Kevin – Friday. It is certain that for those going west as early pioneers in the 1800’s, that they were continually seeking reliable information from published trail reports, waybills, and anyone who had been on the trail ahead of them who could tell them where to go and what to expect. What continually haunted them, however, was how difficult it was to get such information, and, even if they had ‘reliable’ information, how would they understand the instructions? Here’s a page from William Clayton’s ‘Emigrant’s Guide’ of 1847, the ‘best’ guide of its day.
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Similarly, this week has been a continual search for contacts who can put me in touch with property owners – who may, or may not grant access to their properties. I’ve used all kinds of documentation sources to find these owners.
As in olden times, the BEST source is just talking to people. What makes this a tad more difficult is that some property owners do NOT want to be identified and/or contacted. Ownership may be through a corporation which is only identified by a ‘registered agent’ address – usually in a city very far removed from the property. And, neighbors respect an owner’s wishes to be anonymous, so asking around for someone who knows someone doesn’t always work well. In fact, it can be counter-productive. You just don’t know.
But, when all else fails, the only thing you have left is just to go knock on doors. All my options for some of the key locations seem to have been exhausted, so, driving down a road with multiple ‘Do Not Trespass’ signs is clearly an act of desperation.
One tries to be obvious; a short toot of the horn announces that SOMEONE has dared drive down the clearly marked “No Trespass’ road and has the audacity to drive right up to the house. Carrying paper maps in one hand kind of looks like someone trying to serve court summons, but I don’t want to have to return to the truck. That might look like I’m going for a gun. If that seems a tad paranoid, you need to understand that cattle rustling still happens out here. Heck, people steal bee hives! Robberies of remote homes/ranches still happens, but not often and almost always when no one is home. That’s because a high percentage of folks out here are excellent shots and are usually prepared to protect themselves. On the 2008 hike we had guns pulled on us twice. Surprised it wasn’t more often. Folks out here are a tad suspicious if they don’t know you. And, they don’t know us from Adam.
So, yes, in these cases one wants to play the Captain Obvious card. We want to be obvious we’re not a danger to anyone. My empty hands are always visible. I don’t move fast. I announce myself clearly, apologize for the intrusion and state early on what I’m doing on their doorstep. I’m wearing my Trek T-shirt with logos all over it promoting our co-sponsors; the Oregon-California Trail Association, the Battalion Association, the Mormon Historic Trail Association, This is the Place Heritage Park, all of which sound impressive even if the owner has never heard of them.
In one case today, I met the owner, quite elderly, who directed me further down the drive to a younger relative, now the managing partner for the ranch. He’s not home, but his wife listens and asks a few questions. I provide a map with my name and number. It clearly shows the section of the ranch I’d like to hike, and I politely explain the importance (to me) and ask if there are any other questions. “Why is this important to us?” is her reply. That hasn’t been asked of me before and I stumble some trying to explain.
It came out something like this; “It’s probably of no economic importance to your family operation at all. But your family IS the keeper of part of an important historic trail. Most owner families I’ve dealt with consider themselves as stewards of history. They have a pride that through generations of family ownership, they’ve protected key locations, wagon swales or petroglyphs. It’s become a part of their family legacy. If you’re a new owner, then you’ve acquired something that helped build our nation. Now it’s been entrusted to you by the previous owner. You have no obligation to continue that tradition, but we hope you will.”
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We shall see in the next few days how that appeal fell upon their ears and heart.
”Remember.”
p.s. – Just after writing that conclusion, a text came. Next week they’ll meet me at their property to go see what’s out there. Another small win and blessing. We’ll take it and be grateful for it.