I don't own a motorhome, yet, so when I attend CA4WD events I tent camp.  Sure, tents are a pain to set up, especially if there is wind, but I like a place to change, take a sponge bath, store my gear, and sleep where I don't have to worry about sharing my sleeping bag with desert critters.  I have a tendency to make my camp at the fringes of base camp, in, shall we call it, "Hi Desert Round-Up Base Camp Suburbia," not because I'm anti-social, but because motorhomes have generators and I prefer the quiet.

 

Left:  We set up a clean camp and take only pictures and leave only footprints.  Motorhomes can be seen in the background at Hi Desert Round-Up, 2005.  Right:  Sunset, Friday, May 27, 2005, at High Desert Roundup.  

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against motorhomes and plan to purchase one in a couple of years when I retire as currently, due to my busy work schedule, I wouldn't get enough use out of one to justify the expense.

I'm a firm believer in a campfire, as that's one of my favorite things about camping, especially in a place like Stoddard Valley, where you can sit around a nice cherry campfire and stare up into the clear, dark sky, with a ceiling of sparkling stars above.  It doesn't get any better...

 

Left:  We have just returned from our Saturday run, and we've built a campfire.  Paul relaxes and enjoys the campfire, despite the 90-degree heat in the Mojave desert. Right:  Paul snaps my photo as I do one of the things that I do best:  Drink MJD in the desert, after a fantastic day on the trail.

There is no wood in Stoddard Valley, so wood must be obtained elsewhere.  Usually, I head down U.S. 395, down the eastern Sierras, and stop at Deadman Summit to obtain firewood, as it's just laying on the ground, ripe for the pickin'.  However on this trip, I traveled south on CA 99, as I made a stop in Merced to pick up my brother Paul.  So in order to have a campfire, I brought about 1/8 of a cord of seasoned walnut from home.  Not only does the wood burn well and produce a nice fire, but it gives off a pleasant, fragrant smell as it burns.

Left: Paul toasts our Blue Moon Trail Run with a cold one.  Right:  I hold my MJD sky high, as Paul snaps my photos.

When I camp, I never, ever, construct a fire ring.  I dig a cat hole, about 2 feet in diameter and around a foot deep. The wood burns down to almost nothing, not hardly any ashes.  Before going to bed, it's a simple matter to pour some water into the hole to extinguish the remaining coals.  While the fire is burning, it's safer as the fire is mostly below ground level, so there is less chance of it getting away from you should a strong gust of wind appear.  When it's time to leave, you simply bury what little ashes are left, and cover the hole.  This whole affair should leave the Sierra Clubbers happy, as it leaves no trace.  By the way, we do not use the fireplace for a garbage pit; we pack out all our garbage.

 

Left:  At the campfire, I relax, drink a beer and smoke a stogie.  Right:  Paul flexes his muscles around the campfire, using a beer as a muscle-building weight.  Hey, it's legal, and better than steroids.

We like to get the fire going around 5:00 in the afternoon and sit around it and power down a few beers.  When you think about it, why are two adult men sitting around a campfire in 90 degree weather in the hot sun? Because it feels good!  After a few beers, it's over to Chef Andy's for dinner and back to camp for a few more beers and a leisurely dinner.  Oh yeah, for safety sake, we go over to Andy's one at a time, as it's not a good idea to leave the fire unattended.  The wind can come up at any time and yes, the desert will burn.

Left: Paul preferes a can of cold soup from a can, as opposed to Chef Andy's breakfasts.  Right:  Back in camp, after the trail run, Paul powers-down a cold MJD.  We will DEFINITELY not be driving for the next 12 hours of so.

Left: After the Blue Moon Trail Run, Paul and I relax in camp around the campfire that we've built.  Right:  Paul shows what he's made of, after digging out Chef Andy's BBQ pit, with the help of quite a few MJDs.

We spent 3 pleasant days and nights, camped in Stoddard Valley, in High Desert Round-Up Base Camp "Suburbia," enjoying every second of it.  Life doesn't get any better!

Note:  In this article, Paul and I are dipicted as heavy drinkers, but we DO NOT drink and drive, and we DO NOT drink on the trail, as that practice is against the laws of the State of California and against the rules of the CA4WDC.  Not only is drinking and driving illegal, but it's stupid and dangerous.  Enough said!  We save our cold ones for camp, after the run.  We practice safe, responsible four wheeling.