Except for the college years and several months in Europe, I have lived all of my life in rural areas of America, in five different states. I have lived here in north Idaho over 20 years, which is the longest I've ever lived in one place. Although I have not been here my entire life, I believe I have had ample opportunity to study those who have been.
North Idaho has a well-deserved reputation for being a haven for rugged individualists. Folks here like to be independent. They hunt, fish, raise livestock, and grow gardens. They drive up into the mountains to pick huckleberries. They strongly dislike any form of government interference in their lives. They believe in fending for themselves and doing what they want to do.
Unfortunately, when each person does what he/she wants to do, without taking anyone else into consideration, other people's lives can be upset. For example, ignoring leash laws ("government intrusion") often leads to loose dogs attacking other people's dogs or chickens, frequently in their own yards. Ignoring "no fireworks" signs can lead to wildfires that destroy acres of forest and several homes. Ignoring "no shooting in this neighborhood" rules can put lives in danger, and the noise can be very upsetting to people who chose those neighborhoods because there wasn't supposed to be any shooting there.
I have often noticed a certain belligerence in folks who have lived in this area their entire lives. They have an attitude of entitlement: "I've lived here all my life, and this is north Idaho, so I can do whatever I want to, and if you don't like it, go back to where you came from."
Fifty years ago, when those folks were youngsters here, there weren't nearly as many people in the area. I'm sure it was much easier to do whatever one wanted to do without upsetting anybody else, because nobody else lived nearby. That's not the case any more. This area has been "discovered," and is building up like crazy. Yet the old-timers want to step out the back door and do their target shooting just like they always did. And their lack of consideration for others is unsettling.
It's not just the old-timers, either. There are newcomers who are aware of the old north Idaho lifestyle, and who come here expecting to live that way, regardless of where they buy or build a house. There are still plenty of spots tucked away in the woods where a person could get by with just about anything, but those spots are getting harder and harder to find.
As the small towns grow into cities, and the suburbs sprawl into each other, there will be fewer places where people can do as they please. In a way, it is sad to see that way of life disappear. On the other hand, if people could figure out a way to live independently and "be themselves" without intruding on others' rights to a peaceful life, it would be easier for some of us to mourn its passing.
Disclaimer: this is my second slightly-grumpy post in one day. I must be in a mood.
