Late Summer Thoughts from the Coast

[Wyody]

(((the following commentary is a bit of comic respite from a new Oregander ... er ... Oregonian and is in no way intended to make fun of or disparage our wonderful guests from neighboring states)))
__________________


It's been a nice summer - a gentle summer.
It's been about 3 months since we've been able to go anywhere because of the throngs of people vacationing at the coast and/or passing through my town on their way to vacations at the coast.
It's been about 3 months since I've been able to make a left-hand turn from my street to the highway after 6:00 in the morning.
It's been about 3 months since we've been able to take our lunch hour, make it to a restaurant with no waiting, sit down, have a nice, quiet meal and head home relaxed and refreshed.
Here are my thoughts:
Dear Folks from California and Washington: You know I love you - please go home ... and while there, consider some refresher courses in driving skills and especially in road-rage attitudes (It's contagious - I have it now). Glad you came. Some folks are glad you came and shopped. Go home. Go Home! Go HOME! It's like family that stayed way too long and borrowed all our clothes and took the car without our permission and wrecked it! Just who the heck taught you folks how to discipline children anyway? Don't look so sad - we still love you - see you next year! We'll be up for the fall colors. We'll see each other again. Go Home! And Californians, we'll be down just as soon as they side-slice your state into Three States and make one of them liveable - just .... please ... take your Bermuda shorts and Go Now!
To all of our Idaho friends: Look, we didn't make the decision for you. You're the ones who decided to live in Idaho. Not our fault. Go Home! Summer's over.

Now, this is my first tourist season here - but I somehow get the impression I can speak for all of our coastal citizens when I say - Closing Time! Last Call! Hurry! Don't want to get stuck here all winter do ya? Bye! Buh-Bye!
Write! Enjoy your state.
Now, I'm not sure anybody else comes here. I've seen a couple of B.C. plates and a couple of Alberta plates - oh, and maybe two Utah plates - and that's it! Like our own little, private, northwest world.
(Hey, PDX, are they gone yet?)
Oh - and PEACE - you know I don't mean it - - - yes I do! Go on! Go ON!
(Craaaap, I need a Gin & Tonic!!)

(((the above commentary is a bit of comic respite from a new Oregander ... er ... Oregonian and is in no way intended to make fun of or disparage our wonderful guests from neighboring states)))

[PDXnative]

We don't go camping until AFTER Labor Day. The coast and campgrounds throughout the state have become WAY too packed. You need to get reservations a year in advance for some places. Seriously!!!! We plan to stay in Seaside for a week starting Sept 1.

Washington drivers suck!!!!! And Californian drivers are RUDE!!!

Originally Posted by Wyody

(((the following commentary is a bit of comic respite from a new Oregander ... er ... Oregonian and is in no way intended to make fun of or disparage our wonderful guests from neighboring states)))
__________________


It's been a nice summer - a gentle summer.
It's been about 3 months since we've been able to go anywhere because of the throngs of people vacationing at the coast and/or passing through my town on their way to vacations at the coast.
It's been about 3 months since I've been able to make a left-hand turn from my street to the highway after 6:00 in the morning.
It's been about 3 months since we've been able to take our lunch hour, make it to a restaurant with no waiting, sit down, have a nice, quiet meal and head home relaxed and refreshed.
Here are my thoughts:
Dear Folks from California and Washington: You know I love you - please go home ... and while there, consider some refresher courses in driving skills and especially in road-rage attitudes (It's contagious - I have it now). Glad you came. Some folks are glad you came and shopped. Go home. Go Home! Go HOME! It's like family that stayed way too long and borrowed all our clothes and took the car without our permission and wrecked it! Just who the heck taught you folks how to discipline children anyway? Don't look so sad - we still love you - see you next year! We'll be up for the fall colors. We'll see each other again. Go Home! And Californians, we'll be down just as soon as they side-slice your state into Three States and make one of them liveable - just .... please ... take your Bermuda shorts and Go Now!
To all of our Idaho friends: Look, we didn't make the decision for you. You're the ones who decided to live in Idaho. Not our fault. Go Home! Summer's over.

Now, this is my first tourist season here - but I somehow get the impression I can speak for all of our coastal citizens when I say - Closing Time! Last Call! Hurry! Don't want to get stuck here all winter do ya? Bye! Buh-Bye!
Write! Enjoy your state.
Now, I'm not sure anybody else comes here. I've seen a couple of B.C. plates and a couple of Alberta plates - oh, and maybe two Utah plates - and that's it! Like our own little, private, northwest world.
(Hey, PDX, are they gone yet?)
Oh - and PEACE - you know I don't mean it - - - yes I do! Go on! Go ON!
(Craaaap, I need a Gin & Tonic!!)

(((the above commentary is a bit of comic respite from a new Oregander ... er ... Oregonian and is in no way intended to make fun of or disparage our wonderful guests from neighboring states)))

[Wyody]

Well, I think drivers from both, California and Washington suck ... and that both are also rude. However, I notice that when the California drivers cause accidents, they make it away from the scene and down the road either not knowing or not caring (or both) that they left an injury accident behind them ... while the Washington drivers are still sitting there involved in the smash-up. Not sure what that indicates.
And truly, this is not to absolve Oregon drivers. I notice who ever isn't a local 'cause the locals have it pretty-much figured out.
This whole week has been INSANE bumper-to-bumper stuff all day long and into the night. Sirens wailing and wailing,
I've lived in touristed areas before ... but this is the crowning glory of all I've seen!!
Great news on the camping trip! We've got to travel the state this weekend (Portland) and next week (Grant's Pass) - and I'm not thrilled about it at all!
I know folks need a break - they need to get out - vacation season is winding down - Oregon truly is beautiful almost every where I've been - but the sheer numbers are overwhelming!
No wonder y'all haven't wanted any newcomers for over 20 years!

[Wyody]

Well, those heaving throngs ... those huddled masses ... they've gone home now ... most of them.
What a difference losing a few million people makes!!
I can now drive through town again - and take left-hand turns onto Highway 101 from my street. I can go to the grocery and gas-station and restaurant and still be able to breathe normally once I get there!
The "townies" are more relaxed now.
Summer has finally come to the Oregon Coast! They tell me we'll have a couple months of nice days with sun-shine, nice temperatures and so, Oregon is Eden again.
No pressure - we can walk the beach again - which will lessen our long hikes to "Unseen Falls" and "Softly Falling Forest", across "Old Time Hill" and down by "Speaking Creek". Blackberries still on the vine - don't know why they call it a noxious-pest-weed here.
Thanks for coming, Vacationers but most of all, Thanks for Leaving!!