Three days before the Columbia River
Thrown out of Astoria, OR (river mile 15)
I do not need exotic ports of the distant dream that can never see, because I have to go to'm exploring my backyard, so to speak. We arranged to go to for our son with us to the coast. The plan was to tow the boat to Astoria, and that would bring the trailer back empty, so as to ensure that the three of us for ourselves and find our way upstream to our home mooring. The boat ramp at the Astoriathe gravel comfortable and well designed, but the pre-launch and parking area is muddy field side. We parked next to another crew a sailing boat that was occupied, took her mast and rigging of the boats. Because of the mud and gravel, I decided it would be out of the boat as little as possible, while getting ready, I told my 10 years of play to try to get to the port and stay away from sea lions, which took over had a total float. Sea lions are so big and so crowded that the float is to enumerateand partially submerged. These are some of the same creatures that swim the 130 miles up is soon to Bonneville Dam the river where the salmon return to feast on this pool below the dam.
While maneuvering the boat, I feel the group next to us under the leadership of their captain. I hope I do not sound like this. In just over an hour, they were willing to back down the ramp and turn to lose our boat. Start off without a hitch, minutes later we are on track, I turn and looklong enough to see our son again the right way home. E 'on his own and we really are. We float quietly over sea lions, ignore us, as the engine off in the creek. No breath of wind, as a point upstream. The river is smooth and uniform, there is about ten miles from the sea. In addition to the tide, do not know we were on the brink of the world's largest ocean. The Columbia is about four miles wide, Astoria, with many sandbars and mudflats. There are twoFairway River is one of the main channels where ships go to Portland or to run aground. The other is navigable by small boats and winds behind the green islands along the Oregon side. We are not oriented yet, we have our table, but do not know where we are, so that I can point us to a channel that seems likely with some kind of markers in the distance. We, the other wave sailing as they walk by heading for the main channel. I wonder if they have lost.We drive about three out of four miles and with binoculars trying to find a number somewhere before, that we find on the chart. I do not know yet where we have direction, but I studied the shore and I do not think all of us, where the canal close to where it goes. Just because the rankings lists in Iceland and you can see an island does not mean that your boat is next to an island. I think that the river is more like 10 miles wide now, so it's easy to create confusion. I'm starting to wish we had notleft the dock without a better plan than to the east and see where it goes. We are finally close enough to uniquely identify the indicators and realize we are in a dead-end direction. I have to change course and through a field that displays the graphics, as with one foot of water at mean low water tide. Our sonar says, about eight feet below us, but I am very nervous because our keel is about six meters. Emergence is not the only concern, a deadhead or submerged piling is veryreal possibility, and a good reason to go slow.
In short time, as we near the Oregon coast, you will get some local markers corresponding to our table and, finally, to know where we are. The wind picks up a bit 'and we set sail, I kill the engine and enjoy the silence. I would not describe the view spectacular, but it is very interesting and not boring at all. The birds are everywhere, of course, the ubiquitous all over Herons are invisible to stand still,and when they flee, they look positively prehistoric. You can not surf at Columbia without seeing hundreds of Osprey and their nests, they all seem to accumulate or navigational aid ever made them. The screaming kids are as big as their parents and demand to be fed non-stop. We stuck our bow in bays and lagoons that look interesting, sometimes we have deer, but more cows. It 'amazing that we have to explore to build in this area, which is actually only a few meters above theWater. Most of the huts are made of better times to the left of the river, but some are quite substantial and rotten piers old, a few are occupied. When we feel close enough to see that someone gets to live there, as suddenly as your housebreaking and quickly move away. The wind is very irregular, sometimes we are not moving. I think we have run aground and ask if anyone thinks, we stopped moving, Jaiden that we are still developing, because it can see the power ofthe boat. I have two trees that line the coast and I can say that we are stopped (in mud), I guess the game for a while ', and finally announced that anyone stimulate to the keel, or put all day. Nobody moves, Linda is reading and Jaiden is on paper. I climb into the cabin and turn the crank one full turn and then see the trees, or around full and open, were heading home, the one with the wind load against the current of the mighty ColumbiaFlow. Oops, he needs someone to check early, or am I crank the keel even more. We have through these narrow waterways for several hours, and occasional markers through the steering, we know exactly where we are. We have a GPS with us, but the graphics seem better suited and more comfortable. I remember to crank up the keel, it is reassuring to know that we can change our plans from six feet to three feet, if necessary.
