plus people out of work and out of shelter because of the pandemic are filling up dispersed camping areas. So it’s great to have a free, uncrowded, clean and legal place to stop.