Scouting Oregon Coastal Campgrounds

rswfire drives through Oregon national forest roads exploring campgrounds while reflecting on societal collapse and place-based identity. He visits multiple locations including a closed recreation site, Cape Blanco campground, and Humbug Mountain State Park. At each location, he evaluates site quality, privacy levels, amenities like dump stations and shower houses, and proximity to coast and mountains. He documents specific site numbers, notes neighbor noise issues at his current location, and assesses which sites would accommodate his RV. The transmission includes observations about Oregon campground design, seasonal closures, and coastal geography including lighthouses and fog-covered mountains.

Recorded Meeting with Oregon State Parks Leadership – March 5, 2025 (Audio Only)

Driving RV to Oregon Coast First Time

rswfire drives his RV from an inland location to the Oregon coast for the first time, documenting the journey through mountains, tunnels, and forests. He stops for fuel at 6 AM, travels through California briefly, and experiences excitement about reaching sea level and seeing the Pacific Ocean. **Key events include:** passing through the Smith River National Recreation Area, driving through redwood forests, navigating GPS confusion, and finally reaching the coast where he can glimpse the ocean through fog. He sets up camp for a planned two-week stay, expressing enthusiasm about exploring the area including hiking, foraging, storm watching, and potentially learning to surf. The transmission captures his first encounter with the ocean environment and his decision to spend winter on the southern Oregon coast before potentially heading north in spring.

Morning Walk and Lake Exploration at Campground

rswfire begins a morning walk to explore the campground facilities, checking for shower houses and dumpsters. He mentions his ear piercings are healing after a month, with one ready for a hoop. The weather is 51°F, which he finds comfortable. He discovers the campground lacks shower facilities and notes the high cost of $42 per night for camping. He explores the area, finding restrooms, a payment kiosk, and a lost cat poster from July. He walks to the lake/reservoir area, discovering the water level is low and he can walk on the exposed lake floor. The experience feels cinematic to him, reminiscent of the TV show Lost. He finds an impressive large sand sculpture of a fish made by someone unknown. The morning is quiet and still, with the sun beginning to rise. He spends extended time walking along the water's edge, drawn naturally toward a peninsula, appreciating the solitude and 50-degree weather he hopes is common in the Pacific Northwest.

Getting New Piercings and State Park Updates

rswfire records a YouTube update after waking from a nap, showing off new piercings obtained in Eugene, Oregon - an eyebrow piercing and additional ear piercings (helix and lobe). He drove an hour and a half to a new piercing shop run by an experienced piercer and left feeling happy about the transformation. He provides updates on his state park volunteering work, currently in his second month at a park where he's been working in the Welcome Center. The role has been rewarding despite being slow season - he's met many guests who were kind, some flirted with him, and other volunteers frequently come to share their lives with him. He mentions there are "complicated things" happening at the park that he can't discuss yet. **Upcoming schedule:** Next month he'll be cleaning yurts at the same park, then moving to a different park in his birthday month (April) to work with his previous boss again. May-June will be at Mount Hood. July-August he plans to drive to Kentucky to visit his mother and Oliver (his cat), then return to the coast. September he returns to his starting park, and October-December he'll work at a Welcome Center at a beach location an hour and a half north. **Financial situation:** Money is tight. He's doing some work with his old boss from his previous 10-year job, but the dynamics have shifted and he's making much less than before. His RV still has ongoing issues and he has the same bills to pay as mentioned in previous updates.

Early Morning Drive Through Oregon Forest to Coast

rswfire wakes at 4 AM and begins a journey from his overnight roadside position to Medford, Oregon. He drives through Lake View for fuel, then continues through forest and prairie terrain toward Valley of the Rogue State Park. During the drive, he reflects on societal collapse, describing his experience as a gay man facing hatred, his disappointment with Obama's presidency, and his view that Trump represents inevitable societal decline comparable to Rome's fall. He explains his seven-month effort to "wake people up" and his decision to position himself for survival during system collapse. The transmission documents his travel route through Oregon's varied terrain - desert to forest to prairie - noting elevation changes, temperature drops to 26°F, and encounters with other drivers including one who honked aggressively. He travels with his cat Bailey, discussing practical concerns like low solar batteries, upcoming inverter delivery, and plans to use his RV shower. He arrives at Valley of the Rogue State Park around 12:30 PM, securing a site for one night before continuing to the coast the following day.

