Around here, we don’t take too kindly to flakjacketed government thugs trying to bully us around!

Next morning, bright and early, two friends of mine were en route to some prime rabbit hunting grounds—yep, you guessed it—up McCarthy Creek. On fourwheelers, of course. Steelyeyed and armed with a .22 and a tape recorder, they made just one stop on their wayat the door of our local park ranger.

The ranger was at home, all right, but he seemed to be having some trouble with his door, for as soon as he had opened it, the door slammed shut again, leaving Rick and Keith outside. Surprised but undaunted, Keith decided to go ahead and speak to the young man through the closed door. Normally quiet and mildmannered, Keith’s voice now rang out with blazing authority.

“I understand you park rangers illegally closed the McCarthy Creek Road, which is a state rightofway. You closed it to all motorized vehicles other than snow machines as of yesterday. This morning, right now, in open defiance to that order, I am going up the McCarthy Creek State rightofway on a motorized vehicle that is not a snowmachine! Thank you.”

It was at this point that Rick decided to inquire about the problem with the door:

“Why’d you slam the door on me, [neighbor]?”

Once again, the low, heavy door creaked open, and the young parkie peered suspiciously out. With a low, menacing growl, he spat out, “I didn’t invite you here, you’re trespassing on my property, you’re not here with good intent, and I would appreciate it if you’d leave, and we’ll talk when I’m working.” Slam!

And so, with the NPS Good Neighbor Policy still ringing in their ears, the men went hunting.

Curious thing, how that door kept slamming shut. Hopefully he’ll get it fixed, or I’m afraid that, after a while, the good folks here in McCarthy may begin to think him an unpleasant sort of guy.

By Monday morning, scathing letters protesting the Park’s illegal actions had arrived on the rangers’ desks. Phone calls from angry citizens sizzled with outrage, and the email circuit was humming. Politicians in the highest levels of government had been notified of our situation, and the mood at NPS Headquarters was becoming increasingly tense.