Operation Shore Patrol 2017

pnw4wda.org

pnw4wda.org

On the third weekend every September the small coastal town of Grayland is invaded by Jeep clubs.  Actually they are invaded by Jeep clubs and bargain hunters, as this weekend is also their 30 miles of Junk sale weekend, but that is not what this is about.  Why you may ask.  Operation Shore Patrol!

Operation Shore Patrol was founded in 1971 by the Pacific Northwest Four Wheel Drive Association (PNW4WDA) and supported by Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Dept. of Ecology and The Ocean Conservancy, Operation Shore Patrol is an annual clean up of Washington State Coastline beaches.  Through continued support of local regional and national organization this initiative has been able to continually rid our beaches of litter and debris that accumulates from public use, illegal dumping and from the Pacific Ocean.

The PNW4WDA which is dedicated to preserving our environment for future generations saw the need to form an organized cleanup of our coastline beaches.  The PNW4WDA was founded in 1960 and has always stood by the education of land issues through work parties, clean ups, rallys and jamborees.  Of course these events would not be possible without the generous support of volunteers and sponsors.

Who else involved with the clean up effort?

Chamber of Commerce        
Department of Ecology
Grays harbor County Commissioners & Public Works
Merchants Associations
Retail Stores
Service Clubs/VFW Lodges
Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission
Cities of Westport/Ocean Shores/Long Beach
Good Sams
Interested Citizens
Peninsula School
Scouts
Telephone Pioneers
Grass Roots Garbage Gang

The Department of Ecology donates posters to participants and Grays Harbor County provides debris disposal. Local merchants and service groups provide various breakfast, lunch and dinner feeds for volunteers.  They also offer discounts and contribute door prizes for raffles.  All interested citizens are urged to participate.

There are 3 OSP events on this weekend:  Region 1 in Ocean Shores, Region 2 Grayland/Westport, Region 3 Longbeach

This year the Olympia Jeep team had the honor of hanging out with the Region 2 group at Grayland/Westport.  The region 2 event is hosted by The Tacoma Webfooters.  The Kenanna RV Park in Grayland is overrun with Jeepers and volunteers there to help the OSP event.  This gathering is a group of people committed to conservation, there are kids and pets, and yes...lots of Jeeps, and every other kind of offroad vehicle on hand.  They bring trailers for the big trash, lots of food and high spirits.

Friday night is all about just getting there.  People rolling in all day, and into the wee hours of the night.  The hosts are busy with preparations for the weekend events.  It is close to midnight before the host group shuts it down for the night, only to get up at the crack of dawn to get the day started.  Most people don't fully realize just how much planning and work go into an event like this.  There are reservations to be made, camping assignments (worse then seating at a wedding:  I want this spot, I don't want to be by this group, I need, can I have etc.), acquiring sponsors, raffle/door prizes, permits, and a 100 other little details.

The real fun starts Saturday morning.  The host group is up at the crack of dawn to get things rolling.  Registration and the event start at 8.  The host team meets bright and early and everybody picks their assignments for the day.  You see, they don't just wander willie nillie down the beach, the want to make sure that it is well covered, and fun.  So, this event is also a fun run with 5 check point stations along the beach.  Each station will have a game where the groups can earn points, for prizes at the end of the run.  Once all of the assignments are given, the checkpoints head out to their assigned space.

8am:  Here they come!  For those that are get up and get at it types, they are there as soon as registration opens at 8.  For others, you can smell the bacon cooking, and they roll through a little later.  Every body, even those that are not particularly "morning people" seem to be in good spirits.  The kids are running around, bundled up, and ready for a day on the beach, pets are prancing, eagerly waiting for their chance to explore and the rumble of Jeeps breaks the silence of the morning.

From 8am until 2pm you will find Jeeps running up and down the beach.  Kids playing, everybody with garbage bags.  During the clean up it is pretty amazing what they find.  From wrappers to huge drums and random scrap.  Lots of old netting, beer cans, and just general trash.  The summer season takes its toll on the beach.  While there is a lot of work going on, there is a lot of fun too.  With the games at each of the check points, you will see kids (of all ages) running up and down the beach, playing in the sand, and flying kites.