Recording Night Sky Experience at Western Travel Site

rswfire records a video transmission while standing outside his RV at a commemorative site for western travelers. He describes experiencing complete silence and a 360-degree view of the night sky, with distant town lights visible on the horizon. He reflects on the courage of historical wagon travelers who would have seen the same sky. A cat named 'm' is mentioned as being inside the RV. rswfire expresses concern about potential predators but appreciates the remarkable solitude. He outlines his travel plans: heading to Idaho the next morning, then to a state park, followed by Oregon where he will make long-term plans. He notes being 800 miles from his destination and plans to stop at pulloffs along the way. The transmission captures seven months of travel culminating in this moment of experiencing the western landscape.

Processing Dismissive Treatment from Oregon State Park Ranger

The speaker recounts a negative interaction with an Oregon State Park Ranger during a visit to fix a booking mistake. After staying at the campground for 10 days as a model occupant, the speaker encountered the same ranger who had initially been helpful and friendly. This time, the ranger opened the conversation with "another 14 days" in what felt like an accusatory tone, despite the speaker following all rules by leaving for 3 days before returning. When the speaker asked about river flooding that the ranger had previously mentioned, expressing interest in experiencing it as a natural event, the ranger responded dismissively with "that's some dark humor, there's flooding down in Florida maybe you should go there." The speaker reflects on feeling invalidated and dismissed, noting the ranger's guarded demeanor and suggesting this represents a broader shift in park rangers from land-caring individuals to law enforcement-minded personnel who don't support people seeking genuine nature immersion.

Early Morning Coast Hike and Boundary Violation Response

rswfire begins a 5 AM drive to the Oregon coast for hiking at Black Rock Point, discussing RV modifications holding up in rain and plans to pick up an inverter from Medford. **Mid-drive, he addresses a boundary violation** — a commenter who found the one video with comments enabled (an ear piercing clip) and left feedback about why comments should be enabled, assuming he wanted agreement and interaction. He explains this represents fragmented thinking and assumption-making, emphasizing his sovereignty over interaction choices. The transmission shifts to **hiking footage at Black Rock Point** with ocean views, wind, and trail exploration. Multiple trail options are visible, including a circular trail for the return trip. The hike includes encounters with frogs and scenic coastal viewpoints. **The transmission concludes with a reflection on societal collapse** — that wherever someone is when collapse occurs becomes their permanent location and community formation point, emphasizing the importance of choosing location carefully.

Hiking to Trestle Bridge with Wendy and Buddy

rswfire and Wendy attempt to reach a picturesque railroad trestle bridge but are blocked by no trespassing signs and difficult terrain including brambles. They navigate around fallen trees and observe bear scat, berry bushes, and different forest environments. rswfire discusses his website development plans, including creating a field journal with photos and GPS tracking of hiking locations. After the failed trestle attempt, they visit Driftwood campground where rswfire takes Buddy (a dog) on leash to the ocean. He eventually lets Buddy off-leash at the beach where they encounter seals. rswfire reflects on his challenges connecting with people, including navigational tensions with Wendy during their activities. Throughout both segments, he mentions his sanctum service development, his role as caretaker at the campgrounds, his vaping addiction since age 17, and plans for dinner and website work. The transmission captures a full day of outdoor activities in the Oregon coastal forest and beach environment.

RV Office Setup and Pacific Northwest Travel Planning

The speaker provides a detailed tour of their newly organized RV office area, demonstrating a centralized power system that runs all electronics from a single plug connected to a CyberPower supply. They show their desk setup with velcroed-down equipment, PlayStation, PC, and desktop all connected to one monitor. The cab area features Bailey's (cat) space, a litter box, decorative items from their mother, and newly installed electronics including RV GPS, dash cam, and Bluetooth-enabled stereo system. The speaker expresses excitement about heading to the Pacific Northwest, planning to travel up the Oregon and Washington coast with some inland forest camping. They discuss their route from Kansas through Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, and into Oregon - approximately 1,800 miles remaining after already traveling 600 miles. They plan to use their RV for forest camping and their Jeep for exploration, emphasizing this is a learning experience rather than typical RV lifestyle approach. Throughout the tour, they demonstrate various organizational solutions including storage areas, velcro mounting systems, and space optimization. The speaker shows particular satisfaction with their cab visibility improvements and overall RV setup completion.

