These mountains have witnessed considerable change, yet the slow pace of life in our community might lead us to believe otherwise. A recently unveiled plaque outside of JADAA’s reminds us that Downieville was home to 5,000 people in the 1850s. Just as quickly as the rush arrived, it departed. One of the most noticeable modern shifts concerns tourism—the foot traffic just isn’t the same. Comments like “There are fewer people this year,” “It was better before COVID,” and “It was the lowest participation ever,” prompt me to ask locals about the decline. Reasons range from “the economy” to “they’ve been here, done that,” “the upcoming election,” “climate change,” to a reasonable “I don’t know.” It seems we might have missed the golden, crowded days.

Even though I’m not a fan of multitudes – or small groups of people– I recognize that local traditions and events keep our community alive; that’s why we must be open to new ideas that could introduce fresh faces to keep our local economy moving forward.

With that in mind, here are my suggestions to increase foot traffic in our communities. Note that I don’t have professional experience, but I am full of well-intentioned ideas that might inspire those in power to act:

The New Gold Rush. Clean Water. Water is vital for all forms of life, and the crystal-clear waters of this region are far more valuable than gold. Sure, you can’t wear water to a gala, but enjoying a sandwich and your drink of preference beside it—it’s priceless. This not only enriches your life but also sparks sandwich business opportunities and a common debate: Is a hot dog a sandwich? Come to Downieville and decide!

In Search of the Yeti. The Yeti, Bigfoot’s shy cousin, often overshadowed by a popular brand of outdoor gear, could attract paranormal enthusiasts to the Sierras for a chance to snap a selfie with this elusive creature.

Star Sightings. While visitors typically explore natural wonders during the day, their activities usually end at sunset, leaving a gap – and an opportunity–at night. Inspired by Carl’s column, “The Heavens,” now is the perfect time for stargazing. Look out for the “Winged Horse” and our local “star” resident, best seen an hour after sunset.

Winter Sports. As a person who prefers to observe rather than participate in any sports activity—with a beer and salty snack in hand—I do believe winter time has the potential for new activities that could attract more sports enthusiasts. I suggest skijoring—think of it as a winter ski rodeo which sounds fascinating.

Welcome to Stars Hollow. As an avid fan of Gilmore Girls, I can’t help seeing the similarities between Stars Hollow and Downieville. A pop-up fall festival could draw crowds of thousands of fans like me, who watch the show at least once a year. And no, I won’t be criticized for my lifestyle choices.

Although the reason for the recent decline in turnout remains a mystery, I hope my suggestions spark new ideas for creating activities that will attract more visitors—forest conscious ones—to appreciate the beauty of our communities. But for now, locals, old-timers, newcomers, tourists, and visitors from other galaxies, let’s pretend that change is inevitable and that it may be within our power to transform change into new opportunities—especially with ideas like the pop-up fall festival. Yes, I know that I already brought it up twice.