Eric: I have more than a little sympathy for your point; I used to backpack at one point in my life too, and have only had a 4wd for a few years. There's no doubt that they can do a lot of damage in the hands of fools.
But they help us crips get to where we otherwise could not go. I have a mountain bike and trailer for gear, but am prohibited from using many trails because of the misbehavior of recreational mountain bikers--that means I just can't go there. If there's water, I can use my fold-up kayak. Maybe you would donate a foot or a tendon to replace my busted one? And one for my busted biceps tendon too? And oh, I almost forgot, a nerve bundle for my thumb and a couple of phalanges for a calcified middle finger? Just joking, of course--hoping to be informative . . . We all have one kind of limitation or another. So if you need a guy with my limitations, let me know . . . I just might volunteer. Keep up the good work. Glad you use your "frickin" legs. Wish mine were as frickin good as yours. You could probably get a helluva book deal telling about that trip to Michigan. WT PS: When I graduated from high school, a friend hiked with me several miles on crutches up some Sierra Nevada rivers--he had had polio and was "wasted" from the hips down. But he could do a thumb stand and fold over beer-bottle caps with one hand. I took him along for protection--if he ever got those hands around a neck . . . even a grizzly bar would be in trouble. At 01:26 PM 8/11/2007, Eric North wrote: >I have to concur with the idea of 4 wheel drive being unneccessary for field >work. It tends to make one go where they shouldn't. If you're using 4wd, you >probably degrading a road or trail, and aren't we all here to protect >resources?? I've worked in temperatures and environments from Northern >Michigan at -20F to the Grand Canyon at 123F, carrying all my own gear, and >I've found that the most reliable SUV you can use are your own frickin' >legs!! If you can't haul all your own stuff, then HIRE SOMEONE TO HELP YOU! >Lots to drink, plenty to eat, and the right clothing. > >Hopefully Informative- >Eric > > > >Eric North >Department of Biological Sciences >Northern Arizona University >P.O. Box 5640 >Flagstaff, AZ 86011 >Office: 928.523.7247 >Cell:928.607.3098 >FAX: 928.523.7500 >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >_________________________________________________________________ >A new home for Mom, no cleanup required. All starts here. >http://www.reallivemoms.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM&loc=us
