There’s no place more peaceful and pure than a sliver of untouched earth, away from society and its modern luxuries, where city lights can’t interrupt the stars’ shine. I sometimes hike for miles and rest my head on cold, hard ground just to escape civilization and the stress that seeps into everyday life. Like many, disconnecting from the world brings me balance and solitude. Seeing “no service” on the screen of my cell phone makes me feel free.
In December, Mount Rainier National Park revealed that it would consider proposals from Verizon and T-Mobile to provide cell service in the 117-year-old park that has forever been known for its minimal-to-nonexistent reception, and most Rainier veterans prefer it that way. The announcement was made months after five congressional Democrats wrote an open letter to then President Obama urging him to allocate funds to establishing broadband in the national parks, and even as someone who is admittedly guilty of going “out of range” to avoid reading emails and answering calls, I say go for it, Rainier. Pave paradise and put up a cell phone tower.