֍۩ Campground Review List ۩֍

I have been meaning to get around to this for some time now. It's a daunting task but hopefully it will help any fellow travelers (current or future) who might be reading to find a great campsite for their upcoming trip. A majority of our journey has encompassed California and Utah which are both very beautiful states. Nonetheless, the following will be an ongoing list which will be improved from time to time to include our findings as we continue our tour.

It all started on the East Coast with a dream of adventures. With the huge help of Freecampsites.net, we were able to locate amazing ((and not so amazing)) places to spend a night or longer while we were in 'town'. Freecampsites.net is a user based system where just about anyone can post new places to stay. There is a moderator team to weed out the junk but for the most part, this website has been extremely helpful. The best feature is the user reviews which gives you the actual down and dirty facts of the sites. Locations without review are a bit scary since you don't know what to fully expect but sometimes its the only option in your region and you have to take the plunge. Once you do know the deal however, its best to login and let others know how it went. The database is always improving and we rarely have technical issues with the site. Oh yeah, and the App is just a link to the website so just cut straight to the chase. Be sure to click the Campground name for a link to more information.

As with any campsite or boondock location, always abide by the law of the land including fire safety, adherence to private property/trespassing, trash pack-in/pack-out, proper waste management and attention to potential wildlife like bears, snakes, coyotes, moose, deer, raccoon, skunks, tarantulas etc.

--We are currently also looking at the Campendium website for secondary references. We have yet to try sites listed on there but assume its a very similar structure.--

-JUNE-

1. Hidden Hollow Campground - Free

11 Twp Rd 181, Bloomingdale, OH 43910

Bloomingdale, Ohio

GPS: 40.334339, -80.764242

Elevation: 1176'

[Camped here for a one nighter on the way through town. Easy enough to find and the long paved sites are great for any rig. Along side each platform is a nice large camping area with ring and table. We arrived during a cicada emergence so the noise was incredible but this was the anomaly. The gun range nearby also allowed for some outside noise. The water tap onsite is listed as non-potable and the drop toilets on site were standard.]

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2. Merriwether Lewis Campground - Free

Hohenwald, Tennessee

GPS: 35.522797, -87.455078

Elevation: 955'

[Once again, another one nighter through town. Merriwether was an unexpected stop but well worth it. A bit off the beaten path, nestled in the wood, the smaller sites have good pull through or back-ins pads well paved for any sized rig. Fire pit and tables included and FLUSH toilets on-site were well cleaned. There was spot for campground host but none present at the time.]

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3. Sanford-Yake Campground - Free

Sanford, Texas

GPS: 35.70639, -101.559998

Elevation: 3012'

[A one nighter to remember at this beautiful campground. We arrive in late afternoon and set up camp at one of the top pavilions. Each site has a pit and picnic table with sturdy pavilion on pad. Sites are on the smaller side and limited privacy if full. Flush toilets and water for rigs provided and an amazing view of Lake Meredith. We watched a storm roll in from afar and by midnight, intense winds and lighting pushed us into the car for the night. Not the best nights sleep from the freak storm]

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4. Joe Skeens - El Maplais Campground - Free

HWY 117

Grants, New Mexico

GPS: 34.941908, -107.820155

Elevation: 6898'

[One of our favorite sites was located at this desert site. The location was fairly vacant but the slope and vegetation allowed for better privacy. Each site had a shade pavilion and picnic table (no fire pit) and great views of the lava flow lands to the west. Mind the dip at the entrance to the CG which might get some towers stuck in the rut. Unpaved lots might be more difficult for some rigs. Drop toilets on site were clean and cared for during our visit.]

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5. Tom's Best Spring Road Boondocking- Free

Bryce Canyon, Utah

GPS: 37.721502, -112.254688

Elevation: 7816'

[The first night we were in this region, we stayed in the paid Dixie NF campground. With a short drive, we found this location on a whim and set up camp on one of the turnouts. SUPER Private sites off the beaten path with improvised fire rings. Might be a bit windy on some of  the Mesa sites but incredible views and no outside noise. Close to Bryce and Dixie with a medium drive to Zion. No other amenities so bring your own facilities and water.]

