Locked Gate

Locked Gate, originally uploaded by mhall209.

There are a lot of locked gates around. It is really a good idea to respect a locked gate around here. Usually it is locked for a reason, and that reason is to keep you out. In my photography I come across lots of spots where I would really like to cross a fence, go through a gate, ignore a no trespassing sign. It would make a much better shot at times.

But back in my fire fighting days we didn't pay much attention to locks. We had a "big red key" (bolt cutters) that worked fine on locks like this one. But we always had law enforcement either with us or right behind us when we used them. We came across meth labs, marijuana grows, hazardous materials dumps, and explosives. Just a whole mixed bag of bad things! And that doesn't count the people and their weapons. I remember one place that had a shotgun leaning against every window in the house. You never know.

So if you ever find yourself in a rural area, respect the lock!