Since I am not in sunny Florida, I am just reflecting on my past camping trips.
I once spent a weekend at a State Park in Missouri next to a AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) retreat. It was pretty interesting listening to the testimonies. I felt bad sitting around the fire drinking a frosty cold one. WEll just for a minute anyway.
I started the thread, now lets hear the stories.
K-man
We camped next to site that had 5 down syndrome adults (with 3 adult supervisors). They were certainly having a rough time; seems the the supervisors weren't all that familiar with camping, and they were having difficulties keeping any type of order. It was sheer pandemonium. We went over a few times to help out, so they could concentrate on the others.
The scariest part was watching them chop firewood. They were swinging axes like all 8 of them had never done it before! :eek: After giving them a few pointers we decided to take a hike. Couldn't bear to see what might happen in the chaos. Miraculously, no one got hurt.
They left after one day...
This is a topic that comes up from time to time. I've had a few interesting neighbors over the years. I believe I've previously posted in more detail about both of these incidents:
Had some neigbors in New Hampshire back in our tenting days...they built a raging bonfire, and threw packages of fireworks into it, mostly firecrackers. After about ten minutes of that, they hopped into their van (apparently drunk) and took off...fire still raging.
We made sure rangers were waiting when they returned.
While in Arizona near Petrified Forest NP, we had a neighbor who was a little different, but I found him interesting. After about two hours of conversation, he started trusting me enough to start telling me about the chips. The FBI had put one in his shoulder, and the CIA had put in two - one in his arm and the other in his brain - in order to track his movements and monitor his thoughts. Apparently, the government was afraid of him. Of course, after that, I can't say I was afraid of him, but I was more cautious and guarded, in case he knew who I really was...
Austin (top secret agent 006)
Camping next to strange people? I'll bet there's quite a few people out there that would use me for their example.:D
Having said that. I've met Boston's CIA/FBI buddy. He tried to sell me his book, that the CIA supressed so he didn't have a copy right there but would send me one as he felt we were "kindred spirits". Why do I attract the wacko's?
Boston, when did you meet him? My encounter was back in the early 80's before the idea of chip implants was common knowledge, and from what I understand this guy is sort of famous in camping circles.
We camped next to a small group 5 guys and 2 girls who seemed very busy with their tents (but quiet) as we went to bed on Friday. We woke up Saturday camping next to the Tash Mahal. They must have used a truck load of lumber to create tent platforms and decking. Really a nice site with all that decking, 3 big gas grills, (they invited us for supper). While they may have been strange, this kind of strange I can live with. The end of the week, everything disappeared durin the night again with no real noise and the site was actually better than when they arrived.
Another of my [sarcastic mode/on] favorites [sarcastic mode/off] was the drunk and his motor scooter. No plates, no helmet, no sense, and a snute full of alcohol. He proceeded to "terrorize" the campground for about an hour before the rangers decided he had to put it away. Having none of this the fellow became very belligerant about his "rights" and 'who's salary he paid with his taxes". After being very patient with him. The rangers called a conservation officer and him and the scooter were hauled off. The rest of us felt so sorry for his wife and kid that we helped her pack up and hook up. Come to find out he lost the scooter and it cost him around $2000 in fines and lawyers. The family still comes camping (I couldn't show ny face if that happened to me) but he doesn't drink anymore and they haven't bought a replacement scooter that I know of.
Seems either mental illness or alcohol seems to be involved with "fun " neighbors more often than not.
We were camping at Loft Mountain Campground located on Skyline Drive one brisk October when I heard one of the kids proclaim they had just seen Santa Clause. I really didn't think much about it unitl I heard one of the other kids say "There he is again!" So at this point I headed over to where they were to debunk this Santa stuff, and they quickly pointed to a campsite on the next loop that could be seen through the under brush, and sure enough, there he was...all decked out in his red & while Santa suit, while hair & big bushy white beard!
I guess he spotted the kids about the same time they had spotted him, because he came by our site about half an hour later to visit with the kids. He explained to us grown-up's that he's retired, and plays the Santa thing all year long because of his resemblance, He gave us his business card too, apparently he books "Gigs" all over the area!
