I once rationalized bad behavior with phrases like “It’s just for a photo,” “It’s just a small piece,” or “It’ll just be for a moment.” Now at the age of 75, I realize these justifications are no longer valid.
Snow and Ice in the Yukon
Traveling to Whitehorse, the largest city along the Alaska Highway, we passed rocky slopes decorated with the names of various individuals, carefully arranged using stones. Earlier, we had visited the Signpost Forest, making our contribution the 67,000th addition. I was feeling creative and convinced Bill to stop so we could add our names. We quickly laid out the letters B and C, representing Bill and Carol.
Then I noticed a sign: “Take nothing but pictures. Kill nothing but time. Leave nothing but footprints.” At that point, it was too late; I had already broken the rule. I later discovered that the sign aimed to prevent rock displacement, which could weaken the protective wall safeguarding the roadway from avalanches of snow or ice.
The Glaciers of Alaska
A week later, on our way to Valdez, Alaska, I remarked how unimpressive the glaciers seemed in that area, appearing merely as small patches of white. However, moments later, as our 24-foot Class C RV rounded a bend in the road, the impressive sight of Worthington Glacier, a 113-acre accessible glacier along Richardson Highway, emerged dramatically.
Bill was thrilled, parked the RV, and began to scale the icy mountain. I, on the other hand, was hesitant to take on the slippery slopes and called for him to bring back some ice. He obliged but afterward, I realized how foolish it was to break another rule for a piece of ice that would soon melt and merely occupy valuable space in our RV’s limited freezer.
The Littlest Penguins of Australia
While I was in Melbourne, Australia, watching over my youngest grandson, I found myself presented with yet another chance to break the rules. Each weekend, while the parents were at home, I explored local attractions. One of my initial trips was to Philip Island, a mere hour and a half drive from Melbourne, known as the habitat for the world’s smallest penguins, standing just about a foot tall.
A ranger informed us that the penguins waited for darkness before returning from their ocean feeding. They gathered approximately a hundred meters from shore, staying together for safety from predators. At 5:49 pm, when eight of them had gathered, they cautiously walked into the area between two viewing platforms. The ranger reiterated the rule: No Photography Allowed. However, I couldn’t resist capturing this adorable moment and took a picture.
As more penguins emerged from their burrows to join those who had fed, they spread all around us, even beneath the boardwalk. Unable to resist, I took a few additional photos. My luck ran out when a ranger approached me and said, “The penguins do not do well with the light coming from cameras.” I felt ashamed of my actions; even at nearly seventy, I found myself unable to adhere to the rules.
Rules exist for a purpose and should not be broken lightly. Disregarding them can lead to disturbing consequences. For instance, one need only look at the vast amounts of plastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean. There is no justification for breaking rules while traveling—or at any other time.
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