Carrizo Plains NM Day trip 4-26-10

[teotwaki]

Carrizo Plains National Monument Day trip 4-26-10

I had some unexpected company on the weekend and the conversation got around to Carrizo so off we went on Sunday morning for the long 152 mile drive. There was something different about this trip and it was only over the hours of the day and over the many dirt roads that my thoughts started to catch the wisp of the feeling at the root of it.

A large component was the joy of exploring the random roads as they appeared in front of me and sharing them with my friends


As we explored further I was asked about this sticker and why I had it on my rig


I was tongue-tied because a lot of thoughts welled up, both happy and not so much happy.. As we explored the beautiful vistas I thought about it more

 

[Rallyroo]

I know that the Carrizo Plains is located in California. But since you abbreviated "Carrizo Plains National Monument" as "Carrizo Plains NM" it looks like New Mexico.

 

[teotwaki]

Although the wildflower population is waning there were still some wonderful locations to enjoy. It made me question yet again how this land had been taken from the ranchers and farmers, the hodgepodge of stewardship owners and funding and just what this place offered besides photo ops of flowers.






Here I was driving a fossil-fueled vehicle off-hiway, treading lightly but there are those on this forum who believe in more and more Federal government land grabs

and blocking these very roads that I used in order to share the remote patches of wildflowers.


So exactly why did I have an Expo sticker on my truck? I have disagreed mightly with many of those "other" Expo people. I've carefully researched and presented counter arguments with facts and figures only to see threads locked and deleted without explanation.

 

[teotwaki]

I know that the Carrizo Plains is located in California. But since you abbreviated "Carrizo Plains National Monument" as "Carrizo Plains NM" it looks like New Mexico.

I'll beg all of the New Mexicans for forgiveness. :sombrero: Mea Culpa

 

[SPertierra]

Come back to the Socal Forum, kindred spirits await

 

[FourByLand]

Thanks for sharing, Jim. I always enjoy your trip reports. Keep them coming!

 

[teotwaki]

Not all of the ranchers have been evicted but I imagine there are details to the story

these are your Whoppers, happy meals, tri-tip and so on but still on the hoof


So look at who else is still here


Are they what Carrizo Plains needed to save? If the ranching is now NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) where will it be? China?

It seems that these types of thoughts are not "Happi Thougtz" for the Expo. Some folks have gone so far as to say "we don't like your view of environmental issues and we'd prefer that you leave". Of course, that thread was deleted so I can't give you the exact quote. But it did make me wonder if I was in essence "branded" on Expo, similar to some of the Bovines in the photos.

So I took out my folder and carved into the sticker on the truck out there admidst the emptiness of the Plains

 

[adventureduo]

Jim, great report.. we love Carrizo.. PM coming your way.

 

[teotwaki]

I look at all that the Forum has accomplished in improving my overlanding experience, my knowledge and how I offroad. None of that was forced down my throat. People openly shared their techniques, knowledge, and their joy of overlanding.

Just look at this little used track across the grasslands. Isn't it just calling to you to embark on a voyage of discovery with a well-prepared rig?


Or are you the sort of Forum member who says: "No! Stop! only those who are physically able can proceed on foot. All others must keep out."

What in the world did we want to keep Carrizo Plains for?
Dry Lake Beds? They have an odd sort of beauty but hardly unique. By merely questioning this decision I am no longer welcome here?


Once again I found myself out on the plains, wondering what is it about Expo that seems so different from when I first joined.


Once again the knife came out...


I felt as if that wisp of thought was starting to solidify, that I was beginning to understand a little more about what was different here on the forum. I have not posted any trip reports in a while due to some of the incidents here that trashed some really good reports and turned them into a load of political hooey. It also left me with the feeling that trip reports are not of much importance to the new Expo direction. I felt that that this one had to be posted as it is more than just a trip report, more than just a discovery of the terrain. It was taking me back to my overlanding roots when as a kid I built up an old 55 Dodge 2WD pickup truck with a lift, Armstrong Rhino tires and a posi-traction. I had no knowledge of being PC, of not being able to travel across existing roads, that somehow I should support the federal grab of any and all land by any means that the ends somehow justified.

 

[photoman]

I have no knowledge of your previous issues with the forum but I am glad you shared your trip and your feelings. There are many different people on this forum and we all have our own views on many subjects.

Thank you for sharing yours and the area you travel.

 

[Ursidae69]

Nice photos but I'm sort of "meh" about the complaining. I took my ExPo sticker off a long time ago, but I didn't feel the need to post about it. To each his own I guess.

 

[teotwaki]

I have no knowledge of your previous issues with the forum but I am glad you shared your trip and your feelings. There are many different people on this forum and we all have our own views on many subjects.

Thank you for sharing yours and the area you travel.

Thanks! I would not expect many folks to have much knowlege of my own minor problems but I have also found out that I'm not alone in my feeling that something is amiss. There is a sense that the inevitable capitalization of the overlanding concept is (without malice) driving how the Portal has to look and "feel" as part of a possbile business plan. Rancourous discussions of Global Warming? Deleted. Illegal climbing of old growth trees? Not our problem. New federal land grabs? Don't speak out against it. Big commercial Expositions with big mahogany floored tents? The new direction. There are many good and hard-working folks who have dreams that encompass making a living off of the overland experience. They own the portal, they own the magazine, produce the tent trailers and lead the expeditions as well as put on the expositions. There is no blame for that. It is part of the American dream. I am not privy to the details of the dream so I can only guess at what seems to be wrong from my own POV.

All I can do is control the stickers on my truck that provide free advertising for someone else's dream. :ylsmoke:

 

[teotwaki]

Nice photos but I'm sort of "meh" about the complaining. I took my ExPo sticker off a long time ago, but I didn't feel the need to post about it. To each his own I guess.

Maybe if it provokes discussion it is no longer a mere complaint? Or is it that if you complained and were unsatisfied with the result such that it is now pointless for me to complaiin too? Just kidding with ya!! :elkgrin:

 

[7wt]

I couldn't agree more Jim. I too lament the days of old and share your feelings whole heartedly. Beautiful pictures, thanks for stepping out with your combustion engine to share them with us.

 

[Ursidae69]

I'll beg all of the New Mexicans for forgiveness. :sombrero: Mea Culpa

That's funny, I misread the title like three times and I didn't understand why the pictures didn't look right. See, we have a Carrizozo New Mexico and I thought that was where you had went. :elkgrin: