Dane and Lynda Kayak

Time: 3.12 hours Distance: 9.34 miles We put in just North of the Marquam Bridge on a rainy day and headed up-river to the Waverly Country Club. There was light river traffic but it rained off and on the entire trip. Dane claimed the auspicious achievement of being the first to dump himself in the water accidentally as he lost balance on entry but the first full test of his suit was a success and it didn't stop the trip. Lynda preparing to put in. Underneath the Marquam Bridge. Lynda on the East side of Ross Island on the way up-river. Turing around. Dane on the West side of Ross Island on the way back down-river. Lynda going back under the Marquam Bridge just before getting out.

Time: 3.25 hours Distance: 12 miles We put in at Felida Moorage in Vancouver and headed down-river. The day was clear an sunny and we encountered only one other person (another kayaker) on the river in the whole trip. Lynda prepares to put in. Lynda heading down-river. An old abandoned boat. Lynda taking a momentary break.

Time: 4.3 hours Distance: 12.86 miles We put in on the Columbia River side of Kelly Point Park on another beautiful winter day and paddled around Hayden Island. We paddled up-river on the Oregon side then back down-river on the Washington side of the island. The current was again fairly heavy but also again river traffic was mostly light. Near the very end, at the far West end of Hayden island we encountered quite a number of barges and large freight vessels. Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda catching up with Dane just near the start of the paddle. Dane takes a short break. Lynda near the turn around point on the East end of Hayden Island. Passing under the I5 Bridge on the North side of Hayden Island. Dane behind a tugboat as it moves barges around. Lynda nearing the West end of Hayden Island.

Time: 3.5 hours Distance: 10.3 miles We put in at Broughton Beach Park on the Columbia River and headed up river towards Government Island. The current was relatively strong but the day was clear and the river traffic was very light. Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda takes a short break. Dane takes a short break. Under the I205 bridge. Lynda coming back in at the end of the paddle. After beers at Level Beer.

Time: 3 hours Distance: 8.9 miles We put in at Cathedral Park and paddled upriver towards the 405 bridge. It was calm and clear when we put in but the wind picked up in the first hour generating rough waters. At one point we were experiencing wave heights up to two feet. Lynda preparing to put in. Dane preparing to put in. Lynda heading up river. Dane heading up river. Strange research ships. After beers at ABV.

Time: 3.25 Distance: 9.85 miles We put in at Willamette Park in Portland and paddled up river. The current was again very heavy and the trip up took almost twice the time the trip back did. Again we expected heavy rain but got very little. Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda paddling along. Dane taking a look at a waterfall across from Elk Rock Island. The Sellwood bridge in the mist on the way back. Portland through the mist just before getting out. Lynda coming in.

Time: 3.25 hrs Distance: 10 miles Back to Willamette Park, this time during the winter. We expected rain but got very little. The river traffic was basically non-existent. The current, however, was some of the strongest we'd encountered on the Willamette River. It took us 2 hours and 5 minutes to reach the turn around point and only 1 hour and 20 minutes to return. After the trip we stopped at a coffee shop in West Linn and had one of the best coffees we'd had in ages. Lynda preparing to put in. As we start out. Sun breaking through the clouds near Rock Island. Lynda navigating the channel near Rock Island. Rocky outcrops near Rock Island. A duck gets up speed to get away.