We thought these guys were kinda "interesting".
http://community.webshots.com/photo/111302710/111302983PlyYTS
HaHa, that's the same brand and color truck as mine. Wait, I loaned my truck to my neighbor one weekend... Nah, just kidding. Does look like my truck though...
The BEST part of camping is watching YOU guys. We setup camp quickly, get out our lawn chairs, then watch the masses arrive. We critique their backing skills, and wait for the yelling to start. :p
There have been some truly wacky things at campgounds. Some day we'll write a book.
Until then, tell me what's wrong with this picture: http://2manytoyz.com/camp/camp3/mirror.jpg
Mobile vanity station? Last thing I want to see when camping is a mirror. Swim all day, don't comb my hair, and I leave the razor at home.
Great thread idea K-man. I am from just south of St. Louis and last year, over the 4th of July, my wife thought it would be nice to camp at Meramec State Park. If I never ever go back to that park, it will be too soon. There were people all over that park and our Thursday evening got started with a bang. A guy from a neighboring site, was inebriated by the time we set up camp and had picked a fight with another camper. He got his clock cleaned so he decided to take an axe handle to the fellows truck. The next thing we knew, there were rangers everywhere allong with fire trucks and an ambulance.
They hauled the camper off in the ambulance and his camping equipment was still on his site as we left on Sunday, no sign of the neighbor the whole weekend.
Silly what people do when they get intoxicated. If only they would stick to drinking Stag Beer!
One of the strangest was when this guy come in by himself with a PU and the electric didn't work at his site, so he hooked into ours till the CG got his fixed. Talking to him, he and his wife had just had a fight so he moved out -- the last time they had a fight and he moved out, he was camped for 3 weeks -- he wasn't sure how long it would be this time. He ended up with his DD and grandchildren camping for a few days also.
Cpine - a picture is truly worth a thousand words.
Moaugie - Meramec brings out the best. We pulled into Meramec state park only to be told we might want to think about finding a different location then the one we had reserved. Apparently there was a gay and lesb convention going on that weekend, and the row we were in, was reserverd by the organization. That was also a very interesting weekend!
Quote from: mike4947Having said that. I've met Boston's CIA/FBI buddy. He tried to sell me his book, that the CIA supressed so he didn't have a copy right there but would send me one as he felt we were "kindred spirits". Why do I attract the wacko's?
Boston, when did you meet him? My encounter was back in the early 80's before the idea of chip implants was common knowledge, and from what I understand this guy is sort of famous in camping circles.
We first encountered JT at Newspaper Rock in Petrified Forest NP. He was arguing with a ranger about the Anasazi and the meaning of one of the pictures on the rock. (The truth is, it's all speculation and almost any explanation is as valid as any other.) We didn't speak to each other, and the whole "encounter" lasted less than 10 seconds.
At the campground, (in Holbrook AZ) I didn't recognize him until he started talking about the incident. He recognized us, though, and that incident was what he opened the conversation with.
We talked for hours. He made an interesting assumption - that my (at the time 17 YO) DD was my wife! He was with his wife and teenage granddaughter, who appeared to be both pleased and embarrased that grandpa was talking to someone else, not her. I guess too much conspiracy theory can drive anyone crazy.
He was driving a huge Class-A, and although the campground was deserted, he chose the site right next to us.
This all took place in late July or early August, 2001.
I wonder what new ideas he came up with after Sept. 11.
Austin
NEVER go camping in a State Park on 4th of July weekend! Every back woods hillbilly (I can say that, I'm related to some! :D ) is out. Our wierdest experience was when our fellow campers blared heavy metal and pulled out a skill saw to cut up wood. Absolutely did not care about anybody around! Yikes! We left early with the promise to NEVER camp on the 4th of July weekend at a state park!! :)
We camped once at a nice campground and had finished our set-up and relaxed around the campfire. Across the road a nice trailer and truck pull up. In the truck bed was a nice apartment sized fridge. They proceeded to set up a screen house and then brought out a full-sized dining room table and chairs set and put it in the screen house. They set up the fridge next to the door of the trailer and then brought out two full-sized propane grills from the trailer. These people really believed in roughing it.....NOT! LOL
2manytoyz...that picture with the mirror sure looks like Long Key.
