Outside with Rod

Outside with Rod has Moved!

2010-04-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

Outside with Rod now lives as the Cabin Fever Chronicles! The story goes on...

Park City->La Grande->Portland

2010-03-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

The dreaded 800 - mile drive from Park City, Utah to Portland, Oregon had arrived.

The night before, it was dumping. I really wanted to visit with Mary Roz, her husband Paul and sister Maria before I left town. That meant driving down the valley beyond The Canyons in this storm. It was interesting. First I had to remove snow from my car. Then when I got to their house, their driveway was really steep - downward sloping. But somehow none of the snow had stuck. I really wondered if it was heated. So, with me thinking I'm pretty unwise to park there, I did it anyway. We had a really nice dinner and visit. We said our good byes. But afterward, I got stuck in the newly snowy driveway. We used salt to make it less slick. Problem solved. But there was to be more.

That was only the beginning. Back at Ed's house, while watching a late night TV show, the house thundered and shook. We all went out back to find out what happened. A glacier had fallen off the roof! It had busted off the outside faucet from the house and water was leaking all over the frozen yard. With no outside shut off we tried as hard as possible to shut off the inside valve - but it was so old as to be frozen - no way to move it without breaking. So calls were made to 24 hour plumbers and the city water department. Within 90 minutes a city guy arrived to shut off water to the house. Prior, I filled as many buckets/pots of water as possible so certain necessities could continue until a regular plumber arrived the next day to fix things. None of this helped a driver needing rest before a 12-hour trip.

In the morning, the 24 hour total was 21 inches of downy snow had fallen on the ski slopes, 17 overnight. It was so much I decided to just relax and let the city snow removal crew do their job. The prior evening Ed said it's best to park in the public library lot - good move. They had it 100% plowed by 8:30 a.m. So although my original time slot was to be on the road by 6:00 a.m. there was no point in rushing. I was on the road by 9:15 a.m. I had also used the National Weather Service's website the prior evening to check the forecast all along my route back to Portland. The forecast looked good for the whole route back to Portland except for the Wasatch. So there was no doubt I was headed out - once I got into the valley in Utah I'd be good to go. So, with more snow cleared off the car, I was off.

I don't need to go on about the drive, because it's a real slog. What I do want to get across is that when the goal is 800 miles in one day you need to get determined and realize you can't make long stops, you need to minimize stops, and you must stay focused on keeping your speed consistent throughout the day.

The one stop I planned to make was in La Grande, Oregon. My friend Craig lives there, and I wanted to stop in an pay him a visit. The Elkhorn Mountains of eastern Oregon were very picturesque with new snow!

We met late in the day, and it was actually a nice way to stretch my legs! We had a beverage for about an hour and then I had to get back on the road.

Wasatch Powder at Deer Valley!

2010-03-08T17:38:00.000-08:00

Finally on my last day a forecast of fresh pow pow! Utah's Wasatch Range is world famous for blankets of downy snow like nowhere else. It's the fact that these mountains rise out of bone dry desert which makes the snow so dry. Once you've ridden on it, there's no going back. One time at Alta in a 38" dump I remember people from Montana and New Mexico hollering, "It NEVER snows like this back home!" NOTE: Click on this photo and look in between the branches to the left on this photo and you'll see the real word of the day!

With a forecast of more snow overnight, Ed was urging me to stay an extra day. Although the overnight forecast was for five to eight inches, locals know micro storms can drop a good three times that much up on the hill! But I absolutely had to be back in Portland, so I was set.

Still, we had four inches the night before, and then it began to snow after noon again - in earnest. Today we picked Deer Valley for variety. Deer Valley is a jumble of peaks and lifts spread across a micro range. While the trails are nice, unlike Sundance, here the management has never relaxed its fervor for development. Amongst some of the peaks developments of million dollar homes sprout like weeds. Riding the lift, you sometimes pass over a heated driveway and peer into somebody's living room!

Then there is the casino-like Empire Lodge - a mega hotel complex under construction smack up the hill.

And the lifts seem to go in haphazard directions - we skied off the top of one lift and accidentally found ourselves riding to the bottom of a completely different lift several times. Still, the soft feathery powder is all that we needed to enjoy this day given to us from Gods above.

The snow was terrific. And the crowds minimal. I found lots of wind-protected runs and tree / mogul runs here, and the hero snow made us feel super human. I brought two pairs of skis to Utah Rossignol R11 - slalom racing skis and my 50/50 frontside/backside mid-fat skis. This day I decided to use my racing skis - silly me in this snow! But they did great in the moguls.

It started to dump about an inch an hour in the afternoon, but a brief respite offered a chance to get Ed skiing down the side of this trail...looking good, Ed! (Left side of trail)

Nordic Skiing in Park City

2010-03-07T18:27:00.001-08:00

Ed and I took a day off from alpine skiing. Not a day off totally. To us a day off means more activity - this time Nordic, or Cross Country Skiing!

There are lots of tracks all around Park City. This day we chose a spot down near the ski area called The Canyons. Actually the trailhead park is just across from the iconic "barn" so often photographed. We also brought along Ed's border collie Turbo! I've known Turbo since he was a pup. Such a good boy. Today his work involves herding us!

I could see Nordic skiers on both sides of the valley. It seems people take their Nordic skiing seriously around here. I saw guys across the valley on some kind of track. They were going all out, skate skiing, using both poles to push even faster! I'm not even close to that level - heck I don't even have a cross country outfit. I just had my alpine ski pants. Even worse - when we left the house it was snowing hard so I brought my alpine parka and goggles! Ridiculous.

Because down where the trailhead was, it was spotty clouds and some sun. My outfit was totally unnecessary. In fact there were a couple of people jogging on the trail in shorts! We skied for three and a half hours and I cannot say how many miles. There are trails winding all around the subdivisions that have popped up near The Canyons.

During the day we stopped and threw a chew toy for Turbo, who was happy to oblige. He'd chase the toy and try to catch it in the air. If it landed off track, where the snow was not packed, he got a bit of a surprise, going waist deep in the snow.

I was not able to keep up with Ed. My forced down time because of my shoulder dislocation robbed me of valuable XC practice! And more, the snow in Oregon's Cascade Mountains has been real low this year. I was sweating bullets. But it's very good exercise. Not the same as downhill, but very good!

Now, there was recently a debate I overheard about whether you use your poles when Nordic skiing. The answer is an emphatic yes!

Skiing Robert Redford's Sundance Ski Resort

2010-03-04T06:34:00.000-08:00

I've skiied in Utah's Wasatch Mountains many times. Since I have friends in Park City, most of my alpine time has been spent on the nearby resorts of Park City Mountain Resort, The Canyons, and Deer Valley. Favorites, though are Alta and Snow Basin. I've also spent time at Solitude and Snowbird. Flying somewhat below the radar is Sundance.

When the word Sundance is uttered around here, most think you're talking about film stars and the annual Park City event titled Sundance Film Festival. But about 40 minutes away there's a ski area with the same name. In fact both Sundance Film Festival and Sundance Resort are inspired / owned by the legendary actor Robert Redford.

Driving from Park City to Sundance, you pass by Mt. Timpanogas, at 11,549 Utah's second tallest peak. It makes the drive a treat.

Sundance Resort is not known for huge hotels, real estate development and huge skiable acreage. On purpose. The place is managed to be intimate. Not a big condo development in sight. Robert Redford stipulated that the homes be built in such a way as to be inconspicuous.

There are several hundred of them sprinkled amongst the nearby valleys, but one can't see them when skiing - unlike Deer Valley where they seem to be built so as to be McMansion-in-your-face as possible. No, here, things are to be "as they were."

I'd heard from Park City locals that Sundance can get boring, but that was not the case. It does have older fixed-grip lifts, that's for sure. And it doesn't have a big terrain park. So what? What it does offer is stunning views and un-crowded bowls/trees and powder lasting far longer than the other areas closer to Salt Lake City. It almost felt like it was a private ski area!

Because it doesn't offer some of the expensive frills like high speed lifts, half pipes and terrain parks, lift prices are low. A day pass at Park City Mountain Resort is $86, at Deer Valley - $48.

Portland to Park City

2010-03-03T19:54:00.000-08:00

I've driven from Portland to Park City before. Long drive - it's under 12 hours if you push it. It takes you through the Columbia River Gorge, through eastern Oregon's Blue Mountains, past the Snake River, Boise Idaho, and then into some pretty remote areas in southeastern Idaho and northern Utah.

You've got to shove off early and stay focused to make this drive work. I left Portland, OR at 6:15 a.m. This day, dawn broke not too long after I departed. Passing Hood River and The Dalles, I left Mount Hood behind.

This morning's weather was fog which would burn off. As I passed east of The Dalles, bands of fog wrapped around the cliffs of the gorge. It was a Saturday, and some fishermen were out on the river. Freight trains sped along both river banks. Some filled with grain, others with containers bound for distant markets. Plying the river were tugboats pushing fully laden barges.

Highway 84 winds through the Columbia Gorge, and eventually tops out in the eastern dry scrub lands. In my rear view mirror, I saw the highway cut through a small hill with Mount Hood perfectly framed!

Not long afterward I spied a very long Union Pacific freight train on the opposite shore - speeding along probably at 65 mph. I found it captivating how this mile-plus long train was moving so fast. But all along this way, the fog shrouded the hill tops, with sun occasionally peeking through.

Then, magic happened. Above the fog, like something out of a science fiction movie, gigantic wind turbine generators floated, spinning above the clouds. With no bases visible. I'd never seen anything like it before. Hundreds of them. There was nowhere to stop to capture the image, but later on I found a bridge with an exit. I managed a video...but now the fog was below the summit of the rim of the gorge. Still, a beautiful image!

Later I passed through eastern Oregon's Blue Mountains and into Idaho. From then on, the speed limit is 75 mph, which means traffic moves at 85 mph - and in some regions - significantly faster. I removed my VW Jetta Wagon's roof rack/gear box specifically to improve my mileage for these conditions!

In Portland, Oregon, a liberal enclave in an otherwise red state, a Toyota Prius is a status symbol for some. They're as ubiquitous as the VW Bug once was, well almost. In pickup truck-driving Idaho, though, they're a target for scorn. This is the only Prius I saw in Idaho!

Happy March 2010 Park City UT

2010-03-03T09:44:00.001-08:00

In Utah for a few days. Took the 11.5 hour drive to Park City, Utah from Portland, Oregon.

Only road hazard issues on the drive was some rain in the mountains of eastern Oregon. No traffic around Boise, Idaho either. You can really move in eastern Idaho and northern Utah!

I arrived right on time for dinner at my ex-girlfriend Mary's place. They had an amazing meal going on - they were just sitting down when I got there and I was really hungry! Such a treat for a road warrier...

Spent first two days here at Park City Mountain Resort. My body is not as it should be - fitness - wise - at this time of the ski season! The forced couch potato lifestyle from my shoulder dislocation didn't help. Although I did all the physical therapy as directed it's not helping me ski. But, at least I can ski. Yesterday my friend Ed and I skied Robert Redford's Sundance, which is a great discovery!

