Road Tales

WilliamA

Since we're all sitting around the yard scratchin' whatever itches, I thought I'd share a couple of camping stories:
My son and I were camped in a state park one time and had the misfortune of setting up next to the Clampettes. This crowd of Yahoo's had 2 5th wheel trailers, a giant pontoon boat and about 4 pickup trucks. They took the pontoon boat down and dropped it in at the boat landing, then brought the trailer back up and put it in the middle of the action. They'd go out on the boat all day, returning at night to set up work lights, a carpenters and upholsterers station and proceeded to remove and replace the wood bunks on the pontoon trailer...all night... Between the partying and barbecuing and Merle Haggard's greatest hits, it took most of the weekend to do what they were doing.
The second worst experience I had was a close encounter with a "Space Shuttle". You know the type. Giant motorhome built from a 747 fuselage with the wings sawed off. Big diesel pusher, big diesel generator and 4 a/c units on top. She followed behind him into the campsite in a newish Chevy suburban...so they'd have some way to go get groceries. He'd start the generator, turn on all 4 a/c units, then they'd leave for the day. As soon as they got back, he'd shut the generator down and deploy the transformer-like awnings. I asked his- highness casually about why they ran the generator running all day and he told me that they can't stand the noise so they only run it when they are gone from the camper. They sat out in their lawn chairs in the evening yelling at a couple of little girls not to use their bicycle bells...
It's the nature of the beast. I've generally been pretty lucky with my adventures, but there are some who are either callous (the pontoon mob) or just clueless (the jet-setters).

WilliamA

GigHarborTom

Met some the nicest folks driving those busses. They either come out to shoot the breeze or stay inside watching TV all day. But then we are usually where there are hookups and no generator is needed. I try to keep my cigars out of range, but just waiting for someone to jump on my arse.

Lightningdon

I always pick a spot on the outside of a loop, with no spaces behind me. I try to orient myself so I dont have to look at other campers. I camp to relax. A couple years ago, we had a large 5th wheeler pull in across the road from me. He proceeded to run the genny all day from dawn till quiet time. Problem is, his genny must have been a cheapie from Harbor Freight. Sounded like a 747 on a missed approach! Really ruined my camping experience.

GigHarborTom

Lighteningdon... We try to get an outer loop spot also. Our favorites are when we can get on the river etc. Met a couple at our favorite park, Wenatchee River. A couple years ago thay came in with a class A. He was towing a Mercedes Van and had a full dresser Victory motorcycle out back with a hydraulic lift. Learned they had a plane, sailboat in Florida, and home in Georgia. Went to the house two weeks a year. Went to the boat just to move from incoming storms. They full timed, and were about the most friendly folks we have met on the trail. They came over several times to shoot the breeze. Even though they had our favorite spot on the river.