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6. Valley of Fire State Park Campground - Paid

29450 Valley of Fire Road
Overton, Nevada 89040

[Stayed at this location outside of Las Vegas area. A $20 fee ($30 for hook-up site) is charged for the use of camping areas and is payable at the campgrounds. All campsites are first-come, first-serve. There are two campgrounds with a combined total of 72 units. Campsites are equipped with shaded tables, grills, water, and restrooms and have minimal privacy. A dump station and showers are available at cost. Facilities were clean but well used.]

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7. Scott's Lake Campsite - Free

Hope Valley, California

GPS: 38.765404, -119.940048

Elevation: 7111'

[Spent about two weeks at this busy site +/- the July 4th holiday. Ripe for off road rigs including dirtbikes, quads and buggies, this location is very popular with all sorts. About 40 minutes from the S Tahoe Region, this camping area allows for about 20 unimproved sites with improvised fire rings. A short but difficult '4x4 suggested' drive gets you to Scott's Lake with amazing views of the mountains and pines. A must see. No other amenities so bring your own facilities and water.]

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-JULY-

Occupy Dinkey Creek

-AUGUST-

Occupy Dinkey Creek

-SEPTEMBER-

Occupy Dinkey Creek

1. Laguna Mtn Rec. Area - Free

Coalinga Road

King City, California

GPS: 36.368169, -120.83103
Elevation: 2861'

[A weekend trip led us to this small 5 site campground in the hills west of Fresno. The location has a few other campgrounds which support more/larger rigs but this one was right for our tenting that time. The sites were small so leave the giant tents and supplies at home. Drop toilet was clean and the sites were well maintained. Good view from the top sites and private camp locations provided for a good time. Take the hike past the metal barricade for some amazing Serpentine rock samples which shimmer in teals, blues and purples. Also, a season waterfall is a 3 mi. hike down the trail. No water or shops nearby so BYO]

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2. Sample Meadow Campground - Free

Lakeshore, California

GPS: 37.33314, -119.15334

Elevation: 7828'

[Spent a weekend at this location while exploring Mono Hot Springs, a free use series of hot springs in the hills past Kaiser Pass. This location was great because it was free AND we were allowed camp fires. Each location has a fire ring and one or more well used picnic tables. Drop toilets were well worn and could use updating. Look for the last site to the right of the metal barricade before the bridge. Very private with lots of wooded areas to explore and enjoy right by the stream.  No water or shops nearby so BYO]

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3. Dinkey Creek Road Boondocking - Free

Dinkey Creek Road

Shaver Lake, California

GPS: 37.096035, -119.296593
Elevation: 5743'

[Numerous roadside pull-offs allow for camping in the woods of the Sierras. We made camp at a pull-off from Swanee Road (no signs/see GPS suggestions) at an established camp. Mind the fire restrictions in place and also note hunting season if applicable. We bought Ziggy a high-vis vest after hearing numerous gunshots in the area. Safe none-the-less and right outside of Shaver Lake which offers small scale convenience stores, places to eat and outdoor outfitters. Roads are unimproved, dirt, or gravel with potential for heavy rutting. If you bring a big rig and want  deep spot, best to unhitch and do some homework before travelling the route. Stay away from the first pull-out which becomes super crowed and opt for a more private location. No water or facilities so BYO]

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-OCTOBER-

1. Goat Meadow Snow Play Mountain Boondocking - Free

Mount Raymond Road

Fish Camp, California

GPS: 37.491415, -119.624698
Elevation: 5276'

[Right outside the East entrance to Yosemite, this area was great for a short stay with numerous small locations to park up and stay. A lot of spots were on a hillside and not great for large rigs but tents will do fine. The flatter spots tended to fill up quickest so stake your claim ASAP. Also, RV's parked on the paved pad which was level and sturdy. Access road is gravel in great condition and landing has a bear-proof large garbage nearby for your trash. Other than that no water or facilities so BYO]

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2. Mono Lake Basin Boondocking - Free

Picnic Grounds Road

Lee Vining, California

GPS: 37.944889, -119.093529
Elevation: 6732'

