Re: [Paddlewise] "Commado" Camping

About 2 years ago, while on a canoe trip down the Columbia River from
Wenatchee, WA to Richland, WA with some high school aged coed Scouts, we
found that our planned campsite was now a vacation home development.  I had
checked with the BLM who managed the area, and was told that it was still
uninhabited, and that it would be ok to camp there.  Obviously, he was part
of the 10% who don't get the word.  Some kind hearted soul invited us to
camp on his lawn, and woke us up with coffee and donuts the next morning. 
They were so hospitable that we didn't get underweigh until about 1030 the
next morning.  The winds came up about 1100 that day and we were literally
blown onto the beach.  We waited for a while, hoping that the winds would
slack some, but to no avail.  I made the decision to spend the night where
we were (Frenchman Bar just above Vantage).  The area was desert, and there
was no one to ask.  It's hard to think of a more desolate area.  Just as I
gave the kids the go-ahead to start setting up their tents, the owner's
agent approached on his 4x4 scooter, demanding to know what we were up to
and to get off his beach.  I apologized and explained our situation.  He is
a retired USCG Senior Chief, and understood about small boats and large
waves.  His attitude changed and he directed us to a campsite that he had
prepared, with a big fire pit and lots of wood (what is it about Scouts and
fire?).  Sometimes Serendipity does wonderful things.  He had dinner with
us that night, (Curry Chicken and Veggies over Rice) and saw us off in the
morning.  Of course, we left the campsite(s) better than we found them,
minus a little wood.  ;-)

Steve Featherkile

> [Original Message]
> From: Kasia Pierzga <kasia_pierzga_at_hotmail.com>

> 
> Any other hard-core guerrilla campers lurking? I know you're out
there!!!! 
> Being your usual stealthy selves.......
> 
> SYOW,
> Kasia
> 
> 
> 
>
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--- Steven Featherkile
--- madwolf_at_earthlink.net
--- EarthLink: It's your Internet.


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