[Az-Geocaching] Destruction of geological site(s?)

Wed, 7 Aug 2002 20:58:09 EDT

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The first time I've heard of your organization was when I read the article in 
this morning's edition of the Arizona Republic.  I promptly came home from 
breakfast and located your website for more information.  What you do for 
kicks seems to be a complete waste of time and a clear sign of a bunch of 
people who don't have enough to do.  However, it also appears to be perfectly 
legal so if that happens to flip your switch, - - have at it.

BUT, - - DON'T DO IT IN MY BACKYARD.

Now having passed the intro, I'll give you a few things to ponder.

We happen to have a remote parcel of land not too far from the Phoenix metro 
area.  It sits at the end of a primitive road that crosses a wide swath of 
public land.  The property is an isolated parcel, the entry gate is locked 
and posted and, depending on how you count, it is surrounded by at least 
60,000 acres of public land.

Now, perhaps you clean living folk can tell me why it is that instead of 
recreating on land that is owned by every citizen, a vast number of uninvited 
trespassers find the need to walk, ride, climb, go around or crawl under our 
gate to look, play, trash, steal and vandalize.  They shoot holes in our 
signs, trees, rocks, and fences and let their dogs and horses shit on every 
available flat spot.  The leave their Frito bags, pop cans and tracks;  - - 
hiking boot or ATV, - - it's still a track.  They avail themselves of the 
green grass as a mating ground and used condom depository.

Now save your breath if you're getting ready to tell me that you don't do 
that sort of thing.  As a preamble to telling hundreds of intrusive bastards 
to get the hell out and stay out, I patiently explain why they are not 
welcome.  So far, I've heard the same indignant retort from almost every 
damned one of them.  It goes something like this:
    "I've been coming here for more than ___________ years and I've never 
left so much as a cigarette butt of gum wrapper".  "I always carry out my own 
trash and pick up the other guy's litter when I leave".

In order for me to believe that, I've got to also believe some raving idiot 
in an aerial tanker is kicking out a dumpster full of crap at least monthly.  
(Considering the number of beer cans and vodka bottles, I suppose it could be 
an America West crew).

To make bad matters worse the property is home to some very significant 
archeological sites and petroglyphs.  Those people who never disturb anything 
have also used them for small arms and pistol targets and have chiseled away 
at some of the ancient artwork.  They climb around on them like they're the 
Jungle Gym of the ancients.  With whatever instrument they have the dexterity 
to master they have etched their names on every thing within reach.

To provide more detail is to give directions to the place which will only 
invite more trouble, so let me try to sum it up for you:

1.  When you enter private property, do it as I would do if I entered your 
home.  Wait 'til you're invited.

2.  If you are possessed with the overwhelming urge to screw up property, 
either do it at home or on public land where you at least hold some 
smattering of an ownership interest.

3.  If you see a locked gate and a sign that clearly tells you to stay out, 
then STAY THE HELL OUT!

4.  If you happen to be among the illiterate minority, just study and 
memorize the shape of the letters,   N-O - - T-R-E-S-P-A-S-S-I-N-G.

Thanks, and Good Geocaching,

Ed

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<HTML>The first time I've heard of your organization was when I read the article in this morning's edition of the Arizona Republic. &nbsp;I promptly came home from breakfast and located your website for more information. &nbsp;What you do for kicks seems to be a complete waste of time and a clear sign of a bunch of people who don't have enough to do. &nbsp;However, it also appears to be perfectly legal so if that happens to flip your switch, - - have at it.
 
 BUT, - - DON'T DO IT IN MY BACKYARD.
 
 Now having passed the intro, I'll give you a few things to ponder.
 
 We happen to have a remote parcel of land not too far from the Phoenix metro area. &nbsp;It sits at the end of a primitive road that crosses a wide swath of public land. &nbsp;The property is an isolated parcel, the entry gate is locked and posted and, depending on how you count, it is surrounded by at least 60,000 acres of public land.
 
 Now, perhaps you clean living folk can tell me why it is that instead of recreating on land that is owned by every citizen, a vast number of uninvited trespassers find the need to walk, ride, climb, go around or crawl under our gate to look, play, trash, steal and vandalize. &nbsp;They shoot holes in our signs, trees, rocks, and fences and let their dogs and horses shit on every available flat spot. &nbsp;The leave their Frito bags, pop cans and tracks; &nbsp;- - hiking boot or ATV, - - it's still a track. &nbsp;They avail themselves of the green grass as a mating ground and used condom depository.
 
 Now save your breath if you're getting ready to tell me that you don't do that sort of thing. &nbsp;As a preamble to telling hundreds of intrusive bastards to get the hell out and stay out, I patiently explain why they are not welcome. &nbsp;So far, I've heard the same indignant retort from almost every damned one of them. &nbsp;It goes something like this:
 "I've been coming here for more than ___________ years and I've never left so much as a cigarette butt of gum wrapper". &nbsp;"I always carry out my own trash and pick up the other guy's litter when I leave".
 
 In order for me to believe that, I've got to also believe some raving idiot in an aerial tanker is kicking out a dumpster full of crap at least monthly. &nbsp;(Considering the number of beer cans and vodka bottles, I suppose it could be an America West crew).
 
 To make bad matters worse the property is home to some very significant archeological sites and petroglyphs. &nbsp;Those people who never disturb anything have also used them for small arms and pistol targets and have chiseled away at some of the ancient artwork. &nbsp;They climb around on them like they're the Jungle Gym of the ancients. &nbsp;With whatever instrument they have the dexterity to master they have etched their names on every thing within reach.
 
 To provide more detail is to give directions to the place which will only invite more trouble, so let me try to sum it up for you:
 
 1. &nbsp;When you enter private property, do it as I would do if I entered your home. &nbsp;Wait 'til you're invited.
 
 2. &nbsp;If you are possessed with the overwhelming urge to screw up property, either do it at home or on public land where you at least hold some smattering of an ownership interest.
 
 3. &nbsp;If you see a locked gate and a sign that clearly tells you to stay out, then STAY THE HELL OUT!
 
 4. &nbsp;If you happen to be among the illiterate minority, just study and memorize the shape of the letters, &nbsp;&nbsp;N-O - - T-R-E-S-P-A-S-S-I-N-G.
 
 Thanks, and Good Geocaching,
 
 Ed
 
 
 </HTML>

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