It's been a long, strange trip...

I've been thinking.. I know, that could be dangerous... but, it wasn't too long ago that if you had asked me what Glamis was about I'd answer quickly...
Glamis is about riding, enjoing the great outdoors with your family, meeting new people, and relaxation.
I would also have said that anyone who goes to Glamis for any OTHER reason besides riding would be there for the WRONG reasons.
We've seen the threads... "Why do people come to Glamis just to party?", "The partiers are the ones ruining it for everyone.", "The drags should be banned or changed or controlled."
Well, it just sort of dawned on me that it is grossly unfair of me to put MY definition of what is fun onto anyone ELSE that might have their OWN idea of fun at Glamis.
For instance... Why is Glamis ONLY for off-roaders? Wouldn't I have just as much of a right to enjoy Glamis to whatever extent I wish, even if I DON'T have a ride? Why is "enjoying the party atmosphere" considered "Anti-Glamis"?
It could be said that this stereotype is propogated because of the fact that it APPEARS that the partiers seem to be the troublemakers... Is that really true? and if it is true, why is Glamis any different than any OTHER party spot? Why is it SO BAD to enjoy yourself in the hedonism that is Comp at night, yet at any number of party spots across the city, you'll find very similar experiences and crazyness.
I understand that this atmoshpere has some inherent problems that should be dealt with... namely, drunk driving... But these issues have been dealt with in the past... there is no reason that it can't be dealt with at Glamis.
I don't know. This is a tough issue.
I happen to think that people have just as much a right to congregate at Comp or at Olds, obeying the laws, all they want. It is not the GROUP that has made it bad.. it is the select few... The drunk drivers... The Gangs, and a few unruly people. The VAST majority of people enjoying this scene are there for many of the same reasons you and I are at Glamis... To enjoy yourself in a beautiful place with your friends.

Vor

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May the Dune Gods Smile Upon You
ShiftingDunes.com

Its great to see another sermon pastor! I am humbled by your revelation. I myself thought along the same lines untill reading your post opened my eyes. I got so caught up and self rightous that I forgot that I have as much right to G as anybody and vice-versa. If I don't like the way comp is at night or the sand drags during the day, I can go somewheres else!

Thank you for perspective. I agree with you, I get mad at all prerun trucks running around at comp at night. I am at fault for blaming one group of people for the problems. I agree that everyone has the same right as I do to party out there. Drunk Driving is the problem, not any type of person.

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Alex

Can I get an amen?
Some of us even just enjoy the peace of being away from our homes and the lives that we live there. Just to see the blue sky, try to catch a glimpse of Mr. Red Tail, and just walk around. Wasn't it thoughtful of God to make Glamis for ALL of us?

Sha

Vor I really can't wait to meet you in the dunes next season becuase it seems more often than not one of us is thanking the other for putting in words what we've been trying to say all along.

I find myself having the same mental discussion with myself that you just described very often. I don't want to come across as responding to your post negatively and that's not my intention but I do have a few clarifications on my position on this that I'd like to throw out.

I look at it this way (And I've said this before several times!) I can think of any number of places where I can go to party but I can only think of one place where I can go to dune like I can at the ISDRA. The problem is that in todays society we've legislated partying down to getting drunk. Damn near everything else is flat out illegal and even getting drunk in public is illegal.

If you just want to go to the ISDRA to party I really have no problem with that. As long as you do it within the rules (which really isn't that hard to do).

The one major twist is that the underlaying reason for going to glamis (even if it is primarially to party) is to drive around. And alcohol (in partying levels) does not mix well with driving. But there are already rules about that, the problem has been a complete lack of enforcement for so long the general public has forgotten that the rules apply. Frankly I blame the BLM for this, some PR work and enforcement when things started to get a little crazier than normal could have prevented this mess. (not the closure mess but the bad element mess).

But I think what it all comes down to is this - I don't care why you're there I'll fight for your right to be there. But if you don't show respect for the land and the other people out there trying to have a good time...I'll tell you to your face to pack your things and go home.

I do the same thing when I host parties at my house. You're more than welcome to make as big of an ass of yourself and hurt yourself as you like, but the second you start to mess with the other people trying to have a good time - I'm taking your keys and calling you a taxi. I may not be big enough to always enforce this rule - but I do make sure to have enough responsible friends who are big enough around if I'm going to have a party.

hey vor, when I started goin to G 8 yrs ago or so, it was about ALL the Glamis elements combined, I loved the ultimate freedom and beauty of the dunes, and the anarchy that is there as well, to me it was the ultimate partyin and ridin anywhere,still is, but I have grown alot of respect and care for that place, hope the bad element never is bad enough!

OOOHHHH absolutely 'Slapptacious'. Slappy just love readin da Pastors words, they make da Slapster feel all 'Eablemcflonious' , dat be good. Da McScrappbook be takin another gulp Pastor, thanks.

