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Monday, September 23, 2013

OUTDOOR FREEDOM IS ABOUT CHOICES

HUNTING, FISHING, EXPLORING, CAMPING, OR WHATEVER YOU LIKE; IT'S ABOUT FREEDOM OF CHOICE

By Del Albright

Being outdoors enjoying whatever it is you do, is one of the treasures we have in this country. It matters not what you do (outside), as long as you do it and respect others who might do something else. We all should embrace our freedom of choice.

I enjoy hunting.  I also enjoy photography and music.  And hey, give me a fishing pole and I'm ready to rock. It really is not important what you do outside that you love; it's that you DO it, and you respect the right of others to choose.  Heck, many of us and those before us have fought for that very right --- that freedom.  Hold it tight and let no one take it from us.


We should drag our kids outside for the same sports and outdoor activities that you enjoy...or that they might enjoy.  Please don't overly contribute to this generation of thumb-living-video-gamers.  Get them outside when you can.  Yes, I know; some of this video game world is just inevitable.  But when the opportunity is there; take a kid outside.


Go to a beach for a picnic; drag out the old boat and take it for a spin; go to a gun range and teach a kid to shoot; take pictures of the sunrise/sunset; or just drive the countryside enjoying the freedom of access we have to many areas of this great country.  And then figure out what MORE you can do to make sure we have these places in the future.

Be sure to keep up your memberships in your favorite organizations that are fighting for your access and your freedoms.  I suggest you start with the outfit that represents all trails; all sports -- BlueRibbon Coalition.
Visit here to join and donate:  http://www.blueribboncoalition.org

Del
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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

REMEMBERING 9-1-1; TREASURING FREEDOM

NEVER FORGET; AND PRAY WE NEVER LET OUR GUARD DOWN; EVER.

By Del Albright on September 11, 2013

12 years ago the world stop turning for many of us; and the world saw the face of terrorism like never before - for what it really is -- criminal, barbaric, unjustified deployment of violence to scare people into submission or some form of behavioral change, with no concern for the consequences or damage.

Terrorists have no morality or conscientious.  To them, the end justifies the means.  They must have a different God than me, because I can't imagine facing mine in light of what terrorists do to other people.  

Bullies in high school use a form of terrorism on the less fortunate or less physical class mates -- scaring people; threatening violence; and showing their bankrupt morality.  No form of terrorism should be tolerated.

All people should take a stand against terrorism, and teach kids early on how NOT to be a victim of any type.

It is my wish on this day of remembrance that no one, no race, no culture, no country should ever be subjected to terrorism. God Bless America!
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Del




Friday, September 6, 2013

CONFESSIONS OF A RED JEEP


RED JEEP SPEAKS OUT; ADMITS "ENHANCEMENTS."
By Jeep Albright, the Land Use War Machine

Ok, I admit it; I will say it out loud.  I have "enhanced" body parts and I love my bolt-on's.  I know; you're shocked.  But it's true and I have to confess it before another trail goes by.

It all started when I was a young pup, full of stock parts, factory suspension, no add-on's, and just plain worthless on the trail.  That was about 15 years ago.  So "Dad" added some tube bumpers, a Warn winch, and one tire size up, but at least there were good ones -- BFGoodrich All Terrains -- and figured I was "built." Yea, right.

Then "he" started taking me places where the really big boys play, and wow, it scared me!  I had a hard time keeping up, and sometimes I couldn't.  Well, instead of finding easier trails, no, not him; he figured to "build" me up some more, and "enhance" my body. 

Bolt-on's were popular, as well as upgraded (bigger) body parts.  So we started doing that -- spending money, finding bigger parts, and fixing other parts that broke because of the newer, bigger parts.  The never ending cycle of owning an off-road rig!

People finally started to notice me.  I was asked out (on trips, not dates).  I was in magazines.  I was in car shows.  I stood out in parades. I used my "beauty" to help save more trails and help clubs get better organized.  I was getting pretty well known.   Then it happened..."Dad's" lovely wife, Stacie, flipped me sideways on the famous Rubicon Trail and caused me to nearly succumb.

So what did we do?  We started building and enhancing even MORE.  WyoTech (automotive technical training school) took me on as a build project -- talk about steroid enhancement!  More businesses and supporters also kicked in to get me back on the trail-saving circuit. I grew up more.

We were saving trails and keeping the sport alive at the same time; so many, many helpful and supportive off-road businesses started jumping in to help the "enhancements" and body part upgrades.  Soon, I was a big boy in the sand box (and the rocks, and the hills, and the mountains,; and the beach, and you name it).

So today, you ask, where are you?  Well, the simple answer is: thinking about more enhancements like all good 4x4’s!!!




That’s my story.

JA, the LUWM









Wednesday, September 4, 2013

TRAIL ETHICS AND COMMON COURTESY

BUILD YOUR CLUB A TRAIL ETHICS/COMMON COURTESY LIST AND HELP SAVE OUR SPORTS!

By Del Albright

One primary way to save our sports and keep our trails open is to always set a good example for others...especially for those who are not members of organized recreation and might not know the rules of the road.  Your club or group should have a list of rules/ethics to play by.  It's not a hard thing to build (the list) and it just takes education to get folks to follow along.  Well, some folks might never get it and they just need to be busted by the law if needed.

But for most of us, given a simple set of common sense rules (trail ethics), we will follow them.  If you don't want to build your own, use something like these samples.  If you want to build your own and adapt it to your specific area, just sift and sort through these and pick the ones that make the most sense to your club.

Let's bring in the kids too!  Don't expect public schools, for the most part, to teach your kid common sense or even common courtesy....let alone manners.  It's just not happening in most places.  Seems like a lot of schools would rather indoctrinate your kid into hugging a tree or loving liberalism. Be that as it may, include your kids in the ethics you use for your club/group. Teach them young.

A lot of what folks think about us comes from our "image."  And image is perception sometimes....what people perceive; they believe.  So be careful when it comes to our image.  The minute we get lazy and don't stop for some trail trash, there will be someone who wants to blame that trash on us!

Here are some links to great Trail Ethics and some common courtesy stuff that will help you find the best list for you and your club/group.

Some Basic Training Rules for Life:

More on common sense and courtesy:

BRC Recreation Code of Ethics:

About the Image of Recreationists:


Set the example; help save our sports and trails.
Del