Dane and Lynda Kayak

Time: 3.87 hours Distance: 11.54 miles We put into the Tualatin Rive at Eagle Landing Park for the first time. We'd previously scouted the location but decided against trying to put-in there because the access to the water is a twenty-foot extremely steep clay bank. On our last trip on the Tualatin where we put in at Farmington Paddle Launch and paddled to Eagle Landing we noticed that someone had carved rough steps into the clay bank which made putting in there significantly better (though still difficult). After put in we paddled down-river for just over five miles before turning back. This section of the Tualatin was beautiful and peaceful with almost no houses or river traffic. A really nice paddle. Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda paddling down-river early in the trip. The Tualatin River. Lynda paddling back up river. Dane paddling under a fallen tree.

Time: 2.28 hours Distance: 7.84 miles We put into the Tualatin River at the Farmington Paddle Launch for a short late-afternoon paddle. We brought Pico along for his third paddle adventure and he continued to get more comfortable with the idea. The evening was clear and warm and the river was almost empty of people. We paddled down-river to the paddle launch at Eagle Landing Park before turning back. Lynda and Pico preparing to put in. Lynda paddling down-river with Pico in the "command" position. Lynda paddling down-river. Pico enjoying his trip. A small plane coming in for a landing on a runway along the river. Pico keeping an eye on Dane. Pico made his way on to the front of Lynda's kayak before she could catch him. He almost went for an unintended swim. An after-cocktail at home (Bloody Mary).

Time: 3.5 hours Distance: 11.29 miles We put into Siltcoos Lake once again from the Siltcoos River Canoe Trail boat ramp and spent the trip exploring the edges of the lake. The day was slightly overcast but extremely calm and a pleasant temperature with absolutely no other people on this huge lake. Lynda giving her best "mean mug" as she prepares to put in. Siltcoos Lake right after put in. Lynda paddling early in the trip. Dane taking a break for a drink early in the trip. A huge group of Lilly Pads down one side of the lake. Our kayaks on the beach where we took a short break. Lynda looking for interesting rocks during our short break. Lynda paddling under a sandstone cliff face. Lynda paddling across the open lake. After beers at Dirt Road Brewing in Philomath, OR.

Time: 3.3 hours Distance: 9.32 miles We put into Siltcoos Lake from the Siltcoos River Canoe Trail boat ramp on a beautiful morning. The morning fog had just cleared and the day was calm and warm. We planned to paddle down the Siltcoos River to where it meets the Pacific Ocean but that paddle was only about six miles so we paddled around Jernigan Island first before proceeding down the river. We'd heard great things about the river paddle and we were not disappointed. We paddled through forests, dunes and right to the ocean where we got out for a short break before heading back. When we reached the lake we were still game for more so we paddled South for a while before finally heading back. We were paddling mid-week so and so only encountered a few other groups of kayakers but I can only imagine what kind of mad-house the river must be during heave use times. The last of the morning fog across Siltcoos Lake just before we put in. Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda on the way out to J...

Time: 2.08 hours Distance: 6.37 miles We put into Fern Ridge Lake at Perkins Peninsula Park just outside of Eugene, OR on a beautiful sunny day. After several years of drought on the West Coast the lake was many feet below its normal level and all docks and swimming holes were high and dry so we had to wade through thick clay mud getting in and out of the water. On the up-side of this there was not a single other person on the lake. We first explored all the small water ways in the nature reserve at the South end of the lake before finally making it onto the lake proper. However, the water in the southern part of the lake was extremely shallow (at times less than a foot) so we made our way back to our put-in spot and called it a day early. Lynda preparing to put in. Dane trying to wash the mud off his feet just after putting in. Lynda paddling down a water way early in the trip. Dane paddling under a bridge. One of the water ways. Lynda paddling towards a bridge. Lynda nearing the get ...