Processing State Park Rejection at Eel Lake

rswfire visits Tugman State Park at Eel Lake, describing the beauty of the water and rain reflections. He walks familiar trails around the lake, noting flooding that blocks some paths and mentioning an unmarked trail he plans to explore. He reflects on his core muscle recovery since January when he first volunteered at this location - noting he no longer thinks about the injury and can now consider longer hikes. He describes spending time with a friend watching Star Trek, something he hasn't been able to do for a year due to his mind wanting to engage elsewhere. He processes emotions about being rejected from the Oregon State Parks volunteer program after being bullied and mistreated for two months. He expresses disappointment that supervisors protected people who said inappropriate things to volunteers rather than supporting him. rswfire sits on the dock where he spent time during his volunteer month, describing it as an excellent stargazing location. He processes grief about detaching from the state park system while still loving Oregon, the coast, and the parks themselves. He mentions stopping YouTube posting for three months during volunteering and that the parks used a video he made after dismissal as justification for letting him go.

Driving RV from Nevada to Oregon

rswfire begins a 5-hour drive from eastern Nevada to the Oregon border, departing from a mountain campground at 6 AM. He needs a shower desperately, having been cleaning with face wipes for over a week while his new ear piercings heal. The journey involves navigating mountain roads with his RV and towed Jeep, dealing with a mouse problem in the RV insulation, and reflecting on his transformation over 7 months of travel. **Key events during the drive:** - Successfully navigates down mountain roads in second gear, managing the weight of RV plus Jeep - Passes through small Nevada towns including Elko and Winnemucca, observing local people and their limitations - Encounters homophobic treatment at hardware stores due to his earrings and gay identity - Reflects extensively on his authentic, non-fragmented approach to life versus others' fragmented worldviews - Discusses his decision to stop taking medications (Celexa, tramadol) after going off-grid - Expresses frustration with YouTube commenters who give unsolicited advice, violating his clearly stated boundaries - Considers turning comments off permanently due to lack of meaningful connection - Crosses into Oregon after driving Highway 140 for nearly 90 miles through remote desert and mountain terrain - Experiences dramatic elevation changes and stunning geological formations - Ends the transmission while looking for a place to camp for the night in Oregon, having achieved his goal of reaching the state

Exploring Dunes Near Ocean Volunteer Site

rswfire explores a dunes and forest environment approximately two miles from the ocean while volunteering at what appears to be a park or recreation area. He expresses strong resonance with the location and considers ways to extend his stay beyond normal volunteer limits, including asking about management unit coverage on Monday. He navigates challenging terrain while being cautious about healing core muscles from a previous injury, expressing concern about long-term disability. The exploration reveals expansive dune systems that he finds impressive and suitable for vehicle access.

Driving South for Adult Store and Oregon Dunes Exploration

rswfire drives south to Coos Bay to visit an adult store, purchasing toys with limited funds ($200 remaining). He interacts with the store proprietor who mentions a downstairs area where people have sex legally. After shopping, he obtains a National Forest pass in Reedsport and inquires about volunteer opportunities. He explores the John Dellenback Dunes Trail, hiking through forest that transitions to sand dunes. The trail leads toward the ocean but he turns back due to low phone battery (30%) and lack of preparation. He observes the campground, noting its primitive sites and peaceful atmosphere. During the dune hike, he reflects on a childhood memory of getting lost in sand dunes in Michigan. He encounters wildlife and observes a tree sapling growing alone in the dunes, which he describes as sovereign and self-sufficient.