So far this week it's been un crowded - in between holiday periods - a good time to be here! And sunny, fairly pleasant!

Real Winter: Visit to Minnesota Ya!

2010-02-01T15:48:00.000-08:00

I just got back from a trip to Minneapolis. Thar's real winter in Minnesooota, Ya!

My brother lives in the Minneapolis bedroom community of Prior Lake. Situated some thirty minutes southwest of the city, Prior Lake sits on a few knolls with a substantial lake wending its way in between.

Lining every square inch of shoreline are homes complete with dock, ski boat, wave runner and oh, every so often is a kayak. But this is winter. And coming from Portland, Oregon, where winter isn't really much to talk about, well Minnesota is the real deal. I mean, we get dark. We get rain. Sometimes we get snow. But it's been in the low 50's now for a couple of weeks. Compare that with a high of three degrees in Prior Lake just before my arrival. I timed my visit for a "warm up" with daytime highs of 34 and sun.

Well I did stuff the locals might do. Like watch kids fly off a 70-meter ski jump!

We also headed to a local ski hill and watched hundreds of tykes on the freestyle slope. The ski area had built lots of jumps and rails for kids. The lift was a rope tow and every foot was taken by a kid headed up hill. Just like ants.

I went to the Mystic Lake Casino - "a Vegas style casino with a midwest address" to check it out. The parking lot was 90% full, and the place was hopping. It seemed bigger than the South Lake Tahoe casinos I'd been to before. But here, mostly slot machines and poker. Some games aren't allowed - no roulette, and no craps. I'm not sure why. On the other hand, while cigarette smoking is banned in Minnesota public eateries/bars, it's allowed. But the strangest rule - no alcohol! But that had no effect on drawing crowds. Outside, teepee was the architectural theme. Some buildings looked like teepees, and a giant teepee was created in the sky with searchlights. It's part of a Sioux Indian tribal agreement. They seem to have everything, complete with a fire department and wind turbine.

I also saw a local phenomenan - a Vikings football game, viewed lakeside in a sports bar. Purple-and-gold fans zoomed across the lake on their snow machines. Meanwhile bobcats cleared the ice for an upcoming pond hockey tournament. It was a fun game, especially as the opponents were my nemesis Dallas Cowboys.

Later that afternoon we drove ourselves onto that frozen lake, along with everybody else out there. Yar, there was one lonely guy X-C skiing, but everyone else was driving a car/truck or snow machine. Or, the other quirky activity - ice fishing. Not sure what this is all about - squatting over a hole, beer in hand waiting for a tug on the line! I think it's some kind of "men-only escape from home for a while" thing.

Then there is Mall of America with its indoor amusement park. That's something else! Well, when it was all over, I got the impression people figure it out with the cold, but I don't know if I'd want to put up with it!

Sea Kayaker Magazine Article on We Love Clean Rivers

2009-12-31T16:01:00.000-08:00

Sea Kayaker Magazine just published my article on the Clackamas Down the River Cleanup, and my non-profit We Love Clean Rivers, Inc.! Good coverage on environmental stewardship in the Portland, Oregon region! It's on magazine racks right now.

HAPPY NEW YEAR and have a fantastic 2010!

Rod

Christmas Ships Paddle!

2009-12-26T07:33:00.000-08:00

On December 20th 2009 we tinseled up our kayaks and headed out on Portland, Oregon's waterfront to meet the combined Christmas Ships fleets!

In the Portland, Oregon region there are two Christmas Ships fleets. There's one for the Columbia River and one for the Willamette River. Only occasionally to both fleets join forces, as they did December 20th!

We met down by the OMSI dock, which is underneath the Hawthorne Bridge. I'm still saddled with my dislocated shoulder injury, so I needed help both loading the kayak on the vehicle, and especially getting into the kayak from the dock!

We had planned to do this paddle in 2008, but a week long snow and ice spell cancelled the Christmas Ships event. We all had bought battery operated Holiday lights and even some hats etc. which had lights! For this year we bought some more, although the stores were empty of battery operated lights pretty quickly.

Anyway on to the water! We strung out the lights across the decks of the kayaks and wore hats festooned with holiday LED lights. Jessie even had electric antlers and a Rudolf nose! Once on the water the ships recongized us and one of them used its bull horn to wish us happy holidays. People on the shores yelled "Merry Christmas" and "You guys rock" to us!

Then it started raining. A lot. Lucky for us we are kayakers and have heavy duty water gear on. It was a very festive time! I could only make it part way to the Steel Bridge before my poor shoulder said, "NO MORE." So we returned, and then once the kayaks were put back on the car racks, headed to a restaurant to celebrate. We'll do it again next year!

One Month Later: Living with Injury

2009-12-25T08:56:00.000-08:00

Well, it's Christmas Day and time for a bit of reflection.

This time I'm writing about probabilities of injury and working through the health care system and taking care of ones self. I'm four weeks into a dislocated shoulder incurred skiing.

The first item is, should you engage in risky sports? Should I avoid them entirely because of the risk? Certainly I have friends that would answer yes. Some would say they have too much going on to risk an injury that could take them out. Kids, career, or whatever. I think the answer always comes down to a couple of questions. What is the probability? If an injury does occur, how will affect my ability to continue daily life and meet responsibilities? What can I do to reduce the risk?

In my accident, the probability has got to be microscopic. I was on the widest slope. I was 100% visible. I was barely moving. It was a beginner slope. I was not engaging in any kind of risky behavior, other than engaging in alpine skiing. I was hit from behind. Could I have done anything to prevent it? Since I didn't hear anyone coming, didn't see anyone, there is no avoidance maneuver possible. Should I constantly turn around and look behind me? I think that is unreasonable. So the fact is, when skiing or snowboarding, just being on the slope is a risk. But I'm not going to quit because of this accident. The risk remains the same - tiny.

How is the recovery process? I am fortunate to have insurance, even if it's a high deductible. I feel a little like a magnet for all kinds of advice, though. I have had more than my share of tips on massage, acupuncture, herbal balms and associated therapies. I even went to a naturopathic doctor for two weeks. A multi level marketing person at my gym tried to sell me hundreds of dollars worth of concoctions. In the end, for me, I need to see a regular physical therapist. There is no substitute, and that is where I'm at right now.

After a couple of weeks of range-of-motion exercises, I just started using the resistance routine using surgical tubing, and it's making a HUGE difference. For me, the main thing that works is keeping the joint moving. It's not about balms, creams, pin pricks and pills. It's more about getting those muscles and tendons back to functioning again. And that means WORK. That's OK. I know from a past knee injury that I must work it for the shoulder to come back.

It's also worth mentioning some things about the health care system. Right now I'm on an old fashioned health plan with a deductible, copays and percentages. That means one needs to track the billings, the negotiated fees, and the payments. Additionally, since it's year-end tax deductions can be taken in this year if it's paid before year end. So one needs to be very on top of tracking the progress of each bill! In the process I learned one of my providers offers a 25% discount if I pay before year end. That's a sweet deal.

So right now, on Christmas Day, it's all about "working my way back," because regardless of the risks involved, I'm not going to stop my active lifestyle. Merry Christmas!

Yikes-Early Ski Season Shoulder Dislocation-Bummer

2009-11-23T10:22:00.000-08:00

With my Ski Bowl discount season pass in hand and all this early season snow I headed to Mount Hood Ski Bowl, where they'd just opened all the lifts! It'd snowed another three feet in the Cascades this week. And it's not even Thanksgiving yet!

I had my new Marmot ski pants and was ready to take a few runs. While they'd had a lot of snow, winds were to be blowing. But I figured I've got nothing to lose! Boy was I mistaken.

The parking lot was filling up as I arrived. I'd taken my time getting up there - since the forecast was for diminishing winds after noon. I suited up, chit chatted with other later arrivals, and then, walked inside to do a final boot adjustment. Then I headed out into an autumn winter kingdom! Check out this tidy video!

Then it was on to the lower lift. Ski bowl doesn't have any high speed quads and the lower lift is notoriously slow. But today, my lift-mate and I noticed it was running at a normal speed! Looking out at the mountain, there sure was a lot of snow for November. Just beautiful!

We wished each other a good run and I headed over to check out the upper bowl lift. It was stuck and a crowd was building at the base. So I figured why not head straight over to the other side, where the Multorpor Lift is located. I could get some warm up runs in over there.

I skied past the closed mid mountain hut and headed to the feeder trail which takes you over. At this point I was on the widest part part of lower bowl. Just before I entered the feeder trail WHAM BAM THANK YOU MAAM! And a SICK CLUNK POP from my left shoulder. Right ski off, I was down. And I was well - down and flubbergasted. What just happened? My body was not as it should be. Clearly, things are very wrong. I can get up. Who the f*ck did that?

"Hey kid what were you doing?!!" Came from a guy behind me. This teen ager on a snowboard had totally clocked me from my blind side behin. I never heard or saw anything. No warning. The kid just said "He was in my way..." In the confusion we did not think to try to pull his pass. Of course I was in the right of way - I was down hill and in front. Too late now. I could not tell what was wrong, but I was thinking dislocation - or worse. I couldn't tell. Still, I got the skis back on and skied all the way down, with the other guy, Mark, behind me guarding my way.

Well, an ambulance ride later, I was at the ER at Providence Hospital. Helpless, I allowed the docs to do their best. After an x-ray revealed no fractures or bone chips they gave me a short term anesthesia and re-set the shoulder. That pain was excruciating. But after re-set so much better. Now, I have to mend myself and do some serious physical therapy! No paddling for a while, I'm afraid.

Winter Preview November 15th XC Skiing!

2009-11-22T19:04:00.000-08:00

We have very early winter in the Oregon Cascades! Several feet fell the week ending November 15 and the ski areas opened! Timberline, Mount Hood Meadows and Ski Bowl all opened! Not only that, the snow was mid-winter dry! Damn good!

I decided to skip the Meadows 10-punch pass now that Meadows has made more restrictions on it. I'm getting a Ski Bowl "Super Value" pass instead.

But today I decided to Nordic ski over at Trillium Lake. It being so early in the season, it caught my friends by surprise - I couldn't get anyone to go up. Undeterred I headed to the Trillium Lake snow park...I was not disappointed!

Heading into the Cascades, it was instantly apparent winter had arrived! In Rhododendron, with its 80-ft high douglas firs, the branches were laden with beautiful white snow. Higher up, valleys came into view - trees just beautifully blanketed with white...it looked like February yet Thanksgiving was two weeks away!

I got myself suited up and headed down the trail at Trillium. It wasn't very crowded, just the few early season people excited to play in the snow! The snow was dry and lightly packed. I'd say there was 30" of base. No measurable wind - very pleasant! Dogs excitedly playing in the snow, some eating snow cookies and others hoping to chase chipmunks or snowshoe hairs.

