valley. Although they’ve seemed interested in preserving the historic Kennecott Mine, they’ve mostly ignored the roads and trails leading to other parts of this historysteeped region.

Until recently.

You see, the family that the McCarthy Creek valley has been waiting for has finally arrived. Children’s laughter now rings out and echoes back from the sheer mountains surrounding their homestead, affectionately dubbed “Hillbilly Heaven.” Horses and equipment once again haul needed supplies along the McCarthyGreen Butte Road. Strong, capable young men have been skillfully restoring and rebuilding venerable cabins that the harsh elements have not yet been able to completely destroy. A new generation, life, love, and hope once again occupy the valley of the Motherlode.

You know who they are, for I have written about them before. When the Pilgrims arrived in our town last spring, they brought with them love, laughter, music and irrepressible joy. Their kindness and hospitality have touched us all, and their courage in the face of adversity has heightened our sense of respect.

Although the folks here at McCarthy have received the Pilgrims warmly, the family has encountered an entirely different reception from the NPS. You see, it’s no secret that the biggest threat to the Park Service is the McCarthyGreen Butte Road, because according to federal and state law, this road is open to public use and cannot be controlled by the federal government or anyone else. The Pilgrims’ land is somewhere near the end of the road, and there is no other overland access to their homestead, so for the last year, they’ve been using, improving, and maintaining the McCarthy Green Butte Road, as is their right.

You know, it would seem to me that both this stateowned road (which accesses breath¬taking scenery and the centuryold Motherlode Mine) and the oldfashioned, hospitable family near the end of the road should be perceived as valuable assets to the Park. But if there’s one thing that