[Excellent site off the beaten path and a short drive from the Mono Lake Tufa's, Lee Vining and the East Entrance to Yosemite. Follow the narrow sandy path to your private location of choice to set camp under the stars in the vicinity of volcanoes and massive mountains. Make sure to mind the potential for coyotes in the area as we had a pack howling each night. No water or facilities so BYO]

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3. Glacier View Campground - Paid

Main Street

Big Pine, California

GPS: 37.173313, -118.289261
Elevation: 3960'

[We originally attempted to make it through to the campground near the Ancient Bristle Cone Pine Forest but with night upon us and a long day of driving behind, we opted for this paid location at the foothills of the ABCPF. Liz made use of the affordable showers and the clean bathrooms onsite were nice to have. The sites are small and cramped but fine for a night or two. It is right off the highway so noise is a bit of an issue throughout the night. Hook-ups are available for a nominal fee in addition to the normal cost. A campground host is present so this is a no-party zone. Potable water from the spigot is provided.]

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4. Garnet Hill Boondocking - Free

39.282993, -114.949613

Ruth, Nevada
GPS: 39.282889, -114.949555

Elevation: 7290'

[Arriving late at night and leaving early the next morning, we had little time to explore the area but the camping did the trick for what we needed. Follow OFFICIAL signs for Garnet Hill (seeing as how our GPS tried to take us down the worst dirt road ever), and make sure to keep momentum as you tend to the hill. We found camping spots along the left side of the road as you near the summit. At the top is a drop toilet well kept and few tables but actual camping at this area might not be allowed. Find your camp off the dirt road and use already established fire pits. Make sure to whip out your hammer and smash some rocks to search for some deep red garnets. Ely has grocery and gas nearby to restock.]

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5. East Capitol Reef Boondocking - Free

Hanksville, Utah

GPS: 38.277878, -111.130745

Elevation: 5171'

[A beautiful place to boondock, this location is right outside the boundary of Capitol Reef and sits atop a mesa. We encountered a freak wind event which led us to a lackluster nights sleep in the Subaru. None-the-less, a fairly easy camp to access in most/all rigs with user built fire rings. Fairly flat parking provided a good spot for most setups and privacy is OK if your neighbors aren't too close. No water or facilities so BYO]

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6. Yellow Circle Road Boondock - Free

191 and Yellow Circle Road

Moab, Utah

GPS: 38.435474, -109.427631
Elevation: 5298'

[A great location on the southeast side of town, this camping area accommodates numerous groups with limited privacy. The exposed sites offer great views of the surround landscape and sunsets and has a few trails to explore up the hills. 25 minutes outside of town and about 40 mins to Arches, this site is a bit further but less popular than the overcrowded locations to the west of the parks. We spent the better part of a week at this location while enjoying the area. No water or facilities so BYO]

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7. Lake Como Road - Boondock Sites - Free

Lake Como Road

Blanca, Colorado

GPS: 37.526985, -105.593536
Elevation: 7680'

[This free site is good for a half dozen campers at the foothills near the Great Sand Dunes of southern Colorado. The road slopes up towards the mountains so level ground might be hard sought unless you can (and want to) snag the immediate sites on the flat. The road is quite wash boarded so watch your speed and position. Little privacy aside from distance from neighbors and no nearby amenities. No water or facilities so BYO]

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8. Burch Canyon Road - Boondock Sites - Free

Road 254

Utah

GPS: 37.601438, -109.923472
Elevation: 6998'

[A quick overnight between locations led us to this location. It is close to Natural Bridges National Monument and offers a handful of pull-off locations along a dirt road. I would not recommend for larger rigs and those that cannot clear a gap. The area is prone to wash-outs so be careful before and after heavy rains. We set camp in a wooded nook for the night. No towns or amenities to speak of so BYO.]

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9. Lockhart Road Needles District Canyonlands Boondock Sites - Free

Lockhart Rd

Moab, Utah

GPS: 38.1795, -109.66695
Elevation: 4917'

[Another favorite location in the middle of the desert and a stones throw from Canyonlands Needles District entrance. This no frills series of sites along Lockhart road offer nice private locations and stunning views of the surrounding canyons and valleys. Take some time to explore the local climbing features on the red slick rocks. We spent two night but would stay more if we had the time. No towns or amenities nearby so stock up and BYO.]

