This past weekend my family took our annual camping trip up Manti La Sal National Forest. I have been camping up there for as long as I can remember. Coincidentally my wife also camped up there when she was a child as well. It has been our slice of paradise our escape. So much so, last year my wife and spent our entire anniversary up there in our favorite camping site. I have had so many family reunions up there I can hardly count.
This year was different. Our usually camp site is off the beaten path near a small reservoir called Gooseberry. For years it was one of the most quite and secluded locations ever. This year it was crawling with ATVs, fisherman, kids, dogs and criminals. The bathroom was dirty and trashed. Trash was everywhere. Parties were held into the night. It was so bad we decided to leave earlier than intended. As we went to hook my father's trailer we realized his $600 trailer hitch had been stolen. Seriously! Who steals a trailer hitch! Fortunately we were able to get a new one in Fairview, UT and pull the trailer home. But it was so disappointing.
My childhood adventure location has now been spoiled. Perhaps for good. The rangers were no help either. They promised to come and file a report, but forgot to come. The spent most of their time writing tickers for unlicensed ATVs that drove by every 5 minutes. Next year we will probably be looking for a new place.
What has happened to our society to care so less for nature and for those around us?
Sad.
Comments Welcome
2 comments:
Popi helped kinda start Gooseberry, so it holds a place in my heart. I am sorry your experience stunk. I think it is a problem everywhere. We like a place called Three Peaks near Cedar City. (But haven't been in like 5 years, though.)
Thanks Heidi, Didn't know Popi started that place. It is amazing. The last two years I have gone have been horrible.
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