James Kim

This post is in memory of James Kim. He is the heroic father of two young girls ages 4 and 7 months who died while valiantly searching for help for his stranded family. His family was on their way to a lodge somewhere near the Oregon Coast and they got lost while trying to negotiate their way there after missing a turnoff for the correct highway. That road is about 40 minutes from our home. He and his wife tried a smaller road that should have led them to the right place, and sadly they somehow missed the signs that told them that road was impassable in winter. They got lost on logging rads as they tried to get to lower elevation and out of the heavy snow falling as they drove.

When I first heard that news I was shocked. How could a family take a road that isn't passable in winter? Why would anyone do that? Doesn't common sense tell you that is a bad idea? I was flummoxed. Then I heard a few days later that the first road they took was chained off, but vandals cut the lock and the road block was open when the Kims' came upon it.

I was sick.

Some (descriptor I cannot post) cut the lock off for a stupid reason and now a good man died as a result. Were the vandals going four wheeling? Cutting trees illegally? Growing pot out there in late fall? Whatever it was...I hope keeps them warm at night as they think about the death of James Kim.