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-NOVEMBER-

1. Logan Canyon Campsites - Free

Logan Canyon, just past 2nd dam

Logan, Utah

GPS: 41.746998, -111.733063
Elevation: 5036'

[A one nighter while passing through left us with Logan Canyon. At this time of year, sites were closed and gated along this road so be prepared to reroute. In normal season though, this camping location is prime with people along this major road. We did not specifically stay in this listed location but there are numerous sites along the road to camp up at. We stayed along the river and left in the early AM to continue our journey. Potable water and toilets may be available depending on the season.

2. Meadow Lake Campground - Free

Ennis, Montana

GPS: 45.443633, -111.706658
Elevation: 4836'

[The beautiful mountains of Montana gave us an amazing background for our two nights outside of Ennis. The quiet and semi private campsites allowed for a good nights sleep along the banks of the lake. Fire pits and picnic tables provided along with a clean and stocked drop toilet gave this campsite two thumbs up. Ennis' small town western feel synced up with its nearby access to Yellowstone's western entrance. Great campground at a great location.]

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3. Nelson State Rec. Area - Free

Saco, Montana

GPS: 48.488739, -107.531288
Elevation: 2247'

[A mighty fine site along a lake once more provided us with a safe and quiet place to spend the night. Large pavilions with numerous picnic tables and improved fire pits allows for large groups to attend. There are also numerous drop toilets along the banks for easy access. The campsite is a bit out of town so be sure to stock up  on goods. The nearby Sleeping Buffalo Hot springs is said to be a treat in its newly renovated form. We were unable to attend since they were closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.]

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CURRENT AS OF NOV 15.

Honey BooBoo's Flaming Stump

As we near the end of the season for the campground, our duties as hosts have changed a bit and we go from kiosk greeter to care and maintenance of the grounds. This isnt necessarily  the worst thing and has us doing odd jobs like walking each site to rip nails and screws from trees or dig out fire pits for the end of season. We also finally have a chance to clean the day-use creek areas where people have been shoving trash into rock cravases; because where else would it go? Some tasks still remain though like checking bathrooms for TP and clogs (as previously discussed) and performing the night time compliance for noise and fires.

{Small rant: Come 10pm, the campground is to become quiet. No generators, lowered or off canned music and no hecklin/hootin/hollerin. Apparently the woods are an accepatble SCREAM ZONE and this past weekend we have had children yelling for no specific reason other than to be loud. It gets old very quickly.

Labor day was a nightmare since you could imagine we were at full capacity with just Liz and I to clean and maintain 29 restrooms and make sure all campers followed the rules. At night the sounds carry through the tall pine trees and its hard to pinpoint the source. The golf cart is so easily unmistakable that when we roll around, we pass campfires of 30+ people DEAD silent with eyes beaming at us. We not only watch but are always watched. Folks know what the cart means yet there are the disobiedient/disrespectful few who, once the cart has past, will crank up the volume. The mile long campground is impossible to monitor top to bottom with one cart. We did our best performing numerous laps at "hot-spots" and remaining up and moving until almost midnight. Even so, we recieve numerous noise complaints in the morning that this site or the other was turnt up and lit till the wee hours. Unfortunately, if its not happening in the 30 or so sites right near our camper, we dont know and cant monitor. We really arent paid enough to deal with some of this sh!t.}

Anyways, last night on rounds, the grounds were surprisingly quiet and only a handful of guests were reminded to keep it down. As we past H-loop which has maybe 4 of 14 sites occupied, I spied something of intrigue in the darkness. A small flame was licking at an otherwise quiet and unoccupied site. We came around the loop to find its origin. The occupants had, for some reason, thought it would be OK to heave a 50+lb log (uncut) onto the fire ring grill to burn. Well fun fact about circles is they roll. And this flaming log with embers shootin out the sides had fallen off the grill and was laying a few feet away on a bed of highly flamable pine needles and sticks with a low hanging branch right above.

