Letters to the editor Aug. 27

Doggone dogs

For nearly 60 years, We have hiked the valleys and mountains of the Flathead. We have been in awe of God’s creation — the variety of plants and trees, wildlife, rock formations and the colors and songs of birds overhead.

But what inspires us most is the solitude of the wilderness — a place unchanged by humans. These special places replenish and heal the soul. The wilderness areas we are blessed with in northwest Montana are wild, “uncommon ground.”

Recently, we visited a favorite place in the Mission Mountain Wilderness. The trailhead was overflowing, but that wasn’t the problem. Everyone has a right to enjoy what nature offers.

The problem was the dogs.

Before reaching Turquoise Lake, we encountered unleashed dogs, some barking at hikers. At the lake, we counted 10 dogs, with others barking nearby. By the time we returned to the trailhead, we had encountered nearly 30 dogs.

This many dogs affects the solitude and potentially the wildlife. Unleashed dogs can be dangerous in bear country. There is a reason dogs are prohibited on trails in Glacier National Park.

We don’t dislike dogs. We like dogs. But we encounter them everywhere in our daily lives. The wilderness should be different.

When we enter the wilderness, we hope to see a moose in velvet or a pine marten. We want to hear a western tanager, the call of a loon, the wind in the trees — and sometimes nothing at all.

These places are more than recreational areas. They are sanctuaries for wildlife and, for many of us, sanctuaries for the soul.

If dogs are brought into them, they should be leashed at all times.

Wild places are increasingly uncommon. Let’s be careful not to love them so much that we turn them into the places we went there to escape.

— JR Dalton, Bigfork

Top notch fair

After living here more than 40 years and attending virtually every Northwest Montana Fair during that stretch, I believe I’m qualified to make the follow assessment: Wow, great job!  

The fair has always been good, but this year seemed better than ever. The attendance was ginormous, the facility was super well secured, the parking packed (amazing number of cars), the little food shacks looked especially nice and tidy, the entrance ticket booths were well staffed (no long lines for me this year), the exhibits, the animals, the activities, the food (especially corn dogs, ha ha) and the interesting wares on sale and on display, even the outer fence signage with advertisements looked great and seemed more numerous than ever plus very professional. The details were all very nice. Awesome vibe. 

Thank you fair staff for putting on a most excellent week and for showing one more reason Flathead County is excellent. Nicely done!

— Terry Falk, Kalispell