I said it once and I'm gonna say it again. There IS room for both out there. I just go where I want and enjoy Glamis defensive of the few out there that don't obey the rules. OR DON'T go where I know "they'll" be.


JonR

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Damage INC

......... Deep breath. I fully understand that there are many different definitions of fun. One of mine is to dune hard all day and drink hard all night. But when I party, I don't dig trenches so YOU get stuck in them. I don't steal your sh*t, and I don't kick your a$$ with the help of 10 or 20 other punks. AND I DON'T THROW MY F-ING BEER CANS ON THE GROUND! Sorry gang, but I believe that "SOME" of the visitors to Mother G do not belong. They cause probs, they give us a bad image, and they trash the dunes (mostly Comp, Olds, and the drags, because that is the only place they can get to). I'm not going to lie, I party as hard as anyone. I have woken up laying in the sand after a fine night of drinking. But I did this in my camp, not at Comp trying to stir up Sh*t. Fun is fun, but there are limits. When I hear about fire trenches at Comp, with some punks trying to burn up someones toy, I get burnt myself. Glamis is open to all, and not everybody obeys the rules. But every single one of you on this board knows the difference between the rules/laws we may ignore and the punks that cause the major probs. My opinion? Lock them all up, and don't invite them back. Anyone that wants to burn, steal, or trash your toy, or has a huge pile of empty beer cans in front of them and leaves without picking them up, is NOT WELCOME AT MY MOTHER G! This post is not pointed at any of the fine people on this board, I just needed to vent. Peace.
Doug

Maybe it's because Glamis is under attack by groups such as PEER, Sierra Club, and CBD!

They are using the 'rowdiness', assualts, litter, and injuries to try and restrict and close Glamis.

That's why there needs to be a change in attitude. The non-duning partiers who go to Glamis don't care if it gets closed down. They will just go somewhere else.

Where else are you going to ride?

I don't care if they don't dunes and are just having fun, but when they start doing things that may help get the dunes closed, we got to stop them.



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Tim Wight
Mesa, AZ.
Protect your right to ride in the dunes, join the:
American Sand Association
www.americansandassociation.org

If you don't mount a whip, where will you put your checkered flag?

Check this web site out: http://responsiblerecreation.policy.net/

Right on KingGlamis.

I used to go to the desert just to hang out. I wanted a toy, just could not afford it. I try to remember that when I go out and there are toy-less people partiers everywhere. It gets a little annoying but you have to remember everyone has their story. I agree VOR, everyone can have their fun just how they want (or how they can afford). The problem I noticed is that most of the partiers who are there just to party are usually the ones digging trenches and starting fights. On the other hand it is not hard at all to avoid the rowdies. If it is to crazy I just go out into the dunes. That is what is amazing at glamis, even if there is 100,000 people you can get out and be on your own.

[This message has been edited by Motoholics (edited 06-11-2001).]

Hey Tim if you get a second could you please E-mail me?

Thanks

Jon

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Damage INC

Motorholics:

I agree with you to a point. I don't care how many people want to party at the hill as long as they don't cause the dunes to be closed.

Unfortunately, there has been an increasingly 'bad element' coming to the dunes, not to ride or party, but to cause trouble. This then cause the 'fringe' troublemakers (the ones who don't normally do bad things until others do) to join in.

Then we have felony crimes taking place, assaults, injuries, and property damage. Not to mention the trash problems, DUI's, and juvenile drinking problems.

You may say "Who cares, I don't go to Comp Hill on busy weekends anyway". While that may be true, others, including the Sierra Club, PEER, CBD and government officials are. They are there to observe and record the behavior of these partiers. They then go back to Washington DC and portray ALL OF US as these people. What do you think a Congressman would say when he sees video of only the worst rowdiness? Do you think the Sierra Club or PEER are showing families riding together or playing in camp? NO! They want to close the dunes down and they will use any means to do it.

If people wanted to go, have a good time, pick up their trash and not hurt anyone, I would say "NO PROBLEM". I don't care if they have sand toys or not. When they come to the dunes to destroy my chosen sport/hobby, I say "STOP THEM". The reasonable people are not the problem!

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Tim Wight
Mesa, AZ.
Protect your right to ride in the dunes, join the:
American Sand Association
www.americansandassociation.org

If you don't mount a whip, where will you put your checkered flag?

Check this web site out: http://responsiblerecreation.policy.net/

[This message has been edited by Tim Wight (edited 06-12-2001).]

Tim, I couldn't agree more!

We used to go down into the party and have a great time. We still remember 3 on the tree playing a song called Alcohol?
My buddy always starts out with; da da da da da da da and then points at me to yell out,
"ALCOHOL...."

I don't think we'll ever forget that song...
and think about the great times at Mother G.