Highways broken, Idyllwild suddenly feels a bit too alone

IDYLLWILD, Calif. - In this mountain community with the dreamy self-image, politics once focused on things like excessive flyovers by commercial airliners, the proliferation of stray pets and the alleged unfairness of a grocery story DVD kiosk competing with the town's beloved video store.

Idyllwild's cause celebres tended toward high passion, but usually without a life-altering wallop. That changed in a seeming instant five months ago, when record-setting rainfall washed away one main road to the community and left another severely damaged and available only part of each day.

Now, the town of 3,380, which calls itself "the home of adventure, music, art and harmony," is bereft of many of the visitors who power the tourist economy. It's also missing the easy access to the supplies, services and labor provided by the "flatlands" below. Locals, who seemingly had outwitted madding civilization, now fret over doctors' visits delayed, commutes doubled or tripled and cash registers rendered