Further along I came to the lake itself. It was half frozen! I was really surprised it could be this frozen so early in the year.Everything was in a hush, very still. The occasional raven broke the silence. Taking the path further, as it climbed away from the lake, I glimpsed the freshly fallen snow on branches. It's so delicate!

Well, the ski around the lake only lasted a couple of hours. But well worth it! I just love the change in seasons.

A word about my local ski pass choice.

I am trying to avoid Mount Hood Meadows this season. I don't like the terrain - it's boring. And I don't like the lift system one bit. I'm tired of taking 2 or 3 lifts just to ride in Heather Canyon. But behind my boycott lie more emotional factors. I don't like their business practices. With each passing season, riding at MHM has made me feel like I'm just some ant sucked up in their business plan. When the Website calls fresh powder "product," that's a sure sign the place is on the wrong track. Last season the woman behing the customer service counter also referred to their lift tickets / packages as "product," and their being in a "market," and I just got so turned off I vowed to boycott.

Folks, skiing or boarding is an experience. It's taking in the fresh air, falling in the white fluff, riding in the cathedral of trees, watching the grin on a tot's face! It's porpoising in several feet of freshly fallen powder. It's the quiet riding in natural snow.

For years I've always loved Ski Bowl for its easy going more laid back experience. I never feel like I am part of some MBA's business plan. Just riding, snow, fun. Just the woods. No fancy high speed quads and 100% groomers. No constantly raised prices for lockers and cafeteria. Just fun, pure and simple! More than this, I like Ski Bowl's Upper Bowl and outback terrain. It reminds me of the Rockies. And there's not a ton of lifts to get back to do another run! The one negative, obviously, is that 'da Bowl is lower elevation. Sometimes it gets rain when the other areas are getting snow.

Still, for me, this year I'm going with Ski Bowl!

No Child Left Inside: Seminar Nov 18th on Teaching Kids to be Environmental Stewards

2009-11-10T13:32:00.000-08:00

Next Wednesday, find out what's being done in Oregon to mold kids into environmental stewards! Oregon's No Child Left Inside Act was passed in 2009.

Hear from The Freshwater Trust and The Oregon Community Foundation staff about how No Oregon Child Left Inside legislation is supporting the development of our youth into informed, responsible and active stewards, and what you can do to help. Sponsored by Northwest Association of Environmental Professionals.

Where: NW Library (NW Thurman and 23rd), Meeting Room

Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

River of Action Day with 350.org!!

2009-10-29T17:50:00.000-07:00

October 24th was international day of action for climate awareness! Across Planet Earth, in over 160 countries and thousands of locations, concerned humans formed the number 350 to bring attention to our planet's crisis. Scientiests have determined Planet Earth cannot hold more than 350 parts per million of CO2 in its atmosphere without catastrophic consequences.

We are already at 387.

There is a conference on climate coming up in Copenhagen, Denmark, and 350.org was putting together these demonstrations so that the conference understands the humans on this planet want something done.

It was not an easy thing to create a 350 with some 130 kayaks. We were told which number we belonged to. Some folks had FRS radios to communicate. We had a guy on the Morrison Bridge with a megaphone managing us. Still, it took several tries to get us to put the "350" together, and even then, the meager current on the Willamette would screw it up. Well, we did get one photo of it off! I was wondering if it all was just an embarrassment for Portland!

Oregon Coast Surfing with Lumpy Waters Symposium

2009-10-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

Going where you've never gone before. Pushing your limits. Achieving the impossible. And sharing it all with friends old and new. That sums up Lumpy Waters.

The weekend of October 16-18 was a magical experience for Oregon paddling! On this weekend 60+ fanatics gathered in Pacific City, Oregon for Alder Creek's Lumpy Waters Symposium. The three-day coastal kayaking extravaganza was a complete package of instruction (surf and ocean paddling), meals and lodging. It was also sponsored by major paddling companies like Werner, P&H Sea Kayaks, Valley Kayaks, Thule, Kokatat and Wilderness Systems. Also present were Anna and David from Wend Magazine.

Forecasts looked truly ominous a couple of days prior. Just before departing the KGW put up gale warnings with winds in excess of 34 knots, seas of 12 ft and up to four inches of rain in the Oregon Coast mountains! OK. It's Friday at O'Dark Hundred and the car's packed up. I spent time at the KEEN Footwear pre-350.org party the night before, but its effects weren't felt. I hit the road. But when I arrived, it was weirdly quiet. Was this the calm before the storm? Dark skies, yes. But gales? Nope. I had dragged myself out of bed and packed up the car with every piece of kayaking gear I've got. Pyranha Burn for the short boat surf class and my Valley Aquanaut LV for the other classes. Helmet, all the paddles and dry suit etc. Plenty of Ibuprofin.

I took this gig seriously - heading to the Marshall Pool and Columbia Pool on three occasions to practice rolling in both kayaks. Some of that time was unexpectedly spent teaching rescues - but that's OK. I always learn something when I teach.

So it's about 8:30 and there's a fair number of hardy Lumpy Waters participants already here. The staff has my registration packet ready to go. Paddlers, clad in dry suits, look like peacocks contrasting the gray day.

The Cape Kiwanda "kampground" is right across the street from Pelican Brewpub and the Pacific Ocean. And just down the street there's the staging area for classes on the more quiet Nestucca estuary. It's a good location for rougher instruction in "conditions," or calmer flat water stuff. I found the "kabins" interesting. Although this "campground" is stuffed with "perma RVs" the cabins are landscaped in such a way that each seems hidden by itself - with its own fire pit. I had to work to see the RVs from my porch. I was way thankful for the kabin as we had rain - so there was room to hang out the dry suit.

OK time for class! This was my chance to use the long boat in the surf. My first class was the "Fear to fun in the surf." Our instructor Karl Anderson barked 'get your helmet and meet down at the Pelican parking lot ready to go at nine!' Uh, OK even though I hadn't even checked in to my kabin. Alder Creek had everything set up with a kitchen with some early morning food and then a sandwich bar for lunch. Karl and Danny Mongo, our coaches, took us down to the now-rising surf and gently guided us into the surf zone - w/o the boats at first. The idea is go get used to what the waves can do. Like bash your boat into you. You'd better not be between your boat and the shore! We spent a lot of time dealing with launching boats and what to do if you've got to wet exit in the surf. Basically, if you are out of the boat swimming, you need to hold on to the bow and let the waves bring you in. Launching is another matter altogether. Timing is everything. You can set your boat down on the sand but that doesn't mean you're bone dry. There'll be a wave that will let you float down to the water's edge. So once the water from that last wave goes out, you'd best get in your cockpit and snap the spray skirt on! You know there'll soon be another wave which is gonna reach all the way to your boat. From that point, if you have a partner, they can stabilize your boat until you are ready to go. If you're on your own, you'll be knuckle dragging your boat down to the water. We assembled down there, and I was surprised to find that the class was taking us, without boats, into the surf at first. I guess that's a great idea. We experienced the undertow. We learned why it's important to never ever be in between the boat and the beach. We also formed two-person teams responsible for launching and landing boats! We quickly learned how exhausting the surf zone can be launching and moving boats around in the zone. Later we got into our boats and from my whitewater experience I quickly learned how easy it is to brace against the foam pile formed by breaking waves. Seemed like no matter its speed or fury, if you lean into the pile and brace, you can't go wrong. It's fun! Lean the opposite way, instant dump. The only dump I had was when I was distracted and didn't pay attention to the foam pile coming at me.

I certainly enjoyed bracing against the incoming foam from breaking waves. There's a ton to be learned from taking your boat into the surf. It's so chaotic you absolutely must use a lot of different strokes, edging and bracing to stay in control! You're being bashed about by breaking waves, many coming over your head, you're constantly shaking your head to lose the water so you can see. No need for a Neti Pot to clear your sinuses here, either! You've got lots of salt water up your nose all the time!

In the afternoon, my only class was rolling which turned out to be a waste of time. It was the worst pool session of 2009. I know I need to dial it in. But I failed more times in that pool than all the sessions of this year put together. It's partly I was exhausted and partly I was in a completely unfamiliar boat, not dialed in to me. At the very least I should have brought one of my boats. The Habitat 80 I used was so big and thigh braces/hip pads so wide I didn't feel contact and was distracted. I rolled, but not to a satisfactory extent and my exhaustion showed from the surf. I didn't let it get to me. I spent the balance of the afternoon reading National Geographic.

Friday's supper was a Mexi Feast. A hearty fueling after expending calories out there. Everyone was in a good mood. The air was festive, paddlers sharing stories of the day. Then David and Anna of Wend Magazine put on a video/slide show of the day's most embarrasing moments. A good laugh was shared!

Saturday broke darker and windier. Still, it wasn't the gale forecasted. During breakfast I spoke with Karl and then Sean, today's short boat surf class instructor. For me, the short boat class was my ultimate for this weekend. I'd been dying to try my Pyranha Burn in the surf. Even though I know it's not designed as a surf boat, I also know it can surf. It's got a flat bottom and edges. But I was real nervous about what might happen if I had to wet exit and then got dragged by the rip tide toward the rocks. Looking out at the darkening sky and increasing winds, I was like there's NO WAY I belong out there. I was dead set on only staying close and working the foam piles. I thought to myself, "What would happen if I had to exit and got towed by the rip to the rocks, boat with me?" Well, it came time to launch. I was surprised that I just kept battling out through the breakers. It wasn't long and I was further out than imagined! You've got to just bust through the foam piles and stick the blade into the green beyond, and pull through. No doubt the salt water pushing up my nostrils cleared the sinuses!

Well, the wind built and so did the surf. At one point I was defeated by this wave which was taller than my boat's length! I couldn't paddle over it. All of the sudden I was surfing backwards down it toward the shore! Vavoom...and when it was over, I just flipped the boat around and surfed the next one into shore...what a blast! Absolutely a highlight! Unfortunately it was so rainy nobody took pictures of the short boat class!

One of the most wonderful aspects of the short boat class was Dave Graham was there. I know him through my meetup kayak group. He's full of energy and loves surfing. I witnessed him taking another Pyranha out into the surf - and he was so graceful paddling out and then surfing in - total economy of movement. He was just riding the kayak with mostly hips edging and a little bracing with the paddle, probably 150 yards in total!

Sometime after eleven, the wind kicked up significantly and the tide was coming in. As high tide neared, the waves became much more vertical. Sean called us together and declared that the class was officially over, but we were free to practice out there. Sean and the other instructors confessed that in these conditions they'd never choose to go out and surf. It was about as ugly as it gets!

Saturday afternoon, the class was "Wind Management" taught by Rob Avery of Valley Sea Kayaks. I learned a fair amount of unexpected tricks on what wind does to the boat how you can edge it to counteract weathercocking. It was pretty interesting. We also spent some time on towing skills.