Its 10:30pm and no one in sight. We call to the site occupants and hear a voice from within the tent. A woman the spitting image of a dirty adult Honey Boo-Boo clad in sweats and Uggs emerges and asks what the trouble is. We question, in polite words, what the actual F* was going on with this flaming log. The excuses were poor at best and when asked why their fire was unattended, the golden response was given. "We were watching it from within the tent" which, mind you, had no windows open at the time. They were in the tent because they were cold. Well isnt that what a fire is for? They also confessed to knowing that this lit log was off the grill and near to roll down the hill and into their neighbors site.

Just a fact of true negligence and possibly some unintelligence could have started the next California wildfire care of site ##. The fire, starting and speading in the night would cause a cut off of the campground leaving the upper portion stranded with no exit (and of course we are living in the upper). A mass exodus of campers would fuel a huge traffic jam down the one lane road as the dead trees around them burned to the ground. Water reserves wouldnt do much as the fires spead atop the mountain. The unseasonable winds had earlier in the day would carry embers for a distance to rapidly increase spead. All this because Honey Boo-Boo's flaming stump of a fire rolled its embering body down a hill and caught all the kindling that litters the ground igniting this forest fire.

We dumped eight gallons of water on the hulk (log) and it was still giving steam. Armed with a pint sized water bottle, the firestarters were completely unarmed to battle their blaze even when ready to turn in. Glad we caught it and were ready to assist with dousing in the dark. And believe me, Liz and I gave a stern talking to good old Boo-Boo about why this is NOT OK and how to actually have a safe fire. Hopefully next time they use a little common sense before they burn.

Camper Confusions

Hiya folks and welcome back to another installment of what we learned as campground hosts in California. When Liz and I arent cleaning up after the guests, we perform greeter and check-in duties at the front gate. This task can require alot of patience when its hot and you have a line of cars eager for their family to check in and check out. Additionally, you come across many folks who are totally out of their element in the woods. This is not to say they shouldnt be here since nature is for everyone. Instead, clueless customers should educate on proper mechanics of camping and what that may entail. The office use to provide a card to each guest stating the rules of the campground but due to the ink-jet inflation of printables, money is saved by not distubiting this list; instead the big four are stated to each guest.

1. FIRES: It wouldn't be much of a camping trip if you couldnt decimate a fallen log into splinters and burn its remains to a chared ash. Not many Fresnoids have campfires at home so the ability to light up is a huge enticement.

》》 As California continues another season of devastating drought, wildfires have taken thousands of acres of the Big Sur area which is a few hours north of us. Smaller fires rage in Los Padres where we camped earlier in our trip (see Ojai adventures) and even closer on the outskirts of Prather which is the town just down the hill from us. With fast firefighter response, the crew of 70+ engines, a dozen or more dozers and helicopter hydro dumps, stopped the hills from burning and spreading up the road to us. Banners throughout the region tell passer-bys of the SEVERE DROUGHT and that water conservation and fire safety are of extreme importance. Normally, a free fire permit must be issued by the ranger station in order to cook on gas stoves. The use of firepits or rings in the wild is strictly forbidden and punishable by a hefty fine. The smallest of sparks can start a wildfire. Where's Smokey the Bear advertisements when you need em. 《《

Anywho, as an improved campground with designated fire rings, we are aloud to have guests burn within reason. Firewood collection is aloud from the grounds since nearly 500 trees were felled earlier in the season due to bark beetle devastation (drought related). We ask each guest upon check in to PLEASE have responsible campfires. This includes no branches protruding from the top or sides of the pit and no giant tree rounds burning atop the cooking grate. This is for safety sake and also the reduction of ember travel from the fire rings. We also ask that ample water (a gallon or two) is used to douse fires out COLD before leaving site/going to bed/check-out. A hot log from the night before can still remain active hours into the next day if not properly handled. Water is provided at each bathroom so there really should be no excuse as to why fires are left hot. And yet, each day we have fire pits filled with hot logs and guests are continually asked to make their wood more manageable to not stick out the top. The issue lies in the fact that an axe/saw might be last thing a city dweller will tote to the woods. Thus they can collect wood but cant cut it to size. A basic axe costs about 10$ and the ticket for improper burning from the forest service is about $350. You choose. [And yes, forest service does do patrols in the campground on a nearly daily basis. They are more than willing to issue tickets]

