In the last entry we looked at “Clingers” and why they choose to cling to other RVers out in the boondocks. As I shared in my last post, my wife and I had several unwelcome clingers descend upon us during our most recent foray into the wilds of southern Utah. So while we were enjoying the twilight hours of another beautiful day from our campsite in the Utah outback and I watched as a passing motorcycle on the nearby highway spotted our lights and slowed to a crawl then stopped, I went on the defensive fearing another invasion from camping clingers. Seeing the bike had saddle bags and was loaded with gear furthered my concerns that we might soon have neighbors.
As I watched, the motorcycle turned around and then parked where the dirt road left the highway leading to our campsite. I could hear a discussion between a man and a woman out at the highway. Shortly after the hazard lights started flashing on the bike and I could see a figure through the fading light trotting down the road towards us. My guess was he was checking out the road to see if it was passable for the street bike. Great I thought, these people are looking for a place to get off the road for the evening and our lights gave us away, now we are going to have to share our piece of paradise. I exited the RV planning my defense as I went. To discourage them from camping nearby I could start the generator, put on my angry face and/or start ranting about the big snake I just saw (they would be tenting after all). The other option was I could politely suggest they go farther up the road to another campsite we had rejected earlier in the day. Soon a gentleman in leather riding gear approached and started speaking. It was apparent that English wasn’t his primary language and from his accent, he was European (my guess French). His somewhat frantic speech also told me he was in serious need of information. It seems his onboard navigation was on the fritz, he wasn’t quite sure where he was and his fuel was getting low. With no cell phone service, his only hope was finding another human being and my wife and I were it. Reviewing his map I pointed out his current location, the only fuel source within 70 miles (thankfully 24 hour pay at the pump up the road about 10 miles and verified that he had a credit card), and his desired destination which was 80 miles distant. He thanked me profusely and was soon on his way.
Fearing clingers and helping a foreign tourist in need, just another adventure 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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