why Boondocking.......... - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

why Boondocking..........

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

How true, Mike. In our past camping adventures, we've spent a lot of time in a National Forest campground. It is amazing what just one week will do for rejuvenating one for going back to work. Jo has complained more than once that I get grumpy when I have to leave and return to Oklahoma. Our "new camper," 38.5' instead of a maximum of 26', will not fit into many of the sites at our favorite campground, but there are a few that will allow it. (I think.) I may just have to go by there the next time we go to Colorado and measure the sites. Most would be out in the meadow, but there is one that may back into the trees.

Jo and I had a major hit with taxes this year, so we may not get to take a "camping" vacation for yet another year. We are certainly trying to find some way to at least go to the Colorado Springs area, even if it isn't our favorite place.

Back in the '70's, we took our two boys camping for a week for the first time to that campground. It was fairly regular for them to say, "Dad, I'm bored." We would then take off and just walk through the woods and along the Purgatoire River. The next year, as Jo and I planned on going back, I dreaded that the boys might not want to go back. After all, they were "bored." They came to me about a month before our vacation and asked if we were going to take a vacation. I said that we would and then they asked me where we were going.

I told them that we wanted to go back to the mountains again. They were actually excited and I was extremely pleased. One of the boys, Eric at 41-years-old, still likes to do things with Jo and I, including vacations and trips.

Terry

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

To me boon docking is about true independence. The ability to sustain a comfortable existence without any help. We used to tent camp. We would four wheel way into the Colorado mountains away from everyone and enjoy the peace and quiet. We planned meals and ate well and ruffed it in style. In an Properly equipped RV my goal is to ruff it without giving up the comforts of home. In the AF I was occasionally associated with a mobile comm unit that could deploy in a minute to anywhere and sustain as long as necessary. I learned a lot from that and plan to use some of it to live part time off the grid.

Hdrider · RV-Dreams Family Member

Boondocking is a great way to decompress and in my mind really get back to the basics. We have been on the road 111 days now and have boondocked or drycamped 50 of them. I always hate to leave each spot for one reason or another.

nightsky · RV-Dreams Family Member

I was born and raised in the prairie, and I think the vast open spaces are just in my blood. I have a difficult time here in TN, there's just too many people! I'm happiest when I'm roaming around West River SD, or points further west - WY, MT, NV, UT, the Scablands in WA - you know, all those places people complain about having to drive through "There's nothing out there!" There actually is, those seemingly empty places are teeming with life and diversity but it's hard to see when you're cruising past at 75 mph.

The Badlands of SD are one of my favorite places, I managed to get there 7 times last year alone. I've had the pleasure of watching the meteor showers in a dark sky area - 50-60 per hour last year - I've watched a porcupine ambling slowly along the roadside at 3AM, watched a swift fox hunting for 45 minutes in the early morning light, seen buffalo breeding, and sidestepped a diamond back rattler on a path.

Although they make me claustrophobic at times (you can't SEE anything lol) I also love the forests. Lived in OR for a few years a mile from Mt Hood National Forest, and I miss the PNW so bad I can taste it.

For me, it's all about boondocking. I could care less about a "great campground with lots of amenities". If I wanted amenities I'd stay at a hotel. I'd much rather wake up and have the native fauna wandering through my "yard" accompanied only by the sound of the local birds. The Caboose will have solar and a large battery bank, and I'm very frugal with water use. Hopefully it spends most of it's time either heading to a new destination or parked in the middle of nowhere as a home base so I can make forays into the surrounding area.

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

MarkS, perhaps you could share some of your knowledge with the rest of us. While we don't intend to do a lot of boondocking, we will do some. In addition, while we're waiting for the place here to sell, the Foretravel will be our "escape vehicle" should we decide that leaving would be wise. I intend to keep the fuel tank full, and water when possible. I don't know what sort of propane use there will be if I leave the one furnace on to provide heat to the tanks. If that isn't too unreasonable, we may not winterize it next year (assuming that we're still here), so that we're ready to move into it even when an ice storm hits.

VanMar · RV-Dreams Family Member

nightsky wrote:
....., and I'm very frugal with water use.

I think water conservation and holding tank management was an area covered by Howard at the Boondocking Rally. Since DW and I want to do some boondocking, I decided to do a little experiment yesterday. We have a flow meter on our water softener. So, I checked the reading, took a normal shower, and checked it again. Guess I need to practice boondock showering....25 gallons. Then DW did the same thing....6 gallons. I accused her of using all kinds of water saving tactics and getting out of the shower with soap scum all over her! evileye She denied it and said it was a normal shower. Like I said, I need some practice.

Vance

Loretta · RV-Dreams Family Member

VanMar wrote:
nightsky wrote:
....., and I'm very frugal with water use.
I think water conservation and holding tank management was an area covered by Howard at the Boondocking Rally. Since DW and I want to do some boondocking, I decided to do a little experiment yesterday. We have a flow meter on our water softener. So, I checked the reading, took a normal shower, and checked it again. Guess I need to practice boondock showering....25 gallons. Then DW did the same thing....6 gallons. I accused her of using all kinds of water saving tactics and getting out of the shower with soap scum all over her! She denied it and said it was a normal shower. Like I said, I need some practice.
Vance

Vance were you at the Boondocking Rally? 25 gallons?????

VanMar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Loretta wrote:
Vance were you at the Boondocking Rally? 25 gallons?????

No, I wasn't there but I read about it on H&L's journal. Hey, I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't 50 or so gallons!! Like I said, I need some practice!

Vance

Loretta · RV-Dreams Family Member

We were there and one of the couples had a meter attached to their shower which told them how much water they were using. I like my 'happy showers' too but I had to learn. It isn't easy.

VanMar · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think this thread was conceived with the idea of the solitude and peacefulness of boondocking in mind. That is the exact reason we want to do it. Didn't mean to turn it into a technical thread. I just think it will be much more enjoyable if we don't have to break camp to go tank up and dump every three days. So, how much water does the seasoned boondocker use for a shower?

Vance

Update: Used the water saver (dribble) feature on the shower head this morning. Ten gallons!! I'm getting there smile .

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Vance

Average 2 to 3 gallons if you are Navy Seal trained......it can be done with a gallon if you use the bird bath method.......on hot days stay away from large crowds!!!

nightsky · RV-Dreams Family Member

I don't know how much I use, but I get wet then shut it off, soap up and shampoo, then turn it back on and rinse. The KZ has a 6 gallon HWH and I never came close to running out of hot water. I would guess 3-4 gallons total for a shower, and can do it with less if I have to. I was going to town to empty tanks every 14-18 days.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

I guess its where your boondocking and the availability of water......some areas I boondock in have lakes and streams available. in those areas I take advantage of this and use an outside solar shower....the sun heats the water and the shower booth is collapsible similar to a tent

I try to eliminate using onboard water and waste as much as possible.....a small drink cooler holds 1.5 gallons I keep it outside with soap for quick clean ups you just push the spigot to get what you need for water and if the brook is nearby refilling is great.

handi wipes in the bathroom for after duty use....its easier to dispose of a small trash bag during the day than it is to go empty tanks sooner than you have to.......

small simple tricks extend the bliss of boondocking!!!!

VanMar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks everybody--that's what I needed to know. Caryn; DW had to show herself up today and do it with four gallons! Maybe if I shave my head.......................

V

nightsky · RV-Dreams Family Member

VanMar wrote:
Thanks everybody--that's what I needed to know. Caryn; DW had to show herself up today and do it with four gallons! Maybe if I shave my head.......................
V

LOL