The crews are out on Badger Mountain today so the Canyon Trail was closed.
Top 'O Badger
I headed up the Sagebrush trail and back around for a nice hike. This trail closure is a sign of good construction as trail maintenance is a necessary ongoing project with 150,000 plus hikers on Badger Mountain every year and the Badger Mountain Challenge coming up in a few days.
Construction on Little Badger above the LDS temple
Unfortunately, there is some new construction which is interrupting the Tri-City skyline. Just a stone’s throw from the Canyon and Sagebrush trails is this project by prolific developer Milo Bauder. He has fought with the City of Richland to build on “Little Bauder Mountain” for quite a while. Bauder rejected efforts by Friends of Badger Mountain to preserve this property. Now, the horizon features the silhouettes of heavy equipment prepping the ground for mansions for the rich and wannabee rich with a “Big hat, no cattle.” (see the Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko).
Construction Equipment on "Little Bauder Mountain"
Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not a tree-hugger and I applaud entrepreneurial efforts. I encourage the “99 percent” to get moving and stop expecting a handout, there is work to be had and taxing people who have busted their hind ends and made a lot of money to bail out those who sit on their hind ends is morally wrong! (alright, sorry for that little side venture into one of my pet peaves.)
But, property is a finite resource. Property with a view and beauty is timeless. Trying to keep some of the most beautiful vistas in our area open and natural is more valuable than an upscale house that is featured in the “Parade of Homes”. Having the biggest house on the highest hill does not impress me. If it is impressive to others, I think it is unfortunate that someone’s worth or value is based on where they live, what they live in or we can even extend it to what they drive. Couple that with another pet peave; debt. As famed money expert Dave Ramsey says: “It’s unfortunate that people go into so much debt to buy things they don’t need to impress people they don’t even know!” (Alright, back on subject.)
Another property is going up just a few feet from the Skyline Trail on the west end of Badger Mountain.
"Movin' on Up?" Construction Just a Few Feet From the Skyline Trail on Badger Mountain
Yep, they are higher on Badger Mountain than the other house on the west end but to what end? The view of Candy, Red and Rattlesnake Mountains are all interrupted.
It was a nice hike up Badger Mountain today but it was interrupted by other people’s idea of progress. I just hope people who have the same kinds of thoughts as I will do something about it. Supporting Friends of Badger Mountain is a good start. You can also get more involved with letter writing and communicating with your city council members. The best results usually come at the grass roots level though, as government red tape moves slowly, too slowly sometimes as once its gone, its hard to get back.