“Well there’s always been groups of people that could never see eye to eye… An’ I always thought if they’d get the chance to sit down and talk face to face they might realize they got a lot in common.” I was also taught to never judge a man until you shook his hand and looked him in the eye. It was just the way it was and a common courtesy. I have had the opportunity to do just that with you Warren Johnson, and I met a man who is honest, hard working, and loves wild places & wild things as much as anyone I’ve ever met. I was also taught to never judge a book by it’s cover, and that day I realized that YOUR book was filled with great wisdom that I could learn so much from and a great passion that was similar to mine. Also, you were humble enough to listen to me, and I could see in your eyes that you were still willing to learn from others no matter how they dress, no matter how long their hair is, and no matter what part of the world they came from. I found it refreshing and an example of a rare & true gentleman. A lovely lesson we should all inspire to implement in our lives. No matter what side of the fence you are on, no matter what is important to you, if we all could just give each other just a little bit more common courtesy, we might realize we all got a lot in common. It is time for people to get off their horse, hop out of their Subarus, and meet at the fence with a hand shake, an open heart, & an open mind. Thank you Warren for being a graceful soul and letting me have the opportunity to have met you & to call you a friend. Let that be a lesson to those who spin their wheels fighting for themselves and forgetting to fight for what we ALL love, WILD places & WILD things.
CASEY ANDERSON’S (Naturalist-Adventurer & Seen on Nat-Geo Wild, National Geographic Channel) note to Warren
