Jackie wrote; > >I guess this, like anything else, is relative. Those that started >paddling decades ago feel a greater impact than those that started >paddling say 10 years ago that see a greater impact than those that >started paddling a year ago that see a greater impact than those that >started a couple of months ago that think the waters are vast open >spaces without a whole lot of people but will feel differently this >time next year. Which is where we all were at one time or another. > >Does this make sense? Is it important? Probably not... :-) Yes, it makes sense. Years ago when we moved to Canada the town of Oakville seemed almost idyllic. Developers advertised it as such and soon the place was just another bedroom community but with more class. The new people thought the town was idyllic, the older residents thought it was over run. The perception of over use seems relative to previous experience. > >I think teaching safety and environment sensitivity is probably the most >important action we can take because what is going to impact us all the >most, imo, is regulation due to an increase of accidents and/or >environmental abuse of wilderness areas resulting from an increase of >ignorant kayakers on the water... which makes kayakers more visible to >those that are not kayakers (as well as other kayakers). I am greatful >to those that were enthusiastic about my getting into sea kayaking. How >could I possibly deny that for anyone else? Another story (in a story telling mood). After we moved north to escape Oakville's hordes I began paddling in an area just west of where I live. I found gorgeous campsites with flowers growing out of the old firepits, portages that one had to follow carefully because they had grown over so heavily, no garbage, and no people. After a few years I felt badly about hoarding this discovery all to myself so I wrote an article in my canoe club newsletter about it. The next year I ran into people and found paper etc. in fire pits. Later some one I had told about the area wrote an article for a national magazine. Well, you can imagine what happened. I don't go back much anymore. Found a new forgotten area that takes too much effort to get into (Bushwacking, long unmarked trails) I haven't told anyone about it and only go back solo. Sad that this kind of thing happens. I guess I don't trust people to take care of things anymore. You can teach a cat to use a litter pan but apparently you can't teach humans to carry their litter out. Cheers, John Winters Redwing Designs Web site address, http://home.ican.net/~735769 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Sep 24 1999 - 05:13:27 PDT
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