Have you read any of my other posts? I’d guess that “credibility” went out the window right around Post Numero Uno.

Anyway- How do you think people did their adventuring back in the days before the Internet? How about before cell phones? Or Hell, even before telephones themselves? Do you think Lewis and Clark called ahead, made reservations, or did “basic research” on their way out West? Hell no! They picked up their gear and took off! What makes you think I should do otherwise?

People who know what they’re doing don’t need to call ahead. Haven’t you seen Man vs. Wild? [Editor's Note: I'm only half serious]. We prepare for the worst and figure things out on the fly! Just because someone says that an area’s closed doesn’t mean I’m not going. I’ve been in plenty of “closed” areas before and never run into any trouble. When it comes down to it- I’m way more afraid of driving to work than hiking through a burned out canyon. After all, it’s way more dangerous!

If you ask me, it’s your “typical LA people” that call ahead, inquire into safety conditions, and then turn tail and run at the first sign of danger! What kind of fun is that? Why even leave my front door? If you knew me at all, you’d realize how wrong you are about my “type”.

Besides- It’s not every day that your local Forest burns to ashes. The Station Fire is an event unrivaled in modern local history! A real natural disaster of epic proportions! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see total destruction on a massive scale! To witness firsthand the devastation and rebirth of an entire ecosystem!

And talk about the opportunity of a lifetime for a local Photographer! How could you blame me for wanting to get out there and document this extraordinary event?

Now- Don’t think I’m trying to say I’m not to blame for flying by the seat of my pants, but that was the whole point of the trip! I wanted to see how close I could get to the damage, and as soon as it became obvious I wasn’t supposed to be there I dug in and held the line.

I wasn’t expecting a “ride closed” sign anywhere at all. Shit, if it were up to me the ride would always be open! I would have been down in that bowl exploring those ashes if I hadn’t been told to scram!

And don’t kid yourself- It’s not for “safety reasons” that we’re not allowed in that area. It’s because of Lawyers and frivolous lawsuits. The State doesn’t care if I get hurt; they just don’t want me suing the pants off of them! Which, I might add, I would never do.

In the end though, we’re on the same team Leroy. I despise the same type of people you do, and I’m certainly not one of them. And I apologize that my post got you all riled up like that. It certainly wasn’t my intention!

In the end, you’re just another of the typical LA people expecting a a “ride closed” sign at every turn and someone to take your hand and show you where you ca and can’t go.

Your extremeley illustrative writing brought me back to the time we were being consumed by a mountain full of mosquitos.

Its terrible that land was destroyed, it was such a beautiful and peaceful place. Even though the land was obliterated I will always remember how much fun we had there over fourth of july!