Dane and Lynda Kayak

Time: 3.34 hours Distance: 9.2 miles   We put into the Trask River from Carnahan Park in Tillamook, paddled a short distance to a slough that connects the Trask River to the Tillamook River, through the slough to the Tillamook River, up the Tillamook River to the Trask River, up to the Stillwell Slough until just past a bridge in downtown Tillamook then back to the Trask River and finally back to the put-in. The day was mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid 70's. We hit continuous winds of 12-15 mph when we were on the Tillamook River but once we got onto the smaller waterways the winds calmed down and the paddle was very pleasant. Lynda preparing to put in.   Approaching the bridge over the Tillamook River. Lynda paddling in the high winds on the Tillamook River. Lynda paddling on the Trask River. Stillwell Slough Dane paddling on Stillwell Slough just after turning around.  

Time: 3.33 hours Distance: 10.88 miles We put into the Willamette River at Boones Ferry Marina in Wilsonville, OR and paddled up-river to Champoeg Park before turning back. The day was warm and sunny and the wind was very light most of the trip. We saw almost no river traffic on the way up and only a bit more on the way back making for a very pleasant trip. Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda paddling away from the boat ramp. The river at the turn around.

Time: 3.65 hours Distance: 10.75 miles We put into the Willamette River at Oswego Landing. The day was partially cloud and warm and as we set out the river was filled with other paddlers. We'd never seen this number of paddlers on the Willamette before but there were very few motor boats for the first half of the trip. We paddled up to the falls before turning back. On the trip back the paddlers were still present but they were joined by quite a few motorboats. The paddle was pleasant but there were far too many people for our liking. Note: the map's recording didn't start for 10 minutes into the trip. Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda paddling on the Willamette. The falls as we turned around. Dane in front of the falls. Lynda in front of the falls.  A mother duck and her babies came to check us out.

Time: 2.95 hours Distance: 8.89 miles   We put into Silver Lake at the Silver Lake Boat Ramp just East of Castle Rock, WA as we passed through on our way back home from our vacation. Another clear and calm day. We saw a couple other kayaks and a few motor boats but the paddle was pleasant. Almost the entire lake was ringed by Lilly Pads which were blooming.    Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda paddling on the Lake. Some of the blooming Lilly Pads all around the lake.  Mount St. Helens was visible most of the paddle. Lynda paddling the Lake with Mt. St. Helens in the background.  After beers at Ashton Brewing in Longview, WA.

Time: 3.67 hours Distance: 12.07 miles   On the second day our our vacation we put into Hood Canal at Twanoh State Park (our turn around point the day before) and paddled East almost to the end of the Canal. The entire day was low wind, pleasant temperatures and almost no traffic on the water. It's hard to imagine more ideal conditions than what we found. Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda putting in beside the swimming beach at the park. Lynda paddling in the Canal. A view of the open water in the Canal. Lynda paddling in the Canal. Dane clowning around at the turn around point. After beers at Potlatch Brewing in Hoodsport, WA. Dane playing with the hammers at Potlatch Brewing (we never figured out what they were for).

Time: 3.9 hours Distance: 10.99 miles   We put into the lower portion of Hood Canal on the morning of our 29th anniversary. The cabin we stayed in for the trip was only a couple hundred yards from our first put-in making for a fantastic "commute" to the water. The day was a bit overcast and somewhat cool. We paddled East to Twanoh State Park, took a short break on the beach then paddled back. The trip out was calm but we hit winds and just a bit of rain once we turned back. The Canal was fairly low on traffic and the paddle was mostly easy going. Lynda preparing to put in with our cabin in the background (the one in the middle). Dane preparing to put in.   Lynda putting in. Lynda on the open water.  Lynda on the beach at Twanoh State Park. Rocks collected on the beach for Lynda's collection.  Our kayaks on the beach during our break.  Dane and Lynda just after getting out.  After beers at High Steel Brewing in Shelton, WA.

Time: 3.17 hours Distance: 10.35 miles We put into the Willamette River at Cathedral Park and paddled up-river to the Fremont Bridge before turning back. The river was fairly busy with motor boat traffic and moderate winds kept the water somewhat rough but the temperature was pleasant and, though the sky was cloud most of the day we didn't see any rain. Lynda preparing to put in. A huge ship in dry-dock. Approaching the Fremont Bridge. Lynda preparing to turn back. Lynda passing under the railroad bridge on the way back.   Approaching the St. Johns Bridge. Lynda pulling up to get out.