Kalama River: the stinky time of year

A few of us floated on down the Kalama River on Sunday. It was beautiful out!! More rain would make for better paddling, but I suppose I can enjoy the sunshine a while longer. 

Besides flat water, we had to contend with lots of decomposing salmon. You can read about salmon here to find out why there were so many dead salmon (it has pictures for those of you with a short attention span): www.nps.gov/wrst/forkids/upload/salmnbook.pdf  I probably do not need to tell you that it was really stinky.

Last time I was on this river (a couple months ago) we conducted an arduous portage around the dam. I believe the dam's sole purpose is to divert water for a fish hatchery, and it is a major pain in the arse. We watched lots of salmon trying very hard to jump over the dam to go home, but even the biggest and strongest couldn't make it (note the irony here?) I made a fool out of myself cheering them on "go fishy go!" to no avail. Also, this dam is right below the best rapid on the whole river, and makes it virtually un-runnable (because most dams, including this one, create deadly hydraulics). Finally, it is a long, hard walk around through thorny blackberry vines. This time we got on a little below the dam for the best the river has to offer, the "red barn" run. Because you take out by a red barn! Duh! Anyway, back to the main attraction: whitewater!!

Dog Paradise

I live with the absolute best dog in the world! He is very well-behaved, loving, loyal, and fun to play with! Every once in a while I take him to Kelley Point Park on the outskirts of Portland where the Columbia and Willamette Rivers meet up. The port docks line most of the opposite banks, but it is still very peaceful and scenic.

He is very tired and dirty when he gets home so where does he go.... straight to my white bed!! Oh, well. He's so cute, who cares.

P.S. I wanted to include another scenic pic, but blogger wouldn't upload it, so you will just have to visit my flickr page for more...

A non-kayaking related post (sort of)

This picture demonstrates a couple of things... First, fall has come to the Pacific Northwest. It has been raining, and the trees have decided it is time to go to sleep for the winter. In the past this was a time of regret... we only get 2 or 3 months of sunshine and warmth here. I like rain well-enough so I can deal with it, but even so, I longed for more sunny days. This year is a little different - because I found kayaking!!! We can kayak year-around here, but summer is the worst time because all the rivers get low due to lack of rain and so there are only a few options to tide us over till the rain comes back. It started raining last week, and has kept raining, and I am pleased. 

Second, notice the construction. Those guys are cutting down a tree! It is across from my house. Not only do we get to hear construction noise for god knows how long, but we no longer have a nice green buffer shielding the ugly hospital buildings. What a pity.

Video of Husum Falls, White Salmon River

Little did I know that Heath Barber was standing by with a video camera when I went over a little waterfall last weekend. As you can see, it went pretty well until I flipped over for no good reason. Oops.

Super Low Lower Wind River, Washington

So there are a few paddlers around here that are desperate enough for fun intermediate whitewater this time of year to brave the Wind River at super low flow. I am one of these people. Last Wednesday was not my best day on the river. I only landed two of the falls, but as it turned out I would've rather plugged those too. Oh, well. I was due for a humbling and I still had a great time! Good people, great scenery, hot springs, waterfalls, super cute dog... pretty much all my favorite things in life were on this trip.

The Wind River is probably the most scenic river I have paddled, so I don't mind a little flat water.

Alex, Dan and Kourtni all ran the terror that is The Flume, but I'm too chicken!

Alex runs The Flume

Dan runs The Flume

Shipperd's Falls is a 4-part waterfall. It starts off with a 10-ish footer, then a 20-ish footer, a manky slide, ending with a 10' weir. They are all different, all friendly (at low water!), with nice recovery pools between each drop. This day I landed the first drop flat, which is like doing a belly flop in a kayak. Ouch! 

Me hitting the auto-boof (it launches you!) on the first drop

Looking back at the 2-4th drops of Shipperd's Falls

This hot spring is the best. Nice & hot, comfortable, and you can't beat the scenery! It is just downstream of Shipperd's Falls, and the paddle out from here is only an easy 1/3 mile.

While Alex, Dan & I relaxed in the hot spring, Kourtni paddled out, got her dog and they hiked back up the river a ways so the dog could paddle out with us. I don't know who enjoyed this more - me or the dog.