Pocatello is about 50 miles from Idaho Falls, so I used the drive time to scheme and decide which shots I want to get. And where. Idaho State University has a campus there, so that was going to be one of the main spots.
I also planned on going to a fairly populous area, to get reaction shots of people as I scowl and sneer at them.
Driving into town, we passed the police station. I HAD to pull over. This was the perfect spot to start! Talk about a 'thumb your nose to authority' spot...
...but that was the mistake.
My photographer and I start taking pictures, laughing the entire time. After a minute or two, there is a tap on my shoulder.
It's a cop.
"Excuse me son, what are you doing?"
I stammer... "We're taking pictures of the police department..."
"Well why are you making all those funny faces? I don't get it."
I explain to him the law, and how I was here taking pictures as kind of a mockery to the law. I end by saying "I'm sure that's an old law, and probably off the books by now. So, heh, no harm no foul, right?"
"Heh, sure. I don't see the big deal. But hold on a second, ok? I'm going to be right back. Stay right there."
He takes a few steps away, and starts talking into his walkie talkie.
2 minutes later, he's back, with a stern look on his face. "Apparently it's still a valid law. And I'm afraid I need to write you a ticket for this violation."
It's a $50 fine. I argue and try to wiggle out of the ticket, but he's serious. FINALLY, he relents a little bit. "Ok, ok... I won't give you this ticket, on one condition."
So I met his condition.
I deleted all the pictures of my trip as he watched. All offending pictures were removed from my camera's memory card, and then he sent me on may way. He initially wanted to confiscate my camera altogether, but I was able to talk him down to just destroying the evidence.
So, yeah. 2 1/2 hours, and all to show from the trip is some sweaty palms, a lower gas gauge on my car, and this lone picture of Poky.
 |
| ...have a nice day. |