2. Check In (Noon 12)/Check Out (2pm) times are stated clearly on the reservations form online and your printout if you brought it. We are also apt to remind you of these times when you get to the kiosk window and additionally it is stamped on the rear of your parking pass so each time you drive, you are thusly reminded of the fact. And yet we have guests who show up to the window to check in at 9am. Its just like a hotel. If another guest has used your room (or campsite) the night before you, they have up till noon to vacate. Then, a cleanup team has to come in and make sure all trash has been removed and the fire pit is cold and not over flowing. With 122 sites and only two, and sometimes one, clean up team onsite, its a struggle to juggle the ins and outs properly so everyone gets a nice clean place to set up. Alternatively, we have many guests who are enjoying their stay so much that time is nonchalantly overlooked and the clock ticks closer to noon. If the site is not vacated by 1pm, the guest will be charged an additional nights stay (30$). So get it together folks. Pack up the tents and tables, the snacks and stuff and get em going before the clock strikes 12.

3. Keep a tidy site. We are in bear country up here albeit I have yet to see one. A large portion of our campers are afraid to get mauled by a hungry bear and yet leave their trash and food all on the table while asleep or in the creek. Luckily the bears tend to leave the campground alone since its fairly populated. What campers need to consider however is the murder of crows that caw in the tree tops. Their black bird figures will sit atop the pines eyeing sites for vacancy of humans. Once the opportunity arrises, the group will descend to the ground to tear up bags and paper products. It seems they are not specifically in search of food but just want to create a fowl mess of things. (Pun intended) Furthermore, the ground squirrels come in and will rip and tear at tablecloths and other fluffy things to make nesting materials.

In addition to these pest, we have quite a bit of bugga-boos, most of which come out at night. Giant beetles, grasshoppers and moths make the rounds in the evening; namely calling the bathroom home. They are harmless creatures and yet people find the need to assert their human dominance and squish them on the walls inside and out the facilities. The one bug to worry about is the meat bee which will viciously go after the carnivore camper to get some sweet meat tastes.

4. Quiet hours are from 10pm to 6am. This rule is debated by many campers, usually sites that have a big family and more than a few brews. At 10pm we drive the golf carts around to check for 'compliance' of the rules. Most generators go off by then but some RVs need reminder of the time. The issues lie with the campfire circles that emit canned music and a cackling crowd. We are not demanding that everyone go to bed at 10 but instead to keep their noise at a reasonable volume so that their nearby neighbors can enjoy some peace and quiet and get a few winks of sleep without the perturbance of shouts and heckling. With intoxication comes ignorance and can become an issue. On a normal weekend, numerous guests will complain about the noise of their neighbors while the noisy ones who were asked to quiet down will complain about how "they really werent that loud and that we are being racist or selective". Everyone gets fair treatment here so we just ask you abide so everyone can enjoy the great outdoors.

Some rules are abided by a bit more sternly than others and so it is a constant battle to watch for 'rule breakers' and kindly ask them to change their methods so that everyone can be safe and happy. Check out the rest of the rule list in the attached photo. Glad we dont have to spew all those out to new check-ins.

Some Things We Quickly Learned as Campground Hosts

As previously stated, the Dinkey Creek Campground in the Sierra Mountain Range in California is home to 122 non-hookup sites. It is the fun zone for many families, friends and long time visitors. As you can imagine, a campground of this size requires a full time team of cleaners, greeters and maintenance. In the last two weeks of our employment at DCCG, we have come across many things that most would find bizarre and yet to others, this is the norm. Heres a short list of our ongoing discoveries of the human camper psyche.

A large portion of our work is spent making sure the facilities are well stocked and clean for the guests.

