Dane and Lynda Kayak

Time: 1.92 hours Distance: 5.7 miles We put into the Trask River at Carnahan Park in Tillamook, OR and paddled up-river until the river got very shallow and too swift to paddle further. We hit heavy rain on the way to the park and it started raining again as we got out but we only had a few sprinkles during the trip. There were winds of over 10 mph but the small river gave us good protection so the trip was fairly pleasant if a bit short. Lynda preparing to put in. Again the only picture of the day as we'd forgotten our dry bags and phone cases back in Portland.

Time: 3.2 hours Distance: 9.76 miles It was Lynda's birthday and we put into the Nehalem River at the Tillamook County Boat ramp where the Nehalem River enters Nehalem Bay. The day was cool and overcast with the forecast calling for winds from 8-12 mph and intermittent rain. We paddled up-river for just over and hour and a half before turning back. The trip up-river had little wind and no rain but the winds picked up on the way back. The winds died down again near the end and we managed to get out before the rain started making for a nice paddle. Lynda preparing to put in. Our only picture for the day as we forgot our dry bags and phone cases in Portland.

Time: 2.77 hours Distance: 9.11 miles   We put into Lake Merwin at Speelyai Park and paddled east towards Yale Dam then up Canyon Creek until we were blocked by a small waterfall. The day was absolutely beautiful with mostly sunny skies, light wind and temperatures in the low 70s. There were quite a lot of paddles out and some motor boats but nothing that caused any real issues. A great paddle.    Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda paddling on the lake. Lynda paddling just after leaving the main section of the lake and paddling towards the dam. The waterfall that blocked us from going further on Canyon Creek.   Lynda under a small waterfall on the way back. Lynda looking for rocks on the shore. Yale bridge. After beers at Three Mugs new brew pub.

Time: 2.7 hours Distance: 8.07 miles We put into Gee Creek at Bill's Crossing on Sauvie Island with the intention of paddling into Sturgeon Lake. We hit a blockage within about a quarter mile and had to turn back. Changing the plan we paddled out to the Columbia River, portaged over a barrier between Gee Creek and the Columbia River and then proceeded up-river to where the Willamette River joins the Columbia before turning back. The day we beautiful with light clouds and only the most gentle breeze. The water was calm and there were relatively few boats out making for a very nice paddle. Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda just after we reached the Columbia. An Osprey nesting on a short pylon near the entrance to Gee Creek. He was not happy out us passing by. Lynda taking a quick break as we turned around. A large ship coming up behind Lynda on the way back. It looked MUCH bigger live. The ship passing by us. The bulge of water at its front is probably 4-5 feet high. Lynda paddling do

Time: 2.92 hours Distance: 9.41 miles We put into the Columbia River at the docks in Columbia View Park (under renovation) in St. Helens, OR. We paddled down-river then around Sand Island before turning back up-river to paddle along the east side of Sauvie Island. Finally we paddled back down-river to return to our starting point. The tide was going out the entire trip and coupled with the river's flow up-river was slow going in several places but the paddle back was very quick averaging ~6 mph. The day was mostly sunny with a pleasant breeze and while there were quite a few boats on the water they were almost all on the east side of the Columbia, well away from us. A great day.    Lynda on the dock preparing to put in. A large pylon at the south end of Sand Island. Lynda paddling up-river on the Columbia approaching a buoy. Lynda's Buoy Series. The lighthouse on the northeast side of Sauvie Island. Lynda scouting for rocks on a short break. Lynda at the turn around point facin

Time: 3.05 hours Distance: 10.06 We put into the Willamette River at Willamette Park in West Linn and paddled up-river to just before Hebb Park before turning back. The day was overcast and cool and we hit a few small showers and a bit of wind but the river traffic was light making for a easy paddle. Lynda preparing to put in. The Willamette at the Narrows. Lynda paddling the Willamette. Lynda paddling through the Narrows on our way back down-river. Another entry to Lynda's Buoy Series.

Time: 2.6 hours Distance: 8.1 miles We put into the Columbia River at Broughton Beach Park and paddled up-river to the I205 bridge before turning back. It was a very warm day with temperatures in the high 80s but little wind. There were quite a few boats on the river but they were mostly quite a distance from us so we had no real issues with wake. An beautiful day to paddle. Lynda preparing to put in.  A view from the Columbia River looking East. Mt. Hood in the far distance. Underneath the I205 bridge. Lynda preparing to head back. Dane takes a break to watch a plan come in.   After beers at Level Brewing.

Time: 3.15 hours Distance: 10.49 miles We put into the Willamette River at Cathedral Park under the St. John's Bridge in Portland, OR. We paddled up-river to the I405 Bridge before turning back. The day was a bit overcast but a pleasant temperature with very light winds. There was a fair amount of river traffic but mostly the boats passed us by quite a ways out so we didn't experience much in the way of wake swells. Overall a nice paddle. Lynda preparing to put in. A view of the Willamette River.  Passing under the railroad bridge. Lynda paddling the Willamette. Passing under the St. John's Bridge.