Dinnertime Saturday was awesome. The Yankee-Angels playoffs were happening, and the meal took place at the pizza restaurant right there in Pacific City. The thing about this event that was so great was that it's a magnet for people passionate about paddling! Dave Graham was there, and then Fred Harsman, who's passionate about long-boat surfing, showed up. My peers Deborah and Deb from meetup were around, and it was great to see Kate Ross, Dave White, Paul Kuthe, Dave Slover and friends from Alder Creek. David and Anna from Wend showed today's photos. When done, some of us headed over to Pelican Brew Pub for a night cap.

Over there, Rob Avery from Valley Sea Kayaks, Greg from my kabin and Dave Mongno from Werner and I hung out talking shop and watching the Yankee/Angels playoff game. As the game went into xtra innings, and we had more brewskis, it became apparent my Sunday plans might change. The Alder Creek staff mingled in and some harder drinks flowed. Another English style pint. OK time to head back to the kabin!

Uggh. I had that listless micro beer sleep and then 5:30 back at the cabin, the alarm sounds! I can't believe it's time to get up already!

Sunday's breakfast was back at the Pelican Brewpub. Generous mugs of warm coffee arrived at the table, followed by traditional eggs and bacon. I was signed up for the weather-cancelled Cave Exploration and got substituted into another challenging class. It wasn't long before my body and head were saying no, if the weather was like yesterday I wasn't up for another day of this! My head was woozy and pretty much all muscles ached. So I switched out to the 'strokes & maneuvers' class. Well, Sunday's weather turned mellow. I got my "cool-down" class, but didn't learn anything new. In retrospect I could have handled one of the coastal tours.

Lumpy Waters was a great experience. Taken together it was a great weekend for everyone. One of the best things was so many people together enjoying something they love so much!

Lumpy Waters -> Gale Ho!

2009-10-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow headed to Pacific City on the Oregon Coast for the Lumpy Waters Symposium!

50+ kayakers are registered for this event. It's three days of short-and long-boat kayak surfing, plus instruction on rolling, rock gardening, cave exploration, handling current, and more.

There'll be demos by P&H Sea Kayaks, Valley Sea Kayaks, and Werner Paddles

But YIKES - the forecast is now a gale warning with winds 34 - 47 knots and 10-foot seas! Something tells me we're either spending a lot of time in Nestucca Bay, or inside watching baseball playoffs!

350.org River of Action Party @ KEEN Footwear

2009-10-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

Headed to the 350.org River of Action Warm Up at KEEN Footwear HQ tonight. Starts at 7:00 p.m. They'll have a film on kayaking in Bolivia and probably some information and rallying for the October 24th River of Action event at the Portland, Oregon waterfront!

My group, Pacific NW Sea Kayak meetup, is heading out from Sellwood Park in Portland, OR at 9:00 and shall rendezvous with the others down at the Hawthorne Bridge on the 24th.

RR

Willamette Riverkeeper's Great Willamette Cleanup 2009!

2009-10-07T11:38:00.000-07:00

Although our local river, the Willamette, is often referred to in disdainful terms, it serves the recreational community and even serves Northwest River Guides for the Thursday skills socials. Many paddlers first took to the water here. It is host to Paddle Oregon, a week-long event in August. Next Adventure, NRG, and Alder Creek Sellwood-Ross Island trips there all summer! It's also home to Portland Kayak Company - most of their lessons are held right off John's Landing.

Willamette Riverkeeper's mission is to protect and restore the Willamette River. They believe that a river with good water quality and abundant natural habitat is a basic public right. The Willamette River belongs to all of us, and should be protected as such.

October 3rd they held the 1st Great Willamette Cleanup! They invited folks from We Love Clean Rivers, and Pacific NW Sea Kayak Meetup to handle one section - the Meldrum Bar. We met out there with canoes and kayaks and headed out to Goat and Cedar Islands to scour the area.

First order of the day was meet and greet, check our route, and sign the usual legal formalities.

Then we paddled down to Cedar Island. I was surprised that we only found a tire, an easy up shelter and a whole lotta old cable buried in sand. At least we found that much!

Some of the other groups cleaned sections in far worse shape. Look at what they got! This was not without battle scars...uggh I got mine.

After we were done, we took group photos, then headed down to Madison's Bar & Grill for some grub. All in all a good time and we're sure next year's cleanup will be even bigger!

Waldo Lake Sept 2009

2009-10-06T17:11:00.000-07:00

Waldo Lake! That name makes the heart of Oregon kayak campers leap! It's Oregon's largest natural lake outside Crater Lake and Waldo's water is "dramatically ultra-oliographic," meaning it's unbelievably pure. They say it's possible to see something on the bottom 140-feet down!
Not only that, Waldo's 10-mph motorboat speed limit and lack of game fish mean the noise of motorboats aint gonna be a factor. This lake is a take-me-back-to-yesterday human powered recreation paradise. The indigo blue water is something to behold.
We arrived Friday afternoon and it was sunny and, well, a little smoky. Wildfires in southern Oregon sent some brownish haze our way. But the paddle was nice and we found a beautiful spot on a peninsula on the west side of the lake, about a 10-minute paddle from Rhododendron Island. We were all a bit freaked about whether our craft could manage to store all our gear!
Here's a nice shot of the peninsula. We felt fortunate to be on such a pretty spot. Friday night there were stars a plenty!
Saturday morning we awoke to sun. Lucky us! The forecast called for RAIN early in the day. We made pancakes with blackberries/raspberries plus bacon! Quite the luxury. But by 1:00 the misty/light rain came. That was NOT going to stop us from paddling. So we headed down to Klovdahl Dam and saw some interesting perspectives along the way. The Gods seemed to blow clouds/mist over the crest of the mountains, which would create an aura of mystery on the lake. Some intrepid Hobie Cat sailors were out there undaunted!

Then we headed down to Klovdahl Dam. This dam doesn't mean the lake is man-made. Rather this guy Klovdahl was trying to use water from the lake to irrigate farms in the Willamette Valley sometime in the late 1800's. His effort failed, thank God.
Okay. Saturday night was beat. We had fun and erected tarps and a shelter, but it misted much longer than the forecast! We did, however, have a nice Mexican meal before a blazing fire. Sometime during the night the clouds parted and VOILA! Sunday was BLUE BIRD perfect!
Sunday morning was a fun cooking experience! Lots of extra stuff from dinner/breakfast Satuday (cut up potatoes and sausage) plus oats, yogurt, nuts, etc. All good!
And then the plan was to let the gear dry out while we paddled. We took off for the north end of the lake. We found a pebble beach with fun boulders to climb on and use as a picnic spot! Then the wind kicked up, we had a few whitecaps. We headed back to camp, broke camp and that was pretty much it. Here's Andrea after the wind calmed down. Right behind her is South Sister! Here's Katie on the way back to Shadow Bay, where we put in. See ya next time Waldo.

Down the River Cleanup 2009

2009-10-04T16:19:00.001-07:00

Hey it's high time I blog about the 2009 Down the River Cleanup on the Clackamas River, Oregon! This was the 7th annual cleanup. It's getting a bit more refined each year. I'm one of the "key volunteers," a group of 20 or so dedicated souls slaving from May through September to get this thing going. Throughout the summer we met every Wednesday evening to ensure we steered the event toward success! We coudn't do it without Bryan Knudsen of Next Adventure - Bryan lets us use Next Adventure for many of our meetings, and he also aranges for the afternoon day-of-event barbeque! AND, he fills our bellies with pizza & PBR when we meet. In 2009 we had Brent Dahl to oversee the whole event.

We're now an official non-profit named We Love Clean Rivers! We hope to blue print our processes and graft them onto other rivers for cleanups!

This year's cleanup, Sunday 9/13, opened up to a decent sunrise at daybreak. We did have some showers on the 14-mile stretch we clean, but back at Barton Park, where the 329 volunteers gathered, there wasn't a drop. We stage the event at the west end of the park. Before dawn, volunteers begin to dribble in, and get to work. Setting up breakfast, coffee, registration, pod stations, and the silent auction. KEEN Footwear, one of our biggest supporters, also sets up a booth and loans out shoes for the day! Most everyone is welcome, from police, divers, rafters, kayakers, photographers, news reporters, kids, land owners, fishermen!

Early in the day we down some carbos in the form of bagels from Grand Central Baking for volunteers to load up on! They also get Stumptown Coffee to energize their day! Then the t-shirts start selling briskly. Everyone wants one of the coolest, latest organic cotton shirts to show they love the Clackamas River. They're designed by the wonderful and gifted Jenn Huckins! Kristin Dahl, President of the new non-profit We Love Clean Rivers shows off a 2009er.

We clean a 14-mile stretch of the Clackamas River from Barton Park to its confluence with the Willamette River at Clackamette Park. The job is divided up into "pods" responsible for 1-mile sections. A pod is comprised of rafts (to carry volunteers), rafts (to carry the garbage), kayaks, canoes, and divers (to get wet - to scour the river bottom). They are given bags and gloves. The river sherriff is there just in case, and each pod has a safety lead, and in turn the entire safety shebang is overseen by Paul Kuthe, lead instructor at Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe.

It really seems like we've gotten this event running from beginning-to-end like a well-oiled machine. We have Raz Transportation coaches shuttling volunteers between the put-ins and the take-outs.

There are dumpsters donated and artists sorting through stuff to create salvage art-all orchestrated by Jenn Reilly of Ripple Effect. We have food and entertainment at the end of the event. We have a guy (ME) running the silent auction, t-shirt sales and raffle sales. In the months prior to the event I reach out to outdoor recreation industry players and secure donations for the auction. This year we amassed 76 items. We have Paul doing safety. We have Bryan of Next Adventure doing the barbeque. We have Patty Kezor doing registration. We have Jason Markantes building the website. We have Mark Adams working food. We have Jordan Bermingham of PSU Outdoor Program working rafts and such. We have quite the organized crew. We also have Jacquie Bishop, our event lawyer, ensuring all the t's are crossed and I's dotted!

By 9:00 a.m. the place is a whirlwind of activity. We had 329 people to manage! The registration table is buzzing, volunteers are finding their pods, and those with a minute to spare are oggling schwag on the silent auction tables. Around 9:30 we have a pod leader meeting and safety talk. Then it's off to the river.

Pods take to the river and wend their way to their designated river mile. For some, there's opportunities to show off their skills, but for everyone the reason to be here is stewardship - to give back to the Clackamas, the river upon which most launched their river running careers. We had a ton of fun cleaning the river! You never expect what you wind up pulling out. Chunks of metal, fencing, tires, toys, and lots and lots of flip flops!

When finished, volunteers disgorged their catch at dumpsters located at Carver, Riverside and Clackamette Parks. There, designated sorters worked through stuff that could be recycled, and artists picked out items that could be turned into masterpieces and sold at Ripple Effect. Then the coaches arrived to bring hungry volunteers back to Barton Park where they were treated to a well-deserved barbeque and music. The silent auction, raffle and t-shirt area was really busy - the auction ended at 5:15. This year we managed to raise even more than in 2008 despite the recession!

