Dane and Lynda Kayak

Time: 2.75 hours Distance: 8.05 miles We put into the Lewis River just off the road in Woodland, WA on a beautiful sunny day. We made our way up the Lewis river as far as we could with about a half dozen portages before we got to a point that we were having to portage every few minutes. We circled back and tried a different fork where we were able to move a bit further up river before encountering the same issue of repeated shallow water requiring portage. We then turned back and enjoyed the easy paddle back down river. Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda out of her kayak and preparing for one of the early portages. Dane taking a short break near our turn around point. Lynda paddling down a swift "chute" section. Lynda paddling down river.

Time: 4.42 hours Distance: 12.86 miles We put in at Kelly Point Park and paddled around Hayden Island first, up-river on the South side then back down-river on the North. The day was beautiful with temperatures in the low 80's but despite that river traffic was fairly light. Winds picked up a bit on the return trip and we encountered several areas with significant turbulence and larger swells but overall the paddle was easy and plesant. Lynda preparing to put in. Dane heading up-river just after putting in. Lynda heading up-river. Facing East just after crossing under I-5. Mt. Hood in the far distance. Some heavy current and waves at the North-East tip of Hayden Island. Lynda coming around the East end of Hayden Island where we stopped for a break and a snack. Mt. Hood from the beach on the North side of Hayden island during our break. Our kayaks on the beach during our break. Heading back down-river.

Time: 3.5 hours Distance: 11.24 miles For the last paddle trip of our anniversary vacation we put into the Umpqua River at the Umpqua Wayside a few miles West of Scottsburg, OR on a beautiful calm morning. We paddled up-river for several miles before turning back just short of Scottsburg County Park. River traffic was almost non-existent and though the forecast had called for moderate winds it was mostly calm. Lynda preparing to put in. Dane pushing away from the put-in point. Paddling up-river. A rocky bank near the turn-around. The Umpqua River. Lynda paddling back down-river. After-beers at Two Shy Brewing in Roseburg, OR.

Time: 3.34 hours Distance: 10.84 miles We put into the Isthmus Slough at the Eastside Boat Ramp in Coos Bay, OR on a sunny but cool morning, paddled up the Slough for just over five miles before returning. The forecast called for winds of ~12-15 mph but they held off until the last couple miles of the return trip. At that point the winds picked up and we spent the last hour paddling into a significant headwind. Other than the last leg the paddle was pleasant and easy and there was no traffic at all. Lynda preparing to put in. A bevy of docked tug boats early in the trip. An old ruined structure early in the trip. Lynda paddling up the Slough. Lynda paddling hard into the wind past a pair of old beached ships. Packed up and ready to leave after the paddle. After beers at 7 Devils Brewing Company in Coos Bay, OR.

Time: 3.34 hours Distance: 10 miles We put into the Smith River from the Bolon Island Tideways State Wayside in Reedsport, OR on the morning of our 28th anniversary. The forecast called for partly to mostly cloud with winds of 15 mph. Right away the sun came out and we never really saw any clouds. There were intermittent winds, especially right near the end of the paddle but most of the day was relatively calm. Lynda preparing to put in. Bridges near our put in as we headed into the river. Lynda paddling up-river. Dane paddling up-river. A bridge across the river up in the distance. A Dragon sculpture along the river. An old bridge pylon. Dane paddling back into the take out spot. Lynda was particularly happy to be the first back this time. After-beers as Walt's Pourhouse in Coos Bay, OR.