By Suanne Carlson, Executive Director
This week I’ve been scouting for camp locations for the Caravans. Caravans are groups of people who camp together for up to 3 months. I’ve searched in Southern Oregon, west to east, along Hwy 140 from Klammath Falls to beyond Adel into the Oregon Outback. What a challenge. And what a joy to see such diversity in our public lands — from forests, to grasslands, sagebrush and junipers. The wildflowers in the high country are spectacular — reds, oranges, yellows, blues, violets, and whites, all displayed on endless shades of green. Also today I was lucky enough to spy several birds of prey, including a bald eagle. But, my funniest animal encounter happened with a little hitchhiker.
Last night I camped in a National Forest of tall pine, fir, cedar, ferns, and Oregon grape. Just as I was falling asleep I heard rustlings in my engine compartment — a little varmint I surmised. But, by the time the sun rose, all was quiet and I soon forgot about that incursion.
So, first thing this morning I headed to the flat lands of scrub, sage and junipers further east. I wanted to search some BLM land for dispersed camp areas — free, with cell service, close to town, and able to accommodate a small group. Once in the outback, I headed down a dirt road that soon became a bone-jarring obstacle course of rocks and ruts. After a bit, I stopped to turn around and look elsewhere. But, before I got it in reverse, out pops a chipmunk from under my hood, both paws on my windshield in front of my face, as if to say, “Hey there! Where do you think you’re going? This ain’t my home!”
Well, it is now.
I popped open my hood and sprayed Simple Green along the firewall. I’ve been told it deters mice … it also seems to deter chipmunks because he’s gone now.
Perhaps the little guy will travel the quarter mile down to the little town by the lake to find others of his kind.
To learn about the Caravans — http://homesonwheesalliance.org/caravans
To RSVP to join a Caravan — http://meetup.com/caravans/events
On July 1, 2019, the Caravans will move from CheapRVLiving to Homes On Wheels Alliance.
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