Cany143 wrote:
Since it's BLM land rather than NPS land, and because I haven't worn a uniform or had a badge --much less anything else that might've looked 'official', knowledgeable, or somehow 'threatening' since retiring, which in years past would've elicited the invite for a beer, some pleasant conversation, or some interesting moments that might've ensued from an encounter with some random campers-- it was all good-ish. It was, however, something of a surprise that I wasn't even in a position to do a locals-only side-eyed glance at anyone. It was almost disappointing in an odd and unaccustomed sort of way.
Since it's BLM land rather than NPS land, and beca... (
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Ahh the wicked double edged sword of sweet vindication! I can appreciate where that side-eyed glance would have been filled with contempt and shame for those non-locals, had they been there to apply the stare down! On one side of the blade, the sweet satisfaction of protecting that BLM land as a local should. The other side of that blade offers that almost remorseful feeling of not getting to enjoy the possible comradery of those random campers offering up a swig of rye or perhaps a cold beer from their cooler and the interesting conversation that can and usually does insue from such random meetings of people whose paths wouldn't ever cross one another's except in that moment of camper vs. local.