The problem with bigger towns, is that the property values frequently don't allow for a campground nearby. My trainer is being put up in a Holiday Inn, and I wanted to be somewhat close by. My options weren't looking good.
The closest traditional (not a parking lot) campground I could find was almost an hour away. My closer choices included:
-Right by a highway next to a paintball course. Gravel lot
-Some guy's backyard for $75/night
-The local Civic Center about half an hour away
The Civic Center wouldn't have been bad. The problem is that they were very clear that they would not issue refunds. I might get called somewhere else in a week or two, and lose my entire months lot fee.
I started giving serious consideration to dispersed camping (boondocking). There's a state forest nearby. As I started looking into this, I saw a campground without any info. I assumed it was a state park, and chased it down via the Mississippi State Park website. All I got was a phone number.
Thankfully I called before 3:00, because the offices close for the weekend. It's a neat little Army Corps park out in the middle of nowhere (very similar to Susquehannock by Raystown) and half an hour away from the hotel. There's electric (sort of), and bathhouses. That's pretty much all I'm looking for. I can work out the details.
Google Maps was pretty cracked out on this one. I got off the highway, and kept getting into more isolated areas. I had the Mazda in tow, so I couldn't backup. The roads kept getting narrower and the trees kept getting closer.
Eventually, two lanes turned to one, pavement gave way to gravel, and gravel gave way to mud. At some point I realized I was in too deep to turn around. Even if I dropped the Mazda, I don't think it would have enough traction to get out on its own power. I just kept going.
I spent the next 20 minutes in four-wheel-drive trying to keep the articulation to a minimum so I wouldn't break the tow gear. I had to choose a line that balanced traction, articulation, and clearing the camper with the trees. I'm incredibly grateful for my fiberglass sides. The hair was standing up on my arms and my Spidey senses were tingling. I knew if I got dug in, I wouldn't have cell service to even call for help.
I'm fairly certain that I was trespassing on somebody's private property, but Google maps told me I had 1.3 miles till my next turn. I figured the further I went, the less I would have to walk for help. There were a couple times that I had all six tires spinning on the Ford while the Mazda drug like an anchor in the back.
The Ford was sliding around like it was tied to a Zamboni. I didn't get any pictures of the messy stuff because I wasn't about to stop. I just held it in first gear and kept churning away. Don't break anything.
Props to the guy who reworked my front end.
The campground is really nice. There's little to no cell service. I normally would be fine with that, but my work needs to be able to contact me. I parked the Ford, and cruised the campground in the Mazda looking for signal. I tripped across some pretty stunning scenery.
This is my home for now. $18/night, mostly vacant, I currently have a bath house to myself, 10 miles of mountain bike trails in my backyard, and some fantastic views when I need cell service.
It'll do.
