"Back in the old days..." God, I used to hate it when people started a sentence with those words. Nevertheless...

Back in the old days we disassembled street skates and screwed the steel-wheeled trucks to plywood to make skateboards, then rode them down mile-long hills. No traction, no kneepads, just fear. Stepping out the back door to shoot a fox (and later sell the hide) didn't bother the neighbors. Building a raft and riding it down the river until it fell apart was a normal childhood thing. Later we rappeled off Interstate Waterway bridges onto passing boats using hardware-store rope and tackle, and once in awhile we rappeled out of helicopters (using mil-spec gear). Ocean kayaking was a solitary thing and one likely wouldn't see another wee boat during any given trip. Being dropped into the jungle with a knife and canteen to be picked up a week later meant getting behind on the office paperwork. Running from the base of a mountain to the top and back was a kick, especially if wearing combat boots. Puking at the end was normal. In 1983 I walked the first two hundred miles of the Pacific Crest Trail and didn't see another hiker. It wasn't completed yet, so some of that was on pavement.

Back in the old days there were no "Off Road Vehicle Parks," no "RV Parks," few postings of private property, and no rules against harmless behavior. Respect was natural, not prescribed. Personal risks could be taken as laws against risks to oneself didn't exist yet. No one expected a nanny government.

Now the population of everywhere is almost doubled and it's easier to step on someone's toes. Some people weren't raised to respect others so the government has stepped in to see that they are punished for causing harm. I guess that's how it has to work, but I don't much like it. I wouldn't mind finding a place where the old rules applied and kids played outside instead of on the computer. But there's no going home again. Ain't gonna happen.