Natural dunes marred by human hyperactivity

Sometimes I feel impatient with my species. We humans have to get our pawmarks on every part of the natural world.

Last time our family visited the Oregon Dunes, about twenty-five years ago, we walked along specially built boardwalks and admired the natural unspoiled beauty of the place.

Now it's no longer enough to look at the wind- sculptured sand; people take motorized dune buggy tours, camp on the dunes and even sand- board down them as if they were made of snow.

Sand camping costs money, however, and drinking is forbidden. I guess that's good news.

Locally, battles continue over use of the dunes.