Worried about Flagstaff

As I take in my mountain town I am left with worried thoughts.

During my undergrad at NAU I could easily drive up Milton without worrying about traffic. I could drive up Milton and see only a few chain restaurants/fast food establishments. I could look up at the sky and know we were one of the cleanest air cities in the country.

These moments are changing.

I now avoid Milton at all costs. I now see so many fast food places throughout the city. The area where Whole Foods/Wildflower/etc. are used to be nothing. Literally nothing was there. And now it is filled with stores, shops and apartments. I look up at the sky and know we have moved down the list of clean air cities.

My parents are retiring here to get away from the busy ways of Southern California, but we are quickly shifting into such a place.

I worry for the future of Flagstaff. More people, means excess. Excess means people who don't care about our forests, clean air and keeping it local. I worry I'll see more trash on the trails, Fossil Creek will be completely shut down and Oak Creek will become too contaminated with senseless trash, bottles and feces.

It seems like a pessimistic view but I don't believe we can retreat as each decision is powered by money and we all know money always wins.

Here's to hoping for more years of exploration, getting outdoors and keeping this a quiet mountain town.