Dane and Lynda Kayak

Time: 3.41 hours Distance: 12 miles We put in at Captian William Clark Park in Washougal WA on an overcast morning. It looked like we might run into some rain (which we were not prepared for) but about an hour in the clouds broke up and the rest of the day was sunny and warm. We paddled up-river around the North side of Reed Island past Rooster Rock State Park on the other side of the river then back around the South side of Reed Island to our starting point. Lynda preparing to put in. Dane takes a short break to admire the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge. Lynda in fine form paddling back down-river. Lynda coming towards the beach to get out. After beers at 54-40 Brewing.

Time: 3.5 hours Distance: 9.92 miles We put into the Yamhill River at Lafayette Locks Historical Park and decided to try going up-river first. The portage from the park to the river was very steep making putting in (and even more getting out) quite difficult. Going up-river we hit a series of about four different locations we had to portage around within the first mile but then we had smooth paddling for the rest of the day. We paddled up the Yamhill River to where it splits into the North and South Yamhill River. We then paddled up the North Yamhill as far as we could go, turned back and went a mile or two up the South Yamhill before finally turning back. Another beautiful sunny day of paddling. Lynda preparing to put in. The remains of the old locks. Lynda walking around during one of the early portages. Dane working on a portage. Lynda going up the Yamhill river. Lynda marking our location at the end of our journey up the North Yamhill River. Dane paddling back down a narrow area of...

Time: 3 hours Distance: 8.6 miles We put in at the Gobel Mariana. Our original plan was to paddle down-river but the wind and swells were moving down-river so we decided to do the harder paddle against them first and went up-river instead. The day was very hot (reached over 100 degrees F) and we stopped for a quick swim on the way back. Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda paddling down the Columbia River early in the day. Small rocky island on the way down-river. Lynda going around a rocky outcrop on the way down-river. Dane watching as a large ship goes by. Lynda going by a large ship anchored in the Columbia River. Lynda after a short swim on the way back. Lynda enjoying an after-cone in St. Helens.

Time: 3 hours Distance: 9.7 miles We put in at the marina in Ridgefield, paddled down the Lake River to Bachelor Island Slough, out to the Columbia River, down the Columbia to where Lake River joins it and then back up Lake River to our starting point. The day was sunny and warm and the river traffic was light. Another pleasant paddle. Lynda preparing to put in. Dane heading out of the Bachelor Island Slough into the Columbia River. Lynda heading downriver on the Columbia. Lynda taking a short break on the banks of the Columbia River.

Time: 2.9 hours Distance: 9.1 miles We put into the Columbia River at Chinook Landing Marine Park. Our initial plan was to paddle to and then up the Sandy River but we encountered significant sandbars where the Sandy met the Columbia and could not navigate around them. We turned back and just continued up the Columbia. The day was sunny and very warm. A great day to be on the water. Lynda putting in. Lynda paddling up the Columbia River. Lynda starting up the Sandy River. Birds taking advantage of available seating at the mouth of the Sandy River. Lynda getting ready to get back in after a short break.