1. If someone knocks on the bathroom door and you are inside, reply with "occupied" or "Im in here" or even "Go away". We understand that what happens to us in the bathroom can be considered a private matter but we all poo and when no response is given, we assume you are incapacitated or mute. I dont automatically go in for the handle shakedown like most do, a knock is more pleasant than hearing frantic handle tugs at the door. Just please respond so I know we can move on with our tasks and we know youre in fact not dead on the toilet.

2. We all poo in all shapes, sizes, colors, smells. . . But there is something special about the camping feast. While camping, folks eat food they might not normally chow on and thus their bodies produce an output that is weird to them. Some like to bask in the glory of their creations and thus think that other will want to see, smell ... their business too. We do not. Please flush it down. DCCG is blessed with enough flush toilets to keep all campers happy so there is no reason to let the sh!t sit in the bowl for my discovery. We understand that some behemoth bowels consume the entirity of the bowl and overwhelm the flushing capacity. Please dont press press press the flush button. It only makes the matter worse. Our 'manual grinder' which is usually a stick from the wild will do the trick to unclog the beast and let the action continue down the drain.

3. If you do clog with your log, dont hide it under TP. Other guests dont need that surprise in their daily deuce. The other night on rounds, a lady flags down our golf cart to warn us of a potential log clog. We investigate to find a bathroom with a trickle coming from under the door amd out to the sidewalk. As we open the metal door, a surge of toilet water pours from the room and the bowl is seen gushing water like something from the exorcist. Luckily, we were not on the duty of fixing this doodie and radio'ed it into the next guy. The mess was solved with the manual grider and a squeegee to get the water out.

4. Toilet paper can be flushed. To my understanding, alot of other cultures use the waste bin as a recepticle for all TP generated. This includes ones used for number 2. Often enough, the trash bin will be a container for peoples poopie papers instead of flushing it down the loo. I dont want to touch that so please flush em down. Luckily gloves are provided for our hands to stay 'clean'.

5. People love to make their mark. There is something about sitting in a stall that makes folks want to inscribe their name, number  and relationship status into the walls, sinks, doors, toilet seat etc to let the world know they found the bathroom. Im sure they could invent a graffiti proof bathroom, resistant to all spray and scratch marks, but people would still find a way to leave 'Bill ♡ Sue in '92' on the walls. No one wants this so please dont do it. Also, name carving in trees is not cool. That is unless you tattoo an image of the tree on your body; scar for scar. The tree will outlive your relationship.

6. Dont steal things. Most everything is hard fastened to the walls and is made of prison style stainless steel yet guests find a way to fiddle with whats loose. Five gallon buckets serve as the trash bin and in the past, they would go missing as people used them for filling water from the spigot or hauling trash to he dumpster.  Holes were drilled in the bottom of each pail to prevent water from being toted and this detered most but theres always the few who snag the bucket and use it for other deeds. A pail was found outside a tent that was know for its late night party the prior evening. Upon confrontation, the young man proclaimed the bucket was his but with inspection of the drilled holes in the bottom, his story carried as much water as the bucket did. He did manage to use the bucket as a pee pot and thus earned himself the glory of cleaning it out and throwing his waste away in a proper manner in his hung over stupor.

-- Additionally we have had numerous thefts of the sink handles. The push button to operate the water flow has been somehow mehanically ripped from the faucet making the sink unusable. If they left the handle there, a fix might be possible bit of course it is never to be seen again. The reasoning behind this action is still unknown since the handle provides no worth or merit to the theif. Since DCCG workes on a stickt budget, we dont have the option to head on down to the hardware store and buy a new one. A incident report will be filed and submitted and maybe by next season, funding will be alotted for the fix. This means this sink is out of order for everyone for the rest of the season. THANKS.

7. Drop toilets are NOT dumpsters.  In addition to serving the two dozen toilets on site, we also clean a handful of pit/drop toilets on and off site. The pit toilet is a simple device that only requires two things of you: Close the lid when complete. This allows the stink to air out via the exhaust pipe up top and not back flow into the stall. Second, do not dump trash into the pit. It is extrememly difficult and messy to extract and no one wants that. I would rather you leave your bag of trash out front the door for retrieval instead of dealing with an upset pump truck operater with a grabby claw and elbow-length gloves.

