Cisco’s Sonar

By Bryce Nielson

Summer is Over, or Is It?

It is hard for me to believe that we are starting into September.  This time last year visitors were headed back home to school and jobs.  The locals were finally going to experience the fall colors, weather and the dwindling crowds.  That idyllic scene seems to be gone.

The beginning of the new decade has changed all that.  Discussions could rage on for days debating what has happened to our country and the world.  All I can say is the whole situation is so complex with so much conflicting data, I don’t know for sure what I think.  I do know that it will never be the same again.  At this point we all need to focus on the future of Bear Lake.

The lake itself is extremely resilient.  It has not gone through the many cycles it has for the last 200,000 years and not been able to survive today without being able to withstand change.  The humans will have to be like the lake and adapt to this new set or circumstances.  

Despite everything that has gone on, I know that countless people and families have come to the Lake and had a wonderful, time.  Right or wrong, it was an escape from government from lording over your every move.  Seasonal homes were refuge from the city’s lockdowns and restrictions.  Folks loved the scenic views, way of life and being able work remotely.  Your actions were justified by knowing that Covid 19 case were low in Rich County.  It didn’t matter that there was only 2300 residents in the county and no testing stations.  You could get by without wearing a mask and feeling shamed.  People could get together with friends and act like everything was almost normal.  Everyone loves Bear Lake.  Many of the visitors will not leave after Labor Day.  As long as the weather is good or bad, they will continue to come to the Lake.

I think there are some issues that need to be addressed.  Parking along the highway has to be dealt with.  It is amazing that no one was killed on the highway this summer.  As the trucks run through the intersection, I doubt the truck catcher will stop that problem.  I am not sure what they can do other then limit vehicle size in the canyon.  We need to support Garden City and the BLSSD (sewer) in planning and building more infrastructure for future growth.  The businesses in Town need to address overparking issues to keep the roadways clear.  I will say that the beach use has been good with little trash left on the shores of Bear Lake.  We need to dust off and look at the “Envision Bear Lake” document and assess where we are going.

The future is coming to Bear Lake and it can be positive if we prepare for it physically and mentally.  All I can say is it has been comforting to have the big, blue lake to give us peace during these uncertain times.