Abundant Camps in West
As one works farther west, the possibilities for a quick journey into the wilderness become increasingly easy. The Rocky Mountain National Park is within ready motoring distance from Denver. California abounds in free playgrounds. There is the Los Angeles National Forest near Los Angeles, the Santa Barbara National Forest a little farther north, and about seventy-five miles above San Francisco begin the Trinity National Forests.
In the beginning of his experience the week-end camper would do well to consult local motor clubs for maps and information regarding camp sites. He may find it wise to initiate his experience in week-end camping by going to those sites provided by various towns. There, save in the eastern sections of the country, he will likely be able to find stoves, shelter, sometimes even cut wood and electricity, already provided. These municipal motor camping sites are now numbered by the thousand, but they are not numerous yet east of Ohio. (Tabulation of motor camp sites by states is given in another chapter of this book.) [[21]]
One of the few of these motor camp sites in the east near New York City is the one at Rahway, N. J., about twenty miles southwest of Jersey City. This consists mostly of an open field in the City Water Works Reservation along the banks of the Rahway River, which flows through a wooded gorge about a hundred feet below the plateau of the camp site. As yet almost nothing is provided in the way of camp conveniences except camping space.
When the camper becomes less of a tenderfoot he may venture forth into wilder areas. Then he can write to his State Forester and learn where there are camp sites that he may occupy in the real wilderness within reach of his week-end tether.
The State Forester is usually a man after whom other politicians might pattern. There is not, as a rule, much money in his job. In the main he is doing it primarily for the love of the work, and he will take pains to help all those wishing to visit his domains. A State Forester of California, for instance, has made a special study of the motor campers requirements and makes these suggestions for his equipment.
Equipment Recommended by State Forester
“Clothing.—An old business suit of corduroy, khaki, or overall material. Include a sweater or mackinaw, and figure on medium-weight underwear. Underwear should be of wool, or two pairs of medium-weight cotton. Shoes should be easy on the feet and stout, with soles heavy enough for hobnails. A flannel shirt half size larger than usual should [[22]]be worn. Leggins of canvas or leather are an advantage, and buckskin gloves without cuffs are best for general use. The hat may be of felt with a moderately wide brim.
“Bed.—Air mattresses are the most comfortable beds for the mountains since they can be placed even on bare rocks. There are, however, a number of objections to them, one of which is their cost.
“Bedding.—The most serviceable bedding is an eiderdown quilt, with an extra covering of denim, and two light wool blankets. The quilt can be pinned with blanket pins along the bottom and side to form a sleeping bag. Wool quilts can be substituted for eiderdown, although they are not quite as warm. A 7 by 7 foot 10 ounce canvas will make an excellent bed cover to be placed next the ground, and is also useful as a pack cover. In a pine forest, pine needles, raked up before building the fire and with the cones removed, will make a wonderful bed.”
In addition to their desire to help, the State Foresters realize that besides its health values this camping movement is likely to have a profound effect on our national economic policy. We have been exhausting our timber supply. Every one knows about it, every one believes that forestry is a good thing, but it has been a political issue of such minor interest as to command little attention. As the average man develops the camping habit, comes to know the Forest Reserves, forestry will become a part of his life. He will meet the officials or their deputies, learn some of the problems, and have the same interest that he has in his home and his town. We may then see the time when conservation will receive the same intent attention as the income tax. [[23]]