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Sweetwater · 04-13-2004, 03:05 PM

What is happening in regard to Race Point Sand Permits is a combination of economics, politics, and human nature.

Economically, SUV sales have skyrocketed in the US. It is no wonder that when I got a pass in the late 1990's, I didn't bother picking it up until late July, since I really only fish RP from late August on. However, 2 years ago they were gone in May, last year they were gone in 18 days, and this year they'll be gone in just 5 or 6 days. This is mapping closely to increased sales of 4WD vehicles.

Politics: Ever since 9/11, people have been looking to vacation closer to home, and places they can drive to. The Cape is such a popular destination, and Race Point for both beach goers and fishermen. So, now we have the people and the means (SUVs).

Human Nature: People value what is rare. People in the old Soviet Union stood in line for toilet paper longer than I did for my permit (5 hours). I talked to a guy registering both his RV and a truck (both annuals) to guarantee that he could get on the one week he'd planned for vacation. Another guy drove from Pennsylvania on Saturday, registered his truck, drove back to Penn, got his son's truck, drove back and registered it. People are panicking and getting stickers "JUST IN CASE" they might want to use it. This is craziness.

The problem is not the internet, the problem is not cell-phones, the problem is not someone blabbing about it to all their friends. The problem is that the world we live in is changing, and there is a huge population of people between here and Pennsylvania looking for a place like RP.

As far as solutions go, I have none. Maybe a beach-goers pass (for June to August) and a fisherman pass (for September to November). Maybe (since I've had a sticker since 1999), a seniority system, where people who have had stickers for the past 2-4 years (consistently) get first choice. Regrettably, I think what the National Seashores will try first, is to again raise the price to $150 or more. Sadly, I think this would just lead to the gentrification of Race Point.

04-13-2004, 03:05 PM	#80
Sweetwater Ruled only by the tide iTrader: (0) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Truro Posts: 801	What's going on? What is happening in regard to Race Point Sand Permits is a combination of economics, politics, and human nature. Economically, SUV sales have skyrocketed in the US. It is no wonder that when I got a pass in the late 1990's, I didn't bother picking it up until late July, since I really only fish RP from late August on. However, 2 years ago they were gone in May, last year they were gone in 18 days, and this year they'll be gone in just 5 or 6 days. This is mapping closely to increased sales of 4WD vehicles. Politics: Ever since 9/11, people have been looking to vacation closer to home, and places they can drive to. The Cape is such a popular destination, and Race Point for both beach goers and fishermen. So, now we have the people and the means (SUVs). Human Nature: People value what is rare. People in the old Soviet Union stood in line for toilet paper longer than I did for my permit (5 hours). I talked to a guy registering both his RV and a truck (both annuals) to guarantee that he could get on the one week he'd planned for vacation. Another guy drove from Pennsylvania on Saturday, registered his truck, drove back to Penn, got his son's truck, drove back and registered it. People are panicking and getting stickers "JUST IN CASE" they might want to use it. This is craziness. The problem is not the internet, the problem is not cell-phones, the problem is not someone blabbing about it to all their friends. The problem is that the world we live in is changing, and there is a huge population of people between here and Pennsylvania looking for a place like RP. As far as solutions go, I have none. Maybe a beach-goers pass (for June to August) and a fisherman pass (for September to November). Maybe (since I've had a sticker since 1999), a seniority system, where people who have had stickers for the past 2-4 years (consistently) get first choice. Regrettably, I think what the National Seashores will try first, is to again raise the price to $150 or more. Sadly, I think this would just lead to the gentrification of Race Point.
	Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn.