Subject: the bridge
Date: Oct 3 19:20:15 2002
From: RT Cox - birder at vcn.com


Dear Connie:

If you take that walk on the wild side and strut confidently right past that silly old No Trespassing sign, what is the worst case scenario (assuming that you are not strutting about a high-security military or CIA post)? Someone might take the trouble to drop the dime on you, and some bureaucrat or bored law enforcement type might actually wander out and issue a ticket. This would be a misdemeanor first offense, and a respectful explanation to the local judge that you thought the No Trespassing sign did not mean No Birdwatching, and you did not hurt anything, and you were not invading anyone's privacy, and that the boardwalk's purpose of keeping stinky stuff off of the FAA staff's boots served the same purpose for you, why, the judge might find you technically guilty and fine you $100 and suspend the sentence. If that doesn't work, tell him that a magistrate in Wyoming thought that it was okay to use existing bridges and boardwalks to document scientific rareties before they flew away, never to return. However, I should include disclaimers of warranties and warn you that my advice may be of no value in Washington, or elsewhere.

Good birding.

RT Cox
Gillette, WY