We’re opting out of RV travel without purpose during the pandemic. But our trip to the new Fort Collins homestead definitely had purpose. Along the way, we were reminded why we love Boondockers Welcome.
COVID put a halt on leisurely meanderings that rock our world. I hate that we haven’t traveled for the sake of traveling in over a year. We just feel the risk of even trying to live nomadically isn’t worth the hassle right now. The circumstances are too constraining and just plain sad. We prefer road tripping as it was, before the world went to shit. A time when we weren’t afraid of strangers carrying the invisible enemy that almost killed us.
Don’t we all.
Our Love for Boondockers Welcome Pays Off
Meanwhile, the trip to Colorado teased us with the adventure that awaits when “normalcy” returns. As we made our way from the Junkyard Brewery in Grants, New Mexico, to Fort Collins, we took advantage of our Boondockers Welcome membership.
If you’ve ever driven I-25 Northbound between Santa Fe, New Mexico to Denver, Colorado, you probably know there’s a lack of decent free overnight RV parking in the six hours between the two places. Escapees Days End Directory once helped us find an abandoned truck stop to park our wheels for the night. But it wasn’t pretty.
Another time, I took out an old-school Colorado atlas and found a tiny patch of BLM land along the interstate. Scenery was great, but the spot was too close to a ranch. I kept waiting for a shotgun wielding rancher to knock on our door.
But this time out, we scored. A Boondockers Welcome host near Pueblo generously offered their lovely property to us for the night. We leapt at the opportunity.
No, it wasn’t right off the interstate. But the five mile, dirt road journey to get there made it worth the effort. Our first night in Colorado was filled with nothing but a little wind, and the darkest skies we’ve seen since Camp Covid in Oregon.
Boondockers Welcome Restores Our Faith in Humanity
Honestly, we haven’t made full use of Boondockers Welcome all these years. The reason is because many of the hosts have dogs, and welcome guests with pets. Which is great, if you have a friendly dog in your pack. But our beloved Wyatt Ray was not that dog. Staying on a host’s property while trying to deal with his reactive behavior was not our idea of a restful time.
Sadly, this free overnight RV parking spot would have been just right for our wild boy. Not only were there no dogs around, but the host wasn’t even home. It still amazes me that there are such kind, trusting, people in the world who participate in a program like Boondockers Welcome.
Some day when our new digs have expanded RV parking in the back yard, we will pay the kindness forward and host other RVers. Until then, when we RV travel with purpose, we’ll keep looking for these great Boondockers Welcome spots. How about you?
Join Boondockers Welcome and Save! Or find host locations near you.
“If you’ve ever driven I-25 Northbound between Santa Fe, New Mexico to Denver, Colorado, you probably know there’s a lack of decent free overnight RV parking ”
Hey Rene,
When you say “there’s a lack decent free overnight RV parking” are suggesting they should double the fees and improve the conditions?
Teasing aside, “Nomadland” took the Oscars last night and as President of the Francis McDormand Forlorn Fan Club, we as FMFFC members feel validated for our commitment to her exceptional and industry proven “forlorn” expressions.
I watched the film the other night and was reminded of our times at Burning Man in the 90s and your early overtures toward becoming nomads. For me the film was not so much about nomadic living but about coming back to life by way of community. If you’ll note the lead character in the beginning of the film is distant and lacks the ability to connect with others beyond the superficial, but with the help of other campers she slowly comes alive and even slower comes to realize being alive is being in the moment irrespective of what’s now and what could be in the possible future. The scene where she visits David and sees his picture perfect family life and beautiful coastal house and simply leaves after that romantic door has been opened was very telling. Not everyone fits or shares the same vision for the “good life”? Maybe sailing the world? Living in France? Living and working from a fifth wheel and so on and finding happiness while doing so is living at it’s fullest. There’s an Irish saying, “Life is hard, happiness is the real struggle”. May you and Jim roll till you get that last and final flat. Eric
Eric, you crack us up. I’m glad you and the FMFFC members are feeling good about the Oscars! It’s funny you remember us saying things about being nomadic as far back as the 90s. You must have been more sober than we were ’cause I don’t remember that convo at ALL 😉 Seriously, yes, everything you point out is spot-on about different lifestyles for different people, couldn’t agree more. But I still hate the movie.
Dear Rene, you weren’t so much talking about roaming the roads of North America and boondocking and such but rather the indicators or signs and stars were starting to align toward that life-style. Remember Burning Man in the moving van, making Sangrias in that aluminum tub? The move to Eureka. You folks always had a wee wanderlust about you. The grass never seemed to grow under your feet for too long. Back in the day others were buying houses, kids, cars, deeper into their careers and so on but not Rene and Jim, you were always looking for a fresh vantage point from which to enjoy your sunrises and sunsets. PS: I loved the movie, Vice President FMFFC.
We’ve been BW hosts for quite a while, since 2015 ABIR. It’s a very good program with a very good website, run by very good people. Our experience as a host has been 100% positive. Not to be overlooked are hosts in/near larger urban areas, where RV/camping options are sometimes limited to non-existent.
Bruce that is so nice to hear! I’m glad it’s worked out for you. As soon as we have a space carved out we’ll be doing the same. Not much here in Fort Collins other than the super spendy KOA.
I just looked up the link for Boondockers Welcome. This sounds wonderful! I looked at places close to home that look like good places to stay. Thanks for sharing. We’ll definitely use your affiliate link if we decide to join.
Kim I can totally see you guys using Boondockers Welcome! And maybe even hosting if you’re up to it. You and Sam are perfect for the club.