Long ago, in preparation for a tour, I used to sit at the computer and create these elaborate routes for each day, downloading files from outer space onto my GPS, and printing elaborate turn by turn directions for my tank bag map window. What a joke! By no later than the 2nd day, we'd find a brown sign somewhere, or maybe a particularly interesting section of pavement off to the side somewhere else. Our curiosity would overwhelm us, and off the "route" we go, never to use it again.
In my opinion, when you get to that point, that part where you can wander like a dog following his nose - you have reached the pinnacle of what riding is REALLY about. And all it takes is two things: (1) Confidence that you have the resources and knowledge to address whatever greets you around that next corner, be it good, bad, or otherwise, and (2) Acceptance that it doesn't really matter where you go from here because it is ALL good. Every single mile of it is fantastic and it doesn't matter what the highway sign says. So if that particular instant you aren't bedazzled with a world class discovery, you can take comfort with thoughts running through your mind about the excitement of the unknowing. You can get excited about whatever it is you will discover just over that next hill. And you can stop and sniff as much or as little as you want......
........As for choosing a campsite, the highest priority for me is a picnic table. Having a place to cook, sit down and eat, and a dry place to unpack and stow your gear is very important. My next highest priority would be a campfire ring and grille. Then I prefer paved driveways and roadways to get to the site. Next would be showers at the campground. After that, I don't care and frankly, if it has nothing else, so much the better because this will eliminate the rolling 1500 square foot houses that bring their boom boom stereos, 75" TVs, 10,000 watt generators, and yappy dogs.
