On our deck we have a little plaque that reads, “If you’re lucky enough to live by the sea, you’re lucky enough.” And that’s how I feel every single day. I live on Maury’s Sandy Shores, and, these days, thanks to victory over Glacier, we are all feeling even luckier that our neighborhood’s flora and fauna are safe from corperate greed. But during Memorial Day weekend, I felt afraid again.

After two days of nearly constant chainsaw-like noise from a group of jet-skiing weekenders, staying at a neighbor’s summer house, I was feeling grumpy.

They were teasing the groups of Canadian Geese families that frequent our waters and did nothing when the 10-year-old in their group threw rocks at the birds.

But my perspective changed from annoyance to horror when I saw the jet skiers purposely plow through the geese again and again. I couldn’t believe my eyes; this was how they were having fun, right down to the young boy who took obvious delight in driving his ski over a dying goose.

I think we all need to realize that when we rent or loan our Island property, it is important that we consider who our guests are and how they will behave.

Visitors must realize that it might be their weekend, but it is our home. They should know that if it’s possible to take their motorized vehicles to a nearby undeveloped area, they should; their weekend neighbors might not enjoy hearing their music or parties well into the night, and Vashon is home to many wild things that trust us to respect them.

Please consider talking with your guests or posting a reminder where they stay. We must protect our Island.

— Devon Atkins