RE: [Paddlewise] GASP! Peace River experience

I'm new to the area, the list, and paddling. I've been fortunate that the
areas I've chosen to enjoy my newly found hobby have been pretty quiet
(Suwannee River and Cedar Key). On the other hand it is unfortunate that you
can find yourself in a place on the river with no hint of anybody in the
area and then you see garbage strewn on the shore. Routinely I return from
an excursion with a kayak full of garbage.

I'm sure we're preaching to the choir or maybe I'm naive for believing that
anyone who does this for the same reasons I do would be responsible enough
to protect these wonderful natural resources. I believe most if not everyone
that subscribes to this list feels that way too. Unfortunately, the people
you mentioned from the Peace River probably aren't list members and need to
be reminded that their children and grandchildren might, also, need a river
to drink and raise hell on. 

Like Bob Denton, I agree that everyone should be allowed to enjoy themselves
in their own way. I also understand Peter's frustration that comes with
being on the river to enjoy nature while other people are there to drink and
carry on. I would recommend to Peter that he find some more isolated areas
if he is looking for a more peaceful experience. They are out there and you
will have a much better time. 

As for the trash at Peace River, if it is as bad as Peter said I would
propose a planned trip to the Peace River by responsible list members to
clean it up and educate (peacefully if possible) any observed offenders on
the dangers of their reckless behavior. I'm in.

Ron Patton
rpatton_at_pixelisland.com
Gainesville, FL
http://www.pixelisland.com

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-gasp_at_lists.intelenet.net
[mailto:owner-gasp_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of Bob Volin
Sent: Monday, November 08, 1999 10:18 PM
To: Bob Denton; 'Peter van den Hurk'; PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net;
gasp_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subject: Re: GASP! [Paddlewise] Peace River experience



			Gulf Area Sea Paddlers - GASP!

...I think we can agree to draw the line at strewing the river and its
shores with trash, don't you?


>Do the "rednecks" have any less right to enjoy their pastimes on their
>river, then we do? It's a tough question with no easy answer..
>
>Cya
>
>Bob Denton
>Delray Beach
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
>[mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of Peter van den
>Hurk
>Sent: Monday, November 08, 1999 12:40 PM
>To: PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net; gasp_at_lists.intelenet.net
>Subject: [Paddlewise] Peace River experience
>
>
>Last weekend (Nov. 6-7) we did an overnight canoe trip on the Peace River,
>from Zolfo Springs to Gardner, Fl. I want to use this opportunity to
>express my disgust about what is going on on this river. While we were
>waiting for our shuttle to be set, we saw 5 busloads of paddlers being
>dumped at the put in at Prairy Creek park, by the Canoe Outpost and Canoe
>Safaries. And more must have been brought in earlier. Most of these
>paddlers were very loud already, and stuffed their canoes with coolers and
>suitcases of beer, not being bothered by the presence of other,
>non-commercially-outfitted, nature loving paddlers. During the waves of
>these annoying rednecks coming over, we even lost some of our gear. Once on
>the river we were constantly bothered by obviously intoxicated river users:
>they flipped their canoes, leaving their stuff floating down river, they
>were loud, annoying, and hitting on the females in our group. And they were
>everywhere! By the end of the day, while looking for a campsite, there was
>no way to avoid these hords of neanderthals: all potential campsites were
>taken. We ended up on a muddy site, as far away as possible from the noise.
>But still, after dark there was no way not to be bothered by the noise
>produced, which culminated when loud fireworks were set off next to us in
>the middle of the night!
>
>We were looking forward to a quiet weekend on the Peace River, away from
>the Homecoming madness in Gainesville. But this was even worse. And it is
>not only my own peace that I am worried about, I am worried about the
>river. I was disgusted by all the trash that is floating around, and I can
>see that the landowners are not happy with the hundreds of people camping
>on the banks each weekend, without any facilities around. Obviously nobody
>cares to dig a pit for his/her droppings, fire circles are everywhere,
>clothslines are left behind, and then there is the trash! Beer cans and
>glass everywhere!
>
>Needless to say that I had a very bad experience this weekend. And I blame
>this on the commercial outfitters, who obviously make good money out of the
>exploitation of the precious natural resources ($60 per canoe). I am not an
>advocate of alcohol restrictions, adults should know how to drink
>responsibly.
>But in this case I think it would help a lot when alcoholic beverages would
>be banned from the river, to weed out the people who should be in a bar,
>and not on a beautiful river. And I think that the commercial outfitters
>can do a lot to help achieve this: just don't allow beer in the bus. In the
>end this may even help their businesses survive! For now I will not advise
>anybody to go paddling on the Peace River.
>
>Peter van den Hurk
>
>
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