Having a coffee shop is almost like being a bartender. You get to meet and chat with great people and learn so much about what is going on. Turns out I have the scoop from both sides. I met the ladies who own the strip of land (the rocks) on the river. They were really nice and alot of fun and they told us why they put up the signs. A few years ago their mother offered the land to the county in return for reduced taxes. THE COUNTY SAID NO and turned down their offer. The women are constantly having to clean up some very nasty messes. It only takes a few inconsiderate people to ruin it for everyone. People break beer bottles there, use it as a toilet, etc. and the ladies are the ones to clean it up. There is also a liability issue. The other side is that it is such a shame that so many people who enjoy it without making a mess can no longer use it legally. I am a neutral party and consider the Kayak rental folks my friends as well as the women who own the rocks. It would be great if the county would buy it or at least open a line of communication so that the issue can be resolved. The reason the signs keep coming and going is because people have been removing them and the ladies keep putting them back.

Thanks for the insight Lillypad. I had heard something to that effect, but it was a distorted rumor by the time it got to me. Putting myself in their shoes, I can see their point and they sound like very fair people. Picking up broken bottles and watching people urinate in your view is not exactly a fun time in the mountains.

Perhaps the rafting companies and a few volunteers could commit to keeping it clean for them until the county wakes up and sees this as an important "landmark" they could get for a steal. I wonder if the county's footing the bill for the gravel maintenance there anyway?