BOONDOCKING

[mountainborn]

Found a place to Boondock that you really like and are willing to share with other Ollie Owners ? Here is the place to list the directions, coordinates, photos, videos, descriptions and nearest food, fuel, bait, dump station, ect..

Let's start this thread off with a free place to camp, and it's right on the water !

ROCK CREEK CAMPGROUND, LAKE GREESON ARKANSAS

Elevation= 701 feet above sea level

Coordinates= 34* 12.463 North 093* 45.622 West

Rock Creek is a large inlet off of the main body of Lake Greeson. Water sports such as water skiing are not allowed on that part of the lake. It is a fisherman's part of the lake and it is quiet.

This inlet is calm and an ideal location for a kayak, canoe, foldbote or john boat. Boat launching is from an old road that goes down into the lake. A shallow draft water craft such as a canoe can travel up into the far reaches of rock creek for some really great pan fish fishing ! There are no signs with all of the usual postings such as, " no lifeguard present, swim at your own risk", or, "road ends in the water". There is no fee drop slot and any ranger that seldom makes a patrol round gives a friendly wave as they pass by. The campsites are at the end of a dead end road, traffic is very light.

No water, no electricity, no dump station. There is however a recently refurbished vault type toilet, with tissue provided. The last time we were here the roof of the outhouse was covered with badly deteriorared and moss covered wood shingles. It now has new screens and new asphalt shingles on the roof, to go with a new coat of paint.

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At the time of this visit there were a total of three campers there, a 34 foot fith wheel, a school bus camper and a 20 foot travel trailer.

A short distance West of Daisy Arkansas, on US Hwy. 70, you will turn South at this sign:

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Coordinates for this turn= 34* 14.212 North 093* 50.482 West

The turn is posted with a sign indicating 6.2 miles to Rock Creek. It is all gravel roads from here on.

While driving to the turn off to Rock Creek, you will pass the nearest location for Gasoline, groceries, fishing tackle and live bait. This is a "Mom & Pop" business, located at "THE STAR OF THE WEST" recreational area, located right on US Hwy 70 where it crosses the Little Missouri River.

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Coordinates on US Hwy 70 = 34* 14.429 North 093* 50.003 West

This is a really good rural general store and there is a "whittlin' and spittin' bench out front where critical information such as, " what are they a' bitin' on today ? " is traded daily. It is a wildlife check station and many of the local oudoorsmen have a photo on the wall proudly displaying a trophy Turkey or Bass.

Here is a three minute video clip showing the last part of the road to the campsite and a quick look around once there:

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At the time of this writing, there was no time limit on how long a camper could stay posted, but you might be reminded of the 14 day stay limit before you have to move to another site.

This is a good fishing lake, so if you have trouble hauling all of them ol' bigguns' in, call me !

My cell number is: 479-243-5450 if you need more.

[mountainborn]

This might aught to have been put in the BOONDOCKING THREAD. Here is the story:

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Sitting quietly around the smouldering campfire, we had been talking quietly about our good fortune, and how we might take advantage of it. Firewood was getting scarce in the area around the camp. We were making longer trips with arm loads of gathered wood. Almost grudgingly, I placed another stick in the fire ring, tomorrow would be a firewood gathering day for us.

Our conversation lagged, as we quietly waited in the descending darkness.

While we were waiting, we had been chatting softly about our opportunity to stay camped for another week. The walk up the hill for better cell service had been fruitful. Text messages came and went well, at the campsite, but voice communication was sketchy, unless we walked up the hill. We had recieved a reprieve. Breaking camp to make an appointment would not be necessary. The appointment had been re scheduled.

Suddenly, our wait was over. He arrived. With a stealthy flutter of wings the majestic bird settled onto the dirt road near the camp. It was what we had been waiting for. Cranning his head sideways the large Whiporwill glanced our way before begining his evening dusting. I thought, "He's a bit nervous about Dillon". Dillon had sat up, staring at the bird with his most intent canine stare, his ears focused for the least sound.

We sat quietly, moving little, watching the bird's every evening ritual. Later that week there would be two dusting in the road.

After he flew away to start his melodious night songs, questing for a mate, our conversation continued.

We were discussing ways to be able to stretch resources in order to stay another week. We were boondocking by the lakeside, with no electricity, water or sewer hookups. We had been there for long enough that supplies were running low.

All of the DVD's for the late evenings, had been watched. We would both start a new book. Coffee was getting low, we would cut back to one cup each in the mornings.

Clean clothes would require washing up a few items in a dish pan with lake water, heated over the campfire.

