Dane and Lynda Kayak

Time: 3.02 hours Distance: 9.34 miles   We put into Scappoose Bay at the boat ramp outside of Scappoose and paddled out and across Multnomah Channel to spend the rest of the trip paddling through the water ways at the end of Sauvie Island. A beautiful day with light clouds, temperatures in the 70s and an intermittent breeze. There were quite a few boats in the Channel but we crossed relatively quickly and found no further water traffic on Sauvie Island waters. A truly spectacular day. Lynda preparing to put in. St. Helens as we paddled towards Scappoose Bay's exit. The slough we paddle through on Sauvie Island. Lynda paddling in the slough. A Bald Eagle flying 20' above us. When we got back to the Channel to cross we had to wait for a large barge to pass. Lynda waiting for the barge to pass.

Time: 2.92 hours Distance: 8.34 miles We put into the Willamette River at San Salvador Boat Launch just outside of St. Paul, OR. It was a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the mid-70s and light winds. We paddled up-river for about two hours portaging several times before turning back and riding the swift currents all the way back. Another great day. Lynda preparing to put in. Dane's kayak during a portage. Lynda coming out of the bush with her kayak after a rough portage. A view of the Willamette River.  

Time: 1.92 hours Distance: 5.7 miles We put into the Trask River at Carnahan Park in Tillamook, OR and paddled up-river until the river got very shallow and too swift to paddle further. We hit heavy rain on the way to the park and it started raining again as we got out but we only had a few sprinkles during the trip. There were winds of over 10 mph but the small river gave us good protection so the trip was fairly pleasant if a bit short. Lynda preparing to put in. Again the only picture of the day as we'd forgotten our dry bags and phone cases back in Portland.

Time: 3.2 hours Distance: 9.76 miles It was Lynda's birthday and we put into the Nehalem River at the Tillamook County Boat ramp where the Nehalem River enters Nehalem Bay. The day was cool and overcast with the forecast calling for winds from 8-12 mph and intermittent rain. We paddled up-river for just over and hour and a half before turning back. The trip up-river had little wind and no rain but the winds picked up on the way back. The winds died down again near the end and we managed to get out before the rain started making for a nice paddle. Lynda preparing to put in. Our only picture for the day as we forgot our dry bags and phone cases in Portland.

Time: 2.77 hours Distance: 9.11 miles   We put into Lake Merwin at Speelyai Park and paddled east towards Yale Dam then up Canyon Creek until we were blocked by a small waterfall. The day was absolutely beautiful with mostly sunny skies, light wind and temperatures in the low 70s. There were quite a lot of paddles out and some motor boats but nothing that caused any real issues. A great paddle.    Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda paddling on the lake. Lynda paddling just after leaving the main section of the lake and paddling towards the dam. The waterfall that blocked us from going further on Canyon Creek.   Lynda under a small waterfall on the way back. Lynda looking for rocks on the shore. Yale bridge. After beers at Three Mugs new brew pub.

Time: 2.7 hours Distance: 8.07 miles We put into Gee Creek at Bill's Crossing on Sauvie Island with the intention of paddling into Sturgeon Lake. We hit a blockage within about a quarter mile and had to turn back. Changing the plan we paddled out to the Columbia River, portaged over a barrier between Gee Creek and the Columbia River and then proceeded up-river to where the Willamette River joins the Columbia before turning back. The day we beautiful with light clouds and only the most gentle breeze. The water was calm and there were relatively few boats out making for a very nice paddle. Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda just after we reached the Columbia. An Osprey nesting on a short pylon near the entrance to Gee Creek. He was not happy out us passing by. Lynda taking a quick break as we turned around. A large ship coming up behind Lynda on the way back. It looked MUCH bigger live. The ship passing by us. The bulge of water at its front is probably 4-5 feet high. Lynda paddling do...