As the sun towards the west wind rises and browsewell. We clear up the last of the islands and provide the main channel, I think the Port of Cathlamet is just around the corner and sure enough soon be a forest of trees and breakwaters boat in sight.
Cathlamet, WA (River mile 40)
I hate to break down the sail, we sail in fact not very good until the last hour, and will not stop. Soon we are bringing in the dock, it's quite a few people a few waves, and many paddlers. Just behind the gas dock, IPut a piece of open space in the Dock, and stylish slide directly behind the sailboat that has followed us from Astoria. We will exchange like old friends, they call you got it for hours, for a large sail. What has happened to us? I tell them that they were behind all the islands, had a great time, not with the engine until we sink the sail and motor mooring. This reminds me of the need to control gas and to fill, hopefully before you leave tomorrow. Our new friends toldThey lived the next night at the Longview Yacht Club. I thought I did not know, Longview had a port or berth, as they can make a club. Cathlamet has a great little mooring and a busy place. We stumbled on a camping kayaking old acquaintance. They offer camping, mooring or transient throughout the year. The mooring heavily protected by ship traffic, there is a boat ramp service station. It 'only a block for a walk in the city, where there are several restaurants and shopping.We arrived early enough that we tour and return to the boat for dinner before dark to do it. The morning after a coffee and pleasant breakfast, we went to a nice little channel 'on the island behind Washington. There have been many references to the old recording, where they treated rafts. We have suggested about two feet below the surface and found a line or submerged poles. After a short walk to the banks of water street to the end and we were forced to turnaround so that the exploration of canoeists. Where there will be canceled in the main river that serves the Puget Iceland, the island by a bridge from Washington and take the ferry from the Oregon. As we walked the river with the ferry came before us, so we lowered the bottom of the boat came out and waited for his return. I do not know who was entertaining the passengers look at us and watched us. So far today we have almost no progress made on the river andalready killed three hours. No wind again, just like yesterday, so you pay to promote sleep in a monotonous grind miles 4 hours. From the perspective of Washington, we go to some beautiful cliffs. I mean maps and find the name Eagle Cliffs, Bunker Hill, Oak Point. In Oregon, we see mostly flat and sure enough we will probably soon come to another island to explore waterways. Determined after a review of Table I, with deep enough that all the way and turn the bow back to Oregon. InMinutes, is the most important river of history, and we're back in the middle of nature. Somehow miles 4 hours, as we are by race, even out loud disrespectful with an outboard motor. I cut the engine speed to idle and just watch you pass by the coast. Finally, we arrived at the proverbial crossroads the road and after checking the head of the table in step to the left. It is not long before long stalled "bump" and we are working, no warning at all. The depth is increased from four feet to three feet in half a boatLength. We free ourselves and go about twenty feet and do it again and again arrrrgain, ed. About now I see some people on the ground on the other channel. There are beckoning to the other channel through their use. I am reluctant to follow their order, because my date says that this current track way to go if we ever expect to review the Columbia River. We get rid of the last time and the engine toward our Savior. You are standing on their private dock a little 'fun. TheirInform us that the cards were wrong for 25 years, and all you have to do is always on the right side here and we'll have a lot of depth all the way to the main river. Ah, local knowledge, what would we do without it.