Black and grey water tanks were ok. We had been bathing in the lake in the warmth of the afternoons, and walking a short distance to the vault type outhouse.

Butcherknife would use the last of the flour to make biscuits. We had ran out of sliced bread today. The generator had been inactive because we had about four plus hours of sunlight daily, for the solar panels, where we were parked, the batterys were doing fine. The days had been mild and nights were cool. A gentle breeze prevailed, we hadn't even been using the fantastic fan. The NOAA weather radio's long range forcast was for rain late next week, about the time we would be ready to leave.

Water. Drinking water, was the issue. Clorinated water for the final rinse after dish washing. Water for the coffee pot. Water for brushing teeth. Water for making sun tea. We had some in a six gallon can. But we had never used the trick little valve and hose setup that the guys out in the Oliver shop at Hohenwald had installed during our last visit. We would try it in the morning after breakfast.

As the Whiporwill started his wonderful chanting off in the distance, we retired to the interior of our Ollie to start that new book, before going off to sleep. The door was latched back with the screen door closed for improved air circulation. Dillon the retired drug dog lay by the bed on a throw rug. With the windows open and a light breeze blowing off of the lake, we couldn't read for long before the reading lights were turned out. About to doze off, I whispered to Butcherknife, " was that another Whiporwill answering off in the distance ?", no answer, she was fast asleep.

Here is a look at the water transfer valve and hose setup. It will pump water into the Oliver's fresh water tank, using the onboard pump that supplies water to the sink and both showers. Just flip the valves and put the hose out of the window to your container, and you are in business !

 

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[earthdancer]

Great srory Mountainborn! You had me right there next to you. It's been a long time since I have heard a whiporwill ! Thanks for sharing your campsite with me! Geri

[bugz]

What a wonderful story. Your posts are always great! And we need that!

 

Lisa

[andrew]

Here is a look at the water transfer valve and hose setup. It will pump water into the Oliver's fresh water tank, using the onboard pump that supplies water to the sink and both showers. Just flip the valves and put the hose out of the window to your container, and you are in business !

Ok. Now I want that, but I am rather confused. How do you get the water pump to pump water INTO the fresh water tank? I can see that doing what you are talking about would allow you to use an external container instead of the internal tank to feed the sink and shower, but how do you get the pump to run backwards?

[mountainborn]

It is a factory installation and the valve and hose are on the suction side of the pump. There is a valve on the discharge side of the pump that lets you switch the water away from the faucets to the tank instead. When you finish the pumping in, you reverse both valves and everything is back to normal as before, except that your fresh water holding tank now has more water for flush and brush with ! Yeh, a very cool Oliver thingy !

[mountainborn]

Though not a actual boondocking site, this is a quick and easy overnight site !

Sometimes, ya' just never know ! We were looking for a great little lakeside campground in ElReno Ok, took a exit before the one we should, and the rest is all history. We didn't have electricity, but a push of the remote start button and the yamaha genset gave us all of the A/C we needed. This was our correct exit on the Westbound side, we took the one just before it:

 

Here is a short video clip showing the Free site that we landed on by accident:

[mountainborn]

This is a good boondocking site in the National Forest, just off off of US 550 at the junction of NM 96. This location is about half way between Albuquerque, Nm and Durango, Co. The intersection is North Of Cuba Nm, at the NM 96 turn off to La Jara

When Nm 96 tee's in to 550 the USFS road is in the N/E corner, the cattle guard is immediately on the left as you turn in.

 

As you turn into the National Forest there is a cattleguard, but if you have the 4 inch lift axle it isn't an issue. The campsite is about 100 yards inside the cattleguard.

Here is the map:

 

We slept soundly at this elevation with the windows open and a gentle breeze whispered through the pines above us. Well rested after such a good nights sleep, I shot the following video at sun rise:

Elevation and GPS Coordinates given in the video clip.

Here is the Google Earth view:

[mountainborn]

EUREKA, COLORADO, ghost town, boondocking location. Nearly everyone is scattered enough that generator use doesn't cause even the raising of a single eyebrow ! Located just North of Silverton Colorado, to get there, You just continue on up Main street going out of town untill the pavement ends. The road is well maintained and wide. There is a bridge and a sign telling you that you are at Eureka. Here is what it looks like:

[mountainborn]

CUMBRES PASS COLORADO ELEVATION 10,022 FEET

 

We found this one on http://www.freecampgrounds.com

Here is a paste from that website, it has several entrys including ours.

