Love makes people do funny things.
People move across countries, spend money they don't have on their paramours, and generally act like a blithering idiot who can't think straight.
We've all seen the trees and rocks with hearts and initials carved into them as an expression of people's undying devotion to each other. Sometimes, though, the rock you carve may be a rare protected landscape that you can be prosecuted for defacing.
Spare a thought for poor Vanessa Hudgens,
High School Musical and
Grease Live! star who had to fork out $1000 in restitution for carving a heart with her and her boyfriend Austin's name on a red rock wall during a trip to Sedona, Arizona on Valentine's Day.
She paid the money because the rock is a protected landscape, and the cash went towards its restoration, according to
Page Six.
The public's attention was caught by the story when Hudgens posted the heart on her
Instagram and concerned fans pointed out that the red rocks of Sedona are a rare feature of the desert's landscape.
Coconino National Forest Service spokesman Brady Smith stated:
“She was caught in the act because she publicized it and she’s famous.I’m sure there are others who are not famous and publicized it and we’ve never known.”
The offence is punishable by up to 6 months jail time and a $5k fine, so she's actually gotten off quite lightly.