Posted on 01/10/2014 11:08:34 AM PST by Theoria
Lucas St. Clair pulled up to an overlook in Maine’s North Woods to a stunning vista of Mount Katahdin, the state’s highest peak and the endpoint of the Appalachian Trail. Stretched out below was a vast green carpet of pine and spruce flecked with golden aspens and blazing red maples; Millinocket Lake glistened in the distance.
“I think it’s national-park worthy,” he said.
This was not an idle observation. Mr. St. Clair and his mother, Roxanne Quimby, who owns the land, have been trying for years to turn these woods into a national park. But ferocious opposition has stalled their plan, partly out of antipathy toward Ms. Quimby, who, against Maine tradition, closed off her lands to hunters and snowmobilers, and partly because many in this fiercely independent region loathe the idea of giving Washington a toehold.
Besides, it is actually hard to create a national park.
Consider this: Since Congress named Yellowstone the first national park in 1872, it has conferred this prized title on only 58 other sites. And most, including the Grand Canyon, received lesser designations, like national monument, long before they officially became parks. The most recent national park — Pinnacles, in California — was so designated in January, after being named a national monument in 1908.
The grand philanthropic gestures of families like the Rockefellers and Mellons, who helped build and expand the national parks, are now few and far between, and even for them it was not always easy. John D. Rockefeller Jr. spent three torturous decades trying to overcome local opposition so he could add land to Grand Teton National Park.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I you must give, give to the state not the feds.
Yep.
Regarding Ms Roxanne Quimby et al and the Maine north woods.
I have visited there with my family dozens of times over the years. Dad and Mom took me there on a canoe trip when sis and I were kids. H. D. Thoreau country. It is too beautiful to describe with mere words. Thoreau’s place where the water runs both ways is not far away. He thought you could lay with your head in the Penobscot and your feet in the Kennebeck. He was wrong, it is the Allagash and the Penobscot.
This Quimby township, 36 square miles, owned by a vile Soros aligned left wing loon will be a thorn in the side of common sense, reason, and to the people of the State of Maine until the new heaven comes down to the new earth which is already waiting for the white judgment. Quimby township is not located in the new earth portion. She will be judged by the almighty and be found worthy or cast into the lake of fire. Only the almighty can solve this Satan inspired vile mess.
IMHO, Ms Quimby is one of the most disgusting and potentially dangerous people on the planet. A cruel self important know it all who would crush the remaining economic life from the state of Maine. Her ilk would be like Kim Jong Un if they could muster the guns to back them up. She ripped old Bert a new one!
Haven’t seen Dad or Mom in forever, forgo Fargo before you freeze to death. Don’t you two old coots have enough money?
Caddis the Younger
J. R. Tate, who has hiked the entire Appalachian Trial 3 times (the first time at the age of 55), has written an entertaining memoir of his first hike called Walkin' on the Happy Side of Misery. An excellent read. The "thru-hikers" take trail names--his was Model T. He named his dog Katahdin.
The stretch of the trail in New Hampshire includes climbing Mt. Washington. There are other peaks in the vicinity named for Presidents but others for non-Presidents such as Lafayette. There is a Mt. Clinton--Tate jokes about whether Clinton was one of Presidents before or after the Civil War, since he was writing that in 1990, when no one knew there would be a President Clinton. The good old days.
...after meeting beekeeper Burt Shavitz in the early 80s, Ms. Quimby began making beeswax candles in order to supplement her income. The candles were quite successful initially, so she began developing a lip balm, as well.
The lip balm, which was launched in 1991, proved to be a hit, and the company, known as Burt's Bees, grew in profitability. She bought out Mr. Shavitz in 1993, and sold the company in 2007 for $350 million.
Large tract near Baxter State Park opening to hunters --
Groups praise the change but still have deep concerns over Roxanne Quimby's vision for a national park.
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