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Chama Pass

 

State: Colorado

Nearest City: Chama, NM

Nearest Town: Chama, NM

Cost: Free

Number of Campsites: 10 or less

Max days allowed: 7

 

Road: Dirt

Miles from paved road: 0.20

Scenery Rating: 5 out of 5

Noise Level: 1 out of 5

 

Amenities: None

Status: Official

Months Open: Unknown

 

Description

At the top of Chama Pass - right behind the railway station. Follow the signs to the campground and take the first left just after exiting the highway right behind the railway station. The very first spot IMO is the best. If you have a big rig, walk in first unless the first spot is open. Water at the campground, about 2+ miles up the hill. $3 dump at visitor's center in Chama (town). You're actually in Colorado here but Chama is in New Mexico.

Contributor: Kathy Smith Fulltimers SD Added: 1/28/2006

 

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Comments (5) Post a Comment

 

Overnighted here on 06-24-2008. The directions are right on. Snow still heavy on the ground in shady areas. Snow mosquitoes abundant during daylight hours. No seeums' not bad at all. Great spot. Easy walk to the train depot. 10K feet of elevation.

Posted: 7/3/2008 Larry Harmon Vandervoort Arkansas

 

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This spot is Cumbres Pass--not Chama. It is about 12 miles north of Chama, New Mexico, on Highway 17. Take a left just past the old railroad buildings. The road is marked Trujillo Reservoir 2 miles. Then take the next left (a few 100 yards) and drive in behind the buildings into a beautiful camping area. There is a very clean, well supplied, vault toilet. As was said earlier, water is available at the campground about 2 miles farther in. It is Trujillo Campground and is 14 dollars a night. The free area is much prettier and more convenient. I tent camped there July 11 and rode the Cumbres-Toltec train the next day. Wonderful!

Posted: 7/19/2006 Beth Murray Bastrop Texas

 

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Simply a perfect spot at 10,022 feet. It's behind the station, first left of the turn from the highway. A 5 of 5 for scenery and a 5 of 5 for quiet. Take NM-17 from Chama if in NM. See more at http://community.webshots.com/myphotos? ... ity=VgqYav

Posted: 6/22/2006 Richard n Shirley Weatherford Texas

 

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Where is Chama Pass? I can find no one who ever heard of it. I am assuming Highway 17 north of Chama, NM. Is there another name? Can anyone give additional directions to the campground?

Posted: 6/5/2006 Beth Murray Bastrop Texas

 

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This could be a great location for individuals who are interested in riding on the scenic Cumbres and Toltec narrow-gauge railroad, which runs in summer between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. There are several trains each way, and even the option of debarking at the pass, but tickets must be purchased at either starting point. The Antonito segment is considerably longer and more scenic since it parallels the Toltec gorge, but there are more tourist shops and restaurants in Chama. The views are great!

Posted: 4/28/2006 John Pueblo Colorado

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This photo is of the honor pay box at the visitors info. station in Chama, Nm.

[mountainborn]

Please feel free to post links as you find them !BOONDOCKING RESOURCE LINKS:

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http://www.rvtravel.com/blog/rvfreebies/index.shtml

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http://www.rvtravel.com/blog/casinocamping/index.shtml

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http://www.freecampgrounds.com/

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http://www.boondocking.org

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http://www.rv-links.com/boondocking.htm

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http://www.rv-boondocking-the-good-life.com/index.html

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http://telusplanet.net/public/waters/links.htm

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http://www.gypsyjournal.net/free_campgrounds_and_overnight_p.htm

[mountainborn]

Sometimes you find a real sleeper. I think this may be one such boondocking site. It has all of the cool ingredients of a great campsite for those that enjoy boondocking. No hookups. Free. Remote. Located on the beach. It is about as far South as you can go for a great winter snow bird experience. Then there is the bonus, a ancient shipwreck that you can walk to !

Keep in mind that we have never been there, but you can rest assured that we are absolutely itching to !

First, here is a bit of the history of the shipwreck, a paste from a historical site:

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The Battle of Campeche by Fred Toler

Courtesy San Jacinto Museum of History

 

The Battle of Campeche was one of the worlds most historic battles in the annals of naval history. First, the Republic of Texas was at war with Mexico. Yucatan was the most rebellious state of the Centralist Government of Santa Anna in Mexico City. The adjoining State of Tobasco ran a close second in its displeasure with their national government. Yucatan entered in to a contract with the Republic of Texas under the presidency of Mirabeau B. Lamar where Yucatan was to pay the Republic of Texas $8,000 a month for use of some its ships to defend their ports from being blockaded by the Mexican Navy and to defend them against their own government. She was Texas� only ally that actually joined in the fight, much to the embarrassment of the Centralist Mexican government. Had this disruption not held the main force of Mexico�s army putting down their uprisings, Texas most surely would have been invaded by a much larger force, again commanded by Santa Anna and the course of Texas retaining its independence and eventually becoming the 28th State of the United States of America might never have happened.

