Keep Rowena accessible!

biffmalibu · Since 30 Jun 2011 45 Posts Mosier, Oregon

A friend and I noticed a kiter land at Rowena and walk through the forbidden zone to get to his Mercedes motorhome van. He was greeted by a local guy Mosier. We observed the local guy did not talk to him at all about avoiding the clearly-marked forbidden zone. So I resolved to talk to him about it and approached him. I educated him about the history of negotiations between the state parks and Natives, negotiations that served to keep part of Rowena accessible while the rest of the area (forbidden!) was to be restored, naturally. He asked me if I worked there. I said no, but I am a regular user. And I would like to continue using it. He first justified his trespass as done for safety reasons. I mentioned it is a clear case of the classic "Tragedy of the Commons", where one or few individuals consume resources because they can, at the expense of others. I suggested he look it up when he got home. I also understand that the Natives ultimately hold the Trump card in such negotiations. And that they would be mighty pissed off if they observed his trespass. I expressed this to the man.

He then proceeded to further justify his trespass as further necessary, because he has a chronic injury to his foot. Well, my moral compass is not broken, and I detest bullshit as well as condescension, so I called bullshit on his "violin" that he was playing. If you can't handle the necessary conditions for access, you should probably choose someplace else you can handle. Then the local guy proceeded with more condescension toward me. I don't know what his motivation was, but I have rarely observed so much felching of a clear violator of the Commons. It was condemnable. My friend took a photo of the guy's van, just in case. And the local got right in his face too. Again, I don't know what motivation there could possibly be.

Are people with lots of money really morally superior? Is that what it is? I don't subscribe to that. I will call this shit out every time, until the day I die. And I will call out the felching too.

It is not easy to speak up when the Commons is being abused. It takes uncommon courage to do it alone. I was sticking up for all the users of Rowena, the CGW2, and the Natives. We are fortunate to have access there! I know there were extensive talks about access to Rowena, and it was in serious jeopardy! This included a lot of provisions in order to continue access. I educated this guy about as well as I could, and I called bullshit when appropriate. Yes, it was appropriate. Getting support from people who use this access is crucial to maintaining access. The felching I observed from a local was surprising and disgusting.

My moral compass reads accurately. It is not broken!

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

what safety reason did he claim, and what the heck is felching? Even spell check has never heard of that word

biffmalibu · Since 30 Jun 2011 45 Posts Mosier, Oregon

It was something about landing the kite safely. I did mention he could walk the rocky beach and not violate the forbidden zone.

Felching is also known as "ass-kissing".

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

WTF!!! Some Sick Shite!

McLovin · Since 11 Sep 2017 289 Posts Corbett Obsessed

Dangler,

You should Google that word before making it your favorite.

Looking out for ya'

Mc

Ho-Toe · Tue Jun 17, 25 7:36 pm **pro tip**

Careful Dangler! Re: felching, you might want to google that on somebody else's computer...

biffmalibu · Since 30 Jun 2011 45 Posts Mosier, Oregon

I observed three wingers trespassing in the restoration zone at Rowena. Their expensive motorhome parked in almost the exact same spot (with clear trespass warning signs abundant around the motorhome) as ye olde Mercedes Sprinter van was a couple months ago. You know, the other guy who marched through the restoration zone, because he has some sort of foot malady that made it OK?

Well, these new ones were from Alberta, apparently, according to their car plate. The excuse this time: one winger was having difficulty sailing back upwind and needed to beach downwind. Once again, I tried explaining the reason and history of why trespass is forbidden in the restoration area. Each time I tried to explain, I was interrupted with snarky grins and excuses (which are NOT legit REASONS). And then, of course, I was blamed for ultimately raising my voice (which I did after multiple attempts to explain the rationale and history of why trespass is never allowed).

*I learned later that there were several other instances of trespass by wingers that day.

The CGW2 put in a lot of hours and effort to negotiate use of this park (Rowena a.k.a. East Mayer) with the Warm Springs tribe and OR State Parks. It is NOT a given that this park even exists! It is a virtual GIFT of usage by Warm Springs! And they have the ultimate power to deny usage at any time.

It is extremely selfish, lazy, and arrogant for anybody to trespass in the restoration zone, which is clearly marked. There really is no legit REASON to trespass in this zone if you are able to do any wind/water sport and WALK the shoreline to avoid walking in the restoration zone. LAZY is an excuse, not a reason. And your big bucks do NOT make you the exception to the rule. And neither does the "coolest sport in the Universe", whatever that may be at any given time.

This park is utilized by many tourists and a LOT of locals who respect the rules. If you cannot abide by the rules, you deserve the ire you receive. And a bust for trespassing.

You put the usage of this common area at great risk for being eliminated for all.