Thursday, March 28, 2024
39.0°F

Be responsible, help keep this area beautiful

| September 13, 2020 1:00 AM

It was one of those perfect days on the lake so we decided to go to the Green Monarchs

We headed to our favorite little beach but noticed that it was already occupied. Much to our delight, the boaters were leaving and as soon as they pulled out, we dropped anchor and stepped ashore. We were shocked to discover that their fire was still smoldering. It was a large log with plenty of wood left to burn. In a worst-case scenario, a gust of wind could easily have changed the smolder to flame and the entire hillside could have gone up in a blaze.

We dumped several buckets of water on the log and settled in for a nice afternoon only to discover another ugly surprise … a dirty diaper hidden behind a bush. Bring a gallon Ziplock bag with you next time so you can take your smelly garbage with you. That's what we had to do when we cleaned up after you.

be responsible! Put out your fires! Dump more water than you think you need. Feel the logs and if they are hot or even warm, dump more water on them. And then dump one more bucket just to make sure!

take your garbage with you! Yes, that includes dirty diapers. We've picked up all sorts of garbage on the lake and various shorelines - spent shotgun shells (too many to count), syringes, underwear, plastic bags, shoes, toys, beer and pop cans, and recently a (COVID-19) face mask and bottle of Purell.

We live in such a beautiful part of the world. Let’s all work to keep it that way.

DEE KOSSE

Sandpoint