Got Kicked Out of Campground

[rlm5566]

Just wanted to share my less then favorable experience.

We were paid up for another month at Camprground Buena Tierra, $350.00 pd for 2-2-06 to 3-2-06, and they evicted us because my DH had put coins on the railroad tracks (located outside the campgrounds).

We apologized, promised to not do it anymore, but they still kicked us out. We went back to our site and quietly packed up our stuff, loaded the car, took out our garbage, and left only to be greeted by local police just outside the RV park. The RV park tried to tell us it was a felony to put coins on the railroad tracks and that was their reasoning behind the immediate eviction. The police officer said it was a misdemeanor. The local PO called a railroad cop who also informed us it was only a misdemeanor and the first offense usually resulted in a warning; the second offense would garner a citation and fine. (Both the police officer and the railroad officer seemed a little less than enthusiastic about pursuing the complaints lodged by the RV park).

We weren't trying to cause any problems, DH was just showing me how to flatten coins (never seen them before). It was all innocent. In our home state it is not illegal to walk on the tracks or put coins on them. We never thought it would be illegal here. Had we known, we wouldn't have indulged our curiosities. The railroad officer asked to stay away from the tracks. We agreed wholeheartedly. He told us to have a nice evening and sent us on our way.

Anyway, I think the RV park acted hastily and unfairly. We had already stayed there a month and were model RVers. They treated us as though we were felons with mean streaks that had "broken the last straw." They never bothered to discuss anything with us; they just said, "You have to leave." And "No, you arent getting ANY of your $350 back."

I think they were unfair to us. Again, the name is the Campground Buena Tierra. Just wanted to share our "experience" of this park. Another neighbor referred to them as "anal." But you can draw your own conclusions.

Jerry, Ronee and the babies.

[Adrienne]

I am so sorry that happened to you.
The email address for the campground is office@campgroundbuenatierra.com

Campground Buena Tierra is a Good Sam park. Perhaps Good Sam should be informed about how the campground treats its guests?
_________________
Best--

Adrienne Kristine
Forum Administrator
http://www.RVTravel.com
http://www.FreeCampgrounds.com
http://twitter.com/AdrienneAXK

[rlm5566]

Hello Adrienne,

Thank you for your support. I thought about the fact that they were Good Sam club members, but we have not joined yet. We were waiting to decide whether or not we were going to stay full-timers forever or not.

I still can't believe this happened to us. I have never been kicked out of anything in my whole life.

Anyway, again, thank you for your support. I just wanted to let people know how they treated us so they can decide whether or not they want to stay there.

Jerry and Ronee McDonald

[co5thwheel]

Hi,
What a terrible experience! I just emailed Buena Tierra (the link is on Adrienne's post) to let them know how extremely unfair I feel they were.

I hope that others who feel similarly will also contact the campground.
_________________
Ken and Carol
2006 Arctic Fox 27-5L
GMC Sierra 2500 4x4 Diesel

"Not all who wander are lost..."

[Alterego]

rlm5566

[CoachPotato]

[Adrienne]

When the campground owners are contacted and reply, I will post their response here so we will have both sides of the story. Then we can judge for ourselves.
_________________
Best--

Adrienne Kristine
Forum Administrator
http://www.RVTravel.com
http://www.FreeCampgrounds.com
http://twitter.com/AdrienneAXK

[rlm5566]

I agree. Their side should be posted. All I can say is that this is my explanation of what happened and how the situation made me feel.

As far as the Federal laws and RR tracks, I was unaware. We walk up and down the tracks in MN to hunt, take pictures, walk the dogs all the time. My husband used to jump trains as a kid all the time and flatten coins as well. I agreed that it was wrong. And when told about it, and asked to stay off the tracks and the right of way, we agreed without hesitation. I never denied that it was wrong for my husband to be putting stuff on the tracks. My problem was with the campground kicking us out without even discussing it. They had caught my husband on the tracks earlier that day and told him to stop doing that. He said he would. They told us two hours later we had to leave. They refused to talk to us. They told us we had committed a felony and they said it in front of other campground guests. Said we were immoral. In front of other guests. They would not discuss it with us, but would tell others that we committed a felony and an immoral act. He was trying to having fun; he wasn't trying to cause trouble.

I think they were unfair. If we had had other problems, or we weren't good campers, I could understand their reasoning behind the quick boot. But as far as I know there were no other problems. No other complaints lodged against us. We were good campers. Quiet, respectful of others; friendly. I just don't understand why they were so quick to get rid of us.

I welcome their side. I want to know what it was about us that made them dislike us so and kick us out so fast, without a warning or anything. Like I said earlier, the railroad cop we had to talk to said it was a misdemeanor and the first offense only gets a warning. Why if the railroad cop would give only a warning the first time couldn't the campground?

I would like to apologize for the "anal" comment I made. It was uncalled for and immature. I was angry.

Thank you for listening (or reading rather).

Ronee

[co5thwheel]

Explanation:
When I wrote to Buena Tierra campground, I emphasized my feelings that there are ALWAYS two sides to every story.

