Dane and Lynda Kayak

Time: 3.4 hours Distance: 9.14 miles We put into Hoquarton Slough at the Burton Boat Ramp in Tillamook and paddled up-stream as far as we could go. After a couple of small portages we were turned back by a significant blockage. We paddled back down-stream pas the bridge then towards Tillamook bay for a couple more miles before returning. The day was pleasant and warm with light winds in the first half which picked up before then end. On the way back we got to ride the swells. Lynda preparing to put in. Several goats we passed by along the water's edge. Lynda paddling up the slough. The first portage. Lynda reaching the first portage point. Lynda out of her kayak looking for rocks. A view of the slough on the way back down. Dane paddling down the slough. A view of the slough where it turns into the Tillamook River just past the bridge. A short snack break. After beers at Pelican Brewing in Tillamook.

Time: 3.27 hours Distance: 9.89 miles We put into the Nehalem River in Nehalem on a beautiful morning. We paddled up-river just past Necanicum highway bridge before heading back. We saw no real river traffic, the sun was out and the wind was consistently light making for a very pleasant paddle. Lynda preparing to put in. Dane preparing to put in "parking" in a no parking zone.  Lynda is off. Lynda paddling around some obstacles on a side channel. Dane trying to see over a downed tree blocking the side channel. Lynda paddling under the bridge. A view of a small side channel just after turning back.

Time: 3.58 hours Distance: 10.32 miles We put into the Willamette River at Wheatland Ferry late in the morning of sunny day. We'd only paddled here once and we'd gone up-river first. This time we started down-river around an island and back up-river. Going around the island took about an hour so we then paddled up-river for about another 90 minutes before turning back. The river was fairly swift in some spots so going up-river was often quite slow and we had four portages but we had a very nice easy ride back. There were quite a lot of people on the shores enjoying the sun but there are very few motor boats on this second of the river because it is so shallow in many places. A very nice paddle. Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda paddling down-river early in the trip. The first of four portages. The river on the back side of the island we went around. Lynda looking for rocks as we stopped for portage two.  The kayaks sitting as we took a short break at portage three.  Another litt

Time: 2.8 hours Distance: 8.79 miles We put into the Willamette at Boones Ferry Marina and paddled up-river for an hour and a half before turning back. The day was quite warm with temperatures approaching 90 but there was a continuous light breeze which helped to keep it cooler. There was a few boats in the morning but by the time we turned back the river traffic was fairly heavy. Lynda preparing to put in. A view of the Willamette River.  Lynda paddling up-river. Dane paddling under the railroad bridge just before getting out.

Time: 3.18 hours Distance: 10.06 miles We put into Black River from a small boat ramp just outside of Littlerock. We'd been warned previously that the river was blocked upriver within about a mile of the put-in so we started down-river instead. The day was sunny and warm with a slight breeze and we only encountered a few other paddlers. The water was extremely calm with almost no discernible current and no sign of houses or buildings for the entire trip. An easy paddle was a great way to end our vacation. Lynda preparing to put in. On Black River.   A view down a line of old pylons. Lynda in the far back looking for rocks.  Dane paddling near the remains of an old railroad bridge. Lynda paddling the river. After beers at Ashtown Brewing in Longview, WA.

Time: 2.67 hours Distance: 8.2 miles   We put into Lake Cushman for our 200th paddle trip on a cool morning with very low cloud coverage. Initially the conditions were calm and the traffic was almost non-existent. We paddled south along the eastern shore of the lake with the intention of trying to reach the damn at the far south end but after about an hour the wind picked up and the water conditions worsened. Within about 15 minutes the water went from flat and calm to consistent 1/2 foot swells. We were concerned the trend might continue so we turned back exploring a small inlet on the way. Lynda preparing to put in.  Lynda paddling in the misty morning. A small island in the middle of the lake. A view of the foggy lake. Lynda paddling the lake on the way back.

Time: 3.82 hours Distance: 10.75 miles We put into Lake Cushman from a private boat launch at about the mid-point of the lake on the morning of our 30th anniversary. The day was clear and very calm when we put in at 08:00. We paddled across the lake at its narrowest point then north along the west side of the lake to its source, Lincoln Creek. We went up the creek as far as possible (~1/2 mile) took a short break then paddled back down the east side to our starting point. The winds picked up considerably as we started back and we paddled in rough water with 1' swells all the way back. Some of the most beautiful scenery of any trip we've taken. Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda paddling early in the trip with the beautiful mountains behind her. Paddling down the west side of the lake. A short detour up Dry Creek has Lynda looking for rocks. Dane paddling around small "islands" near the north end of the lake. The kayaks as we take a short break at the end of the navigabl