|
|
|
 |
| Pink Jeep at Chicken Point. |
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK
Pink Jeep, why I always smile and wave
by Carl Jackson
SEDONA, AZ (June 28, 2009) - Those who follow Sedona.biz may know that my wife and I live near the Broken Arrow Trailhead off of SR179, the trail that leads to Submarine Rock and Chicken Point.
The Broken Arrow Trail is the exclusive commercial jeep trail for Pink Jeep in Sedona. Actually, the jeep trail and the hiking trail are separate but they both lead to the same places.
I'm a hiker and a runner so Pink Jeep and I cross paths from time to time.
When my wife and I first moved to Sedona, I'd hike up to Chicken Point quite a bit to get some exercise, breathe in the air and gaze at the panoramic views; until I noticed black tread marks from the jeeps covering the red rocks.
That experience led to this article: The black rocks of Sedona.
|
|
|
|
It's been 3 years now and the jeeps still climb to Chicken Point, but I no longer hike up there. Too many jeeps and too disturbing to see what's been done to beautiful red rocks.
Instead, I hike to Submarine Rock or get into the car and drive to Bell Rock when I want to hike.
Although I still regularly run the Broken Arrow Trail, I turnaround at the sign where the trails splits off to Submarine Rock and Chicken Point.
You'd think then that when a Pink Jeep drives by me packed with tourists, or like today when three Pink Jeeps in a row drove by, and we're negotiating the right of way, that I'd give them a nasty look, shake my fist, and say something rude, right?
Wrong.
Every time I see a Pink Jeep I smile and wave at the driver and the passengers and say "Have fun! It's a great day!"
Every time.
It's for two reasons.
First, there are tourists in those jeeps and they have a right to enjoy Sedona without a hassle. They are the driving force behind our local economy and we should welcome them with open arms. Whenever we see a tourist we should smile, wave, be helpful and make them want to come back to our friendly community.
The fact that I have a problem with jeeps riding on the red rocks has absolutely nothing to do with them; and they don't deserve it.
Second, I respect businesses in Sedona and their right to earn a living. That goes for the jeep drivers and Pink Jeep; and I'm sure the City of Sedona generates sizable sales tax from the jeep companies. Also, Pink Jeep and its drivers do a lot of good things for Sedona from policing trails and picking up litter, to educating young people on the environment. Keep Sedona Beautiful even gave them an award for community service.
In fact, I don't have a problem with the jeeps driving up to Chicken Point. I would just like them to stop driving on the red rocks and leaving melted tire rubber behind.
That's it; and just as they have their rights, I have a right to express my opinion.
I hope Pink Jeep will consider not driving on the red rocks.
And when you see a Pink Jeep or tourist, remember to smile and wave.
Readers' comments
#1 I appreciate the author's comments. When I
lived in Sedona I use to run that trail all the
way to Chicken Point and then run back down the
far side. I had a nice seven mile loop. I had
great conversations with the usually very polite
drivers and passengers.
Now I'm back in Minnesota trying to figure out
how to get out there and run that route. Pink
Jeep runs a class act, and while I agree the
rubber transfer is a negative, over all Pink
Jeep are good stewards of the land they travel.
It's a fine way for people to view that special
place.
I greatly miss the interplay I had with the
tourists on Chicken Point especially "Bob" who
put me in his video as the jogger that passed
his Pink Jeep. And the couple from East Coast
that met me two years running on Chicken Point.
The tourists ARE your economy, smile and wave!
#2 Maybe Pink Jeep can do a community service activity to clean up after themselves by having their drivers scrub the rocks clean once or twice a year. What ever happened to "Leave no trace." Oh yeah, if they do it, don't just let the rubber run off in a stream of foul water into the desert.
|
|
|