Exploring Oregon Dunes Trail to Ocean

rswfire explores the Oregon Dunes area on foot, searching for trails to reach the ocean from Siltcous campground. He navigates using trail maps and GPS, discovering multiple campgrounds including Wax Myrtle (closed) and Driftwood 2. The exploration reveals the area sits on sand dunes with nature growing on top. **Key observations:** Car campers using tents as decoys to meet camping requirements, volunteers doing maintenance work, and his own financial constraints after selling solar equipment to avoid losing his home. He reflects on failed volunteer plans due to "unethical people" but maintains no regret about necessary decisions. **Beach discovery:** Successfully reaches Siltcous Beach after climbing dunes, observes ocean fishermen (initially mistaken for surfers), and explores south along the beach to where a river meets the ocean. Notes the rich natural environment combining forest, river, ocean, beach, sand dunes, and expresses strong appreciation for coastal living despite financial limitations. **Technical details:** Records using phone in natural mode, mentions headphone cable issues, plans to use GPS tracking for exploration mapping, and identifies need for trail mix and better power solutions for off-grid living.

Crabbing Experience and Campground Work Discussion

rswfire accompanies Johnny crabbing at Newport pier, expressing disgust at the birds, bird droppings, and the process of catching and killing crabs. He documents the experience while feeling uncomfortable with the alien-like appearance of the crabs and the killing process. After leaving Johnny at the pier, he walks to South Jetty area and reflects on the ocean. Later they meet at a cleaning station where Johnny demonstrates how to kill and clean crabs, with rswfire continuing to film despite his discomfort. The conversation shifts to campground work arrangements, with rswfire discussing his upcoming volunteer position with flexible 8am-noon hours to allow for additional employment. They discuss various campground politics, including an incident with an aggressive volunteer nicknamed "the holy roller" who yelled at Johnny over customer service procedures. Other topics include rswfire's frustration about being "banished" from Oregon State Parks, a neighbor's constantly beeping carbon monoxide detector, plans to potentially fix his RV slide-out mechanism, and navigation issues getting to the pier. The conversation covers practical RV living concerns like propane hookup, camping equipment needs, and the possibility of tent camping for exploration trips.

Wyoming to Idaho Morning Drive with RV

rswfire begins the day camping off-grid in Wyoming at 6 AM, describing excellent sleep and a spectacular 360-degree star view. He prepares for a 4-hour drive to Idaho, noting the 44-degree temperature and moon visibility. During the drive, he reflects on meeting a confident, present man at a gas station who left a strong impression. He discusses stopping his clonazepam medication after taking only 0.25mg daily, marking the end of all modern medications. The drive takes him through Diamondville, Wyoming and into Idaho, where he observes changing geography and mountain scenery. rswfire expresses strong criticism of mainstream RV culture, calling it commoditized consumerism that recreates house living in nature rather than genuine camping. He describes feeling stressed about multiple concerns: RV maintenance issues, needing to reach Oregon to settle and work, and dealing with his demanding cat Bailey who clawed his face. The transmission ends at Massacre Rocks State Park in Idaho, where he sets up camp for one night before continuing to Oregon. He acknowledges being in a sour mood due to stress about upcoming tasks and challenges.

Starting Park Host Position at Eel Lake

rswfire arrives at Eel Lake State Park to begin a volunteer park host position. He drives his RV and Jeep to the campground, sets up his site with leveling blocks, and connects utilities. He meets his supervisor - a young park ranger with multicolored hair and nose piercing - which surprises and excites him. The orientation is scheduled for the next day. He explores the day use area and lake, noting that recent rains have caused flooding with submerged picnic tables and boat ramp. He observes a fisherman with a small boat/kayak on the lake. Throughout the transmission, he processes the significant change from his previous sovereign lifestyle to working within an institutional structure, expressing both excitement about his cool boss and anxiety about the exposure and constraints of the position. **Financial concerns** emerge as he mentions being behind on RV and Jeep payments, worried about losing the RV which would also cost him the job since volunteers must live on-site. He also notes practical issues like a potentially flat tire and a malfunctioning vape cartridge.