8. If you muck up the seat with your backdoor business, use some TP to wipe it down. Dont let it set and stick on as a dry crust. Once again, no one wants that. Our industrial clean and get it off but we have to provide the muscle and mental strength to complete the task.

9. Use the whole roll. Most restrooms are equipped with three if not four tp rolls. When restocking, I will position the rolls with less left closest to the hand that will be grabbing it. Of course folks dont want to use the scraps so instead will go for the new roll. This leaves four rolls in limbo with little left to use. The roll will remain in place until used but if all little rolls are left, it is surely the case that new tp rolls will have to be added in a short amount of time. It boggles my mind why people wont just use the last of the roll and be the victor for its demise. The world my never know.

Thats about it for now. More lessons learned to come including check-in/check-out times and what that really means.

Where the hell is Dinkey Creek?

Its been just about a week since the Gnome made its way into the Sierra Mnts about and hour and a half east of Fresno to join the Dinkey Creek Campground team. Little did we know that this momentus move would generate such an attachment to a place.

Dinkey Creek lies about 13miles north of Shaver Lake,  a popular destination for the valley and costal folk to escape to the mountains. Twisty mountainous roads lead to the area that has been historically a popular destination for vactioning and also the lumber industry. The massive pines, some of which stretch hundreds of feet high, have been growing in the forest for almost a century  or more. Nearby is McKinley Grove which is home to 150+ giant sequoias that have surpassed age definitions and are the true giants of the forest. Each day presents a pass by of these wonders as we work the satellite sites in Buck Meadow and Dinkey Fisherman.

For my part, the "challenges" of each day vary including power washing the 30 some odd bathrooms, brushing our the dumpster areas and general clean up/maintenance. Daily tasks also include compliance with campground rules, processing checkin and check outs and helping all the campers to have a wonderful time. Liz's role is namely in the entrance kiosk to help campers get in the grounds and answer any questions they may have. Puppy petting is optional but she gets to meet and greet most campers who come on by. The days are a bit longer than 8 hours but the time flys by fast and the people are extraordinary.

We may not be making millions but we get to live in the natural beauty of the area for free including water and power hookups which is a new feeling for us. So far, we are hooked on the location, grounds and people we work with. The gnome team anticipates working at DCCG for the next few months as the summer season comes to an end. This should give our bank accounts the necessary boost to keep on exploring the states post employment. We also hope our experiences and connections made will provide us with the support to move onto the next thing; what ever that may be.

The Working Gnome

After a beautiful two week visit to the Tahoe area, we were ready to go. Much of our time spent in this area was in the Library frantically looking for work. When last we left, our funds were waning and the need to work was growing. Our initail intent was to work at a campground but at a certain point, we were desparate for just about anything including craigslist gigs. We applied to just about every open position for campground host on the west coast with only a couple call backs in the works. One of the call backs was from Clayton with the California Land Management team. He was genuinely  interested in our application; either that or he was just desparate for a toilet scrubber. After numerous calls and a bit of negotiating  on my end, we were offered the position for campground host/hostess/dogst at the Dinkey Creek CG near Shaver Lake in the Sierras!! The position is exactly what it sounds like; guest check in and info guru who also cleans the facilities on site in addition to any minor fixes that might be necessary. Additionally, Liz will be allowed to drive a golf cart and/or pickup on site. (Their insurance wouldnt cover me due to a driving infraction from 2012 :( oh well. I might just buy a bicycle to jot around)

As we drive towards our new working world, a small pit of nervousness is present about our duties and new home for the next few months. We intent to stay through the season up till September. A Costco stock up will supply our stomaches for a while since the nearest store will be miles and many minutes away and only supply the basics at a premium. We dont know what to expect with connectivity to the outside world so all responses may go unread/unanswered for a time until we can get to a 3g spot.

The pay aint great but it should be enough time to refill the accounts for a while. Also the ability to add this to our resume will help in securing other prospects in the future. Finally, the gnome gets a free home far from worry about stay limits or camp fees which quickly add up. I think we're gonna rock this opportunity and have a blast making friends (and maybe a few foes who dont follow the rules) who too travel in search of adventures on the road.

-Gnome Team out