Brent Dahl speaks to the crowd. There were prizes awarded for trash categories! Heaviest: A 4-cylinder engine; Cutest: A Teddy Bear; Most Unique: Message in a Bottle; Most Missed: Backpack with keys, cell phone and 4th grade homework.

Once again we had good weather. We're pleased with our progress thus far. We'll see if we can bring the cleanup to other rivers!

Join 350.org for Climate Action Day October 24th

2009-10-02T15:14:00.000-07:00

Pacific NW Sea Kayak Meetup, Northwest River Guides, Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe, along with environmental stewardship organizations around the globe, will participate in 350.org's International Day of Climate Action! There are numerous events planned, but as a paddler I highly encourage YOU to join us in the "River of Action."

River of Action is a PLANETARY event! Paddlers from all regions and both hemishperes are taking to the water to form the number 350. What's so significant about that number? Scientists have proven that planet earth can with stand an atmospheric concentration of no more than 350 parts per million of carbon without catastrophic climate change! BAD NEWS - the earth is currently already at 390 parts per million! 350.org is an international organization dedicated to raising awareness of the immediacy of the climate crisis! Climate crisis is already here! So be there by the Hawthorne Bridge at 11:00 October 24th! The River of Action event runs until 1:00! Then, participants head to Pioneer Courthouse Square for more of the day's activities!

2016 Olympics Let's GO RIO

2009-10-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

Totally STOKED that the International Olympic Committee in Copenhagen picked Rio de Janiero in Brazil for the 2016 Summer Olympics! I'm delighted they did not bend to a US President's pressure, instead handing South America its first-ever summer Olympics! Besides, Brazil is one of those up and coming economies like India! The beach volleyball cannot get any better!

Extreme XXX Columbia River Paddling!

2009-09-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

Ah yes! The mighty Columbia. Roll on Columbia, roll on they say! Well, on a recent weekend four of us planned a nice, DECENT paddle from Dalton Point Park to Corbett Station. Along the way, we intended to stop at Phoca Rock, crossing to the Washington side to take in a close up view of Cape Horn, a vertical cliff of basalt marking a bend in the Columbia River.

There were clouds when we launched, but the sun broke through as we meandered on this 12-mile paddle. First we stopped off at Phoca Rock, a basalt slab smack in the middle of the Columbia. Some of us climbed it while the rest of us played in the current swirling around its base. Others took photos from the rock itself, which might as well be a moonscape!

We paddled north to the Washington side, to get a close up of Cape Horn, which did not dissapoint. There, we witnessed waterfalls descending the steep basalt cliffs!

By this time the weather was clearing and it was warming up. We were hungry - and spotted a sandy island on the Oregon shore. That was going to be our picnic spot. Once we landed and were happily engaged in culinary delights, I spotted a Darwinian figure on the horizon. With the heat rising off the sand, the image brought to mind a scene from the Planet of the Apes - maybe it was Charleton Heston clad in a loin cloth?

Well, without any trepidation at all, our visitors sauntered past, swinging in the wind! Hmm. Well, that made for some exreme expeditoning out on yee old mighty Columbia! While two of us went over to the kayaks to check on some gear, one of the clothing-optional folks sauntered right up to April and began a discussion by offering a business card! Not the usual business suit, hugh.

Find and Seek A New Ride

2009-08-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

Wow it was a long journey finding a new sea kayak. It all started in June 2009 when I participated in an American Canoe Association Instructor Development Workshop or IDW.

It was three days of 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. paddling, class time, debriefing, games and presentations. I was paddling my Riot Brittany, which I'd owned for a year. I loved that boat. But I always felt snug in the cockpit and under the front deck. I also felt my abs strain a bit when edging. I just figured it was the way a kayak is. It performed well in sloppy conditions, it turned well, and was well mannered when fully loaded. I also found rolling it a simple affair. But self rescues were always a chore due to the small cockpit. Also I was never really comfortable edging. On the last day of the IDW one of the instructors said I might be a bit big for the boat's cockpit - some of my difficulties edging might be solved in a different boat.

So I took that suggestion to heart and started trying a lot of sea kayaks. Sure enough, many were easier to edge, and most had a more generous cockpit making self rescues much more manageable.

I loved the P&H Cetus 16.7 as it fit me perfectly and was well, just beautiful. But it's $3,499, and I just couldn't part with that much green. I also decided to buy the boat from Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe, because they have given me some free instruction, and I also knew they'd back my purchase if I had a problem.

I found the P&H Scorpio to be an amazing boat. It was incredibly stable, fast, and held lots of gear. Self rescues were simple. It is a technological leap forward. It is real narrow up front allowing close paddling, yet its widest point is behind the cockpit, making it dock stable. It has a 2nd day hatch in front of the cockpit. Sooo convenient. And it's got a kink-free and field repairable elliptical skeg. The seat back and the high back deck were the only issues. For unknown reasons P&H made the back deck really high, and they installed the seat too bar back in the cockpit. Your back uncomfortably rests on the cockpit combing no matter how you adjust the seat back. After hours of mind numbing wrangling I got the seat to move forward, which helped. I took the boat on a Puget Sound trip to Hope Island, WA in July 2009. I still found the seat a bit tight but kept on adjusting the backband. I also always noticed the cockpit seemed to have more water in it than could be explained by just entering the boat with wet shoes. But I tried to ignore it. Then things got ugly. Entering the boat on Hope Island I heard a "pop" which was the seat breaking. Its plastic was not strong enough to take the bolts holding it. Then I saw why the cockpit had water - it was coming through the through bolt holes for the foot braces. Further, I noticed the bulkhead behind my seat had separated from the hull! I returned the boat to Alder Creek, and they offered to fix it.

With the Scorpio in ICU, Alder Creek gave me some loaners. I tried the P&H Capella 16.3 in plastic, which I just loved. When I demoed it I didn't like it, but that was because the thigh braces were too far forward. Moving them back solved everything. I also borrowed a Valley Aquanaut in fiberglass. While it was a little big, it worked out fine and was a quick study to roll. It kind of seems like I fit a lot of boats in fiberglass.

When I got my Scorpio back I was excited. I got it home, stepped up to pick it up off the roof rack of my VW Jetta wagon, and saw something really sad. The bulkhead had separated again! I took a deep breath and decided that I probably should reject this boat. I asked friends and they all said yes I must return it. Alder Creek had no problems taking it back.

So, I tried the Valley Aquanaut HV in plastic, and the Valley Nordkapp in plastic. The Nordkapp was the best-fitting plastic boat I've ever tried. Nice and responsive to user input. But the Nordkapp didn't offer enough gear storage space for my needs. I couldn't see how I could get the tent, sleeping bag, stoves etc in there. I tried the Aquanaut HV. It was much more generous in the cockpit. I understood it - meaning it was easy to intuitively grasp how to paddle it. Yet it felt like a Buick to me. A bit spongy and big. But I decided to buy it because I could work with it.
Then a turn of luck happened. As things would happen, Alder Creek keeps the inventory of the Aquanaut across the parking lot in a power boat company's warehouse, and they'd closed for the day. I had to go home boat-less, but that gave me more time to think. At home, I looked up the Valley kayak company's website. There, I learned there is a Valley kayak precisely in-between the Aquanaut HV plastic and the Nordkapp plastic - they also offer an Aquanaut LV - low volume.

So, next morning I asked to see the Aquanaut LV - and as soon as I sat in its cockpit I knew I'd found my ride! It fit me just like the Nordkapp, yet it had enough room for my camping geat. So without even paddling it I took it home. It does not have the leap-forward features. No 2nd day hatch, it's got the older cable skeg system, and the hull shape is pretty traditional. But the fact is, it fit me perfectly without any customizing the cockpit! That's amazing. It paddled just as I'd expect, edging, turning, rolling, all a cinch! It's not as fast as the Scorpio, nor does it track as well on flat water. The skeg's really necessary on this boat. But the darn thing works for me. For me, fit is it. To Valley's credit, it pack a few technological things of its own. Its hatch covers are proprietary. They're double-sealed, and they have reinforced tops. They fit onto special "sockets" molded into the kayak plastic. Those on the P&H Scorpio are made by Kajaksport, and while they don't leak, they are a bit floppy - the aft hatch is so huge that its floppy top was cause for concern when self rescuing. Plus the Valley hatches snap on very easily. Also, Valley is the only kayak manufacturer that builds polyethylene boats with hard-plastic hatch bulkheads! That's a very interesting fact. They're positively bomber tough!

I've had the Aquanaut LV out a number of times now, beat it up and it's been a great boat. Maybe it's not a generational leap ahead, but it peforms, and fits me, exceptionally well. Can't wait to get it kayak camping at Waldo Lake this Labor Day!

I have to give the people at Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe LOT OF KUDOS for their hard work and patience - and positive customer service. I'm defintely a believer.

Guiding the Blind in Kayaks!

2009-08-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

Yes it's true I spent yesterday guiding a group of some 36 vets from the US and British armed forces...we took kayaks and rafts and paddled on the Willamette River! That's me 2nd from left.

Turns out the whole thing was covered in the Oregonian August 19, 2009 - they put it on the front page! They only counted 17 vets - it was quite a few more than that. Click here to read more!

There is also a video on that OregonLive page!

You can read more at http://www.northwestriverguides.com/ on the August 18 2009 post. It was a really incredible experience!

Trying out New Kayaks

2009-06-27T07:34:00.000-07:00

I'm spending a couple hours today looking at kayaks. If I'm going to be giving beginning kayak lessons in Portland Oregon with Northwest River Guides I might need a better fitting kayak.

Portland Oregon Paddling with Northwest River Guides

2009-06-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

I've taken up part time guiding/teaching kayaking Northwest River Guides. Believing that introducing beginner recreational kayakers will broaden the sport and satisfied clients will take up lessons to further their skills, NRG is offering kakaking trips on the Willamette River. For starters, we're offering a one-two punch. Partnering with Next Adventure, people can take beginner kayak lessons and demo a kayak from Next Adventure Sundays at 9:00 in Sellwood Park throughout the summer of 2009. You can call NRG at 503-772-1122 to reserve a spot.

Learning to be a Kayak Instructor

2009-06-23T06:21:00.000-07:00

I co-chair the Portland, Oregon based meetup group PacificNW Sea Kayak . Since we have led 80+ kayak trips since early 2008, it seemed prudent for myself and Jessie, my partner in crime, to get some more skills and leadership training. And along the way I started working with Sam Drevo and Dave Hoffman of Northwest River Guides helping them with guiding and marketing.

Sooo, we spent three days at "Kayak Instructor Camp" at Ilwaco, WA. Officially it's called an American Canoe Association Instructor Development Workshop. To put it mildly it's brutal. Three days starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending past 10:00 p.m. Each day is jam packed with rescue practice, paddle stroke refinement, video recording and analysis, indoor and outdoor presentation, group management exercises, and rough water paddling exercises.

