July 5, 2014

Two couples in tents just above the high tide mark were the only people we saw on our miles, but there were many more than that, maybe 30 or 35 north where Sparrow Park Road meets the beach.

Report Details

Two couples in tents just above the high tide mark were the only people we saw on our miles, but there were many more than that, maybe 30 or 35 north where Sparrow Park Road meets the beach. The Japanese junk I mentioned earlier was the only unusual thing on the beach, all else was as usual.

Conditions

Temperature: 70 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 2. Number of dogs: 1. Sitting: 2. There were lots of cars parked at the end of Sparrow Park Road and what appeared to be several big families partying on the beach. This was where Sparrow Park Road meets the beach. Also, quite a few tents back up in the dunes and forest fringe. This would be mile 152.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 15. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 5. ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed: 2.

Driftline Content

Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.).

Actions & Comments

The only thing out of the ordinary when we visited our adopted miles just north of the Umpqua jetty--miles 1147 and 148--was a pallet and another piece of junk that looks like part of a pallet, plastic, complete with mussels and barnacles and Japanese writing. We always haul junk off the beach, so I put them in pickup and brought them to our cabin where they are now. If there’s no special thing to do with this kind of junk I’ll just take it to the dump, but I think I heard that there’s some protocol to follow here, some place special to dispose of what might be residue from the Japanese tsunami. Does anyone from Coastwatch know what we should do with it? I hope you are well and enjoying this beautiful summer. Mike Helm