The wind returned and we are not more slowly. Without the engine running, I feel more irreverent, as we tear along almost in silence. Even if we are to the river, we are sailing wind, so we have the movement of the boat slicingthrough the water and we are moving with the wind, is very quiet, with little apparent wind is on board. We are approaching Longview and the wind has picked up a lot. We're sailing on a broad range most of the time and not only the center of the river navigation. I chose the titles to keep the boat under control and comfortable (not toooo much heel), or my team can never mutiny and sail with me. We fly by Rainer and Longview. Rainer has a beautiful pool next guestWe spent the night at different times, and the town has a pizzeria. Scanning the coast near Longview. I do not hide couchette or a door or even a river, let alone seen a yacht club. All I see is a great work of some kind. It is getting dark and my hope, a place of St Helens are beginning to fade with the light of day. I'm really torn now. It goes up or turn it back to Rainer? The wind is moving faster than ever, but it's getting dark faster. If I push up and the winddies, we will go a long motor. If we stop and hit something at that speed, it could be a big problem. In the dark I can too close to the shore for fear of grounding and taking away my perception remains almost gone along with the light. Of course, I do not know my team, my thoughts, just want to go alone in the cabin to warm up and find dinner. Corro, a factor trumps all others tonight. I have a great sailing and do not want to end it. When I try to look forward to fromeverything that does not belong in the water, I see some light industry along the coast.
Kalama, WA (River mile 75)
We are approaching Kalama. In about five miles I left the sails and motor in the mooring. The Boat Basin is located behind a high embankment, completely out of the wakes of ships passing protected .. I hope he Kalama transient berthing. The office is closed, so it's up to us to keep a place for the night too. Stayed here before you get fuel, but never beyond the pre-Input. I admire the many boats. Motor boats are usually under the guise that each slide as a luxury garage. The sailboats are all so used to trees to fit in with the excuse that they are usually at the end of the pier, where there are no roofs. Each pitch has its own light and power cable are close water taps. The ramps on foot blocked at the port gates with security systems. Once you go one of these ports, and it slams behind him, again and again is not impossible for a. We must ensure that swimming will not get blocked. And 'the dark, but lights marina we have no problem with our safe manner. I discover what I did for a sign with an arrow, which has tried to Mooring guests. The appearances are at the very end, is about a hundred yards of shore open for guests, so we try to move everything in the end, as close as possible to the legs. There is a large amount of wreckage in the water beside the pier, apparently the localAir currents and cause debris to collect all this here as a red carpet for visitors. Some of the wood and logs that are five feet long and six inches in diameter. I just stepped on one, as I tie the boat, a big mistake, I should know better. In an instant, I was in the water and caught in this mess. We are all hungry and the food is an important topic of discussion was, then go up the ramp and are on their way to town. The reservoir host is outside the security gate in order tocan come and go as we please.
Downtown Kalama is basically on the opposite side of the road, so there is no need to cross the main railway line via a skywalk and then the sidewalk under the highway through the tunnel and then jump out onto the main road, about a block walk to the local hot night spot with a pizza sign. Must be a Saturday night, because the other side of the door marked "NO children" very strong party-goers. There are mostly selfin the family. The walk back to the boat's windy and cold, sleep comes easy tonight. Breakfast and coffee under the sun, the wind is light. Sounds like the beginning of a pleasant day. In summer you can see what a mess we have wrecks parked in the entire sequence of the basin and extends the port of the guests will be engulfed a dock is completely useless. As we move, I must be careful not to damage our propeller and rudder. Once you clear the marina, we can see the city parkwith its totems up, a show that we have lost in the dark. Kalama River 75 miles, for the better part of two days the water that I feel at home, but I think that my team wants to be home. I propose to do for St Helens and ice in a small shop near the public dock. Miraculously spirits are lifted. Sailing between now and the engine light wind gently purring engine, the boat is doing a good speed. There are locked and forth trying to make optimal use of the shiftyTwenty. The boat we chase the occasional mid-channel and keeps us awake. Not at all like the lagoons around the islands, where the biggest excitement Osprey is a child asking to be fed.
St Helens, OR (river mile 86)
Sand Island is located just off the coast of St Helens and (almost) protects the community to go by boat wakes. The city has a strong commitment to boating and held free public piers on land and sand Iceland. In summer there is a free shuttlethe island, making it easy for boaters to tie on the island and even go to town.
