This past Saturday while attempting to park my car I accidentally ran into a “No Parking at Any Time” sign post.

To be more clear, I did not just run into it, I completely severed the sign’s post from its base.  It was a clean break.  In fact, I mowed the No Parking sign down, and with it gone, then I parked there anyway.

 

What happened, you might ask.  A little background may be helpful.  I was on my way to do a somewhat challenging 5.4 mile hike in the California desert – a hike called the East Indio Hills Badlands.  As I entered the dirt parking area for the trail head, the first thing I noticed was that the entire parking lot was surrounded by a chain link fence, protecting the vehicles and hikers from trespassing on property owned by the Coachella Valley Water District.

As I searched for a parking spot for my 2007 Jeep Liberty I focused on making sure that I did not violate any parking signs.  The two signs that I saw immediately were “Do Not Block” signs that were affixed to two gates that while closed and padlocked, were clearly for Water District vehicles to be able to enter and leave the desert area.

I wanted to make sure that I did not park in front of these gates, even though it was a Saturday, and the chances of any Water District vehicles wanting access was slim.

Beyond the gates and the “Do Not Block” signs was a space or two that were open for vehicles, or at least I thought so.

I maneuvered my Jeep Liberty to the parking space just on the other side of the “Do Not Block” signs, so that I would not in any way block the locked gates.

Next thing I know — the next think I hear — is a loud bang!  I have driven directly into a very sturdy, steel framed post, that is 12’ high.

At the top of the steel post is a sign saying “Tow Away, NO PARKING, ANY TIME”.  OMG.

I never saw the sign or the post.  I was so focused on avoiding the area which was marked with the “Do Not Block” signs that I never saw the sign post just a few feet away.  The post was probably 6’ north of the gates with the “Do Not Block” signs, and the post was about 15’ away from the chain link fence.  I placed the sign against the fence just to give you an idea of how tall the sign was.

My front right fender suffered a slight dent as a result.  No injuries to yours truly.

I am shocked.  What the hell just happened?  I never saw the post or the sign.

I ask myself how this could have happened.  I was driving at a very low speed, basically crawling in the parking lot looking for a space to park my vehicle.  Maybe 5 mph at most.

Secondly, I am a decent driver.  I can’t remember a time when I have had an accident of any kind.  I am usually very careful.

What could have happened?   What I think happened is that I was not looking for any posts or signs toward the middle of the parking area.  Rather I was looking for parking signs on the chain link fence, just like the signs that were on the two gates with the “Do Not Block” signs.

in addition, I was looking for signs that were about 6’ or so high, just like the “Do Not Block” signs on the chain linked fence.  I was not looking for signs that were 12’ high.  No way!

Or, maybe my Jeep was seeking “Liberty and parking for all”!  Maybe my Jeep Liberty was trying to claim a small bit of parking territory.

Bottom line is that I just totally missed seeing the NO PARKING sign.  What I am little proud of, I must admit, is that I really hit the sign good, with some oomph. The sign post was completely and instantly severed at its base.  This is saying something since the sign post is a very heavy, strong steel frame.  I didn’t just bend the sign post.  No, I severed it.

another hiker who witnessed this entire event and completed his hike sooner than I did apparently felt it necessary to let the world know that I was parking in a NO Parking zone.  He picked up the 12’ high sign and wedged it in between my bike rack and my back tire.

I reached out to the Water District today to let them know that the sign had been knocked down, and that I am the party at fault.

I also suggested to them that they in the future put all their signs on the chain link fence, and all 6’ high so that a driver can easily see them.  in addition, they might want to consider having them surrounded by blinking white lights or neon.  They might also want to have a sign as you enter the parking lot that explains where parking is allowed and where it is not allowed.

The Indio Badlands hike was a little more challenging than I remembered, and as a result took a little more time than I had anticipated.  So much so that I actually finished the hike in darkness.  But not before being able to capture the striking beauty of the setting sun’s impact on the overhead clouds.