Testing YouTube Return from Oregon Coast

rswfire records at 4:30 AM from a cape on the Oregon coast, contemplating restarting his YouTube channel after watching old videos with a friend the night before. He provides updates on the past month since his "heart opened" - hiking Humbug Mountain and Cape Sebastian, injuring his core, exploring private beaches accessible only by rope, and falling in love with the southern Oregon coast including Brookings, Gold Beach, Port Orford, and Bandon. He describes developing a practice of "tracing waves" at the ocean's edge, sometimes miscalculating and having to run from incoming water. He mentions encounters with seals in rivers and watching "rivers make love to the ocean." He took a 4-hour drive north to Florence to preview his future route, discovering 3 hours of inland driving with no coastline. The transmission includes footage from his Humbug Mountain hike, reaching 1,700 feet elevation, and his descent to a private beach at Cape Sebastian using a rope system. He states he has "fully integrated" himself and warns potential commenters that he will respond harshly to "dumb" comments. He expresses being "more alive than ever" and completely open to possibility, romance, connection, and friendship.

Cross-Country RV Journey Through Kansas and Nebraska

The speaker documents a long driving day traveling from Kansas into Nebraska in an RV, towing a Jeep. **Key events include:** encountering buffalo, observing failed and successful crop harvests, crossing state lines, stopping at Swanson Reservoir dam, dealing with RV door issues by adding clamps, navigating road construction with flaggers, and experiencing time zone changes. **Technical challenges:** The speaker criticizes their Garmin RV GPS for poor interface design and inability to route to state parks, forcing reliance on phone navigation. They discuss fuel station logistics and express frustration with unintuitive waypoint systems. **Observations:** The speaker notes regional behaviors like people waving on highways, comments on wind turbines and political opposition to them, observes agricultural infrastructure including grain elevators and silos, and documents landscape changes from plains to hills with pine trees. **Travel companion:** Bailey (appears to be a cat) gradually becomes more comfortable with travel, eventually sitting on top of his carrier. The speaker also attempts to walk Bailey on a leash at the final destination. **Destination:** The journey ends at a state park campground next to a national forest, where the speaker successfully backs the RV into their site in one maneuver.

Morning Reflection on Transformation and Coast Circuit Plans

rswfire records at 4 AM from his RV parked beside Highway 101 at Pistol River, Oregon. He describes his current situation: boondocking with low propane (8%), using electric heat from solar batteries, dealing with road noise, and waiting for client payment. He reflects on watching his first RV videos from 7 months ago, expressing shame at seeing himself as "fat" and "socially awkward" but recognizing his transformation through "unbecoming" rather than growth. He reveals he initially planned to end his life in Nevada but has been radically transformed by shedding what didn't serve him. He outlines his four-year circuit plan for the Oregon coast, spending one season in each of four areas before cycling back through different seasons. He discusses practical challenges including battery replacement, water pump issues, and hot water thermostat problems. He plans to reposition the RV to reduce road noise, visit Whales Beach to potentially meet an older woman he's connected with, and begin using his shower. He concludes by stating his location openly and emphasizing his happiness through shedding constraints.

Daily Tasks and Travel Planning

rswfire describes completing daily maintenance tasks including laundry, suntanning, cleaning fire pits, and paperwork. He collected gravel from a work center to level his fire pit area. He spoke with his boss about volunteering in the dunes from May through September, with plans to explore Oregon and Washington's Highway 101 from October through March. He discusses needing to resolve his RV situation by converting to a smaller trailer under 2,000 lbs that his Jeep can tow, mentioning a Forest River toy hauler he previously considered. The transmission ends with him showing his campfire setup and fire pit area, noting the challenge of collecting heavy logs from other campgrounds.

Exploring Coastal Trail and Preparing for System Collapse

rswfire arrives at a new campground near Brookings, Oregon for a 3-day stay. He discovers a short trail leading to a viewpoint called "a boot" overlooking the ocean and coastal community. From the elevated position, he observes people on the beach below and reflects on preferring the higher vantage point to being on the beach itself. After the brief hike, he describes his travel day routine - doing dishes, eating tuna fish, showering, and hooking up his Jeep. He met a helpful gate attendant who allowed early check-in. His RV site is cramped and unlevel, requiring him to park his Jeep sideways. **Future plans:** He will return to a previous campground for two weeks to explore forest roads systematically. This exploration is part of his preparation for potentially living in the forest permanently. **Political analysis:** He predicts that regardless of who wins the upcoming election, the losing side will view it as an existential crisis and riot or worse. He believes this instability could push society over a precipice, leading him to prepare for disappearing from society entirely while maintaining a good quality of life.