So I wanted to go camping for my birthday,

[laylah]

For the first time in 5 years. I camped weekly in my "old life"; however, here in Illinois, clean fishing water is almost non-existent and my life has drastically changed.

This year, for my 58th (Wednesday), I promised myself I would camp AND fish as that is much of my soul food, which has been lacking.

I drove an hour East to a state park, lovely place, "clean" lake, tent and RV camping.

I have an old (but dear) 1984 VW Westy...camp ready for someone like me. I scoured the area for the "perfect" spot...view of the lake, easy access to fishing, and on the West side so I could greet the sun over coffee.

Now, mind you, I have always been allowed to use "tent" sites for my camping. They are more primitive, not as close to the neighbor, and, always, much cheaper.

I approach the camp host, tell him my situation, only to be told I HAVE to use an RV site. After telling him I won't NEED any of the amenities, just a spot, I am told I will be charged $20 a night, no matter if I am using the amenities (water and electric) or not.

So, dear Lounge, I am heartbroken. I can barely make my mortgage, hit and miss on utilities, didn't EVEN send my youngest a "real" graduation card because I am a social worker pretending to be a food server. I just wanted to TAKE CARE OF ME for a couple of days.

All I wanted for my birthday was to fish, sleep in clean air, and watch the sun rise over a lake. Sigh...as Fizzgig's Dad keeps trying to drill into me "all is well".

I am off to sleep. Just needed to vent. If anyone responds, I will gratefully respond in the morning. If not, I understand :grouphug:

[Danger Mouse]

1. Hang in there.

:hug:

[laylah]

13. Thanks you...

hope all is well in your neck of the woods :hug:

[triguy46]

2. Try the part of the Appalachin Trail down in Argentina. It is awesome....

No rules, just don't get caught.

[laylah]

9. Not enough gas money...

:rofl:

[triguy46]

30. Charge it to the State of South Carolina. They are quite open minded about this.

[mike_c]

3. find a national forest and camp wherever you want....

We do 90 percent of our camping on NF or BLM land, and we camp wherever we want. Well, damn nearly-- I mean, there ARE some restrictions, but not many, and there is SO MUCH good, private, remote camping that the few restricted areas are pretty much never a concern.

Find a national forest, then find a forest service road somewhere that appeals to you. Drive until you find a spot you like. Stop. Camp. Free.

[laylah]

14. If we had any around here, i would; however,

the closest one is at the tip of the state, and I am on the Illinois/Iowa border in the Quad-Cities. That is too far (6 hours) to drive this time around but I keep saying I will go there. Shawnee is supposedly a very beautiful area.

Thanks, mike, for your response :hug:

[demmiblue]

4. Next time tell them you want a tent site...

they do not need to know that you are staying in your VW! Although, I can't imagine why it would be a problem. Perhaps all of the sites were $20+.

Sorry this happened to you...

:hug:

[Kali]

11. Not sure about all of Illinois, but I'm from the west like you and

it is WAY different back there. First of all just plain less public land period. But almost all the camping we saw on our trip (naively thinking we could just drive down some dirt road like we did here in AZ) was developed campgrounds.

[laylah]

20. Oh, they'd bust me for sure,

as I'd be parked on the grass in the site. Plus, it would be dishonest now that I know how they play ball around here.

Actually, tent sites are $8 (no hook-ups), RV sites $20 with hookups, whether you use them or not.

Thanks for your thought, though, and for responding :hug:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

5. I am so sorry

That's about as bad as things can be, and that host is an asshole.

Pick another day for your birthday celebration, and find another place.

I hope you get to fish and camp. I remember how wonderful those things are, so good for the soul. But it sounds like your soul is in mighty fine shape......................

[laylah]

15. You a definitely a dear!

:hug: As for my soul, pretty battered these past few years but I am doing my best to recover it. Thanks for responding.

[janx]

6. The older we get, the more research we need to do to find a peaceful spot.

That's all I can say at the moment. :hug:

[laylah]

16. You are absolutely right, janx.

I don't want to hear my camping neighbor break wind in the night, thank you very much, and that is pretty much what the campgrounds around here are like. The tent sites are not quite as bad but since I apparently own an RV by Illinois definition :silly:, I'd be stuck in an RV site. The ones I have seen are stacked one upon another :puke:

Thanks for responding :hug:

[Odin2005]

7. Hang in there!

:hug:

[laylah]

17. Always Odin,

always :hug:

[handmade34]

8. I too need solitude to revive

...begrudingly we find other ways as the world gets smaller and our parks and wild places are taken away from us.

[laylah]

18. Sad but true,

handmade34. Thanks for responding :hug:

[Strong Atheist]

10. Birthday is which Wednesday? nt.

[laylah]

19. This Wednesday,

July 1. Thanks for asking :hug:

[Strong Atheist]

21. K-ching! See you then!

:hug:

[laylah]

23. Only if you are camping at

John Sauk State Park outside Geneseo, IL :hug:

[Kali]

12. check your inbox

[Tuesday Afternoon]

22. That is too bad. I hope at least that you had a nice drive

coming and going. :hug:

[laylah]

25. it WAS a lovely drive

and there is an update posted below. :hug: Thanks for responding.

jenn

[laylah]

24. UPDATE:

After much agonizing that I may not be able to camp after all due to ridiculously priced camp fees, I remembered I do still have a tent. Am packing now and will be on my way in a few hours.

To all who responded :hug:, to the one who offered assistance, :yourock:

I surely do love DU.

Jenn

[fizzgig]

26. yay!

i'm glad you get to go, my mommy :loveya:

i'll call you wednesday if we don't talk before you leave

[laylah]

27. Thanks baby...

I am OUTTA here. We'll talk Wednesday :loveya:

[GreenPartyVoter]

29. Terrific! Have a lovely time! *hugs*

[GreenPartyVoter]

28. I am so sorry. We go camping now and then and the prices and rules for

lot assignments are pretty out there these days.