This is dedicated to our special stupid
friends across the river in Virginia and those in Maryland who are idiots too.
I am beginning to have my doubts about the people who come
over to Maryland to use the C&O Canal paths and boat ramps. It is quite alarming
to see the number of people who have absolutely no idea of the notion of common
courtesy.
What happened to the day when consideration for other people
at least was part of the human equation. Just because you can afford a
boat, have the cost of a ferry ride or gas money to get to a rural MD location
for an outdoor outing, it does not mean that the normal rules of common
courteously do not apply. For those of you who that don't have a clue you can
follow these simple rules.
- Learn how to read, -- if you
can't read take one of your pretend relative's 6 year old (none blood
relative) with you so he or she can read the
ABSOLUTELY NO PARKING AT ANY TIME SIGNS
that are stenciled on the ground and bolted to the
sign post that you probably hit parking. There is usually a reason for the
sign, like for instance it might be used for boaters who have to have a place
to turnaround so they can back their boat down the boat ramp -duh
- Parking --is very limited so
if you bring your pretty dream vehicle and take up more than 1 parking space
on a busy day, well chances are that it won't be so pretty by the time you get
back from your bike ride, power walk or visit to outer space. Simple solution
park in 1 space, or along the side of the road as far off the road as possible
(HINT: get the specialtons with you, out of the vehicle first if applicable)
or park in the river, there is always lots of room there for parking, just not
in the path of the boat ramp
- THE BOAT RAMP - aptly named
because it is just that and not your unraised bad ass children's play ground,
personal parking space, fishing spot or place stand in the way while someone
is trying to back their boat in. P.S. it is also not your dog's personal
territory it is not my responsibility to attend to your pet
despite what you think, I believe that your pet will bite me and I will not
allow fido to get close enough to me to test your he/she won't bite
theory.
- Upon arrival --the point
is you setup the boat before hand so you can drop it in the water and get off
the ramp as quickly as possible.
- Upon departure --get down get
the boat on the trailer and move off the ramp and out of the way of other ramp
users, before securing your boat for the road.
- My Point -- I know that you think that I am wrong
for calling out our neighbors across the river in Virginia, but in my defense
some of the more idiotic things that I have seen in the remote locations have
been done by people with VA car tags. Like the people who waited for a
boater using the turnaround spot to back down the ramp then go into it to park
with me waiting to use it. I had to tell them they could not park there, don't
you see the signs their reply " but there is no place to park" I was
pulling a boat and I saw plenty of parking spaces along side the road . STUPID
!! STUPID !! STUPID !! or the guy this weekend who was on the boat ramp for
over an hour talking and blocking over half of the ramp putting a
maybe 80 lbs kayak on a Subaru A special kind of stupid -- He will win
the 2009 MOTARD award of the year and he was from
Virginia. I am truly amazed that this guy could
find his way across the river. In perspective
-- I have actually seen a guy with a wheel chair on the ramp alone get
out of the water on his kayak get in his wheel chair and put his kayak
in his van unassisted in less than 20 minutes.
- Finally-- Not everyone is bad, but there are
a lot of stupid people out there everywhere, we all have our issues from time
to time, but the world would certainly be a much better place if we all tried
to be a little more considerate to those around us.