Traveling On A Budget

by
Bob Grytten

Now that winter is coming and has forced many of us indoors, it is time to reflect upon last season's successes and discoveries, and begin planning for next season. In this first part of a series, Bob Grytten shares with us his discoveries and special places of this last season.

Getting There

There are different ways to get to that prime shooting spot; however, if you want to be there when the light is prime, you can either get up early and drive like crazy all night or you can be there already. That requires some camping, - either by RV, tent or under the stars. Camping doesn't have to be primitive, and we already know that it can be inexpensive, but with costs on the rise, we wanted to see just how budget-wise we could do it and still be comfortable. Here are some little known places that you'll want to know about, as well as some things we found helpful in getting there.

We came across a helpful book entitled Don Wright's Guide to Free Campgrounds, $14.95 direct order to 800/272-5518. It had over 6300 listings of places to camp, and while some of the ones we checked out had changed in status - it was still a very helpful tool for us. When we selected places to stay we backed them up with alternative sites just in case, as well as KOA Campgrounds which we could always depend upon. We spoke to publisher Don Wright and he informs us that there is now a two volume set which also includes places to camp for under $10, as most of those listed in his original publication had limited facilities. One thing we liked about Wright's Guide was that it got us into some areas we normally would have missed.

• Some listings have facilities, others have none.
• Those with fees are from $2 - $6 a night
• The book also has other pertinent info on certain areas.

We also used a current AAA book which provided more traditional campgrounds.

Camp in Georgia

Using this book, as we raced ahead of a tropical depression we located "Redlands Wildlife Management Area" in the Oconee National Forest - a game check-station listed in the book. It provided a secluded site and while we found no deer, turkey or wild pigs, as indicated for the area, it did have a nice hiking trail and plenty of firewood. So far so good!

Get high in Virginia

The next night found us near Galex, VA and rolling country next to a creek amongst flowering rhododendron - this Free camping thing was getting interesting. The next morning, mountain mist provided wonderful early photography and cool refreshing travel through the mountains. Next stop Mt. Rogers, in Jefferson National Forest - the first listing with toilets, tables and fresh water, although the water for some reason was shut down. So far this has been the Jewel of our ramblings - elevation 4000 feet, secluded, plenty of game, and great promise of hiking, although the trail we hiked had plenty of fallen trees to negotiate. We will definitely return, a fourteen day limit however - but FREE. [Go 5.4 miles SW of Speedwell, on US 21, then 4 miles west on FR 57.] There's a general store/restaurant/water/gas just south of the FR 57 turn off on 21.

West Virginia Spectacle

Crossing into West Virginia, north on US 77 takes you to nifty visitor's centers - and good maps. Then if you turn off at Beckley onto US 19 you'll drive over the New River Gorge, on the world's longest single steel arched bridge - rising 876 feet above the river bed. This attracts much attention, nationally & internationally. The visitor's center is run by the National Park Service and is first class.

Photographing the bridge; however, will be the challenge, as the area is overcast much of the time and the structure is so massive. Fall might be a good time to shoot for color contrast. There are many opportunities for rafting activities on the river below.

Adirondacks - and wildx

Cranberry Lake, NY in the Adirondacks, Rt 3 between Watertown and Plattsburg, is worth heading for. Less traveled, but you'll find restaurants, gas stations, and a few motels there - still rustic & wilderness by any standards.

Following our FREE BOOK we headed there but misread the description of the camping. It is free but only accessible by boat, 55 miles of shore line - the northern gateway to Five Ponds Wilderness Area. But we were in the area so we followed directions to a local campground. It's on Lone Pine Road one mile south of Cranberry Lake. Rates are $12.50 a night, $11 for the second. It looked like a good place, but in keeping with our quest for FREE places we pressed the attendant for more information. "There's a parking pull-off on Rt 3 about three miles east," he told us, explaining that he noticed self contained campers there. We collected extra brochures, thanked him and wound on down the road past wheel borrows of wood for sale - $3 a bundle, honor system.

The spot was next to a broad rocky creek (Grass River Flow?). We set up house and went exploring. My notebook reads, "As we sit here by the fire listening to a Pavaratti tape, just finished a great spaghetti dinner and wine, with coffee now in hand - this place is great. Wish you could be here." Large river rocks and lush green foliage provided a great backdrop for the setting sun - almost too much to shoot. We solved that by isolating some areas with the 300mm which worked for some abstracts too. And did rivers capes with the 24mm tilted down to crop the sky and give the feeling of walking into the scene.

*Note: Deer flies & big mosquitoes are likely till mid August. For more information contact New York State Dept of Environmental Conservation, Room 111, 50 Wolf RD, Albany, NY 12233; 518/457-3521. This route is worth the drive!! Next we'll continue to Vermont, Acadia National Park in Maine, with a Bear experience, and more.

The foregoing is excerpted from the newsletter published by the Bob Grytten, F/8 and Being There.