March 10, 2008

Number of people: 4. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 4.

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces. Possibly due to high winds, the beach was quite clean.

several older riprap barriers are present on this mile, as well as many staircases, drainage pipes, and pathways to the beach from most dwellings West of 101.

This is a fairly flat section of beach that sees light but constant use from Waldport citizens and some tourists. With Governor Patterson Park to the North and Beachside State Park to the south, mile 199 gets walked daily by clammers, dogwalkers, joggers and beachcombers. There is an official beach access point at the North end of Beachside SP, and several unofficial acces points, most notably at Seaway Loop and Breakers Street on Hwy 101. There are two creeks which run year round in this mile, and there is a small group of local surfers who surf near the mouth of Little Creek during calm glassy conditions. There is a fair amount of driftwood, especially logs, but not much sign of fires. I saw no dead animals of any kind. I saw Crows and Gulls in equal numbers (about 20 per group, 2 groups of crows, 2 groups of gulls) mostly exclusive of each other. There were many crab shells as well as sand dollars, clam shells, and many small rocks.The southern half of the mile is predominantly a flat beach, with the high tide line terminating at a sandy bluff that ranges from 2' high to 16' in some places. The houses are built quite close to the edge of the bluff in most cases, and many have drain pipes, rip rap, and "private" stairways and paths.The Northern half of the mile has more dunes and dunegrass, houses are built further from the beach, or there is no development between 101 and the ocean.The "Big Stump" that was located in mile 200 has migrated toward the middle of mile 199.The winds were at least 20 mph sustained on my walk, no rain, and only 4 people 2 of whom had dogs, one of the people was far distant, a speck on the horizon.