Dane and Lynda Kayak

Time: 3.3 hours Distance: 10.7 miles We put into the Tualatin River at Cook Park and paddled up-river for about two hours before turning back. The weather was absolutely perfect with bright sunny skies and temperatures in the low 60s. The paddling was easy and the only river traffic was a number of other kayakers. Lynda preparing to put-in. Heading up the Tualatin River. Lynda heading up-river. A recently fallen tree horizontal across the river. Lynda marking our turn around point. A turtle sunning itself on a log on the way back down-river. Heading down-river just before getting out.

Time: 2.83 hours Distance: 9.8 miles We put into Lake River at the Ridgefield Boat Ramp, paddled down-river to Bachelor Island Slough, up-stream to the Columbia River, down-river to Lake River and then back up-river to our starting point. The weather on again off again with intermittent sun breaks followed by heavy rains. Lynda preparing to put-in. Lynda at the intersection of Lake River and the Bachelor Island Slough. One minute it's sunny. A couple minutes later...not so much. Lynda on the Columbia River. Dane on Lake River heading back towards Ridgefield.

Time: 3.17 hours Distance: 9.86 miles We put into the Willamette River at Stevens Point on a warm sunny day. For the first time since early last fall we skipped the suits and weather gear. There were quite a lot of fishermen and an occasional boat racing up the river but overall the paddle was calm and pleasant. We paddled up-river to Oswego Landing before turning back. We almost got swamped on the way back when we pulled up against a rocky wall to strip off a layer of clothes because we'd gotten hot in the sun. Just as we were finishing a boat raced by and kicked up a rather large swell. If we'd been 30 seconds later we'd both have probably taken a dip. Lynda posing in her awesome outfit as we prepared to put in. Under the Sellwood Bridge on the way up-river. Lynda coming out from under the Sellwood Bridge. Lynda just after removing her sweatshirt right before we almost got swamped. More in Lynda's "Buoy Series".

Time: 2.83 hours Distance: 9.16 miles We put into the Willamette River at Rogers Landing Park in Newberg OR on a cloudy and cool day. We paddled up-river to where the Yamhill River enters the Willamette and then turned back. The day was supposed to be just cloudy but we were hit with several heavy showers along the way. The river was flowing pretty quickly and it took two hours to get to our turn-around point and only 50 minutes to return. Lynda preparing to put-in. Paddling a small channel around Ash Island just after putting in. Lynda paddling up-river. Lynda paddling in a rain shower.

Time: 10.07 hours Distance: 10.09 miles We put into Yale Lake at Yale Lake Park and paddled South to Saddle Dam. We investigated a small stream on the South East side of the Dam then worked back North to where Siouxon Creek enters the Lake and finally back to Yale Lake Park. The day was overcast and around 40 F but there was no rain and almost no traffic. Lynda preparing to put in (with a hair flip). Lynda paddling on Yale Lake near the put in. Lynda we approached Saddle Dam. Dane at the head of the small stream near Saddle Dam. Lynda paddling back out into the main body of the Lake with the snow covered mountains in the distance. Dane paddling up the mouth of Siouxon Creek. The bridge across Siouxon Creek.

Time: 3.5 hours Distance: 11.12 miles We put into Scappoose Bay in between rain showers, paddled North to Multnomah Channel then worked our way South back up the Channel until we were within sight of the Gilbert Boat Ramp. The river was almost completely devoid of traffic and the weather was strange giving us hard rain, showers, sun and clouds in cycles through the paddle. Lynda preparing to put in. Lynda heading out into Scappoose Bay. A pair of Bald Eagles watching us along Multnomah Channel. Lynda paddling up the Channel. An abandoned ship in the Channel. Scappoose Bay near Multnomah Channel on the way back. Lynda near the end of the trip.

Time: 3.08 hours Distance: 9.38 miles We put into the Multnomah Channel near the Northwestern end of Sauvie Island at the Gilbert Boat ramp on a cold and rainy day. We encountered intermittent rain for the first hour but then it stopped for the rest of the trip making the paddle unexpectedly pleasant. Lynda preparing to put in. Dane heading East around the island that is JJ Collins Memorial Park. The East side of JJ Collins Memorial Park as it's raining heavily. Lynda paddling up the Channel. A pair of Bald Eagles sitting high in the trees with their nest behind them just before getting out.