It is a lot of work, and a lot of fun. I came away very humbled. And absolutely exhausted. Everyone needed work on their paddle strokes - especially torso rotation. The last day we were taken out to the surf zone. It was my first time sea kayaking in any surf - and it wasn't big by any means. I got tossed around, and Jessie got thrown down on the sand. But we came out of it smiling. That's why we got our best scores for "gnar factor" or "Grace Under Pressure!"

Smith & Bybee Lakes Paddling Portland, OR

2009-06-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

Helped guide a tour with Northwest River Guides. We took a family out kayaking in Portland, Oregon to Smith & Bybee lakes. These lakes are situated in the north end of the city and are a restored wetland.

Kayaking Portland is something worthwhile. This Pacific Northwest city is full of nearby opportunites. But few realize there is a significant wetland right in the city - and it's packed with wildlife viewing - especially birds!

We met our group at 10:00 a.m. First Dave Hoffman gave an orientation to kayaking, and then to the area we were about to paddle. Next a short introduction on the boats and paddles.

Then we launched on what was to become a relaxing paddle. It's amazing all the creatures making their homes right in the city. The wetland reminded me of places far away I've experienced like SE Asia or the Everglades. Floating vegetation. Submerged trees. We saw adult and immature bald eagles. Ospreys, red winged blackbirds, coots, gold finches, swallows, great blue herons, and some very big fish.

When done, it was only 20 minutes back to town!

Timothy Lake Meetup Weekend

2009-06-17T07:28:00.000-07:00

Took my PDX Sea Kayaker group to Timothy Lake, Oregon this past weekend. We braved a thunderstorm forecast and reaped huge rewards! We were prepared with dining canopies. It rained about 3 hours Friday night and we simply enjoyed dinner under them.

That was the extent of the rain. The remainder of the weekend it was fairly warm and there were frequent periods of sun. We paddled out across the lake for lunch. Then up the arm of the lake that extends to a wetland where we witnessed spectacular shows of ospreys fishing.

Now it's off to guide with Northwest River Guides for a trip around Smith & Bybee lakes near Portland.

Roll Session with Team River Runner!

2009-06-15T07:13:00.000-07:00

I've started doing some guiding / teaching with eNRG Kayaking in Portland, OR. A couple of weeks ago, we volunteered some time to give kayak lessons in Portland, OR to members of Team River Runner. Team River Runner was established back in the Washington, DC area as a means of physical therapy for wounded veterans. Its success led to expansion to other regions and to veterans in general. There's a growing branch in the Portland, OR area.

We met up at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham. After some stretching, we got into the pool. Sam Drevo is an excellent instructor. He took us through high braces, low braces, draw to the hip, sculling, and then on to rolling. By the end, everyone had rolled at least once. We tried to do some hand rolls, but that didn't work for us this time. Maybe next time!

I look forward to working with the team this summer.

Guiding in Nehalem Bay with Sam Drevo

2009-06-10T14:50:00.000-07:00

In late May, I helped Sam Drevo guide some paddlers on a private tour of Nehalem Bay. The area is about 95 miles west of Portland.

The town sits right on the Nehalem River. You can do a car shuttle paddle from 6-10 miles upstream into town. Paddling in Nehalem Bay offers tidal conditions protected from the ocean by Nehalem Bay State Park. There’s also ocean kayaking and surfing. Just the weekend before, my meetup group had spent three days at Nehalem Bay State Park. We paddled the bay and did one of the car shuttle paddles on the river.

Today guided Bob and Pam, two friends from Boise on a three-hour float of the bay. They had been paddling with Sam several days that week, and this was their last outing. We also had two others along - Max, our intern, and Barney - a digital videographer from Portland.

Leaving early from Northwest River Guides headquarters, we managed to arrive exactly at the pre-arranged spot at 11:00 a.m. in the town of Wheeler, also on the Nehalem River. Bob and Pam seemed to be in high spirits as the day’s weather looked perfect.

As the tide was dead low and coming in, the idea was to launch out at Nehalem Bay State Park boat launch, out in the bay, and ride the incoming tide into the river and end back in Nehalem. After an initial briefing on the bay, safety considerations and boat orientation, we headed off. Looking out into the bay, one could see buoys tilted toward Nehalem, away from the bay - indicating an incoming current. The speed of the current was evident by floating objects moving with it. The tide was still very low, exposing much of the mud. We explored the north side, checking out the mud islands and the narrow rivers of tide running between, filling up the gaps. Before long, tiny wave trains of tidal rush sprang up. Fauna included crabs, hundreds of clams, fish, ospreys, bald eagles, and great blue herons. While there is a herd of Roosevelt Elk on the north side of the bay, we didn’t see them. As we neared the town of Wheeler, we took a side inlet which cut off our route from the main river. We hoped the rising tide would lift us enough for passage around one of the islands.

Exploring the inlet was great fun. It did in fact lead to a way out to the main river at the end, and since it was below the headland, it was protected from the ever increasing sea breeze. It was warm and relaxing in this area. You can’t witness this natural setting in a motorized boat - it’s just too shallow. Once in the main river, we could see we weren’t far from our take out.
We had a great paddle with Bob and Pam at Nehalem Bay!

Getting Back on the River

2009-06-10T07:44:00.000-07:00

Been making more of an effort to get out and whitewater kayak more this year. Done several runs on Oregon rivers. Fact is you need to just get out there to keep your skills, or to get better. Use them or lose them. It's not like riding a bike.

Ran Barton to Carver a couple of times. Last time it was running at 4,100 cfs, and it was so full that any interesting features were buried! At least we got a chance to practice peel outs and eddy outs. Also did a run on the North Santiam with Paul Kuthe of Alder Creek, which was a blast.

Bobs to Memaloose

Should I be a River Guide?

2009-06-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

Considering becoming a river guide! I have been volunteering with the Clackamas River Cleanup. One of its founders, Sam Drevo, owner of Northwest River Guides, aka eNRG Kayaking, discovered I was looking for work. He suggested I do some part time river guiding and kayak teaching, plus some marketing for his growing company. I said I'll think about it!

October 19 - Bangliang River Paddle

2008-11-18T18:35:00.000-08:00

Well, I took the day in town today. I wanted to do some housekeeping and maybe get some souvenirs. But being on vacation I wasn't paying attention to the day of the week. It was Sunday! Not much open. I did get a chance to do a currency exchange and put together tips for Mick (in Thai Baht) and for our Lao guides Yai and Ing (in Lao Kip). Oh - and clean up my caked mud body! When Linda and I arrived at the hotel even our faces had dried mud on them!

Mick, Vieng, Jonny and Collin spent a nice day on the Bangliang River, a slightly more pristine and higher volume river. Here are some of the photos captured on the river!

Well, it's our last night together in Laos. The river runners arrive back at the hotel late in the afternoon and did what I did - get the red mud off! For dinner, Mick picks out an open air Indian restaurant. The food is just delicious! And it's a nice change of pace. We bid good bye to Yai and Ing. About 7:30 Vieng and Jonny take off for Savannaket, another town in Laos. Jonny's plan is to head to northern Laos and then Vietnam, where he'll meet up with his father. The rest of us are headed back to Bangkok and points beyond! Hope you enjoyed the blog! We had a great trip!

October 18 - Paddling and Camping in the Mud

2008-11-18T06:52:00.000-08:00

After breakfast we pack up and ride some 45 minutes and find a village that sits atop a ridge some 600ft in elevation above the put in. Along the route we stop in a village and buy tonight's dinner - some live chickens! Ing will prepare them while we're paddling.

The hike down to the river will wind about 3/4 of a mile down a muddy path. When we get to the village, we are kind of like aliens arriving on another planet. There's plenty of excitement! Kids and elderly folk peer from windows checking out the strangers. Mick wants them to "take him to their leader." We want to bargain to pay some of the men to carry a portion of our gear down the trail. But today, most are gone to a community meeting. Nevertheless we get a couple of guys and some of the kids to help.

The trail requires careful footing. But the locals are real good at walking this trail, they stop and wait a couple of times on the way down.

We're sweaty and muddy when we reach the put in. There's a really cool suspension bridge here, and a few of us check that out. While this one looks precariously primitive, we see even more tricky ones on the river today!

We're heading down a stretch a bit more liveley than yesterday. We'll have lunch on the way, then we're camping tonight. I'm OK with camping for a limited time. I love camping, it's just that over here, it's SOOO muddy, and SOOO humid that a shower is more important than ever!

Off we go. More twists and turns, more pool drops! Fun fun fun! Jonny and Collin, with their hardshell boats, can make the most of what the Champi deals up.

We break for lunch. Yai does a nice job laying out the chow. Then, it's nap time!

Much of the day I dread the thought of sitting around a muddy campsite especially with the threat of another SE Asian thunderstorm. But when we finally arrive at days end, it turns out that the site Mick has picked out is a raised platform with a tin roof overhead. It's big enough for all our tents, for eating, cooking and even a campfire. This makes everything a lot more "civilized." My concerns were not unfounded. Once we settled in and were enjoying some boxed wine Mick had purchased for us, an epic rainstorm arrived. I cannot imagine what it would have been like without the roof! But for now, it was beautiful to behold from our sanctuary.

The meal of our "very fresh" chicken was very good. There was some excellent broth. The rain made for some awfully muddy walking. Literally everything outside got this sticky brown mud on it. When I eventually got to the hotel in Pakse after all this, my whole body, face and all, was covered in caked mud and I felt real bad for whomever in housekeeping got stuck cleaning my room!

After all the mud - and the evening "Gooleybird" Australian drinking game, I'd decided I'd forgo tomorrow's paddling. Besides, as it'd end by 4 p.m. and then there's dinner. The day after we're up and off to Thailand. No time to chill out in Laos, no time to try for souvenir shopping. So I make my mind up to clean up and spend the day in the city of Pakse, our final stop.

October 17 - Sabai Dee to the Champi!

2008-11-17T07:36:00.000-08:00

We're headed out paddling again today. This time to the Champi River, whose source is up in the mountains above the Bolevan Plateau. The Champi runs through the jungle and is a class II-III river, not unlike many rivers in western Oregon. Except of course for the flora and fauna, and the people you see all along it. And then there's the heat. Yes, the ever-present oppressive heat. That makes paddling a perfect activity here!

The dirt road to the put in turns to mud, gets more narrow and eventually boulders cause our vehicle to get stuck. So, just like in a Discovery Channel documentary, we've got to get out and use human power to get through. The poor van gets a souvenir from the experience - a dent. So the next time we have to use this road we're gonna hire a tractor.

Once there, it's time for a briefing and pumping up the duckies . Nobody's in a raft today. The route entails lots of rocky channels and a raft is too big. Mick will lead and will scout any bends in the stream for obstacles and give us directions on the fly.

Mick says there are no other guides operating on the Champi. Sure enough we don't see any kayakers. But we run across kids playing, fisherman tending lines, and a man drying laundry by campfire. Everyone says, "sabai dee!!"

