Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on April 30, 2008 - 22:57.
Thank you for a reasonably objective article. I think it's important to include the positive impacts on the local economy while you're at it. All tourism has both pros and cons.
As a lifelong Tread Lightly member and dedicated ORV owner, it pains me greatly to see people not staying on trails, especially since they are jeopardizing my interests and making us look bad. I take that very personally.
And, to be honest, I'm probably far harder on them when I catch them than you would be. And I do catch some of them, and I do make it crystal clear that going off the designated trails is not to be tolerated. It helps get through to them since I'm one of them I suppose. When my 4x4's more capable than theirs, it's hard for them to look down at me or try to justify themselves to their inner voice.
It's important not to blame the many for the sins of the few. It's all too easy to see someone walking down the street doing something and then stereotyping them, then labeling that stereotype. Human nature to some degree. All white people, all Jewish people, all rich people, all nature lovers... It's a disappointing trait.
Many of us ORV folks pack out more than we pack in, and we invest a lot of our personal time maintaining trails, participating in SOLV events, and just plain taking care of what we have so our children and their children can enjoy it too.
As far as being a tourist, I live in a town that enjoys the fruits of tourism. And the pains. Heck, I grew up where we all know what SnowBirds are, coming in during the winter, clogging the streets, the restaurants, driving up home prices, etc. I can't begrudge them, it's not MY town, it's OUR town. I just happen to live there longer during the year than they do (and when it hits 100 or more, they all leave, believe you me).
Thank you for a reasonably
Thank you for a reasonably objective article. I think it's important to include the positive impacts on the local economy while you're at it. All tourism has both pros and cons.
As a lifelong Tread Lightly member and dedicated ORV owner, it pains me greatly to see people not staying on trails, especially since they are jeopardizing my interests and making us look bad. I take that very personally.
And, to be honest, I'm probably far harder on them when I catch them than you would be. And I do catch some of them, and I do make it crystal clear that going off the designated trails is not to be tolerated. It helps get through to them since I'm one of them I suppose. When my 4x4's more capable than theirs, it's hard for them to look down at me or try to justify themselves to their inner voice.
It's important not to blame the many for the sins of the few. It's all too easy to see someone walking down the street doing something and then stereotyping them, then labeling that stereotype. Human nature to some degree. All white people, all Jewish people, all rich people, all nature lovers... It's a disappointing trait.
Many of us ORV folks pack out more than we pack in, and we invest a lot of our personal time maintaining trails, participating in SOLV events, and just plain taking care of what we have so our children and their children can enjoy it too.
As far as being a tourist, I live in a town that enjoys the fruits of tourism. And the pains. Heck, I grew up where we all know what SnowBirds are, coming in during the winter, clogging the streets, the restaurants, driving up home prices, etc. I can't begrudge them, it's not MY town, it's OUR town. I just happen to live there longer during the year than they do (and when it hits 100 or more, they all leave, believe you me).
Thanks for reading.
Eric D