What to do with your car when zone camping?

[raptor()]

I came close about 5 years ago to being a "victim" while in the Grapevine Hills area. Had pulled off and parked the car for about 1/2 hour to check out the area for any great photographs. When I headed back there I noticed in the distance that there were two young hispanic males heading over to my car to check it out. They had parked their older model white pickup about 100 yards away. All of sudden they spotted me coming over a hill and quickly returned to their truck without saying or doing anything. They would not have found much of any interest in the vehicle, but was glad I arrived on the scene when I did.

I'm surprised to hear this happened so far north.  The river areas, I've heard can be bad but isn't Grapevine Hills on the other side of the Chisos?  

If these guys were in a truck, we can assume they paid to get into the park?  How else could they have gotten there?  Or are there places within the park where you can cross the border in a vehicle?

[SHANEA]

we can assume they paid to get into the park?

Of course, a couple of GPS's and cameras could easily pay for the park admission.  

I've often wondered if I'm going to park the vehicle for a couple of days if it would just be better to leave it unlocked with a note on it indicating - vehicle unlocked, look all you want, nothing of value - to keep them from breaking a window.     Used to drive Jeeps all the time, used to keep the doors unlocked so that a clouter wouldn't cut the vinyl top to get in.  Got back to my Jeep one day and it had a huge slit in the vinyl top to get in an unlocked Jeep.  The clouters hadn't bothered to check if it was unlocked before they cut.        (this didn't happen in BIBE - in Richardson off of all places)   :twisted:

[trtlrock]

...just like the NY City (urban legend?)...

left note on dash -- "no stereo, nothing of value"

come back to broken window & note left on seat..."just checking"

[raptor()]

Of course, a couple of GPS's and cameras could easily pay for the park admission.  

I suppose so.  Still it's an amusing thought to pay for park admission then go in and steal.  Perhaps they figure if it's slim pickings that day they can always take in a hike or something.  

[RichardM]

If these guys were in a truck, we can assume they paid to get into the park?  How else could they have gotten there?  Or are there places within the park where you can cross the border in a vehicle?

There are several vehicle crossings described in my cousin's book Contrabando: Confessions of a Drug-Smuggling Texas Cowboy.  Also, the entrance stations aren't manned 24/7/365 so it's not too difficult to get in without a permit.

Grapevine Hills is not an area in which I would've expected this kind of activity.

[presidio]

It was surreal what was stolen & what was deemed unworthy -- tent no, tent fly yes -- 2 cases of CDs no, medium weight jacket w/JBL logo yes -- my wife's boots no, mine yes -- and so on...

It makes perfect sense as to what was taken....useful things in an economically depressed area. Clothing, boots (it was a guy...he needed yours), the fly could be used as a tarp or shelter.

No need for tents or CDs....those are recreational things of an affluent lifestyle.

[SHANEA]

what do you do with your car?Thanks,
Chris

Get a rental and be sure to take out all the insurance.