Overnight stop
Adelanto is a small town in the Mojave Desert on US 395, not too far north of San Bernardino, Calif. Since we found ourselves passing through the area and needing a place to park for the night, I stopped by the Adelanto City Park to see if overnight parking is still allowed here. We had spent a night here about a year ago. I was glad to see the faded sign still posted: "PARKING LIMITED TO 24 HRS." It's not a big park, and there are no facilities except for three or four picnic tables. But the adjacent parking lot has room for about five or six RVs, and the green grass and trees make for a much nicer place to stay than a Wal-Mart lot.It's too bad that more towns don't provide something like Adelanto's park, a place of respite for the road weary. After we had rested a bit, we took a walk around. Unfortunately the park was despoiled by a considerable amount of scattered trash, despite the presence of two large and empty trash cans. I decided to repay the folks of Adelanto by picking up a couple of bags worth. Maybe they'll see fit to keep the park open until the next time I am passing by.
When I stay at free campgrounds and parks, I often pick up after the "decency challenged" jerks who seem to be unclear on the concept of personal responsibility. It would be easy to say "It's not my mess." But with all levels of government facing increasing fiscal challenges, if those of us who take advantage of places like these don't pitch in, we will ultimately be the losers.
posted by jerryriverguy at
4:30 PM
11 Comments:
We don't stop in many places that are free, but what a great idea wherever it is. Next time we do so I shall emerge with big plastic bag in hand to pick up the area. A small price to pay I say.
By
Anonymous, at 10:43 AM
Stopping at a 'free' spot sounds OK, but we would never do it anywhere unless there were someone already there or we were traveling with another couple. There are many homeless who take advantage of places like that and you have no idea if they are criminals or not. Better to belong to a camping organization that provides discount camping in a secure campground.
By
Anonymous, at 11:24 AM
All good RVers need to help out by picking up the "decency challenged" amongst us. Good for you! I pick up where ever I camp. "Leave where you stay better than you found it" should be every RVers moto.
Larry M
By
Anonymous, at 12:18 PM
We also pick up trash where ever we stay for free, even at WalMart ! Our motto also is "leave it nicer looking than when we came". It's so easy to each grab a couple bags and fill them as we walk and talk. With all the federal cutbacks especially, the rangers don't have time to "police" the area and our efforts have always been appreciated !
By
Dar, at 1:01 PM
We have utilized Wal-Marts many, many times. I make concerted efforts to pick up trash and return empty carts to the basket corral or take same inside if I am going inside to make purchases. This is another way of thanking management for letting us stay overnight. I always get permission before staying.
By
Anonymous, at 6:56 PM
We started geocaching a year ago. Geocachers have a program called "CITO"....Cache In Trash Out. We now always carry a plastic grocery bag or two in our jeans. I keep a bag full of bags behind the driver's seat so we always have a supply of them.
By
Anonymous, at 8:07 PM
Cheers to you...that's a great thing to do....maybe we should start teaching people in school not to litter......seems to me us Canadiens are a little better at it!!!
By
Anonymous, at 4:20 PM
We also pick up trash at all the free places we stay including Wal-Mart and collect the empty carts. It's the only decent thing to do. We aren't afraid to stay anywhere. We just get our Doberman out for a walk when we first get there or if we see someone supicious looking and they always leave. Plus we have a "higher authority" looking out for us also.
By
Anonymous, at 1:45 PM
I absolutely agree with you about the trash issue. We try to keep things clean everywhere we go. I'm thinking about investing in one of those trash grappers so I don't have to bend down so much. Thanks. Jim
By
Anonymous, at 3:47 PM
Our parents taught us to "Always leave things better than you found them." We have passed that on to our children & as Scout & youth leaders we have imparted that same philosophy to others.
On another note I was sorry to see a post by someone that does not stay at free spots "unless there were someone already there or we were traveling with another couple." I can only say that many of our most enjoyable over nights have been "wide spots in the road." That has been both from the scenery & some of the people we have had the pleasure to spend some time with. Frequently we are either the first to arrive as we try to quite driving early, or the only ones there. We also use camp grounds, mostly for the conveniences they provide. Always use good common sense & trust your instincts, but we refuse to let fear rule us.
By
Anonymous, at 12:59 PM
I agree with leave it cleaner than you found it. Am sure you are familiar with Freecampgrounds.com. More and more towns are learning the advantages of offering free or cheap camping in return shopping.
By
Anonymous, at 4:49 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home