Yachats Oregon Writer Rick Schultze

Well I know we are alive and kicking in Waldport and Yachats and Florence. Just try to cross Hwy 101 without bumping into vehicles or pedestrians, it can be tricky, but on the flip side, people are visiting this area in droves! It’s a great and welcome sight to see the faces of folks happy to be here. During the doldrums of a wet and soggy winter we saw some visitors but once the sun came out, schools let out and the 4^th of July weekend happened things have changed and as they say “here we go again!” As a long time Central Oregon Coastal resident I’d like to give you a quick reminder that the highways and byways here on the coast from North to South are a bit different than the freeway and city street systems many visitors are used to and it takes a bit more concentration since the views are so often spectacular that often people will forget they are on a busy road and slow down suddenly to take in the view. Well this is fine if there is plenty of room and nobody is following too closely. If not you might witness a fender bender or two. It can be hard to drive behind someone who isn’t quite sure where they are going and continually slows down and speeds up trying to find a street or turnoff. I’d suggest that defensive driving skills be implemented this time of year especially since we here generally know where we are going as opposed to visitors who aren’t sure.But how can you really complain about the drivers who are visitors and are soaking in the amazing sights of the coast? It’s one thing if you are driving through Portland and dealing with freeway on and off ramps and the endless merging necessary to get from one side of town to the other. Here it’s nature that holds the wild card. A huge cloud formation on the horizon or the sun magnificently setting can throw even the most cautious driver for a loop. Those things are just too awesome to witness, but lets all take a moment and remember we are sharing the roads with others so be careful and enjoy what this great area has to offer!! Enjoy summer, it seems to have arrived! To reach Rick Schultze email yarick@pioneer.net