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After 2 weeks at the reservoir which was extremely quiet and surprising that during the time there not one rv came. We though this was going to be just a couple day hold over spot while some scouting was done for a better location. I'm not complaining becuase we like the peace and quiet but when we first arrived there and seeing a mile loop road (nicely graveled) with 8 or so spots with metal fire rings, 1 pit toilet and a dumpster it had all the signs of weekend party spot. Maybe during the summer its a busy area. Anyways, 1 of many nice sunrises.
We watched a lot of different kinds birds in large groups on the warer possibly migrating through but the coolest had to be the pelicans , who would of thought there was pelicans in SD. Just about everyday there was a group of 60 or so and the largest group that I counted had a 150. I bet they can put a good hurt on the fish population.
Yesterday was moving day and found a nice spot in the Black Hills NF just before dark. Finding a secluded spot for alarger rig at times isn't as easy as you might think. Having a cell signal with a couple tv stations is even better.
The solar install really got this going, to be out and away just as if your hooked to a power pole and not having to run a generator was icing on the cake.
A couple of numbers so far this year.
Dispersed camping
2016 (4/16 - 12/31) 200 days
2017 (1/1 - 9/30) 273 days
Consecutive days dispersed camping as of September 30, 2017
Starting 12/23/16 - 282 days
Using previous 2 years (fulltiming) of rv prior to solar install (4/13/16), campground cost averaged to $25.00 a day.
443 days of dispersed needed for return on solar instead of paying a campground/ rv park. Accomplished!
States AZ, UT, WY, ID, MT, ND, SD
Miles traveled with 5th wheel 4,236.0
RV Dumps...
15 @ $93.50, 9 @ free
Average for 24 @ $3.89
Still loving this thread . We also see Pelicans here in the high desert of Nevada believe it or not. I've seen them on a couple of local lakes and once while fishing the Truckee River was funny as several of them just floated by on the current not to be concerned with me at all.
Bill
Glad I found this thread. I've done a lot of dispersed camping in AZ, FL (yes there is good camping here) and UT over the years, mostly in a tent. Doing it alone is a challenge, due to some of the people that one encounters. I've never had an issue, but one time gave me a scare....
Was camping in Coconino NF north AZ in the back of my Suburban - it was 17' with some snow on the ground in the AM. Decided to test fire the .45 and shot a few rounds off, when I look behind me and a guy is coming my way waving. Well, he better have good intentions as he sees I'm firing a weapon. He and his GF were camping way back in the woods and let the battery run down on his truck and they couldn't get it started, and asked for a jump. I sized him and up and it seemed legit, so we hopped into the 'burb and drove WAY back off the road through a bunch of half frozen mud holes to find a tent and a dead truck and ONE grateful GF as she was going to miss a bridal shower in town. They offered money but I declined. The guy said I just saved his whole future camping with her, so that's good enough for me.
We've also scouted NF camping areas with ring/pit and some shady looking characters that I would not care to join as neighbors.
Awesome thread. This is how I like to camp. I've got a four wheel camper that allows us to get away from people. It works well but is really small. We are considering at trailer...she wants a 5th wheel. Good to see with a little planning and scouting a bigger rig can do it.
Nothing like the white stuff to start falling to be thinking of moving south some but heck only a couple days of colder weather before it's back in the daytime 60's with nighttime mid 40's.
The BLM and NFS in my area are often clearing trees to make a "natural" fire break. The trees are piled up in the summer, waiting to be burned in the winter when there is less chance of the burn causing a forest fire. From what I understand, it's open season on the wood if you want it. Just make sure there isn't active commercial logging operations going on. Check with the local Ranger to make sure.
09-21-2017, 06:57 PM
. We also see Pelicans here in the high desert of Nevada believe it or not. I've seen them on a couple of local lakes and once while fishing the Truckee River was funny as several of them just floated by on the current not to be concerned with me at all.