However, I still feel that eviction was a rather severe reaction to someone flattening coins on railroad tracks.
_________________
Ken and Carol
2006 Arctic Fox 27-5L
GMC Sierra 2500 4x4 Diesel

"Not all who wander are lost..."

[KathleenC]

I have a suspicious mind because to me, it sounds like the campground wanted to double the rent on the spot you were in. They must have received a call for your spot, and looked at this as a opportunity to get rid of you, keep your money and get someone else's too.

But I would have to hear their side of the story to make sure this is not what happened.

I know I shouldn't think this way, but I have seen too people trying to get over on someone.
_________________
Kathleen
Metairie, LA
2006 Keystone Zeppelin II z291

[rlm5566]

I just wanted to give you all an update.

A person from another RV website who lives here in AZ is going to try to set up a meeting with the owner of the campground to see if we can come to some kind of understanding. I do not know if he will even agree to it. The person setting this meeting up also is interested in the other side of the story and is unbiased at this point. He has already tried to contact this owner to get his side, but has not received a response as of yet.

Hopefully we can resolve this issue to a satisfactory ending for all.

I would like to say thank you all so much for your support and kind words. This has been a very horrible experience all the way around, and having you guys stand by me has been really comforting. So again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I will keep you all posted as to the progress of the meeting if there is a meeting.

Have a wonderous day!
Jerry, Ronee and the babies.

[dcricket]

Well, where I grew up in Maine, we flattened coins too. Walked up and down the train tracks all the time to get to where we were going or rode our bikes alongside of the tracks. Of course we were out in the sticks, and it was not a big deal back then, but I can see as times have changed and unfortunately in these troubled times we live, people are less trusting of a simple thing such as coins on RR tracks as more and more much worse things have been done to affect mass transit systems. I agree whole-heartedly that to simply kick you out like a criminal was totally uncalled for. If the police and the RR people were appeased by your explanation/apologies, then that should've been that. Unless there was stipulation in the campground rules and regs that specify if you have an issue "outside" of their facilities, they can force you to leave, then I'd expect my money back. Again, all this is based off info from the one side. If in fact this is proven to be an improper eviction, I would hope Good Sam representatives are notified/involved. Just my thoughts.
_________________
Life is but a walk in the park...live, love, laugh - Aloha!
Donna, new Hubby Willie, our combined family of 5 and the 4 legged baby Maggie Mae (Rotty)
31' 05 National Seabreeze

[Adrienne]

Here, as promised, are both sides of the investigation from the moderator of the other website where the story was also posted:

From: Lloyd_AZ Sent: 2/7/2006 3:16 PM
Fellow RVers

After many emails with Ronee, I had some uneasy feelings about this situation. This morning (Tuesday) I had a long phone conversation with the park owner and the employee involved. They came across to me as honest and sincere. The info I got was a good deal different than that I first understood.

As I was told, Ronee's husband has placed many things on the RR tracks many things including 1/2 diameter bolts, spoons and knives. Some of the guests reported him. He was asked to not do it again. His reply was that it was none of the park's business and proceeded to again place things on the tracks and held them down with tape. They then called the police and decided that they would evict them. Since the park guests had to cross the tracks to get into the park, they were concerned that something might happen that would cause the train to stop or even be derailed and emergency vehicles would not be able to get into the park.

I was trying to help Ronee and still think that she may not have had all the information. I have emailed Ronee and told her I was bowing out.

I wanted to be fair to everyone including the park. I doubt that a business would not run off customers without cause. They may have acted rash but it is their business to do what they feel is right.

Lloyd

From: Ronée Sent: 2/7/2006 7:08 PM
I would like to respond to Lloyd's post.

My husband was only warned once. Not repeatedly. And when they told him to stop, he agreed to without reservation. We were not informed of the other campers concerns and had no idea that they had reported my husbands actions to them. To them, I apologize vehemently for causing them fear.

And they exaggerated the size of the items he put out there. There was no 1/2" bolt. And he told me the tape he used was electrical tape to keep the items from flinging out from under the train.

I still feel they could have been more forthcoming with their reasons for the eviction. And to tell Lloyd that they warned us repeatedly is completely inaccurate.

Now for the most part, I think both sides of the story are out there. You can do what you want with the information.

I would like to thank all of you that supported my plight unconditionally, and if at this point you wish to withdraw your support, I completely understand.

I only hope there are no hard feelings. My truth may not be the same as someone else's truth. All I know is it is my truth I have tried to convey here.

Ronee
_________________
Best--

Adrienne Kristine
Forum Administrator
http://www.RVTravel.com
http://www.FreeCampgrounds.com
http://twitter.com/AdrienneAXK

[rlm5566]

Adrienne,

Thank you for posting the last two responses. I have no idea how to transfer or copy stuff like that.

Sincerely
Ronee and the clan

[Adrienne]

You're most welcome. I'm glad we all found out what happened and the information was balanced so readers could judge for themselves.
_________________
Best--

Adrienne Kristine
Forum Administrator
http://www.RVTravel.com
http://www.FreeCampgrounds.com
http://twitter.com/AdrienneAXK