[driftdiver]

“There were a lot more wild areas in the past.”

I agree with most of your post but not so sure about this. The population has consolidated more and more into major centers. Away from those major cities the population density has gone down in many areas.

[ladyvet]

I used to live there. It's a beautiful area. BUT the same old tired story happened there too. Liberals found it, moved in and ruined it. They buy parcels of land butt up against U.S. forest land, build huge homes and expect it to be safe for Fido, Fluffy, and Emily to play around. At least these folks don't seem to be complaining about it and appear to not have done anything stupid.