The Champi is fun! we enjoy the twists and turns, pour overs and the pool drops. Jonny and Collin find some waves to surf. It's a bit bony, meaning there are spots my ducky finds boulders and has to scrape over them. The ducky doesn't maneuver like my whitewater boat and requires positioning the craft well in advance of a turn. It's an adjustment in paddling one needs to get used to. There are some areas we need to scout, but all in all we're successful and have a blast.

It all ends at Pha Suam waterfall. It's a beautiful U-shaped waterfall. You can't run this waterfall because there are rocks blocking the entry. What to do? Throw the boats over and jump in after them, right?!

Just beyond the waterfall sits Patsuam eco resort where we'll spend the evening. Funny, it totally caters to Thai tourists. So the menu items are Thai and there's a raucus crowd of Thais visiting as well.

Tomorrow's another day on the Champi, and we'll be camping for the night!

October 16 - Xe Pian Wetlands and Elephant Ride

2008-11-16T19:07:00.000-08:00

We grab some long tail boats and leave Don Khon island behind. We're headed up to King Fisher Ecolodge, situated in the Xe Pian (pronounced like Sapien as in homo sapien) wetlands. This area has been set aside as a natural area.

Kristin finds a friend!

The lodge is really beautiful. It has guest houses with a central two-story open-air lounge and restaurant. The kitchen is positively first rate. The restaurant looks out over a pond, and beyond you can view the wetlands. It's got some really lovely flora planted all around. Paths wind their ways out to the guest houses. Everything is constructed in a sustainable manner.
So we head out to grab some elephants which will take us up a mountain. They are quite gentle. It won't be my first elephant ride. I rode elephants in Thailand in 2004, and those elephants were constantly looking for a handout. The trunk would snake back looking for fruit. The other thing was I rode down stream banks and felt like I was going to fall out! Today's ride isn't as challenging. The elephants are part of a family and they want to follow each other. That helps. We ride up a mountain, reaching an ancient Buddhist complex. It reminds me of Stonehenge. There are rocks in piles all around, kind of like columns. But not much is left of the temple. It's hard to picture what it must have looked like. It's got a pool of water at one end. We climb down over the edge of the hill to find a "footprint" of Buddha carved into the rock face.

Members of our group take turns as mahouts. A mahout is an elephant driver. Some like it more than others!

There are some definite grunts uttered by the professionals which the elephants seem to acknowlege. I hear Vieng saying one or two and think maybe she's going to do better than most!

Then, there's the dinner and drinks...well, the drinks were a bit strange. It took long enough for them to be concocted, but tasting them was, well...as you can see from Kristin's picture!

We're looking forward to the next few days - we'll be paddling on the Champi, a river more like what we're used to back in Oregon.

October 15 - Liphi Falls

2008-11-14T15:46:00.001-08:00

Today our agenda calls for starting from Liphi (Fish Ghost) falls. It's a bit more technical in that we've got to stick to a side channel most of the way to avoid the main stream with its monstrous waves! The day should wind up with us down on the Cambodia border, where we can check out the endangered Irrawady fresh water dolphins.

We manage to kayak through the different channels without too many troubles. It was quite a paddle to the other side of the river, to where the dolphins normally hang out. I still ought to mention it's not the "whole" Mekong when we paddle to one side or the other - it's still a channel! But it's quite wide nonetheless. While checking out the dolphins we giggle watching a group of naked kids sliding down a muddy embankment. They line up in a train and all slide down into the river! None of them has any clothes on. Such innocent fun!

We arranged to have some long tail boats take us back up to Don Khon Island. The river is moving so fast I doubt we'd make it by human power. Once there, our bikes are ready so we can drive them back to the village. But we've got trouble right away with these bikes. Something is wrong with Linda's. And mine has a bent rear wheel. We find another bike. But three quarters of the way back, my chain breaks! Well, at least it happened in the mist of a pretty rice field, and it was that beautiful end-of-day light.

Back at the guest house, Jake had arrived! Good he got through his ordeal. Kristin's very happy to see him. Tonight we hang out by the water and catch up with too much of that Lao Laao!

October 14 Mekong's Whirlpools Strike!

2008-11-12T18:29:00.000-08:00

Awake early to another breakfast of you guessed it - an omelette. By now we're up to our ears in omelettes. Have not mentioned it before, but that seems to be the default breakfast everywhere!

And, of course it's gonna be hot and 200% humidity. So being on the river today should be a recipe for relief, right?

Mick's O'Shea's plan for the day is for us to paddle a relatively easy stretch above Khon Phapeng falls in the morning so we can practice safety, exits, scouting and get used to the river and the boats. We'll take a long tail boat up to the put in. He tells us the river is very high now, but should be OK. He says after the falls, there's going to be a section with whirlpools, where Kristin and I should raft our duckies up. So - for the morning we're a flotilla of the following: Mick and Linda in a duckie, Vieng and Yai in a duckie, Rod and Kristin one each duckies, and Collin and Jonny one each in hardshell whitewater boats.

I quickly realize the duckie is maneuverable. But there's no way to paddle it forward quickly if you've got to get anywhere in a hurry! More like an exercise boat. This is going to require some paddling with lots of anticipation. After kayaking for the morning, we'll take out, grab lunch and check out the waterfalls at Khon Phapeng - one of the many channels along the 15 km breadth of the Mekong here. We'll put in just below the falls. I can hear the falls from our guest house in the morning.

We paddle a short while and then take out at an island to do some practice exiting and re-entering the boats. Take a look at Yai and Vieng doing an exit! Those in hard shells do some roll practice. The bottom is really muddy! The river is really moving. It's amazing how powerful it is - especially at monsoon stage. Trees are partially submerged. The river surges into boils and river wide eddies come and go. So this is what three million CFS looks like. The word "ferry" seems a bit of a joke when the river is this wide.

Lunch is at the falls. We pick out some river fish for lunch! The falls and the water below are sick. The river has these monstrous waves. It's surging, boiling, turning into all sorts of twisted shapes. We scout the way around and get our instructions as to where Mick wants us to go. Mick also says there are some whirlpools to contend with downriver. He says Kristin and I ought to tie up both our duckies into a "raft" so it won't get sucked in. We get instructions on what to do if we get sucked in - basically get down in the rafts and hold on the each other's raft!

The afternoon paddle had me nervous. I'd seen photographs of stretches of the Mekong at flood stage, and what I saw of the falls didn't make me any less concerned. At the put in, the water was surging through this cut, was half way up the tree trunks. As we prepared the boats I watched how the surges would come and go by checking out the speed and the level of the water against a tree trunk. Sometimes the water would suddenly surge up to two feet, changing the character of this section rapidly, only to fall back down. We would have to snake through this section and then make an eddy out just beyond.

Because this afternoon calls for tougher water, Mick goes in a raft with Linda and Vieng. Myself and Kristin are tied up going down together, and we'll still have Collin and Jonny in hardshell whitewater kayaks. We're all concerned about whirlpools downstream.

We made this section OK, and then at the next take out we scouted the big rapids beyond. This channel of the Mekong is 600 yards wide. Out in the middle this maelstrom of froth is fighting to get over islands, trees, and rocks and make its way to Cambodia. Mick specifically wants us to avoid that section. Instead, we're going to sneak some rapids along our side, then head maybe one quarter width out into the river further down.

Once we get going, the unexpected happens. After the sneaker rapid, we are to get further out into the river, and eventually go to the submerged trees on the other side. Mick goes first, followed by Collin, then Kristen and I. Jonny sweeps. In this section, we're not expecting whirlpools, so Mick heads quickly to the opposite shore. Collin is halfway out when I look up and he has rolled over. He is trying to roll up, having trouble. Then I notice a river wide eddy surging our way. Next thing I know, four whirlpools open up along the eddy. Collin bails and swims. Momentarily our boat nearly gets sucked in a whirlpool. I look over and Collin is going round and round in a whirlpool! Well, Kristin being captain of my boat is at her wits end giving orders about which way I ought to paddle because our "raft" doesn't behave normally. Somehow we get to Collin's boat and Jonny goes after Collin. The whirlpool ceases.

We all head back to our shore, Mick is on the other side. I was able to flip Collin's boat and get it bailed, and Jonny and Collin got to shore. Everything is going to be Okay - but wow, that was quite the scare!

We head further down the river and grab some lunch. We spend a long time relaxing at a beach - we spend quite some time relaxing in the muddy water to calm down. Then we head further downstream and end the day in another muddy spot where we decide to relish the mud!

Our original plan called for 2 nights camping on the island. I'm very glad those plans changed. It's so humid and we're so dirty! Nice to have a shower.

That evening we all see the Buddhist Full Moon Festival from the bridge. There are dozens of little banana boats with candles, flowers and incense floating down the river. Further upstream there is a really big boat with fireworks shooting off from it! It's quite the spectacle, and very pretty! I feel fortunate to witness this special event.

Tomorrow's another day of exciting paddling on the Mekong! Liphi Falls is the plan.

October 13 - To Laos and Megafast Long Tail Boat!

2008-11-11T21:30:00.000-08:00

Another pre-dawn start has us on the road to Laos from Phnom Penh! We're out of the city before rush hour. It's another half-day drive up to Stung Treng, a port on the Mekong south of the Laos/Cambodia border. We all have our visas in order. Except for Jake, who must stay behind in Phnom Penh to get his American passport extended. He'll have to fly up to Pakse, Laos, where he can get an instant visa and make his way down to Don Khon Island, our home for the next three nights.

We're headed to an area where the Mekong is 15km wide, and split into "4,000 islands," which makes it a very interesting place to visit. Also running across the river is the Mekong Fault Line, a drop of some 36 feet. So in between many of these islands are rapids! We plan on running some of them. The French tried to use the area as a trade route. The fault line made transiting the islands via ship impossible. So the French built docks and a railroad to move goods from one end to the other. The remains are visible on the islands.

Today's drive is another slog, but it's not full of horn honking. It turns out to be less populated where we travel today. Not so many animals and tractors. It ends at Stung Treng, where we lunch. We are to take long tail boats from here up the Mekong to Don Khon Island. Then the fun begins! Well, Vieng negotiated for "fast" long tail boats. Back in Bangkok Pong mentioned these, but I didn't really pay much attention. I never expected to ride one! He said you'd best wear a helmet! My first surprise was that these boats didn't have roofs. I fully expected if we were going to be on the water a while we'd have a roof. But I had no idea what was about to happen! We got two boats, and as I was settling in, I heard quite a noise. I was amazed at what I saw - a long tail boat moving at over 50mph! We took off in similar fashion. It's got a Toyota Corolla engine on the back!

The boats flew like eggshells over the monsoon-flooded Mekong. The river must have been moving at 5 knots, with boils, swirling eddies and debris everywhere. It's a full-flood stage mud brown color. The pilot bobs and weaves amongst peninsulas, trees and debris. We give up any thought of using our PFDs. What's the point when you are skimming across the water at 45mph?

We finally arrive at Don Khon and go through the Cambodian/Laos border formalities. No problems there. And, we have a beer on the Laos side to celebrate our crossing! Soon Mick O'Shea shows up and we get acquainted. Then it's off to our village on the island and Mr. Pan's Guesthouse.