I was staying at a KOA once (can't remember where, but it wasn't Fla) and there was a motorcyle wedding group. A lot of them had trailered those nifty little popups.
and then there was the time that Harry met Sally (over and over again) in Lake Mannatee State Park (Fla.). They'd been up drinking and being loud until 2 a.m. or so and then the real "fun" began with the moanin' and groanin'
Quote from: sandykayak2manytoyz...that picture with the mirror sure looks like Long Key.
Good eye! That it was. We figured the mirror was some sort of portal to the alien home world this person came from. Why else would someone take a full length mirror camping?
My other LK pics:
http://www.2manytoyz.com/lkey.htmlhttp://2manytoyz.com/lksp2002.htmlWe're heading there again July 3-10 with our other PU friends.
Quote from: Acts 2:38 girlNEVER go camping in a State Park on 4th of July weekend!
Or Memorial Day. Campground we went to was more like spring break then anything. We wouldn't even let the kids go to the bathroom without an escort. Last time we have every camped on a holiday weekend.
Boy it is hard to pick the strangest campers we have met.
A. Eagles Peak campground PA-There were a bunch of people wearing black tee shirts that said "I popped up at Eagles Peak".
B. The RJ Ranch campground VA_There was a group wearing grey tee shirts that said something about a rally. :p
My son and I were doing a bicycle tour from Toronto to Connecticut and had stopped for the night in Lowville N.Y. in a small campground.
As it turns out we were the only people in the sites reserved for 'short term stays'. This of course generated alot of interest among the kids in the seasonal area and they all came around to check us out. After talking to my son for a while he found out that for of the guys were named 'Jim Bob', he didn't believe them but they produced some sort of I.D., all Jim Bob's with different last names....we heard the faint stirrings of Duelling Banjos!
But the topper, the thing that brought Duelling Banjos to full volume was when we were walking to the showers there was a couple sitting at thier picnic table and she was, with an electric razor, shaving his back!! :eek:
Not really strange, but unusual-
1. Had a family pull in next to us on a Saturday. Dodge Caravan w/mom, 2 daughters and son, followed by mid-60's Chevy pick-up pulling an older Starcraft driven by dad. Got the trailer leveled, then cranked up the camper-sort of. Had to prop one side up with 2 2x4's. Then they realized they had no firewood. Did we know where to get some? Sure, down the road. So dad takes truck, comes back with more logs than I'd burn in 3 trips. Then on Sunday morning, they had already run out of food. We gave them most of what we had, because we were packing up.
2. Two young couples tenting next to us Labor Day weekend. One guy opens his pick-up box, and there sits a TV, VCR, camcorder, and satellite dish. The wives and kids go off to enjoy the activities, and these two guys sit there watching Brewer games, ESPN, the Playboy channel(when the wives weren't around), and on Monday morning, just sat there watching themselves.:rolleyes:
We had the rowdys on Memorial Day bowling with their empty beer cans for pins but they were amusing and very respectful of the kids so it wasn't too bad. The oddest was the big fancy TT that was across from us. We never saw movement for the 3 days they were there. Finally they emerged one afternoon with him in a tuxedo and her in a ball gown. Then we see him loading a cello in their car. As Jay and I stood there in our jeans and flannels staring. The next day Jay talked to him apparently they were in an orchestra that was playing in a nearby resort and there wasn't room for their trailer there.
