My Moral Dilemma

[Francesca_Knowl]

O.K., here's the thing:

The very last stop on our weeks-long fall trip was a Federal Campground that shall remain nameless for reasons that will shortly become clear.

The date: September 30th, 2013

Went ahead and paid for a couple of days- good fishing, good times,no radio reception- not that it would have mattered since we hadn't turned one on for weeks. Or looked at a newspaper. You see where I'm going here, right?

Day three we decide to extend the stay, walk down to the pay station and see that the WHOLE DARN CAMPGROUND had been closed, not to mention most of the Federal Government (as if I give a hoot about that second part.)

Thing is, it had "closed" the day before and no one came by to kick us out-?

Naturally, in keeping with our usual pattern, we decided to just pretend nothing had happened, stay as long as we wanted, Devil-Take-The-Hindmost. And did, too. For three more days. Nobody said a word, probably because we were careful not to violate the "NO MONEY FOR YOU, Federal Government!" law Congress passed. We did NOT, I swear, put a dime in that box from that moment until we left October 5th. Who are we to argue with the U.S. Congress?

Here's where the dilemma comes in:

Must we turn ourselves in for having flaunted Congress' mandate when we put that six bucks in the paybox for October 1???

We don't want to go to prison, but I just can't sleep at night for the guilt...what think you all?

😉

[Bob_Landry]

Given the number of laws and the frequency with which this government flaunts then, I would sleep well in my comfortable bed basking in the fact that I was one of the few people to get anything from this government with no strings attached.

[monkey44]

We ran into the same dilemma after having been 'excluded' from Lassen Park, and then running down H-395. AND, guess what, NO alternative state parks, and mostly full private CGs, who jumped right on the bandwagon and raised rates.

In any event - we found a couple NF campgrounds still operating, and with staff. But, staff was paid by 'vendors', concessionaires, who were remaining open simply to collect revenue as long as possible and allowing travelers to stay on a pay-one-day-at-a-time basis.

When we ran out of those, we had to stay twice in hotels since we're 3000 miles from home. We plan to send a note of explanation with a bill for those nights to congress (Minus the two $8 camping fees we would have paid), once it opens of course, along with a copy of our senior "America the Beautiful" pass. Once congress opens again, and pays the bill, we'll find some 'still-open' nature organization and give it.

We will also send a photo of the "This is your park, keep it clean" sign.

[Francesca_Knowl]

rfryer wrote:
Surely you jest, Francesca. :B

I do jest...but by the number of folks that appear to be taking this seriously, I see now I should have posted this thread in the "jokes" section to begin with! :S

[rfryer]

Surely you jest, Francesca. :B I wouldn't give it a second thought, we should be taking money away from those misfits in Washington.

[bgum]

You used-you owe-pay up. Not a moral dilemma just a defect in upbringing.
To put it in perspective murder rates 6 years in time out. Your problem ?

[jci49]

It has been my experience in the past when dealing with the government or even businesses, that trying to make things right usually causes me (you, us, anyone) a lot of trouble or even more expense. One more thought and then I will tell you my suggestion; a Ranger or some official should have visited your site with instructions to leave, etc. / thankfully they did not lock you in!!! lol. Doing nothing will not remove the guilty feeling although I really do not think the people in charge of the campground cared what you did. Otherwise, they would have made contact with you. You can donate an amount of money you feel is correct for the services you received to any non profit organization; and sleep well!!!

[trailertraveler]

I'm guessing that the not to be named campground was an unstaffed campground either on National Forest or BLM land and since you did not mention being locked in there was no gate.. We have visited several National Forests and BLM areas since the beginning of the shutdown. Some are closed. Generally, those with gates. Some are just posted. Some are open with the buildings locked. Some roads are blocked with temporary barriers. We have talked to several Forest Service and BLM Rangers. They said to just follow the signs. If the roads are open and the area is usually open to dispersed camping, they said go ahead and do what you always do. We have seen a number of hunters setup on the Forest Service and BLM backways and even in some of the ungated campgrounds.

[jim1632]

Next time you go to the visitor at the Forest, just stuff some extra into the donation box. For most of us, the best campsites are often at National Forests. Both the Forests and Park services need all the money they can get.

Also, there was an extension period that you were allowed to vacate the sites.

All in all, this budget impasse is such a mess that adding new complexity can't help any. The Congress and President should be the ones worrying about moral dilemmas these days.

[fla-gypsy]

Well done Francesca. Of course if you would have been discovered you would have been treated as a criminal like the tourists in the Grand Canyon on the tour bus who were detained by armed federal officers. It's "Government gone wild"

[westernrvparkow]

Francesca, People like you who knowingly continue to violate the law deserve a fate much worse than simple jail time. We often look back on the past as being a time when things were simpler and better. In this case I agree and the return of either the Iron Maiden or the Brazen Bull is probably appropriate for what you have done.

[NCWriter]

I noticed on this morning's news that average citizens are beginning to take on meaningful tasks themselves, such as one guy who decided to mow the grass at the Lincoln Memorial.

Francesca, perhaps you could take on camp hosting at the nameless government campground or another one on your favorites list this weekend. You could then ease your guilt while at the same time performing a service of meaning for your fellow campers.

[Jim_Shoe]

I can see it now. Our Senators and Congresspersons get together. "If we shut down camping at NP Campgrounds after the busy season is over, we're going to annoy the boondocking subset of an already tiny subset of our potential voters that actually vote". That sound you hear is hysterical laughter.
Therefore, I'm immediately starting a NP Campground Political Action Committee, and I'm accepting donations. Make checks payable to "NPC PAC", and mail to Jim Shoe c/o "Open Roads Forum".

[Grey_Mountain]

As a former 30-year employee of NoSuchAgency, rest assured that we have bigger fish to fry.
However, you might want to check that upper cabinet on the right just above the sink, in the extreme left hand corner on the bottom. There is a brown recluse spider there with 30 babies. Her dead, partially consumed mate's body is nearby.

GM

[the_happiestcam]

You're okay because you paid on September 30, when they were still accepting payments, reservations, etc. It wasn't until October 1 when (another word for government) hit the fan,