Incident at Placid Lake

Dear Editor:

I recently had an experience with one of our great state parks that I feel is very wrong to those of us who hunt, fish and pay taxes to our great state.

During a recent stay at Placid Lake State Park, I arrived later in the evening about 8:30 p.m. to select a site and pay in full for four nights camping. Leaving the campsite the camp host stated we "lock" the gate at 10 p.m. Not having dinner we went to the nearest town (approx 8 miles) and proceeded to have dinner. Knowing that the camp host said we were locked out we decided to return the next day.

After arriving and relaxing we decided we wanted to go swimming. We proceeded to do so and then we were told by the camp host that it was against the law to swim after dark and we must quit and return to our camp. Frustrated I started to question him on his law, stating that I have been camping for many years in state parks and never heard of such a law. He proceeded to say that each state park host can introduce rules and regulations as they see fit. After asking him to explain how a camp host can "make up" rules as he sees fit he was agitated and ordered us to quit and return to our campsite. Well, in order not to start a scene I retreated to my campsite for the evening. The next morning I was greeted by a Park Ranger and was given a citation for $60 for not sleeping at my campsite when I first arrived there. The sign posted at the entrance says, "Campsite must be occupied nightly" There are many ways to interpret that. The dictionary states "occupied" to fill up, to hold. Which with my motor home there and the site paid for in full to me constitutes occupied. Many of us who are campers know that the early bird gets the worm. By taking your camping unit to the site and paying in full for all the nights you get the site you prefer. The sign does NOT say person or persons must occupy campsite nightly or you will be fined. I know that this camp host felt that his toes were stepped on due to me questioning his authority to make rules so he felt revenge would be the best medicine.

I would like everyone to be aware that if you choose to camp at Placid Lake State Park located on Hwy 83 South of Seeley Lake and you do NOT SLEEP in your camp unit you will be fined $60.

So much for our taxes at work for our great state.

Shelley Grubham, Kalispell, Mont.