Of all of the spectacular places I have been, the faces and sights I have seen, by and large nothing really compares to being in the space and presence of a wild animal. You can look at animals in pictures, and watch them on television and appreciate their beauty. You can see them in a zoo or in captivity, and imagine how their life would be, should be, if they were free. But being in the energy of “wild” is to experience freedom on its most fundamental level.
If there are any two qualities bikers appreciate and embrace, I would think it would be wild, and free. From photographing lions and elephants on the Masa Mara in Africa, to standing next to Grizzly Bears in Alaska, I have had some amazing moments in awe of that beauty. And it’s not even so much what you are seeing, as the emotion it evokes. Of all of the encounters I’ve had, the one I was moved by most was watching the wild horses in Wyoming. My brother Joe took me way up into the mountains where little else really lives. And when you have that moment where you finally see them, and they see you, for one moment everything is still. They stood still for only a few moments staring directly at us. There tails actually touching the ground and manes twice as long as any tame horse. Their hair was shabby and tattered, but they looked strong and healthy. Before we could even move for the camera they were off in a full gallop with that hair flowing in the wind. I don’t need a picture, because it is forever in my mind as the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed. They wanted NOTHING to do with us. I could want nothing more for them than to respect that wish.
The Wildlife Waystation is a non-profit rescue organization located on 160 acres in the Los Angeles National Forest just north of the San Fernando Valley. In a perfect world, wild animals would never need to be rescued, but our world seems to complicate even the most simple of pleasures. No native wild or exotic animal in need is ever turned away. They are devoted to returning native wildlife to its natural habitat whenever possible. The facility has worked with lions, tigers, bobcats, jaguars, and even a ligress. They also house primates, bears, opossums, foxes, hyenas, reptiles, wolves, deer and all types of birds.
Sadly, the reasons that these animals find their way to this facility are because the animal was in trouble. Some were former circus performers or members of exhibits. Some were orphaned or the result of someone thinking they could handle having a wild animal as a pet. Often they were abused, misused, declawed or even de-fanged in an effort to control the animal. The ultimate goal of the Wildlife Waystation is to educate the public about respecting all that is wild and free, so that they can remain just that. The facility has been open nearly 34 years and has helped over 75,000 animals. They operate solely through donations and fundraising events.
This past Sunday, May 16th, they held the “Ride for the Wild 2010, Wildlife Waystation Poker Run”. It started at Glendale Harley, and ended out at Phil Smith’s Movie Animals, in Piru. They mapped out a scenic route for motorcyclists to take going thru Little Tujunga to Old Road Harley Davidson in Santa Clarita. Then up Bouquet Canyon to the Big Oaks Lodge, and lastly to the Rock Inn making a long day of sunny beautiful winding roads with friends before arriving at the destination. I had not been up to some of these places in years, and I had forgotten what fun roads they are to ride! Our group got off to a late start, and never did seem to catch up to the rest of the riders, but it didn’t really matter. We eventually got there.
Out in Piru they had many of the Waystations animals there to meet and help educate the bikers and families about co-existing in a world with wild animals so that their natural habitats might be respected. The Waystation is not currently open to the public, but they invite interested people to volunteer at the facility or special events. Your $30 donation for the ride bought you a BBQ lunch, music, and raffle prizes.
But the real treat was meeting the animals from the facility and hearing their stories from the volunteers who work with them. They also had donkeys, horses, and a yak to feed, play with and a large petting zoo with sheep, goats and reptiles, where it was as much fun to watch the looks on the kids faces, as it was to see the animals.
For information about the Wildlife Waystation, what they do, or how you could help, go to: http://www.wildlifewaystation.org or call 818-899-5201.
Betz–
