Clearing the Brush

Before I start with what this title actually is meaning- this blog once again, is my own opinion and I made this website to help others, not bash them.

Recently my husband, my friend Dawn and I all went and tried out Lake Heyburn for the first time. I was not aware that this place was a work in progress until I arrived and was informed and such. That however was no issue personally, but I made a post on facebook informing others about the trail condition. There were 2 particular people that were assuming that I was bashing Heyburn's trail system and that I was doing nothing but complaining about my experience instead of "helping out with bettering the trail system"

Both of these people (I will not name names...they know who they are). were very persistent on questioning why I am not a member of OETRA and or an ambassador for a trail system. So let me address something to their comment.

Firstly, when did it become a must have or a law/rule, that someone had to become a member of OETRA to enjoy the trail systems here in Oklahoma? When did it become a habit for particular people to bash those who can't make work days, dedicated full on time to the trail systems, because, oh i don't know, maybe they don't live within a few miles of it, or they work full time, have kids, their own farm chores and lives to keep up with? Attending to a trail system alone is a full time job. Why do you think places like Robbers Cave, Heaven's Gate, Cedar Lake get things done? Its either a state park or an area that has people living there working on it all the time.

These smaller lakes are always bound to have trails grown up and will always need cleaning. THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM!!!!! The problem is, that if someone were to make a post about the said conditions of the place on a public format, they should not be ridiculed and bullied for their input or be told "well you should really join this membership and contribute for real".

I will not be sorry to note that OETRA has its perks and then it also has its downships. It is great to know that there is here and there information, but a lot of it is not up to date.... which is where my information come into play. I mean... unless they are gatekeeping the information from non members, and if so, to be honest, I don't feel that would bring business in. In fact, gatekeeping useful information like that is really just a short definition of a cult and I'm not sure about you but if I was new around here and saw the way that some of these "proud" OETRA members talk to one another and about others and then one come up to me and ask me to join.... I wouldn't.

Now this does not have anything to do with the whole point of OETRA. Their program, in the general eyes. is a great idea and contribution to the trail systems in Oklahoma. But if the bashing continues, I can guarantee that this association will be filled with nothing but a bunch of half ass group members who don't contribute anything but their non related opinions.

The accessories that are provided from OETRA are greatly appreciated, but we do not need the "if you don't join you don't belong" type of meaningful comments towards nonmembers.

My posts have NEVER been about OETRA, in fact.... in some of my places, I even post, that you can look at OETRA's website for other information and or contact information for people or different maps in case they didn't want to use mine. I do not gatekeep OETRA or tell people not to join. I also don't tell them however that if they do or do not join that they aren't worth their opinion. It is literal bullshit for ANYONE to tell someone new or old to the trail riding community that they have no input of their experience of the trail ride.

NOT ONE TIME have I EVER told someone about a place that I have been, UNLESS those people are novice riders, to NOT go to a place based on MY OPINION. I simply just put it out there. My opinions also have NEVER trash talked the places either nor the people who contribute to them. They have always said something along the lines of "little grown up" "overly rocky for my taste" " lots of drift wood and trash washed up from floods" "thick briars" "markers are here and there or do not correspond with map". All of these comments are to let people be aware of these places so they know what to expect.

Heyburn was a decent drive for me. Over an hour and a half long and so for others I want to let them know as well that "hey I know its a long drive for you to get here, but these were how the trails were that we rode and blah blah blah" so its like a take it as you see fit and make your judgement on what you want to ride.

Trail riding is fun and it is supposed to be that way. It is not supposed to be miserable and when you go out to a place that is popular and come across people along the trail, you should want to be friendly. You shouldn't want to scruff your nose and smirk when you see a familiar face that you have make the assumption about that they do nothing but bitch.

Assumptions should never be made upon lack of membership to an association. Because quite frankly, you have no idea if someone isn't brining nippers and stuff to clear paths as they ride. Regardless if it is a work day or not. It's not that big of a deal.

We don't want to lose other trail system's from lack of use. In fact isn't the goal is to make more? We can't do that when people are being nasty to each other, driving away the population. I hope we can continue, however, to just quit jumping to the conclusion. Because quite frankly it is annoying, pointless, and a waste of energy. And no one likes a Karen.

Happy Trails.