Between Christmas and New Years, we camped at Jeckyll Island, Ga. When we pulled in, there was a trailer next to us. The huge kind that usually has a race car inside. The couple who owned it, has a full sized queen bed from their house inside. They also had about 7 propane tanks of various sizes. They were setting up a chain link fence provided by the campground because one of their three dogs evidently bit a child so they were moved to the site next to us and had to keep their dogs inside the fence. The stuff these people had was just not to be believed. There were ladders, broken chairs, lots of unidentifiable junk. He had it spread all over his site. They took off for dinner and came back squiffed (don't you love that expression). About 1 AM, he decided to rearrange all his stuff with loud verbal assists from his wife. At 2 AM, the guy next to us went to get the campground host who came and had a chat with them. They continued with their tirade for another hour. In the morning, we went to complain and met another couple doing the same thing. A ranger came by and told them they had to leave. After much yelling and screaming, at each other, and campers in general we took off because we weren't sure somewhere in all that stuff there wasn't a gun. They were gone when we returned. The funny thing was, they kept yelling that they told the campground they had 3 dogs. They just didn't get that it wasn't the dogs that caused the problem, it was the people.
Does it count that I camped next to Dave once? Talk about strange neighbors :J
It was our second time out in our new p/u. Fri. nite after work, we hooked up the camper and went to a local c/g. Arrive; ck in, get site. Back in-only slight struggle; pop up, no major disasters...pickup truck w/bed camper and old bomber car pull in across street. 2 guys who seem intoxicated grab fishing poles; jump in bomber..never return all wkend..We go out 2 dinner, reeturn start campfire,pop cold ones-bond w/family-ahh,the camping life. Sat.: son has baseball game (why we stayed local) plays-return 2 cg. Wife takes boy 2 pool-dad naps w/dog-ahhh, the camping life! Grilled steaks 4 dinner...and then the Mongul hordes arrived! At about 7 p.m. appprox. 30-40 people (early 20'ish) set up camp on a near-by loop...Heavy eastern europeean accents filled the air, as the group sets up on various sites-then meet up on 1 site for Bulgarian Woodstock in Pa....A folk guitar plays as hoarse (and obviously drunk) Bulgarian(?) folk songs split the nite...Have 2 have a campfire 2 camp, right? They start this Lord-of-the-Flies bonfire...At some point campowner and friend go over 2 talk 2 them about noise; explaining they can't all be on 1 site-some scurry 2 their own sites, only 2 re-group later. Owner apologizes, explaining they don't speak english. 11:00 quiet time they actually do-4 about 45 mins; just long enuff 4 the owners allergy medicine 2 knock her out! We finally fall asleep about 1:30 only 2 be awakened about an hour later by the metallic clang of tent poles coming down-some poor schlub not w/the group was actually trying 2 tent camp in their midst! Next morning they looked sheepish, hung-over...but were actually pleasant (good mornink!...) Still can't talk the wife into going back...
NightOwl and I camped next to Dave once, too. But he probably thinks we were the strange neighbors, as we giggled like teenagers late into the night. (and without benefit of alcoholic fortification, I might add).
T
;)
4th of July last year we popped up in a site across from some other PU friends in a nearby FS campground. We expected to have some noise given the holiday, but weren't prepared for very drunk boys (late teens) who really let it rip about 1 am. Won't go into great detail, but ended up with the sheriff's dept and local FS enforcement officers at the campground running spotlights all night long, and talking over loudspeakers trying to round up all the kids. Especially the one really drunk kid who was shouting nasty racial slurs and profanity at the top of his lungs while taunting law enforement guys to find him. Country around the campground is pretty rugged and he was moving around on the slopes above the campground in the trees. Still hadn't found him by morning....
AND at the campsite next to ours that same trip, we watched a family arrive with a large pickup full of lodgepole poles set up a full sized TeePee, complete with floor canvas. They were real nice but we were amazed that they went camping that way... a LOT more work than our little popup!!
I just knew that someone would say the Wynots...
Quote from: tlhdocBoy it is hard to pick the strangest campers we have met.
A. Eagles Peak campground PA-There were a bunch of people wearing black tee shirts that said "I popped up at Eagles Peak".
B. The RJ Ranch campground VA_There was a group wearing grey tee shirts that said something about a rally. :p
Quote from: wynotI just knew that someone would say the Wynots...
I didn't use your names. :D
Quote from: tlhdocI didn't use your names. :D
Oh,
Ok...