Well I hope your feelings are wrong since I'm heading there on 3/20. I haven't been there in five years but have never had any problems. Would also be interested if there is a problem going on.
Posted by bill meikle on March 14, 2009 at 10:17 PM
I have been there a couple of times in the last 2 years and spent a week there and have had nothing but respect from the locals, also met lots of interesting people there including a group from Iceland! And an old friend from the UK at Arches NP. No problems that I can see and we had 3 cars with Colorado plates there one time.
I've been going to Moab 3-4 times per year for many years now and never had (or even heard of) any problems.
How do you know that the expletive on your windshield was the result of the state on your license plate? Is it possible that someone was (justifiably or otherwise) torqued about some perceived offense against them?
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 14, 2009 at 10:37 PM
I've been visiting Moab since the mid 70's. I also have never experienced nor heard of any problems. The town certainly has grown, and I'm sure there are many that would prefer a slower pace.
Posted by Chris Rice on March 14, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I can understand the slow pace thing but slashing tires is a bit much. Poor guy won't be going back to Moab for awhile.
Furthermore if this is an improper thread let me have it. I'm only stating an observation that I have always wondered about. Ever since these stories and my experience I haven't been back because I felt like I wasn't wanted.
Posted by Todd Caudle on March 14, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Chris, I think it's you and the crowd you hang around. I'd suggest you find new friends.
But seriously, if this type of thing does happen, it's simply two factions competing with no possible satisfactory resolution. The tourism board's job is to lure people there, but you've got the faction that wants to close the door behind them now that they're already there. It's the same as when Fielder was pushing that nonsensical anti-growth initiative a few election cycles ago. Every time I heard him pushing it, all I could think of was, I'll vote yes if we make it retroactive, starting with your house. So to any Moabers who want to see their town returned to its once-quiet self, I say, I'll stop coming there, but you all have to leave first.
Posted by Chris Rice on March 14, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Chris, I think it's you and the crowd you hang around. I'd suggest you find new friends
True that, I'm workin on it. Probably lost a few already Apologies to Bret if he's listening.... it would be interesting to get his perceptions on the issue.
Posted by John Mumaw on March 14, 2009 at 11:58 PM
I live next door to Moab and have been visiting the area for nearly 20 years.
This is the first I've heard about an anti-Colorado bias.
As CAZ stated, I doubt it was where you live that stirred the animosity.
Posted by Chris Rice on March 15, 2009 at 12:31 AM
an interesting story from the High Country News...
Posted by George Hager on March 15, 2009 at 12:55 AM
Folks there are real nice now. They have learned who it is that butters their bread. 25-30 years ago you showed up with a beard or longer hair and the locals made it very clear you were not welcome. After our first trip there, a friend penned a song called " A Town Named Moab" - sung to the tune of "A Boy Named Sue". It was all about our treatment there - we were about as welcome as a rattlesnake in your sleeping bag. I don't believe Moab would have endorsed that song for their ad campaigns. Times change, towns change. No worries now.
I have lived in a tourist town (Steamboat) for almost 34 years and there's always a tug and pull between the people charged with marketing the resort and town (my job for 25 years) and those who want the gates closed soon after they get their piece of paradise. And also those who don't appreciate the quality of life (amenities, facilities, services) they enjoy as residents because of what tourist spending makes possible. For years a popular bumper sticker in Steamboat was "Stop the Brutal Marketing", which I took as confirmation that I was doing a good job. That being said, it doesn't surprise me that there would be a few in Moab that have the attitude that visitors are a hassle. But for the most part the locals "get it" and from my own experience of visiting there maybe a dozen times in the last five years, I've experienced no negative, and many positive experiences.
Rod
Posted by Arthur Lund on March 15, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Mr. Stiles, the writer of the article in the High Country News has been peddling this
line for years. He recently gave up on getting rich with this line of patter, and moved
to New Zealand.
Posted by Chris Rice on March 15, 2009 at 11:41 PM
Mr. Stiles, the writer of the article in the High Country News has been peddling this
line for years. He recently gave up on getting rich with this line of patter, and moved
to New Zealand.
thats where the surly curmudgeon ended up? far far far away
Posted by John Mumaw on March 16, 2009 at 12:14 AM
He's actually in Australia. We keep in touch.
Still publishing the Zephyr, albeit in an online only format.
Posted by Bob Falcone on March 16, 2009 at 2:30 AM
This caught my attention since I'm going there in about a month. But, it won't be my first time, and every time I've gone there, I've had nothing but a good time, and met with friendly locals. I do think they get it...those cars with Colorado plates (or any other place from out of state) are bringing $$$ to a town that has thrived while still maintaining it's small town atmosphere.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on March 16, 2009 at 1:21 PM
I've never had any damage done to my stuff in Moab, but I've never felt an especially friendly vibe there. I grew up in Key West so I can understand the strain and inconvenience created by a swelling tourist population that greatly outnumbers the permanent population. But an economy based on tourism needs to market the fact that it is a slice of paradise on earth and if people agree, a certain portion of them will move there. With that come other issues such as a drive up in real estate prices that affects the property tax of those who do call it home and a greed that develops in the government to push up all property taxes regardless of the human cost.
Its funny, that article goes on and on about Edward Abbey. I have a good friend who worked with him in the Park Service and who did not have much nice to say about the person. Likewise I find Abbey to be extremely irritating to read at one moment and then absolutely brilliant a paragraph later. Talk about a guy who wants to lock the gate to paradise once he's found his spot.
