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I am an old woman. I hike five to six, sometimes seven, days a week. I am an early riser and I am on the trail by 5:30 a.m. I love the forest, the solitude and I am out there to see what I can see and hear what I can hear. This time of year I see mountain bikers and trail runners out doing their thing early before heading to work. I get it and it is understandable why it is preferable to working out at the gym. Curious I am at the ear buds the runners wear; what about bird song? Or the speed the bikers go as they whiz past me; how can you appreciate the beauty?

Today was a sad day. I came across two dead baby red squirrels on the trail run over by bikers that I am sure never even noticed them. Not far from their limp bodies, the smashed shell of a snail. I moved them off the trail and hope something finds them that can use their lifeless bodies to feed on or feed their young.

How lucky we are to have beautiful North Idaho to enjoy. These trails are for hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners but we must remember to respect all that is around us. These trails follow through a living forest, home to many birds, animals and creatures of all sorts. It is their home and we are just passing by. I see wildflowers plucked and a little farther on discarded along the trail, branches broken for whatever reason and wonder why? We must all remember this — we are never alone in the forest, the residents are all around us. Please use caution and be aware of your surroundings.

SUE ELSA

Sandpoint