TO THE EDITOR:
My wife and I, along with a few of our grandchildren, recently took up kayaking. There are a number of things that have served in drawing us to the sport.
First, Warren County is absolutely beautiful and its numerous waterways contribute significantly to that beauty.
Secondly, we had noted the tremendous increase in the numbers of kayakers over the last six to eight years. With so many people taking up the sport, we decided this form of recreation might be worth looking into ourselves.
And finally, we have wanted for some time to find an activity that would lure us out of the house and out of doors for much-needed exercise. The excitement exhibited by our grandchildren in taking part has been an added bonus.
While we thoroughly enjoy our new hobby, we are somewhat dismayed by the lack of consideration, apparently by many, for nature and those others who seek to enjoy it in its most pristine condition.
Regrettably, I cannot recall the number of times one of our grandchildren has said “Pa, there are beer cans on the bottom of the river,” or “Pa, why is there a mattress on the bank of the river?”
Along the banks of the river are a number of nice clearings where kayakers can halt for a picnic, to take a break, or maybe drop a line and sinker. Sadly, we have learned it is necessary to scout the area for human feces, dirty diapers, broken glass, etc., before being able to relax and enjoy the break.
At Pepper Branch Park, while teaching the granddaughters how to skip rocks, I picked up a nice candidate only to find it was part of a pile of rocks stacked to cover a pile of human excrement.
All along the river, in and out of the water, one can find discarded coolers, tarps, empty beverage containers, lawn chairs, mattresses, old campfires surrounded with enough garbage to fill a trash bag, and numerous other articles that have been discarded by those less fit to enjoy God’s gifts to the good people of this county.
At the boat ramp at Rocket Park there are often dirty diapers tossed to the ground and left as if mines in a mine field. The pathways along the river are many times littered with the same. The stretch of the Barren Fork River between Pepper Branch Park and the confluence of that river with the Collins River will provide those interested with an abundance of evidence supporting my claims. The only way I know how to explain this to my grandchildren is to simply make them aware that swine are not always of the four-legged variety.
I will say it makes me proud when I read there are those who take time out to float the river on occasion and gather up as much of this garbage as possible. If it weren’t for these people, I doubt anyone would be able to enjoy the river for long. Hopefully we will be able to join the next time round.
For those folks contributing to the filth, please grow up! Please learn some personal responsibility! I understand the practice of personal responsibility is quickly becoming politically incorrect, but good grief, at least try. Anything you can carry going in, you can certainly carry coming out.
Robert Ditmore
Jones Hollow Road
McMinnville