Anyways, as friendly "resort" towns go, I wouldn't rank Moab terribly high, but its still a nice place to visit for the scenery. I know alot of jeepers have trouble out there and even when I was first visiting Moab to mountain bike almost 15 years ago there were lots of problems with thefts from the camps while folks were out biking or climbing during the day. I haven't had this issue in a long time, but I used to get pulled over by the police every time I pulled into town (usually around 9-10PM) to check that I wasn't drinking. I had committed no offense, was not speeding or swerving, but I would get pulled over. Nothing like getting a welcome from the red and blue when you pull into town.
Posted by Nat Coalson on March 16, 2009 at 1:39 PM
I've never had any problems in Moab, or felt any bad vibes, either. But I can see how that can happen in any tourist town. Wouldn't keep me from going.
When I travel, I always like to keep a low profile. I would prefer to not stand out in any way.... hopefully a license plate alone isn't a "kick me" flag. Otherwise, Texans in Colorado might have it the worst!
And in Moab, hopefully, if you get pulled over it will be by Officer Edge... and hopefully he will be in a good mood
In 3 years of being a cop in Moab I don't know of a single call involving "anti-Colorado" vandalism/trouble, etc. Sure, locals get annoyed during tourist season but we know that our economy depends on tourism. My business DEFINITELY depends on tourists. It's more of a generic attitude, though. Never once have I heard anyone mutter anything negative about Coloradoans.
The Apache hotel is next door to the Apache Trailer Park, which is primarily occupied by drunks and drug addicts. It is not uncommon for vehicles to be burglarized and vandalized while parked at the Apache hotel (especially in the back).
I'm really sorry you don't feel welcome in Moab. I think the incidents you described are pure coincidence with nothing at all to do with your Colorado heritage. Come one back and we'll try to make you feel more welcome!
Posted by Nat Coalson on March 17, 2009 at 11:08 AM
We sure are lucky to have you in "our gang", Bret... thanks for the solid info!
The Apache hotel is next door to the Apache Trailer Park, which is primarily occupied by drunks and drug addicts. It is not uncommon for vehicles to be burglarized and vandalized while parked at the Apache hotel (especially in the back).
Yep thats where it was.... makes sense now, being off of Main.
Thanks for you input Bret, like I said it's been on my mind lately after hearing about the tire slashing event, and I'm supposed to head out there in a few weeks possibly.
Glad to hear from everyone that it's a general consensus. I do avoid it in the late spring and summer, just because it is a zoo - and Bret can attest to this - but it is nice and chill in the winters and late fall - and the folks are always nice at the brewpub...
Posted by Jim Casteel on March 23, 2009 at 11:05 AM
I just got back from Moab Saturday, I thought that everyone was great. In a few places though we got "Local" discounts because they didn't think that we were from out of state.
Discussion
21 replies-
How do you know that the expletive on your windshield was the result of the state on your license plate? Is it possible that someone was (justifiably or otherwise) torqued about some perceived offense against them?
Furthermore if this is an improper thread let me have it. I'm only stating an observation that I have always wondered about. Ever since these stories and my experience I haven't been back because I felt like I wasn't wanted.
But seriously, if this type of thing does happen, it's simply two factions competing with no possible satisfactory resolution. The tourism board's job is to lure people there, but you've got the faction that wants to close the door behind them now that they're already there. It's the same as when Fielder was pushing that nonsensical anti-growth initiative a few election cycles ago. Every time I heard him pushing it, all I could think of was, I'll vote yes if we make it retroactive, starting with your house. So to any Moabers who want to see their town returned to its once-quiet self, I say, I'll stop coming there, but you all have to leave first.
True that, I'm workin on it. Probably lost a few already
This is the first I've heard about an anti-Colorado bias.
As CAZ stated, I doubt it was where you live that stirred the animosity.
an interesting story from the High Country News...
Rod
line for years. He recently gave up on getting rich with this line of patter, and moved
to New Zealand.
thats where the surly curmudgeon ended up? far far far away
Still publishing the Zephyr, albeit in an online only format.
Its funny, that article goes on and on about Edward Abbey. I have a good friend who worked with him in the Park Service and who did not have much nice to say about the person. Likewise I find Abbey to be extremely irritating to read at one moment and then absolutely brilliant a paragraph later. Talk about a guy who wants to lock the gate to paradise once he's found his spot.
Anyways, as friendly "resort" towns go, I wouldn't rank Moab terribly high, but its still a nice place to visit for the scenery. I know alot of jeepers have trouble out there and even when I was first visiting Moab to mountain bike almost 15 years ago there were lots of problems with thefts from the camps while folks were out biking or climbing during the day. I haven't had this issue in a long time, but I used to get pulled over by the police every time I pulled into town (usually around 9-10PM) to check that I wasn't drinking. I had committed no offense, was not speeding or swerving, but I would get pulled over. Nothing like getting a welcome from the red and blue when you pull into town.
When I travel, I always like to keep a low profile. I would prefer to not stand out in any way.... hopefully a license plate alone isn't a "kick me" flag. Otherwise, Texans in Colorado might have it the worst!
And in Moab, hopefully, if you get pulled over it will be by Officer Edge... and hopefully he will be in a good mood
The Apache hotel is next door to the Apache Trailer Park, which is primarily occupied by drunks and drug addicts. It is not uncommon for vehicles to be burglarized and vandalized while parked at the Apache hotel (especially in the back).
I'm really sorry you don't feel welcome in Moab. I think the incidents you described are pure coincidence with nothing at all to do with your Colorado heritage. Come one back and we'll try to make you feel more welcome!
Yep thats where it was.... makes sense now, being off of Main.
Thanks for you input Bret, like I said it's been on my mind lately after hearing about the tire slashing event, and I'm supposed to head out there in a few weeks possibly.
Glad to hear from everyone that it's a general consensus. I do avoid it in the late spring and summer, just because it is a zoo - and Bret can attest to this - but it is nice and chill in the winters and late fall - and the folks are always nice at the brewpub...