I first noticed this Ram Promaster van parked here on a pull-off on Hwy. 101 just a couple of miles south of Port Orford, Oregon over three years ago. Oregon apparently allows overnight parking on these very scenic viewpoints and I’ve seen other RVs parked long this stretch of 101 for a night or two, but not for… over three years. But there it is, its owner taking advantage of one of the most scenic free camping spots in the world.
We drive by it regularly on the way to hike Humbug Mountain when we’re in Port Orford. About a year after it first appeared here, I began to wonder about it and its occupant. I actually had the though: what if the occupant died in it from a medical issue or such? Who would ever know? Or was there actually an occupant?
My curiosity got the better of me so one day I pulled over nearby and walked past it, quite close; close enough to get a bit of a look into the side window (this picture was taken recently). As I looked in, a voice from within said: “Can I help you?” I could see a man reclining on a bed with what clearly looked like a video game controller in his hand. I said “No, I was just walking by”.
So much for Doing Hard Things. Warning: do not go to the website “DHTChallenge.com” that’s shown on the logo; it is infected with a pseudo-virus that tells you that you need to call a certain number to fix your PC.
As to how he deals with necessary inputs (and outputs), I was somewhat relieved to note that on a couple of occasions when we drove by on the way to Humbug the van would be gone, and then back when we drove back again a couple of hours later. So he obviously drives into town to replenish his water and food and to dump his wastes.
But he always comes right back, and it’s now been well over three years since he first showed up. His solar panel provides plenty of electricity for his video game, so I guess he’s happy just to sit here and maybe take in the view occasionally? And keep on doing hard things.
Good for him…….I guess…..
Is he hurting anyone? Doing bad things? Littering? Damaging the area?
If NOT, then WHAT DO YOU CARE!?!?
Go drive by and annoy some people who have drug houses, and drive them out. THAT would actually be doing something useful!
I have been documenting parked vehicles for some 20 years. That’s the essence of CC. If I didn’t stop and shoot parked cars, there would be no CC. In this case, it’s worth noting that Oregon allows long-term parking on these scenic pull-offs. That’s not the case in California, for instance.
You seem a bit overly agitated. I was hardly “driving him out”. I stopped to shoot the view and the van and walked by it in the process. Relax…
Not a RV and not a scenic pull-off either but I saw on GSV (Google Streetview), a Dodge D-series Sweptline who have a mobile cantine under a viaduct in Mendoza, Argentina. That viaduct is part of the newly southeast bypass of Mendoza that might be interesting to cover for a future CC story. 😉
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aiRVc37QpmWjeMMW9
Are you new here? This is what the site is all about. Documenting vehicles out in public because “every car has a story”. It has nothing to do with harassing anyone in any manner. Go read the mission statement of what Curbside Classics is.
Forget your Zoloft today?
Found the van owner.
William May says, “Is he hurting anyone?” Thanks, William, that’s an excellent question, and it needs to be answered.
Presumably not. Why is this even a relevant question? Am I under some obligation to answer that every time I stop to shoot a vehicle?
It appears no one is picking up on the irony of someone sitting three years playing video games in a van that has “Do Hard Things” painted on its side. Not that I care; I just think it’s a bit amusing.
I got the jest, but then again committing to Van Life full-time isn’t exactly unchallenging, and I’d reckon if he challenged you to a friendly competition in his game of choice, you might not find that very easy, either. Nevermind however else he earns his living or spends his time when he’s not camping and gaming.
I’d reckon if he challenged you to a friendly competition in his game of choice, you might not find that very easy, either.
Fair point!
We have someone here in Toronto who is parking an RV on a downtown street for months at a time – apparently free of charge or ticketing (mostly). I call it taking advantage of a situation in this case, where downtown parking is as expensive as one would imagine.
Affordable living in a really nice spot beyond the initial purchase of the van. If I had a van lifestyle I think I would want to see more than this spot, pretty as it is. I cannot imagine the intension of the free camping spot was for someone to stay for three years. Hopefully they do not clamp down in a way that ruins it for more temporary guests.
Huh. Something I have been encountering lately. Long termers, usually in Sprinters. A month or two for some of them. Very much different to the old RVs that are dragged out for squatting and then ultimately trashed. Someone showed me a website where the locations of these good spots is listed.
These sprinter van campers seem to be clean and harmless. The Crown Land occupancy in BC is 14 days. It’s not enforced too harshly. In my day job I care about occupiers. When I am not being paid, I am live and let live.
Of course we don’t know how old he is, but maybe he spent years doing hard things, and then got tired of doing hard things and now just wants to take it easy in a beautiful spot.
I’ll say it, screw this guy. This is a textbook example of “why we can’t have nice things.” Can’t believe this needs to be explained to people. Yes, it does “hurt” the rest of us.
There is an awesome allowance for people to camp for free, or whatever other privilege, then someone completely milks it. Add a few people doing the same thing, then some more, suddenly no one can camp there free for a weekend or week here and there as intended.
Also, who wants to see this dudes camper for three years straight? Or get treated like you’re intruding on his space if you want to walk by?
If this is small potatoes to you, fine – I wouldn’t bother w making a stink over it either. But to get indignant enough to chastise Paul (not that he needs any defense) or act like there’s no legit grievance is infuriating.
No humor to some? I thought it was a legit article spotting car / vehicles.
Unlike almost every bum camp in Los Angeles I don’t see any trash nor did you mention loud music etc. so I figure whatever, he’s like a 2,000’s hippie or something, if he causes problem then hassle him, Paul was just interested is all .
No harm, no foul .
Those who have never investigated van life need to do so before slinging arrows .
I hope I never have to do it but I -DO- understand why some want to live off grid .
My take is those who get angry at this are simply jealous .
-Nate
In this day and age of trigger fingers, I’d say Paul is a bit gutsy to even approach this van.
In my neck of the woods, this would have been considered abandoned, tagged, and eventually towed since this was on public property. The concept being if one RV does it, others RVs will follow leading to the detriment of the public good.
If you want an example, I noted rows and rows of RVs encamped on the streets of LA on a recent visit used by homeless folks. Most were in commercial areas, but ever creeping into the fringes of residential neighborhoods. Sorry, but I don’t want an RV permanently parked in front of or in the parking lot of the neighborhood playground or park. Same goes to roadside rest areas and scenic look outs along the highway.
This ole boy is skirting the rules and knows it. However, it was doing the same hit and run in front of your house, you would be livid!!!!
It must be a pretty hard thing. If it was easy wouldn’t everyone be doing that? I’d sure like to but you don’t see me doing it, too hard I guess.
#Vanlife
I get bothered by the homeless around Bend Oregon who not only violate the dispersed camping rules but also leave behind small junkyards and start wildfires. A single van that leaves no mess is fine
In Kona (Hawaii “big” Island) I see a lot of surfers in old Econoline vans apparently living on the side of the road. Much prefer them to abandoned vehicles that litter the island.