Skip to main content
Roughly every other horror movie starts with some well-meaning city folk driving their car into the woods. Soon after, they release demons from an occult book, or they freeze to death in a hedge maze, or they adopt a Sasquatch named Harry who becomes their family’s best friend. But this isn’t the movies, people! This is our seventh-most-read story of the year (“Do Not Disturb,” WW, Dec. 11), and it’s about the residents of Husum, a sleepy town on the White Salmon River, who are none too tickled by the glampground moving in next door. Our dispatch from Klickitat County drew plenty of responses, many from readers skeptical that this slice of the Columbia River Gorge is really so pristine. Here’s what they had to say:
Nathan Rogers, via wweek.com: “If the land has already been clear-cut, then the approach of squirrel habitat goes out the window since there are effectively no trees left. Also have to keep in mind that an operation like this is highly likely to plant trees and IMPROVE the habitat since, as noted, clear-cut is not the prettiest thing to look at. They will likely improve it and add trails. They are talking about 50 campsites and yet they are predicting 300 cars per day? Are they expecting the campers, who are also likely there for peace and quiet, to be driving in and out six times a day? Even then, the campground is unlikely to always be at 100% occupancy so will likely have periods of virtually no new traffic. I would rather have a glampground as a neighbor than the log trucks!”
Frank Norwood, via Newsbreak: “The Klickitat Board of Commissioners are pissing everyone off, I don’t think that anyone in Klickitat County are happy with them. They have made multiple decisions that are in question, this last election has eliminated two of the three currently in office. It’s very evident that they put their own interests ahead of the residents of Klickitat County. I agree with the residents nearby that this camp will have a lasting impact on the community as well as the environment.”
triiari_50, via wweek.com: “No different than KOA, Thousand Trails, and RV parks in general except for the branding and consumers being targeted.”
Bobby Dazzler, via Twitter: “Back in the late ’90’s/early ’00s, there was a Christian music festival at the Skamania County Fairgrounds called TOM (The Other Music) Fest. Every year, locals would put up signs saying stuff like ‘FREAKS ARENT WELCOME’ and ‘GO HOME FREAKS.’”
joemel, via wweek.com: “Unfortunately, it seems that the only options are either clear-cut the land or glamping. I would probably choose glamping if I was a neighbor. It sucks but it’s just the type of world we live in right now.”
William Scull, via Newsbreak: “Set up big fences and cameras and get ready because it came to Idaho and they’re taking over, believe me. Some will buy property and drive up the cost so the locals have to move out because they can no longer afford to live there. In three years, my property went from $80,000 to $280,000 in value because of the blue state move. It means when or if I sell, I end up paying huge capital gains taxes to the government. Welcome to blue America, the end of freedom.”
HailUtahistan, via wweek.com: “$989 a night! I wouldn’t want that riffraff in my neighborhood either!”
CAUTION: COWS AHEAD
While the reporter wrote an accurate synopsis of the conflict between some Oak Ridge residents and Under Canvas, she glossed over one crucial aspect of our local environment, and that is the legal status of “open range.” Ranchers are legally permitted to range their cattle in much of Klickitat County, including the whole length of Oak Ridge. Property owners are responsible for fencing cows out. Drivers on our winding, blind-turns road are liable for any mishaps with cattle, and that includes territorial bulls, protective mamas, and skittish calves. This is a spring, summer, and fall reality for us, and guest drivers here are often surprised at how fast or unpredictably cows can run.
Jim Tindall
Oak Ridge Road
Letters to the editor must include the author’s street address and phone number for verification. Letters must be 250 or fewer words. Submit to: P.O. Box 10770, Portland, OR 97296 Email: mzusman@wweek.com