At 08:26 AM 5/2/99 -0700, Mary Manson wrote:

>Recognizing the ignorance of the majority of tourists to
>beautiful Oregon beaches, *and headlands*, Oregon has
>chosen to retain escape routes for those who meander
>around on the low tide and then proceed to get stranded
>as the tide comes in ..... those are *walking* persons rights
>on the beaches - - -

>which are then abused by the highway-tank, 4X, YEEEA-
>HAaawww thundering herds - and sometimes 2X's -
>whether cycle or vehicle - who proceed to "show their stuff"
>which *real* animals and a few humans would prefer
>not to see, hear or smell ..... You may now flame me but
>kindly take it off the list ??

I'll only flame you because you are mistakenly accusing me
of favoring beach driving. I don't like it.

However, my personal opinion doesn't change the fact that
it was the declaration of Oregon's beaches as a highway
that ultimately led to their protection. Your opinion of
beach driving doesn't change that fact, either.

Long-time Oregon residents in coastal towns usually just
thumb their noses at "no driving" signs when they want
to gather firewood from the beach for winter, etc. Ask
them and they'll start talking about the fact that it's
a highway and there is no legal basis for the state's
closure of various beaches to driving.

I have no idea if they're right or wrong. Since I don't
drive on beaches, I've never had to defend myself in
court over a ticket for driving on a closed beach.



- Don Baccus, Portland OR <dhogaza at pacifier.com>
Nature photos, on-line guides, and other goodies at
http://donb.photo.net