OPINION/REFLECTION
By Don Amador
February 15, 2022
Over the last three years, many in the greater OHV
recreation community experienced a perfect storm that consisted of dealing with
massive wildfires in the West, COVID shutdowns, and political unrest.
It upended our lives, family, and nation. On top of that some of us lost a loved one,
suffered a serious illness/injury, or lost a job.
For me it has been a long and difficult journey. Just how we respond to those trials defines
who we are or teaches us what we should be.
The good news is we are a resilient people and that
positive attitude is often helped by signs we see along our pathway.
In the early days of COVID, it appeared that government officials
and health officers were trying to enact guidelines and mandates to protect
public health. But it did not take long
for some to see that political science was driving a lot of policy. Recent revelations appear to back up that
impression.
I am still trying to process the national political malaise
that infected our national body politic. It wreaked havoc all the way from the
family dinner table to Washington D.C.
The views seen along my recent motorcycle ADV recon ride
to review impacts of the Zogg Fire near Redding, California inspired me to write
this piece (it also doubled as physical therapy for my rotator cuff surgery). Those
scenes include a dirt road through green hills, a seasonal creek crossing, and
an historic toilet at a Forest Service lookout that was spared from the Zogg
Fire.
Growing up in Humboldt County, I always appreciated the
simple things in nature. Riding along
dirt roads and seeing creeks, mountains, and valleys inspired me then as they
do now.
I believe the trails and roads you take on life’s journey are important. This ride reinforced that axiom for me.
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