Re: [Paddlewise] "Commando" Camping

Those of us that found our favorite little known and free campsites
advertised
nationally as part of the new Cascadia Marine Trail by some well meaning do
gooders feel like they were "sold down the river". I believe the term "sold
down the river" comes from slaves who could do nothing while their offspring
were take away from them and sold further down the river.
Almost every watertrail site existed before in some form so essentially what
the Watertrails organization did was post some signs and claim them as their
own and then  advertised ("sold") them to a nationwide audience. A former
president of the WA Watertrails organization personally apologized to me for
his involvement in helping create this monster. It seemed like a good idea
at the time  (making more campsites for paddlers) but that was not the
result, at least so far. Even if they eventually do get more camping areas
opened I now don't think it will have been worth it. I consider the $100  I
donated to help WWTA get started was the worst donation I ever made. I guess
there is some guilt on my part here too for helping this get started.

"Call someplace paradise and kiss it goodbye." The Eagles


Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Robert C. Cline <rccline_at_swbell.net>
To: Matt Broze <mkayaks_at_oz.net>
Cc: PaddleWise <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2000 5:29 AM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] "Commando" Camping


> Matt:
>
> Could you expoind a bit more on what happened with Water Trails?  How did
> the campsites get sold down the river?
>
>
> Matt wrote:
>
> >
> > The major problem that has made kayakers unwelcome in the San Juans was
> not
> > guerrilla camping. Campsites were relatively plentiful (at least until
the
> > Water Trails organization sold them down the river). The problem is the
> fact
> > that most of the beaches in the San Juans are really the public's
property
> > (usually to the high tide line). The owners of the uplands have always
> > treated the beaches as though they owned them. ....
>


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************