Summary

Douglas County is a place of diverse experiences and deep personal connections, often misunderstood by outsiders but cherished by its residents for its natural beauty, community ties, and the author's own familial roots.

Abstract

Douglas County, often stereotyped by external perceptions of economic hardship and social issues, is portrayed through the author's personal lens as a multifaceted community. The author, whose father has been a local dentist for decades, reflects on the intimate connections within the town, where everyone's well-being is intertwined. Despite the challenges faced by the community, including unemployment and substance abuse, the author chooses to focus on the area's stunning landscapes, such as the serene beauty of a crashed plane at the bottom of Fish Lake. The narrative highlights moments of joy and success, like the laughter of a boy catching his first fish, alongside struggles and failures, such as friends receiving DUIs. The author speaks to a transformation in their own perspective, from embarrassment to pride in being from Douglas County, celebrating the area's unique character and the bonds formed in places like local bars and hardware stores. The text is a testament to the author's complex relationship with their hometown, marked by moments of excitement, monotony, and life-saving heroism.

Opinions

The author rejects the negative stereotypes attributed to Douglas County, instead emphasizing its positive aspects and personal connections.
There is a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of the region, as seen in the description of the wrecked plane in Fish Lake and the mention of local landmarks like Cow Creek and Old Woman Swamp.
The author expresses a sense of pride and belonging, having witnessed both the struggles and triumphs of friends and community members.
The narrative conveys a transformation in the author's feelings towards their hometown, evolving from embarrassment to a sense of pride and ownership.
The author values the community's resilience and the shared experiences that bind its residents together, such as the collective relief and silent praise after a life-threatening incident.
The text suggests that the true essence of Douglas County lies in its people, their stories, and the intimate knowledge they share, rather than in the slower pace of life or the occasional excitement of its activities.

Douglas County

Tree faller to the world,

Lumber mills, ranchers, hunters and fishers

Rainy, grey, brooding, and misty.

City of Little to No Money.

My Dad has been the town dentist for over 30 years, and in some way, I’m connected to everyone’s dental health.

They say you are meth and unemployment, and I don’t believe them.

I have seen these things and choose to not let it define you.

I have seen the beauty of a wrecked plane at the bottom of Fish Lake on a sunny July morning when a boy falls off a log catching his first fish, and the laughter echoes off the isolated shores.

I have seen friends get DUI’s and fail,

But I have seen friends own businesses and have families and succeed.

I don’t know you anymore,

Yet I see you on bar stools and at hardware stores and you know me.

I know more than I remember; we catch up fast.

I used to be embarrassed at being from Douglas County,

And now on Facebook I proudly post that I am headed home to DougCo and South County pride.

I’m ashamed I didn’t stay. You say “Idaho” like it’s an exotic word.

Sometimes slow and dreary and monotone

Other times exciting.

Bucking hay in a field, waiting for someone to drive by,

Just so we have an excuse to drive to the creek and swim.

Taking her to Cow Creek for the first time,

showing the beauty of Old Woman Swamp to Doodle:

Driving Jeeps across the river,

A 15-year-old kid swimming a child across the river almost drowned

and I saved him. The mom sobs to me

“thank you for both of my sons.”

I laid on the hard rock and panted, too tired for “you’re welcomes.”

Everyone cracked a beer in silent praise of my efforts, glad THEY didn’t have to do it.

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