Illiterati

I had the pleasure of spending a couple of days in Colorado (Denver area) a couple of weeks ago. My hosts took me to GoG for a walk; this is about the fifth time I've been there in my life. The skies were overcast and there wasn't a whole lot that jumped out at me for picture taking, 'til I saw the above...

Sorta fits in the some folder with the folks who take their stuffed grocery cart to the express line and similar adventures of which we're all guilty... ;)

Nice shot Tim! Looks like they took the smart pills that day, but then again, who reads signs anymore?

Similar to my trip up to Trail Ridge Road this past Monday and talking to some folks who hiked up to a hill along the tundra which they thought was pretty high up, so I asked how the snow was to get up there so they were not on the tundra but more so a durable surface. They tole me they just went up and hiked around the snow, to the location not once but twice since their camera battery died. Where they showed me their path, was a similar sign and all in the materials it talks about how bad it is to walk on the tundra. Genius.

Love the title! How apropos...

They should have stayed in a Holiday Inn Express!! (Maybe they did!)

I can't believe I'm going to ride to the defense of these touristas, but one of the frustrating things in Garden of the Gods is how many "KEEP OUT" signs they've put up in the place. Having walked these hallowed grounds since I was a pre-teen, it's frustrating how much of the park has been signed to dissuade people from experiencing it. That gravel those people walked across is never gonna sprout life, and this is just one of many places like this. By eliminating so many roadside turnouts, the strategy has been to move almost all activity to the huge main parking lot, which means that that end of the park gets waaaay over-used. I miss the more free-wheeling aspect of the park from the good ol' days.

Hey, Todd, that's OK, because we all do it at one time or another... ;)

Tim!

I totally agree with Todd on the sad state of how GoG is managed and has been designed for a "walk by but don't touch atmosphere." I happen to know the head guy in charge of the Parks system in Col Spgs. ( a fellow kayaker) and every once in awhile will mention how unfriendly the park has become in its design. He agrees as well, but defends it with the huge numbers of visitors that want access. It's interesting that rock climbers are still allowed to climb with the proper equipment. I wonder how much longer that will be allowed.