As people wrap the fun run, they end at the last check point.  The dumpster, where there are again, more volunteers to help load all the trash they have picked up into the dumpster where it can be disposed of properly.  Then, it's off to enjoy the beach, back to camp for a nap, or stop by one of the local eateries for some lunch.

3pm:  All the participants gather at the Twin Harbor parking lot for a wonderful parade through Westport.  It is during this gathering, that you realize, just how many people there are, it is heartwarming.  The mood is light and fun, and everyone has candy, ready to throw at the bystanders.  It is simply fun!!
The Sheriff and local responders help block a couple of roads briefly for us to pass, everyone knows something fun is about to happen.

As the Jeeps fire up, you can't help but feel a flutter in your heart and perhaps a small lump in your throat, pride in the magnitude of this moment.  All types, all walks of life coming together for the conservation of our beautiful beaches.  Old friends gathered, new friends made, it is magical...then it gets better.

As the OSP parade sets out and heads into Westport, the locals are gathered along the sides of the street, hanging over their fence, or standing in their driveway, and cheering, with hearty waves, and shouts of THANK YOU!!!   As we pass the Soccer field all the players stop and wave and scream thank you in unison.  A job well done.

While we are parading, the Chamber of Commerce is delivering enough food to feed this offroad army back at the park, and the hosts are busy setting up, and getting ready for dinner.  Many will stay in town, and spend a little money in this wonderful coastal town, others head back for a nap (it's been a long day after all).

As the late afternoon wears on, and the evening (& dinner) approaches, there is a steady stream of traffic coming back into camp.   Dirty vehicles, dirty kids, wet and sandy pets and smiles, and everyone has a story.  The camaraderie is palpable.  Whether they are with the same club or not.  Whether it is your first time, or if you have been coming for years, everybody has a story, and there is always a willing ear, and new friendships are formed.

Dinner is hot, and there is plenty of it, with a little cake to wash it all down with.  If you leave the hall hungry, that is on you, because there is plenty for all.  There are chats, and laughing, and the rush to get in the final purchase of raffle tickets.  The door prizes have been handed out, and now it is time to wait for the big raffle.  There are tables of stuff donated by sponsors and local vendors.  The money raised for the raffle will go into the kitty of the host club.  This money will go to support their community efforts  through the year. The hot commodity, and a separate raffle purchase is a huge set of tires and winch.  But don't be fooled, the other prizes on the general raffle table are equally impressive.  There are ARB chairs (if you don't know what they are, find out, they are amazing!) back up cameras, offroad accessories and gear, and jelly fish lights (surprisingly popular).

7pm:  The raffle begins, it is fun.  There are of course lots of grunts and groans when the host draws the "wrong number" and whoops and hollers from those that feel that was the perfect number!

Once the raffle is over, and the dinner dishes done, and the chairs stacked and put away, and all of the days events are finally wrapped, the host club, can finally relax and kick up their feet up. They have worked hard, they have donated 100s of hours over the last year, and most of their time during this event.  It is time to relax.

The campfires are lit, and the real story telling begins, people wandering from fire to fire to the wee hours.  The Olympia Jeep team was truly honored to spend the weekend with these wonderful giving people, and to be a part of Operation Shore Patrol.  We look forward to next year.

A huge THANK YOU to the Tacoma Webfooters for their time and energy, and for putting on a spectacular event.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our tent and visited with the team and took the time to learn more about what Olympia Jeep has to offer, it was a pleasure to get to know you, and we look forward to seeing you next year.

To find out more about this event and other like it, we recommend you visit the Pacific NW 4WD Association website at pnw4wda.org.  We also encourage you to join this organization and help lend your voice to their conservation efforts.  You do not need to be a member of a Jeep club to support or participate in these events.  However, if you are looking for a club to join, this is a great resource.

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