I just had another thought about this - while it is a distraction, it’s also a warning about people traveling around, especially if they’re not leaving a really huge paper trail. There have been a lot of camping/RV type slayings and strange events lately. I know from living in CO for a long time that state and fed park management tends not to like taxpayers and voters who just want to, you know, camp and hike, especially if you’re good at the outdoors and, like I said, not easily tracked. Several times while (trying to have a good time) in the outdoors here in CO, I have stumbled upon things like encampments (in spots where no camping allowed) and one time a LARGE group of men gathered in a spot off the road, like they were waiting to be picked up. Also we are told to watch out for things like illegal traps and pot plantations. So, “Don’t even think about traveling, especially camping!” seems to be the message as well.
Hmmm, interesting point. You might be on to something there.