Some states in the US have little public open land, there you are limited to state parks and perhaps a bit of federal land set aside. Others have large percentages of federally owned land that is pretty much open to anyone to travel to and enjoy.
Here in my state there is probably 80% land that can be walked through, camped on or hunted. That has always been a reason to stay here and enjoy the countryside for me.
The land is dissappearing though, it gets sold, traded or just ruined by overuse, by motor vehicles running amock or perhaps forest fires. 25 years ago there was an excellent granite crag just north of where I live. All the local rock climbers would go there and enjoy some good routes to the pactice their skills. East of here was another, both are still there today, they are now on private land or it was leased long term and the crag is surrounded by a resort hotel, golf course and swimming pools. There are still people climbing the wall, they are resort guests that pay a "guide" to take them rock climbing.
Many areas of my state are now closed because of development or some other reason. We have to fight to keep pristine areas from being grabbed for some resort or other developement and to keep the area intact as wilderness. Don't take me wrong, we have more official, designated wilderness areas in this state than most others but for those of us that have been here for decades, we are always seeing beautiful areas clear cut or plowed flat for building or some other method of infringement.
Not to complain, just a state of the state message I guess. Reading through this excellent thread just got me thinking about the good, the bad and the ugly! Cheers.
Here in my state there is probably 80% land that can be walked through, camped on or hunted. That has always been a reason to stay here and enjoy the countryside for me.
The land is dissappearing though, it gets sold, traded or just ruined by overuse, by motor vehicles running amock or perhaps forest fires. 25 years ago there was an excellent granite crag just north of where I live. All the local rock climbers would go there and enjoy some good routes to the pactice their skills. East of here was another, both are still there today, they are now on private land or it was leased long term and the crag is surrounded by a resort hotel, golf course and swimming pools. There are still people climbing the wall, they are resort guests that pay a "guide" to take them rock climbing.
Many areas of my state are now closed because of development or some other reason. We have to fight to keep pristine areas from being grabbed for some resort or other developement and to keep the area intact as wilderness. Don't take me wrong, we have more official, designated wilderness areas in this state than most others but for those of us that have been here for decades, we are always seeing beautiful areas clear cut or plowed flat for building or some other method of infringement.
Not to complain, just a state of the state message I guess. Reading through this excellent thread just got me thinking about the good, the bad and the ugly! Cheers.