Those of you that have been following my blog know I don’t usually pay for a campsite in the desert. Like my dad, I am a cheap (I mean thrifty) Norwegian. However, when I was looking for a place to camp while exploring the desert north of Barstow, California I came across a listing for Owl Canyon Campground operated by the BLM. Even though dispersed camping (aka Boondocking) was available in the immediate area, I thought we could splurge and spend the $6 per night the BLM was asking. Our $6 campsite included a shelter, picnic table and campfire ring. Pit toilets (no thanks), garbage and a cool playground were also part of the package. I am here to tell you the view from our RV was worth every penny. Exploring the mud cave I discovered upstream from our campsite wasn’t bad either. Value added camping, one of the best adventures in RVing!

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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