During the Battle of Campeche the Mexican Navy had two steam vessels in their opposing fleet, the MONTEZUMA and the GUADALOUPE along with several sail vessels. The Texas Navy had only sail vessels, the schooner of war AUSTIN and the Brig WHARTON, and while the battle lasted several days. They were aided at the beginning of the battle by the small fleet of the State of Yucatan under the command of former Texas Navy officer Captain James D. Boylan.

 

The Mexican Navy had a distinct advantage over the Texas vessels, powered by sail alone. To make matters worse, as can been seen by James Moore�s minutes above of the conflict, there was little or no wind, giving the Mexican navy an even greater advantage as they could maneuver at will and the Texas Navy was at the mercy of the elements for power. This also gave the Mexicans the advantage of staying just out of reach of the Texas Navy�s canons.

 

As can been seen by the minutes below, the Mexican fleet suffered a large amount of casualties, while the Texans losses were minimal. The Mexican�s withdrew from the battle during the night of the 16th of May, but they struck a medal for their navy proclaiming a �Great Naval Victory for Mexico�. See the end of this page for a picture of the medal.

 

Historians have been arguing about this sea battle for years, and I am sure it will continue far into the future. But, the fact remains, this is the first and only naval victory where two sail vessels of the Texas Navy, and a �fishing boat navy� of Yucatan, prevailed over the superior steam men of war of Mexico!

 

Admiral Walter Nass

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[mountainborn]

The shipwreck near by the boondocking site is the MEXICAN GUN BOAT MONTEZUMA, April 30, 1843. Here are some photos as the wreck looks today:

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[mountainborn]

Those that have been there estimate the size of the shipwreck at aproximately eighty by twenty feet in it's present condition.

Here is a map of the area:

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The straight Blue line that runs on a diagonal, is the Brownsville ship canal that seperates the Boca Chica State Park from South Padre Island. The yellow line that parallels it is the highway from Port Isabel to Brownsville. When looking South from South Padre Island it is easy to mistake the ship channel for the Rio Grande river, and assume that everything to the South is in Mexico.

The Rio Grande is the squiggly line to the bottom of the map. The road going out to the beach is Texas 4 and it is paved right to the edge of the ocean. Warning signs tell drivers to slow down, that the road ends in the ocean.

[mountainborn]

Here is the Google Earth View of the same area:

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Want to go there and zoom in on areas that may intrest you ? Just type in Port Isabel Texas in the Google Earth search window and look to the SouthEast.

The nearest small community is labeled on Google Earth as Kopernick Shores. But local residents have aparently renamed it Boca Chica, Texas. But because of the confusion over the name should you type in either name the results may be misleading.

[mountainborn]

Wondering what those pushpins are that show on the map that I posted ? They will likely not be on your Google Earth map. They are an interactive KML patch that is applied to the Google Earth software that shows the locations of Geocaches in the area. Yep, you can even spend a bit of time Geocaching while you are there, if the urge strikes ya' !

There is even a cache located near the shipwreck. The coordinates are:

N 25* 58.528

W 097* 08.917

Since we ain't been there yet, and if you get there first, or have already been there, please post a update here !

[mountainborn]

Here is a paste of the Mapquest driving directions from Brownsville, Tx to the area:

1: Start out going NORTHWEST on E WASHINGTON ST/US-77 BR N toward E 12TH ST. 0.0 mi Map

 

 

2: Turn LEFT onto E 12TH ST. 0.1 mi Map Avoid

 

 

3: Turn LEFT onto E ELIZABETH ST/US-77 BR S. 0.2 mi Map Avoid

 

 

4: Turn LEFT onto INTERNATIONAL BLVD/US-77 N/US-83 N. Continue to follow INTERNATIONAL BLVD. 2.3 mi Map Avoid

 

 

5: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto E 14TH ST/TX-4 E. 0.2 mi Map Avoid

 

 

6: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto BOCA CHICA BLVD/TX-4 E. Continue to follow TX-4 E

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Don't forget, The Boca Chica Highway ( Tx 4 ) runs into the ocean !