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EDITOR:
On the Fourth of July we decided to go for a picnic. We had spent the last year and a half essentially house bound taking care of my mother who has Alzheimers. We packed up our hot dogs and my 82-year-old father and drove up to what we call the Big Rock at Capp’s Crossing. We parked 15 feet off the road on the gravel pad (which was not marked with a no vehicle sign or blocked by large boulders and had lots of tire marks) to make it easier for my father, who is due to have surgery soon for heart problems and gets out of breath easily.
As we were finishing our food a ranger drove up and parked behind us. My husband walked over to talk to him only to be told to give him his drivers license. He was told he could not park where we were. He offered to leave but was told he was getting a ticket first. My husband explained that we had my father with us and his condition, but it made no difference. He asked the officer if we had done any damage as the officer was also parked where we were, and he was told no. We had not harmed anything and that officer could drive wherever he wanted to as he was exempt from the rules. We were given a $275 fine. So, I just want to let the other seniors, handicapped people, or anyone who is not healthy enough to park by the side of the road and hike into their favorite picnic area know that those areas are now closed to them. Because as Officer Asuilay and the U.S. Forest Service will tell you, the rules are the rules and no compassionate exceptions will be made.
Happy Fourth of July and the celebration of our rapidly vanishing freedoms.
The Mountain Democrat does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy
DarrinJuly 18, 2012 - 6:26 am
Interesting that the law enforcement officer felt he needed to do something about a parking violation when there are so many dangerous shooters along the roads. You were unlucky because it was a week day when they were on duty. I have called about people shooting over the tops of the ridge on Bonetti Road only to be told there was no ranger available on the weekend. So I guess it is lawless weekends in the Eldorado National Forest. I am sure they could get a lot of money for all the shooters who leave their shells on the ground. Couldn't they put a tarp down to catch them? And around the objects they are shooting? PIGS!
Outraged citizenJuly 20, 2012 - 8:35 am
A $275 fine? For an unposted offense that involved no public endangerment? Do we still have the right to know the law - IN ADVANCE? Outrageous.
For information call . . .July 20, 2012 - 8:40 am
Forest Supervisor's Office - 100 Forni Road - Placerville, CA 95667 - 530-622-5061; 530-642-5122 TTY
COME DISCOVER, EXPLORE, AND ENJOY!July 20, 2012 - 8:47 am
"Established in 1910, the Eldorado hosts over 2.1 million visitors each year. The Forest offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities to the forest visitor looking to explore, seek out new adventures, or revisit old memories. With over 80 developed campgrounds and picnic areas, hundreds of miles of roads and trails, multiple large lakes and reservoirs, innumerable miles of rivers and streams, great scenery, and an abundance of plant and wildlife, visitors can find a place or activity to suit them." (At least that's what the FS says, @http://www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado/)
however . . .July 20, 2012 - 8:51 am
Charges TBD at point of unannounced enforcement. Bring Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free card. Or cash stash.
JustJuly 20, 2012 - 4:17 pm
That's the US Forest Circus for you! Such fools they are.... Sorry that you had to go through this. Go back & take a picture, showing that there is not a "no parking" sign there.. and then fight it. Some of those rangers have a little mans complex... just sayin'
What's changed?July 20, 2012 - 5:09 pm
Just: Great suggestion. This should be fought. But the Forest Service used to be a SERVICE, not an unbridled police force.
NancyJuly 20, 2012 - 5:57 pm
If there were no "No Parking" signs posted, then it sounds like just plain harassment to me. Fight the ticket.