For years I have been touting the benefits of Google Earth. Through the years I have used it to:
- Find boondocking campsites
- View RV parks and campgrounds in advance to see how they are laid out, look at the access and if there are rail lines nearby.
- Use it to find easy-to-access fuel stations in advance
- Find parking garages my truck can access with the ATV and motorcycle in the bed
- Locate car washes tall enough to accept my travel trailer
- Determine the true length of a campsite
- Discover little-known attractions along my route
- Find shady places to pull off the road for a break
- Plot routes to old mining camps, slot canyons, and other out-of-the-way locations
In many places the resolution has become so good, I can count the boards that make up the roof of a building in an old ghost town or mining camp, see tire tracks that confirm vehicle access to boondocking sites, gates on dirt roads, and best of all—manmade rock fire rings confirming where others have camped before.
And in most cases, the old adage of “a photo is worth a thousand words” could not ring truer.
However, there is another old saying that “looks can be deceiving” which came to mind recently when I pulled into a boondocking campsite that is frequented by equestrian enthusiasts.
What I thought would be a fire ring (via Google Earth satellite imagery) was actually a circle of horse apples instead! Evidently, this is a popular spot for horses to stand around and make deposits.
To my wife, “Remind me to clean my glasses next time I look for a boondocking site containing a fire ring.”
Seeing round mounds of horse manure from space, just another adventure in RVing!
Have you ever had a similar experience where reality failed to match expectations? Please share in the comments.
Don says
Welcome to the wonderful world of photographic interpretation! As a former career military photo interpreter I got a good laugh over this one. I could tell you stories, but then… you know the rest.