Dirtbag Writer

That’s Not How You Camp – A Night at the Big Bend Overflow

Posted on 15. Oct, 2009 by Writer in On The Road

I woke up this morning in Rubes thrilled to be in my one of my favorite camp spots in all of Utah – Big Bend Recreation Area outside of Moab.  The road to Big Bend follows the Colorado River and winds around so many times it completely messes up any sense of direction I have.  The sun always rises in the opposite direction I expect and I still can’t seem to wrap my mind around it.

I couldn’t believe I slept through the night and until 8:30 (all these life changes have given me a bit of insomnia) – but I always sleep well in Ruby.  I don’t know what it is?  Actually I do.  It is something like going home.

This morning as I sit propped up in the back of Rubes journaling while taking in the bright red buttes surrounding me on all sides, a gang of teens from the campground across the street walks by my camp.  “That’s not how you camp,” one of the kids declared very matter of factly as he passed by my car.  I sit up abruptly and almost say out loud, “What – you can’t be talking about me?”  The thing is I don’t know if they are talking about my setup or the luxury home on wheels next to me.

I got into Moab late last night and found my favorite campground full.  With all this talk of economy-shmaconomy, I was astonished to find my fave camp spot filled with gigantic homes on wheels on a Wednesday in the middle of October.  I went across the street to the “overflow” camping lot which can typically fit about 8-10 cars and tried to squeeze into the little bitty spot left by two trucks.  One truck has the largest camper I had ever seen and the other had a trailer with 3 four-wheelers and a golf cart looking thing.

“We don’t fit no where,” my neighbors for the evening said trying to strike up conversation with me.  They had been looking for a campsite for the better part of the evening and instead of thinking there was something wrong with their load they were complaining about the size of the campsites.  It was at the exact moment that I was “greeted” by the camp host and told that I had to pay 5 bucks to park there for the night – ironically the same amount as the 2 trucks, trailer, and house next to me.

I try so, so hard not too judge, but when you spend the night next to a set-up like that – I can’t help it.  And the funny thing is, I really don’t know who that kid was talking about.  It could really be either one of us.  It all depends on his experience and level of camping comfort.  And as much as I might be judging the guys next door they may very well be sitting in their cozy camper laughing about the hippy chick sleeping in her car next door and making jokes about how I will probably be out hugging cactus on the trail tomorrow.

Tags: Camping, Simple Living, Utah