piperata

While we were out for the day someone stole all kitchen gear (it was nearest the cars), all fire making gear, then they started on the tent. I mean literally.

About half the stakes had been pulled out like they were going to take the WHOLE tent. They were clearly interrupted probably by a car driving by, so they instead grad one of the sleeping bags and clothing that was closest to the tent door.

It was a 4 person REI grand hut that they were trying to steal.

Luckily they got very very little all easily replaceable. But we will never return to Mendocino. We were actually scheduled for 2 more nights but minus a sleeping bag, clothing, all cooking gear And all fire supplies we had to pack up and go home.

Wow, I (female, retired) have driven to all of the states west of the Rockies in the last eighteen months, camping solo in my van, a 2021 hybrid Toyota Sienna. It has a wood floor, bed, chemical toilet and looks nice from the outside. I travel solo, no pets, and am very quiet. I would have thought I would be the ideal campsite occupant for the night. Leave No Trace and all that. I have never had any problems with camp hosts whether it is a Harvest Host, KOA, Elks Lodge or even a Loves Travel Center to name a few.

I made an online reservation, paid and proceeded to the campground in the late afternoon. There is a gate and a booth at the entrance. I parked, entered the booth. The woman inside (the OWNER, not an employee) saw thru the window what I was driving and accused me of trying to “sneak” in my car to camp in. Wait, what?

Unlike most places this campground does not allow vans -because they are cars- to park in an RV spot, even if you pay. I have electric extension cords and would be happy to run my stove and mini fridge although I usually just use my hybrid car engine. But whatever. They have the right to have whatever rules they want. But the hostility I was met with from her was unprofessional and unprovoked. When I explained my van is rebuilt and is self sufficient she became even more incensed.

At some point she realized I was silent and edging to the door. After all of this she told me this one time only she “would do me a favor but only this once” let me stay in the site I had reserved and paid for. She said it a couple more times quickly as I reached for the door. My head was spinning at this point so I backed out the door and said I would needed to step outside for a moment. I moved my van out of the way and decided to just keep driving away from this awful place.

I have read some reviews online that describe similar unpleasantness from clearly the same individual, the owner.