Anger, Fights at Oregon Campsites

[Cumminsfan]

Originally Posted by eddndee

The last time I camped in Oregon, I found myself in a coastal town touristing. The homeless population. along with their crime and substance abuse, were on full display.

What town was that?

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by eddndee

The last time I camped in Oregon, I found myself in a coastal town touristing. The homeless population. along with their crime and substance abuse, were on full display.

Washington also has it's fair share of the homeless/criminally inclined

[Cumminsfan]

Born and lived in Oregon for 69 years. Been camping for 45 years. Would've never known there was an problem with CG violence had it not been for this article. Last time I was around some CG violence was back in the late 80's At Dorena Res near Cottage Grove Or. Late one night two drunks were yelling at the top of their lungs. No punches thrown.
The Cg mentioned in the article is next to Sweet Home Or. Not the classiest of towns in Oregon. Meth heads, low income population, etc. It's really not surprising that this hasn't happened before there. Now with the lack of hosts it's like the teacher's stepped out of the classroom and the students are getting out of hand. Immaturity has always been there, now it's just becoming easier to get away with acting like an idiot.
No doubt that with the boom in RV sales and the shortage of CG's that something like this was inevitable. I'm sure it's happened in almost every state at some point this year. I also found that CG's that cater to the boating crowd tend to be more rowdy. One of our favorite lakes up in the mountains now has a reputation for being noisy with rude 30-40 somethings. It used to be a really nice place to camp. Now its full of campers with loud stereos, contractor gens and what not.

The whole RV lifestyle demographic has changed. It's now becoming a way of life for full timing with less well off individuals. It's getting more common to see low end units in every form of CG whether it be RV parks, state parks or FS campgrounds.
Last FS CG we stayed at the host was staying in an old beater van. In all fairness the host was a young lady and was very nice and kept the CG clean with updated tags. Would've never guessed it.

There's always been rude me first people, but now it's just became easier for them to flex their rudeness.

[laj]

whatlake was that?

[Cumminsfan]

Originally Posted by laj

whatlake was that?

Crescent Lake. It used to be a family friendly fish/ski lake. Now it's ove run with the younger noisier ski boat gen.

Ironically we pulled into it about 6-7 years ago looking for a spot. Backed into an empty spot, started unhitching and a guy pulls up to his spot that he was already setup in. Opens the doors on his lifted truck and cranks up Fly Like an Eagle by The Steve Miller Band. Don't get me wrong I like my rock/blues music but I don't open my doors and crank it up so loud that 1/2 the CG can hear it. Pretty good chance things weren't going to be civil that night.
Turned to the wife and said we're outta here.
Funny thing is it was only a few weeks latter that a guy from WA that used to go there with his family group said the same thing. They weren't going back anymore.

The other lake I mentioned, Dorena Res out of Cottage Grove didn't have any restrictions on how many vehicles could be in a site. Being a water ski lake close to Cottage Grove and Eugene Or it would get a lot of partiers showing up at someones spot that had a boat.
After lots of complaints over the years the Lake is now vehicle restricted and alcohol free.
Per the Rec.gov site.

Alcohol is prohibited at all U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Dorena Lake lands and areas, including Schwarz Park (Campground) and lease areas.

Two (2) vehicles per site allowed for single sites, included with reservation fee. Four (4) vehicles per site allowed for double sites. No additional vehicles permitted, including visitor vehicles. Extra vehicle passes cannot be purchased.

[Newmar2856]

Please don’t let the over reported shenanigans of Portland steer you away from Oregon. It’s lovely here, especially our coastal region.

Portland is a dumpster fire, but it only takes a bit to drive through it and get to the rest of the beauty this state has to offer.

[astrnmrtom]

Originally Posted by Newmar2856

Please don’t let the over reported shenanigans of Portland steer you away from Oregon. It’s lovely here, especially our coastal region.

Portland is a dumpster fire, but it only takes a bit to drive through it and get to the rest of the beauty this state has to offer.

I want to second this comment as well as part of an earlier post

"...And perhaps, most important, we can evidence our own civility, compassion and, where possible, be a tactful and effective arbiter/activist for fair and equitable behavior."

We've been full timing for over two years now, visited 28 states, some more than once, and we have run into countless nice, warm and friendly people. I've been to many places where total strangers will strike up conversations like old friends. It's refreshing and offer some perspective. Get away from the big cities and it's a different world.

There are areas that have a lot of issues. Many large cities are struggling. As mentioned Portland is one, as is Seattle, a place we used to go with the kids for a fun weekend away. We quit going years ago. When we returned for a visit this summer to our home town of Bellingham after being away two years, and were shocked at how much it's changed in that short time. Crime is shooting up dramatically, violent crimes, shoplifting and thefts especially.

Anger and outrage are infectious, and the above quote is good way to resist it. Hang on to your civility, be warm and friendly like so many others are. Note that the news places emphasis on the negative. As the old saying goes; "If it bleeds, it leads."

Of course like so many of society's troubles, the cause is complicated as is the solution if a solution is even possible.

One of our reason for travel is to scout for a place we'd like to end up for our final years. A "Nice" town is becoming a bit part of the priority. Fortunately, we've seen a lot of places that fit the bill.

[Lt Dan]

Thread Closed

Several off topic and political posts have been removed so it's time to move on.

Thanks to all posting on topic and within the rules.