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After seeing some of the other posts on the at-l, atml, pct-l
I pray that this list will never reach the lows that I have seen on the
others. LET US ALL AGREE THAT WE MAY DISAGREE. Just because we
disagree does not mean we have to reach new lows and call each other names or
worse. Lets keep this list as pure as possible! Your viewpoint may
never be as "right as mine" - but your viewpoint may be the most valid
and change my viewpoint as not being the "right viewpoint". But
calling me names will not allow me (or others) to see that point of view!
Instead it only causes us to create sides WHERE NO SIDES SHOULD BE!
I pray that we can look forward to the overall intent of this
list. That is to share, in a reasonable manner, our individual
viewpoints! There are no right or wrong views, just our personal
interests. Let us respect those individual interests and the overall
intent and above the OVERALL INTENT OF THIS LIST.
I've crossed the Continental Divide at several
locations. I have never even seen a sign or a marker or any other sign of
a Continental Divide Trail. And I knew there was a "National Scenic
Trail" called the Continental Divide Trail - someday I hope and pray it
will exist as the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail exists.
I can't offer any suggestions on the CDT, and it has
been too long since I've been on the AT or PCT to even offer valid suggestions
on those trails. But that doesn't lessen my interest in seeing this trail
completed. I can't say it should be here or there (actual location).
I can only pray that they (whoever they may be - and I hope to some small degree
that they will include us, or at least those of us who are knowable enough to
contribute) will decide on the best location. I've never stepped foot on
the CDT. I know of nothing to contribute to the construction of this
trail. But after reading "Where the Waters Divide" by Karen
Berger and Daniel R. Smith I can see that there are major problems to be
overcome before this is a viable trail. Most of this rests with the permit
system in the National Parks, the ranchers general distrust of the U.S.
Government (and I can share their concern for I myself think our government has
intruded too much and too little in our lives - oh where can we draw the
line?????). Which leads back to the original intent of this e-mail - Let
us agree to disagree but work toward the overall intent without causing a civil
war in between. Just because I may not agree with you does not give me the
right to call you names or generally insult you in any manner or
vice-versa.
Thanks to Earl, Ryan and to Milt and all of the others unknown
to me, for seeing this list as a possibility and now a reality. May we
work in PEACE FOR THE OVERALL INTENT RATHER THAN OUR small individual
views!
To all who have made this possible, to all the members, I
offer a prayer of fellowship and friendship that may last the ages or until the
winds, waters, etc. have erased all mountains from the face of the earth,
whichever may be first. FOR ONLY THE ROCKS LIVE FOREVER.
And a special thanks to Milt Webb who has given
me the heart to continue hiking - GOD BLESS!!!
HAPPY HIKING TO ALL AND GOD BLESS ALL!
Doug Banks
AT '78 - '79 and finally completed '81
PCT- Mexican Border to (3 miles shy) I-80 (someday hopefull
will complete)
CDT - (can I pray that someday?)
OTHERS (God grant me that long of a life - I've pushed even
wishing the PCT)
Marietta, GA
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