June 19, 2004

Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: W.

Number of people: 4. Walking or running: 4. Other Activities: Camping, bicycling, gathering driftwood. Observed two sets of people camping. This was a first. One couple appeared to be camping on the beach, above the high tide line. they were gathering driftwood, but had made no fires.A different group (didn't observe the people) had a tent in the dunes above the high tide line. They had some kind of fire going because there was smoke rising from the area of the tent. I could not see if the smoke came from a stove or an open fire.Apparently Tillamook County now allows camping on the Bayocean Spit. However, no fires are allowed in the dune area so the smoke I saw came from a seemingly illegal use of fire.

Driftwood removal, Fire

Total stranded mammals: 1. Harbor seal, seen on the bay side of the spit.

I have concern about people camping. As I left the parking area around 9:30 PM, there were still 7 vehicles in the parking lot. People in a couple of the vehicles appeared to be staying overnight, although a sign indicated this is prohibited. Others were probably camping although I only saw two sets of campers. My concern is about how much Tillamook County enforces its rules on the Spit.