As I pulled up to the BLM Cahuilla Ranger Station at Gecko Rd. Sunday morning, I must say I did so with a certain trepidation. Seems some of my fellow Duners had seen fit to provide The BLM with bright full color copies of some of my more critical editorial content a few weeks prior. Armed with this knowledge I was prepared for immediate strip search, detainment and subsequent prosecution for some trumped up charge. I forged ahead undaunted, parking my trusty F350 shamelessly in the way of everyone and everything. The best defense always being offensive.

   As I hopped out of my truck, a Ranger noticed my license plate and approached, as thoughts of interrogation, torture, and a protracted stay in a Federal Penal Institution raced through my frontal lobes. Instead he offered his hand in friendship and asked "Are you Mr. Dune?" To which I promptly uttered the eloquent response, "DUH?" As we walked towards the sign up tent Adam introduced himself and the other Rangers on hand to help out. You could have knocked me over with a feather when they informed me they were loyal readers, surfing my sites everyday at lunch hour, cracking up at my rapier wit and insightful commentary. I introduced myself to Elayn Briggs, public relations director for the area, who did a great job in helping this all come together. As much as I hate to eat humble pie... This event shows how positive the interaction between the BLM and area visitors can be. They were cheerful hosts and engaging ambassadors. Hats off to Elayn, the gang in green and Dan Gold from the Glamis Fire Dept for the help. Lets do more!

  The real news was the turnout! Rob and Jennifer worked their butts off lining up sponsors to pay for this and doing the leg work to get the job done. If it wasn't for their efforts this would have never been such a success. Over 800 shirts were passed out and many more helped without a souvenir. Who knows the real number, as we were picking up trash at Olds, everyone their that was unaware of the cleanup grabbed a bag from the Rangers and "pitched in". We must have had another 50 folks join in there alone. I'm sure the other hot spots were the same. We must have walked 10 miles in the sand that day doing enough bending to remind me why I don't catch the Big Air anymore. When Dune Pilot and I headed back to the station for the grand finale we could find no more trash to pick up! Nada! Zip! None! The Dunes were spotless.

  The Greens bitch, piss and moan that off roaders are scum. That's garbage, what I saw at the Cleanup Day was what can happen when a group of good people unite with a common purpose. There needs to be more of this! And not just events. We need to work everyday to advance our sport. Get active! Get motivated! Get political! Join a club! Send me money!

   Thanks again to everyone that participated in making the Cleanup a success! You all really blew my mind, I never would have guessed that so many folks would show up. We did a hell of a job! It's not over yet, you litterbugs out there know who you are! But we all deserve to share in the credit. We kicked some ass! And if you litter again we're gonna kick yours!

Mr.Dune

Cleanup Photo Album

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