It WAS the dirtiest section of highway because it was unlucky enough to be on the receiving end of regional winds that happen to flow across the landfill before reaching this area. It also happens to cut right through the heart of reservation land, which unless blind, isn't well maintained unless it falls within the immediate proximity of a sacred cash cow (aka, casinos). It also happens to be a public highway, and a fair percentage of those who travel it feel that the world is their trash can, from cigarette butts to used drug paraphernalia. True, state highways cut right through these lands, and state easements on either side of said highway isn't the responsibility of those whose land it cuts through. The state really should be the ones handling this, but thanks to everyone else holding out their hand for a piece of the taxpayer pie, that possibility is never going to be realized. Looking for a way to let groups/individuals/families promote themselves through community service, ADOT created the Adopt-A-Highway Program, in an effort to allow generous and able folks to volunteer their time for the betterment of all, not just for the pimping of their groups or ideals. Now, you suspect that this stretch of highway was available because it was such a dump. I'm here to tell you that you are DEAD WRONG, and here's why I know this. Beneath the words Arizona Geocachers is the name of a local business in Phoenix, who shall remain nameless. This business, according to ADOT has completely neglected this stretch of highway for quite awhile, allowing it to fall into such disarray, which made it available for adoption, as well as several other stretches that weren't as close to town as this for us. It also has a less than desired reputation, which follows the lack of desire to uphold their commitment.

Thanks to the cachers throughout Arizona who have participated in this program, as it has become one of the cleanest sections of highway out there. Proof is in the numbers. If I recall, the first ever cleanup resulted in 150+ bags being collected. This most recent one resulted in 66% less trash collected, or approximately 50 bags. The Adopt-A-Highway Program is a wonderful way to volunteer time for a truly worthwhile effort. The CITO program is something I feel is an integral part of what makes Geocaching such a good thing, especially in rural areas. The concept follows the NFS 'Leave No Trace' program, as well as others and have been wildly successful. I put myself on the line for the commitment because I believe that Arizona Geocachers are people who believe in such commitments, and that a number of them would dedicate time as opportunity presented itself and work as a group to help keep Arizona beautiful. I still believe this, but know it isn't for everyone. You also say, 'why not clean up a section of our beautiful desert instead?' Why should it be so wrong to clean up this section? Personally, I have cleaned up this 'beautiful desert' on countless occasions, that had nothing to do with publicity or 'getting the good name of Geocaching out there in a positive light'. I've cleaned up areas in Bulldog Canyon numerous times, and have done so on several occasions up here as well. Just because the CITO cleanups exist, doesn't make them a bad thing, and I really wonder where such venomous hostility came from. Why can't one do both? CITO cleanups on that stretch of highway are something we as cachers should be proud of, because it's certainly practicing what we preach. We collectively imply that we support the concept of CITO, which anyone in their right minds should do anyway. It shouldn't be a shunned concept because one single method was chosen that is overt in nature, and one that can potentially affect the opinions of those very people who could take this enjoyment away from us. There is an area up here called simply '17 Mile'. It's just past MP17 on a highway leading out of town here, hence its name origin. Just a few weeks ago, the annual cleanup for this rural shooting range was held. Had I not just started a new job <1 week earlier, I'd have driven myself out there and spent the day cleaning up other people's messes. Not in the name of Geocaching, but in the name of volunteerism, and in order to do my part to ensure that an area I enjoy remains open for not only myself, but others who entertain themselves at this area. No, we don't need to do the CITO cleanup along a highway to show we care. But isn't it a great way to do so?

I think the comment made by Sport Trac/k was taken way out of context. It's one thing to enjoy each other's company inside an air-conditioned environment where only 'fun' is the name of the game. It's an entirely different thing to put in the physical labor outside, sometimes under extreme heat in order to improve the appearance of an area thousands see daily. To some, it isn't fun, and that's why they don't show up. To others, family commitments scheduled in advance take precedence. To even more, physical limitations prevent them from participating, whereas sitting down to dinner at a restaurant is something they are able to do, not only due to timing, but environmental/physical concerns can be thrown out the window because it isn't as physically demanding. Two hours in the sun along a stretch of asphalt truly isn't as fun as two hours on the trail. It's not for everyone, and that's fine. I organized/participated because I saw the need to clean it up. I did this because it was important to me, and I wanted to make a difference. For the time I was able to participate with everyone there, I truly enjoyed it, and felt that I did make a difference. I'm sorry you don't feel like participating in such a program, but this is your right and I'm not going to feel any less toward you because of it. Those who show up to help, do because they want to. Of those who don't, some don't because they don't want to, but not all of them. That is their right and I can't fault them for it. But I do have a problem with faulting people because they want to, which is what I feel some of your reply...implies. You truly should care what people in the Valley think of Geocaching, because some of those people are those who can take it away. All that aside, an activity such as CITO cleanups are truly worthwhile.