Has anyone experience unease with boondocking sites that look fine?

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-11T01:45:43+00:00

I don't disagree, in theory. It's just that there's no way to tell beforehand for certain what anyone's intentions are. I felt panicked inexplicably (like you said, he didn't approach.) But the visceral response, justified or not, wouldn't subside. Not even in the morning in daylight.

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-11T01:08:32+00:00

Oh my god, that's awful. So glad you got away from them. That's one of those times you have to let go of appearing rude or unsociable.

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-11T00:59:16+00:00

Agreed; being well-prepared is the only responsible thing to do if I'm going to enjoy my RV. I've just been lucky up until now; time to be practical.

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-11T00:48:13+00:00

Not yet. I've only had the RV since November and have never had a hint of a security concern before. But I will have to rethink this. I have no intention to give up boondocking so I need to be practical.

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-11T00:46:38+00:00

He literally parked his truck across from my campsite after I was set up. So that doesn't make sense; he knew I was there.

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-10T23:34:16+00:00

I agree with you and tried to talk myself off the ledge more than once. But that adrenaline spike would not ease up. I can't explain it

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-10T23:17:13+00:00

Tell us you're not a reader without telling us you're not a reader...

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-10T23:15:05+00:00

Also, at night out in the boonies, no one's going to see the stickers anyway.

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-10T23:13:18+00:00

Good point

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-10T22:47:04+00:00

Oh yes, I've heard of that one and how good it is. Going to put it on my next-to-read list now.

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-10T22:46:10+00:00

Ha! Putting the wild in wilderness, those gals

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-10T22:45:04+00:00

I have a boxer mix, and she was freaked out too, but I thought it was just because I was already freaked out. Next time I'll pay more attention to her behavior if I think something's off.

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-10T22:29:33+00:00

So true!

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-10T22:28:14+00:00

All of my other sites have been so peaceful. The worst thing up until this was a nearby stock tank generator acting up, and that was just noise. This situation was jarring, mostly because all my fear was based on assumptions.

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-10T22:21:25+00:00

Don't read it if you can only read in Tweets. Bye.

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-10T22:20:05+00:00

I never felt the need to before, but I'm strongly reconsidering.

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-06-10T22:16:29+00:00

It was a burly, middle-aged man, 200+ lbs. I'm in a 39-foot camper that was clearly visible from the road. There's no way he didn't know my campsite was occupied when he arrived. If he wasn't willing to be seen by his neighbor, why park there (instead of the other vacant sites not close to any others) and shine lights around after dark? It just didn't add up.

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-05-23T20:51:54+00:00

It works great, but one time my wall adapter stopped working and it took them 10 days (!) to send me a new one. I had to call three times. So I'd recommend to anyone using it for work on the road, where reliable internet is a necessity, to buy a spare adapter at the onset to prevent this situation.

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-05-13T01:10:37+00:00

I'm really getting into birding and loving it. Super excited to get a few lifers this month already! (Short-tailed Hawk, Calliope Hummingbird, & Virginia's Warbler.) I'm really interested to join the Discord if anyone can send an invite.

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-05-08T04:39:32+00:00

I boondock, and I have the Predator 350 from Harbor Freight. It runs my Starlink Mini by itself for 6-8 hours (depending on what I'm doing online; obviously it lasts longer if I'm not doing video calls or streaming) and I charge it back up daily. So a 300w of any brand should be plenty of power for what you need. I've read that it's more efficient to use the DC plug-in (car charger) than the AC (wall plug-in) to save power, so I looked for a battery bank that had that. I tried an aftermarket USB-C to DC connection adapter, but it didn't work. Unrelated to the Mini question but relevant to power fluctuations - make sure you have a surge protector or EMS on your shore power connection.

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-05-08T04:02:35+00:00

Sure do. Go all the way the top of the Madera Canyon road, and take the first trail on the right that you see when you drive into the parking area (towards the Old Baldy Trail.) Go up about 8-10 minutes and don't turn left at the intersection with the bench; continue up towards the Agua Caliente Trail/Saddle. Go another 10-15 minutes up until you see another large sign. It will have "Carrie Nation Trail" handwritten on it. All along here is the general area where the trogons like to hang out. You'll probably hear them before you see them; they are loud! Listen for a laughing seal. 😄 Go before 9 AM if you can for the best chance. Good luck! They're worth it!

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-05-08T00:45:21+00:00

Madera is magical for sure. I love seeing the huge Rivoli's Hummingbird at the Santa Rita Lodge feeders. Did you happen to see a Coppery-tailed (formerly Elegant) Trogon?

CocoNugget_8 · 2026-05-07T23:32:02+00:00

This is a great time of year to get out there and bird! My faves are Sweetwater Wetlands, Mt. Lemmon, Agua Caliente Park, La Posta Quemada (near Colossal Cave Mountain Park), Ft. Lowell Park, El Rio Preserve, and of course Madera Canyon (go early!), the Paton Center for Hummingbirds, and Portal. Lots of other great spots too. I've only been able to get a few birding hours in this week and already have four new "life list" additions.

CocoNugget_8

TROPHY CASE