The passage between the mainland and Iceland sand is narrow and has a strong current coupling from both sides to make full attention of all crew members operating on the bridge. During a visit, we have discovered the hard way, a stack ancient submerged near the pier. The docks are really nice, the ground is a small city park with a gazebo and a small grassy amphitheater complete. Hot and cold showers in the bathrooms(Everything is free) to make St Helens one of my favorite destinations for cruising. We tromp on the ramp to the ice cream and ice cream. No hurry to leave, we will spend some time in the small park outside the town hall, where they have a nice walk representation of Lewis and Clark exploration. This is a very useful trip.
Back in the water I sit reading in the gazebo, while my team discovered an otter playing on the ramp to float. An employee shows citiesdressed in a fancy uniform and recorded quickly, which is waste, and disappeared just as quickly. Finally, collect and store the boat, the most important river is a few minutes. At this point, boaters have a wide choice of routes, the most important river is the shortest and fastest course, but much more picturesque, relaxing, and it is off the beaten track Multnomah Channel. Sauve Iceland Oregon side, about 15 miles long, and after the Multnomah channel around the island on the WillametteAnd back to the Columbia River is about 24 miles. On this trip I want to explore a little crust 'on the side of Washington, we remain on the Columbia. Soon rock warriors clear light Sauve Iceland and further upstream to maintain strong oversight for commercial traffic and the occasional glance at the sonar. Emergency is not a big problem, and our canting keel is very forgiving, but is not running things in sailing in your boat, as it is a good driverand hitting parked cars with the rubber pad.
Sauve Iceland has a nude beach known and popular and soon we crossed, it is difficult to see clearly with binoculars bouncing of the waves. Back on the Washington, I am the mouth of a swamp that I found on my card, but never explored looking for. From what I read, there is a floating community behind a small island. I detect a change from small cars and the course costs to investigate, sure enough, asmall opening appears. Sails down and drive very slowly, we have cautious approach, I know from experience that extends to the islands under water for so long and we need to find a channel for secure access. For hundreds of years of commercial use, I expect to have the lazy river just for old batteries anytime, anywhere. I wonder Jaiden closely watch the arc. With an eye to the depth, we go forward with courage. A thousand feet you go from the boat ramp, which I assume iswhere the runner was coming. We are limited to about six feet, so I turn to full keel a little 'and keep moving. We can see the boats now, it seems that about a dozen. Some boats were tied up, one is a large sailing boat. and come to a halt again. The meter reads four feet, I am reluctant to raise the keel is no longer, we are always nearby, where it could take the helm and not just some damage, but there it stops. I lift the keel of a different turn, and vice versa, of course, also be sure to completebottom of the keel, how to remove the island and Columbia. I do not care that large sailing boat at high tide had come, so we could, or the next time we have a boat with us, we are able to anchor the boat and the last mile. This will be another trip, another day. Not much to see from both sides, but the bottom or banks of sand beaches, Sauve Island Sports occasional million-dollar estate, but Washington has too few.
As we approach the boat to Portland and VancouverIncreased traffic, plus there are ships at anchor. I learned years ago to stay away from the boats parked, when I had my pole tangled in fishing line, a sailor on board. Today, security is a big problem, so stay clear of ships. The Willamette River flows into the Columbia on the tip of Sauve Island and creates a standing wave at a crossroads. Boaters tend to cut this corner nearby, and sometimes rewarded with a wall of water on her bow. We continue on past ships dockedand soon more than Hayden Iceland, home to Jantzen Beach Shopping Center and five interstate crosses the Columbia River. Our mooring basin is derived from Hayden Island and the entrance is on the Columbia side of the island so we stay in the main channel of the rest of our trip. The final challenge that we must overcome is the railway bridge, open the draw span during floods must swing to make room for our tree. A trip that I remember waiting to happen 2 hours, we came on the dayand finally approved the interval after sunset. On this day, the water is low and our boat current with a short stick (Size Does Matter) slips below blessed, 30 minutes later, we are confident in our slide to Hayden Bay. So far on the way to Astoria, we had our car in the parking lot on the left, so we waited to go home. This was a great trip, I'm going to do it again brought my inflatable kayak or boat on the day to explore areas that I missed.
Hayden Bay, Portland, OR (river mile107)
John
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