Strangest campground neighbors

[K-man]

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

[jawilson]

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...

[AustinBoston]

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)

[mike4947]

Camping next to strange people? I'll bet there's quite a few people out there that would use me for their example.

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.

[Gone-Camping]

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!

[cpine]

We thought these guys were kinda "interesting".

http://community.webshots.com/photo/111302710/111302983PlyYTS

[2manytoyz]

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.

[moaugie]

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!

[angelsmom10]

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.

[K-man]

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!

[AustinBoston]

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 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

[Acts 2:38 girl]

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!   )  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!!  

[Cheryl]

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

[sandykayak]

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'

[2manytoyz]

2manytoyz...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.html
http://2manytoyz.com/lksp2002.html

We're heading there again July 3-10 with our other PU friends.