When you boondock in the desert southwest, you expect to meet your share of critters.
Javelinas, coyotes, roadrunners, lizards and an occasional snake are all strong possibilities. Being abruptly awaken from a deep sleep by a braying burro at two in the morning was the last adventure I expected when boondocking near Imperial Dam, California. When the braying began I sat straight up in bed and prayed, “Dear Lord, what was that?” As I came to my senses, I realized it must be a wild burro that had come to serenade us. As I cracked the blind and looked out the window I saw the moon lit perpetrator trotting into the nearby gulch. In the morning we found how close our braying friend had been to the RV by the departing gift he left piled for us. I guess we must of camped in his favorite spot as neither the early morning greeting or the gift would be considered a friendly welcome to the neighborhood! Boondocking with boisterous critters, just another adventure in RVing.
If you have never heard a burro bray and trust me they can really crank it up, check out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_G4ZYD3Vb0&feature=related
Was this the offender? He appears to be smiling!
Great spot to boondock, other than the burros!

Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
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