FOR OUR WORLD TUESDAY and NATURE FOOTSTEPS WATERS on Wednesday. (Thank you to the hosts of both wonderful sharing sites!)
We stayed on the Oregon Coast for a few days last week. The days were blue and sunny -- certainly not always the case even in the summer. Although not the most picturesque place on the coast, our long beach was great for walking and meditating.
One of the things I thought about was how lucky Oregon is to have public access to all of its beautiful beaches. Nearly all of them are also off-limits to vehicles.
Most Oregonians (and people who used to be Oregonians) know that Oswald West, Oregon's 14th Governor (serving from 1911-1915) was responsible for this.
This information is from The online OREGON ENCYCLOPEDIA.
In his 1913 biennial message to the legislature, West declared that Oregon's beaches should be declared public domain. There was no formal action at that time, but it was understood that the Oregon coastline was public property. The State "Beach Bill" passed in 1967 made public access to the shoreline permanent, but only because the doctrine created by West had delayed private and commercial development of the beaches for more than a half century. After he left office, West continued to advocate for environmental causes. He wrote "No selfish interest should be permitted, through politics or otherwise, to destroy or even impair this great birthright of our people."
These are the stairs at the edge of the beach going up to the lawn of the motel where we stayed. When I took this picture, I was standing at the edge of the ocean, about 20 feet from the stairs. We could see the ocean from our room and easily walk to the public beach.
A perfect mid-week getaway.
I would love to take a long walk on that beach.
Posted by: lindyloumacinitaly | September 01, 2012 at 06:06 AM
What a beautiful beach!! Sea and sky are shining and welcoming each other. What we do not have in Nara is sea. Nara is a basin surrounded by mountains. I do hope to see this fabulous scenery someday!
keiko
Posted by: snowwhite | August 30, 2012 at 05:21 PM
so much sea and sky - wonderful pics....empty beaches, too - I'll bet the water is really cold!
Posted by: joannemo@comcast.net | August 30, 2012 at 11:09 AM
What lovely shots. This is certainly a place I would enjoy visiting.
The stairs remind me of the ones I saw in Del Mar, Ca. but the beaches there were a lot more rocky, dark and covered in seaweed.
This beach looks so clean and delightful.
Posted by: Rita aka Cashjocky | August 30, 2012 at 12:37 AM
Thank Goodness for Oswald West. It sure does make a difference in the beauty of the Oregon coast. All it takes is one trip on US 1 to see it. Beautiful pictures.
Posted by: Margot | August 29, 2012 at 09:59 PM
Now I like that..public access..and it is a stunning beach..would love to take a walk with you...
Posted by: Rambling Woods | August 28, 2012 at 07:33 PM
Gorgeous beach shots! It seems to extend on forever and ever. I would love to visit Oregon. Must put it on my bucket list. :)
Posted by: Halcyon | August 28, 2012 at 06:13 AM
What a beautiful spot to be, Sallie, and what a debt of gratitude is owed to Oswald West in putting the people and their beaches first. What a forward thinking man he was.
Posted by: Penny | August 28, 2012 at 05:09 AM
Hi there - what a great looking beach - its looks like the kind of place where you can set a walk by the time you want to walk "I'll walk for an hour and then turn around!".
Australia is 15 hours from LA and you can always stop for a few days in New Zealand!
Cheers - Stewart M
Posted by: Stewart M | August 28, 2012 at 03:43 AM
All of the beaches are public access? Wow, that is amazing! What a gift he gave everyone.
Posted by: Robin from Israel | August 27, 2012 at 09:39 PM
A beautiful wide expanse of beach and sky - gorgeous!
Posted by: Carletta | August 27, 2012 at 08:59 PM
What a lovely place to be spending August, Sallie.
Posted by: Hildred | August 27, 2012 at 08:42 PM
Wonderful beach shots!
Posted by: Lady Fi | August 27, 2012 at 08:27 PM
Your beach is gorgeous. (mine pales in comparison!)
Posted by: Lesley | August 27, 2012 at 07:38 PM
it sounds (and looks) wonderful! :)
Posted by: TexWisGirl | August 27, 2012 at 07:11 PM
I love that beach!
Posted by: Sandy Carlson (USA) | August 27, 2012 at 06:31 PM
Imagine! A politician that actually cared about something so important to everyone. Color me very impressed. I visited Cannon Beach with my daughter last year and enjoyed it immensely. And I was so amazed that there were volunteers stationed in different places to help identify many of the sea creatures attached to the rocks.
Posted by: Gail | August 27, 2012 at 06:28 PM
I loved reading about the governor and what he did for all Oregonians and visitors. What a wonderful thing to do. As best I remember, In Palm Beach were I grew up, the big estates on the Atlantic (i.e.the Kennedy Compound) basically own the beach, too. That may have changed considering I am as old as I am, but I doubt it. My memories of Canon Beach are so special. What a heavenly place to visit. Your picture of the seashore and the skies are beautiful. I really enjoyed your post and the history you shared with us. genie
Posted by: genie | August 27, 2012 at 06:00 PM
Those long empty beaches look so inviting.
Posted by: Fun60 | August 27, 2012 at 05:39 PM
I would love to spend some time there.. Maybe some day.. Hope all is well with you
Posted by: Joe Todd | August 27, 2012 at 05:18 PM
I love Oregon's shoreline. The beaches are so scenic and wild. Glad the weather cooperated, Sallie!
Posted by: Barb | August 27, 2012 at 04:58 PM
That was a forward-looking man, we need more like him today. Beautiful photos, I'd love to stay at a motel like that and spend time on a sunny beach.
Posted by: Al | August 27, 2012 at 04:28 PM
It is great that the Oregon beaches are public beaches. I found most of the Oregon coast to be beautiful, I loved it there. Great shots, Sallie!
Posted by: Eileen | August 27, 2012 at 03:39 PM
It's hard to find any beaches more beautiful that the ones in Oregon! Really terrific captures for the day, Sallie!! And definitely a governor ahead of his time! Thanks for the beauty!! Have a great week!
Posted by: Sylvia Kirkwood | August 27, 2012 at 12:25 PM
He had a smart head on his shoulders!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | August 27, 2012 at 12:23 PM
What a vast and wonderful beach and sky. Just looking at your photos is relaxing. I so admire the Governor who sounds ahead of his time and quite visionary when it comes to respecting the environment.
Posted by: Penelope Postcards | August 27, 2012 at 12:14 PM
I think all beaches should be off limits to vehicles! These are beautiful beaches!
Posted by: EG Wow | August 27, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Beautiful shots of the Oregon coastline.
Posted by: Carver | August 27, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Absolutely beautiful place. Very nice shots of the beach.
Posted by: Rajesh | August 27, 2012 at 12:07 PM
My sort of beach! It's good that the sun shone for you too; here the Bank Holiday weekend was a washout, cold and windy...
Posted by: HAZEL | August 27, 2012 at 12:01 PM