THINK ahead people!

Only 40 years dealing with the “recreating public” and I am STILL amazed at the dearth of understanding, the lack of common sense.  I had a lady asking for a rest room, pointed to the sign on the bulletin board right next to the door that gives directions to the rest rooms at PINECREST, just 2 miles away, provided by the US FOREST SERVICE.  I also suggested that she become a CUSTOMER at the INN across the highway – a cup of hot chocolate would do the trick - and then she could use their facilities.  Would you stop at someone’s house while taking a walk around the neighborhood and ask to use their facilities?  Actually I did once or twice, but I have known the homeowner for 40 years!!  ;-))

Our daughter has driven across the country several times and never uses a facility without buying SOMETHING so she is a customer of the business that is kind enough to provide for her needs when she isn’t near a REST STOP.  Why are snow players so clueless as to think that they should have the use of restrooms WITHOUT having to be a customer?  They also use parking spaces that we need for our paying guests.   I have told many that if they rented one of our cabins they would have BOTH a parking space and a restroom facility for their use.  BOY, do I get dirty looks from them!!   

Of course that 40 year friend and neighbor came home from work one day and found a family picnicking on her deck here in our small community of hardy mountain folk.  They tried to tell her that it was Forest Service property and they were entitled to use it!!  She didn’t have to show them her property tax bill; she just had to phone the Sheriff and they decided to believe her.  

Church groups, high schoolers, families – if your are having a barbecue in one of  the spaces that my husband spent HOURS clearing with his snow blower, and which is MARKED for use of our guests, expect him to show up with a plate and a fork for a sample of your cuisine, brochure and price list in hand!!  Most people are happy to share with him, but I draw the line at sharing my bathroom with strangers older than FIVE.  THAT'S 2 for today - a young man, an adult,  who needed a restroom - he headed across the highway!

Enjoy your time in the mountain paradise we call HOME but be respectful: be a customer, be polite, and take your trash home with you.  While snow blowing just the other day my husband found a baby diaper complete with maggots and flies - YUCK!   Isn't that what plastic bags were invented for?  PLAN AHEAD!