I must oppose the recent suggestion to rename Middle Mountain in Vallecito to Dylan Mountain.
Dylan Redwine’s remains were found in this small section of the national forest and now, the mountain will forever hold a glow of morbid reverence in his name. To rename the mountain for him would not only prolong the heartbreak of Dylan’s story, but would directly insult the family and hold Dylan’s memory in an encasement of painful thoughts.
At this impasse, I suggest an alternative: Name something he loved in his memory, perhaps a baseball field or park, a place where people can smile and recall his life happily, not choke back unsmiling and somber tears.
I did not know Dylan, but he deserves the respect and humility of not having his name and story attached to the place where the sad search came to an end.
Lucille O’Hare
Durango