The guesthouse is spartan but adequate - the best one around. Life on the island is a slower pace. Quite a change from Phnom Penh. No cars here. A few motorbikes, foot traffic and bikes. No electricity other than supplied by generators. Life starts at sunrise and goes quiet at dusk. People living in houses on stilts and many live off the land. There are signs tourists are coming. A few restaurants line the road. We pick one of them for dinner, and it's right on the water. The word rush isn't in the vocabulary.

I'm excited because we're going to be here for Buddhist Full Moon Festival! It's a night festival of lights. People build floating rafts and set them alight. Some are over 30 feet long, with candles and incense. Others are simple banana leaf boats maybe one-foot square, with flowers, candles and incense. Some are built by young couples hoping for good luck. I can't wait to see them!

But tonight Kristin, Jonny and I go to the colonial bridge to take in the view of the river. Somebody brings some Chivas so we take a couple pops off of it. But then this dog shows up. It starts howling, howling, howling! And before long we're all a "pack" howling along with this dawg!

Oct 12 - Phnom Penh

2008-11-10T06:24:00.000-08:00

Awoke very early today and bid adieu to Siem Reap. It's a half day drive to Phnom Penh, and the road is not exactly a superhighway. Cambodia is a poor country and the people use whatever means to get from here to there. On this road, that means water buffalo, horses, motorbikes, autos, tractors pulling gigantic over loaded trailers, vans overloaded with luggage and motorbikes sticking out the back, dump trucks filled to capacity and with people on top, and sometimes seemingly just motors stuck onto wheels with somebody steering. As Collin said, it's just like Mad Max on the road in Cambodia, and with our sometimes crazed driver leaning on the horn the whole time!

We find our hotel after some searching. It's right across from the Royal Palace, and very near the plaza that runs along the Mekong waterfront. Right in front of Phnom Penh, the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers converge. Boats plying these waters come from Laos, China and Vietnam.

Phnom Penh is chaotic, kind of lawless, dusty, and fascinating all at once. Chaotic traffic seems to swim in schools like fish. It doesn't move very fast. We ate lunch at a table on the sidewalk. While waiting to be served, this guy across the street sees us and starts coming across. He tries to talk to us but we are involved in our own conversation. I notice him, and then he starts making bizarre threats at me. At first I didn't even think he was talking to me! Well, after repeated threats without response a cop notices this guy and tells him to take a hike! Good thing for the cop.

We don't have much time here. Top on the to do list is to get some of Cambodia's history under our belts - on a first - hand basis. I had urged everyone to find and see for themselves any place where the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge are evident. There's simply no other way to absorb for yourself how unthinkable their actions were. We visit the grim Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. I had been there last year and knew we ought to get a guide because there's not a lot of useful English descriptions for what is visible. Turns out she is from Laos and married a Cambodian. The museum had the anticipated effect on us. It's not fun. But, it's part of the history here.

Afterward we're kind of exhausted and looking for something more uplifting.

Kristin, Jake, Collin and Linda end up heading for a rooftop pool, while I take a breather - a nap in the hotel. They come back refreshed, and we all head out for dinner - and grab a group massage afterward! Dinner is on a 2nd floor restaurant, with a nice view of the river and its party boats. They are even offering a happy hour for a presidential debate! Looks like a heavyweight bout they're showing.

October 11 - Schoolchildren Singing for Us!

2008-11-09T17:52:00.000-08:00

Today, Saturday, and tomorrow we were supposed to be working in the village. But, since we finished so early, we've got two days to kill. So what to do? We're kind of ready to move on from Siem Reap. We could follow Jake to Phnom Penh? Or something else? It's a five-hour drive down there - we'd not have a whole lot of time to see anything. But we could at least experience the city for a little bit.

Well, we decided to go ahead and make the trip anyhow. Today we still hung around in Siem Reap. For me, well, I can't say it was exciting. I was still recovering from food poisoning. I took it easy. But late in the day we all visited a school in a village outside the city. We found out today they were learning English. The way to the school ended up being a walk along a path in between rice fields. The school was packed with some 60 kids and it had no walls - just a roof. The kids were pretty good at English! They were really excited to have some foreigners visit. They know how to sing some songs including the hokey pokey! It was really cute. They were very curious about us too!

October 10 Tonle Sap the Inland Sea

2008-11-06T21:38:00.000-08:00

Today our agenda called for visiting Tonle Sap. Tonle Sap is a huge lake, the largest in Southeast Asia. I didn't visit Tonle Sap when I was here last year, so I was really interested in seeing it for myself. From the air, it looks like an ocean stretching to the horizon. I think it's 45 miles wide in the middle. It's not very deep. It grows in the rainy season and shrinks quite a bit during the dry season. Fishing is best in the dry season, because the fish are more concentrated.

We headed out in a couple Tuk Tuks. It's a very long way to the spot where we were to take the boat onto the lake. The road becomes dirt and there are so many pot holes, the tuk tuk trailer seems like it's going to spill over sometimes! It's also dusty, and there are all kinds of smells coming from the cooking fires as we pass the homes on the way. All the homes are on stilts.

We also pass by many children on bicycles on their way to school. All over this part of the world, kids wear uniforms to school. It's really cute to see them all out!

We eventually reach the place where we can get ourselves organized to head to the boat. We make a quick pit stop at what by now is a very familiar toilet. The tuk tuks can't make it any further so we walk the rest of the way. Our boat is a 40-ft long long tail boat. It's covered, with seats on two sides and an aisle between. Steering is via a wheel tied to the prop with rope! It's all quite adequate. Once we get going, we know we're in for a treat. The movement of the air is most welcome after the hot steamy work days we have just experienced.

The boat moves through an area of flooded bushes/low trees on its way toward the open lake. This goes on for several miles. It reminds me of the Everglades. One could easily get lost out here. There are a few channels in this growth where the boats can pass. They are kind of like little canals, or roads. Boats use them to transit. Every so often a flag waves atop a high pole marking the entrance of a channel.

We witness an incredible event. I see a huge rooster tail coming our way above the vegetation, signaling a fast moving boat. When it comes into view, we also see a smaller canoe with two people rowing our way. Before there's a chance to even maneuver the big boat runs the smaller one off the road, into the bushes!

Soon we come to a fishing village. The entire village is houses on stilts over the water. Everyone swims or boats to get around.

Kids row to school. I've got a great video here of kids racing us!

We enjoy the day. We spend some time out on the lake, then head back into the village for lunch. Lunch tastes great. Then we head out on some of the canoes for a treat. We are taken to the flooded forest. It's just beautiful. As is the way the people paddle who captain the canoes. They obviously have been paddling all their lives. They can weave in between the tangles of trees easily. We see a number of creatures inhabiting the trees. One of the most pleasent aspects of this paddle is that the trees create shade. I think we could spend many hours like this! It's so pleasant. But alas, it has to end.

We head back to the fishing village, and then ride the long tail boat back to 'port.' Once we're riding the tuk tuks back to the hotel, I realize something is very wrong with me. At first, I think it's the hangover from last night coming back. But it seems awfully late in the day for that. As we get closer to the end point of the drive, my stomach gets even worse. I'm beginning to suspect something far worse than last night's hangover is going on. Everything is wrong. The movement of the tuk tuk causes dizziness. The smells I encounter as we drive along cause nausea. Finally, when we get to Siem Reap, I find I must get to the hotel - it's almost an emergency! As I walk, the urge to throw up is inescapable. Well, welcome to the world of food poisoning. I spend the rest of the night wretching in my room. It's awful, but I also realize it will "pass," so to speak. Kristin comes by with some rehydration medication. We all ate a shared meal at the fishing village for lunch, but I'm the only one sick. I must have eaten off a contaminated plate. In the morning, I was out there for breakfast like anyone else. But the next day I knew I'd better take it easy! I'd been beaten up by the food poisoning episode!

October 9 Work Day 2

2008-11-06T21:10:00.000-08:00

Whew! We're hurting this morning. Yesterday we got word the Boran Hotel was fumigating the grounds at 5pm. We took that as a cue to head to the FCC (Foreign Correspondent's Club) for their half price happy hour! Boy we got into it. The drinks there were good as well! It's a beautiful outdoor setting, palm trees all around, and water features with candles in them. Next we joined our Cambodian hosts for dinner. Sometime during dinner a band started up and we began to dance! That led to our hosts Khim and Sophorn to take us to this crazy disco where things just got a little wilder. When Jonny and Jake were in the mens room using the urinals, these "hands" started massaging their shoulders! Well, there are some folks looking for alternative action in Siem Reap for sure.

The night didn't go on much longer - and we eventually wound up back at the hotel and enjoying the pool before bedtime.

Next morning we met as usual under the veranda for breakfast. I remember Jonny saying, "It just isn't happening...." and he went back to his room for a bit. We nevertheless got it together and headed out. We went into town for some additional tools. After the first day, we pretty much knew what we needed for this work. One of the villagers lost his leg to a land mine.

When we got there we set to work and things went pretty smoothly. In fact we finished everything set out for us, meaning we were actually done when we finished today! I was looking forward to at least two more days working with the villagers, but that was it. We finished. So we had some thinking to do, to figure out how to spend two extra days.

One option was to go to Phnom Penh. It wasn't on our agenda. But Jake didn't realize that in order to get the Lao visa, his US passport had to be valid at least six months. It wasn't. So he had to head down there to the US Embassy to get it extended. In the end, we decided to join him down there. It would be a long drive, but maybe some time in the capital would be interesting.

October 8th Village Work Day

2008-10-31T18:27:00.000-07:00

We built shelters with villagers all day long! The village is Kol Kok, and it takes about 45 minutes to get there. This village sits on a dirt road and the houses are raised, on stilts, with rice paddies all around. This isn't a place tourists visit. These people live on a day to day basis and derive their living from agriculture.

Families typically live in a raised homes surrounded by rice paddies, and tend chickens, cattle, ducks, goats, and use water buffalo as their tractors. VFI had previously installed toilets, concrete pads and septic systems for the villagers. But the toilets didn't have shelters. The toilets are typical Asian style - meaning they are simple squat style toilets. We were there to build about 20 shelters. The villagers were to have laid out materials for us. The roofs were of corrugated metal supplied by VFI. The materials we used consisted of anything people could gather. So, vertical beams were small tree trunks. Siding was hung on branches. Siding consisted of woven palm fronds or left over plastic from sacks of rice or other materials. Doors were the hardest to build. Jonny and Collin seemed to come up with a good solution where one side of the door had a longer end which pivoted in a 'cup' made of a section of bamboo.

I worked on a ground-up build with Jake and Kristin. The local 'foreman' certainly had the knowledge to teach us, even though we didn't speak the same language! In the middle of the build, this enormous epic thunderstorm came directly overhead! We cowered under the house for about 90 minutes and I swear it rained at least an inch. Not only that, but a lightning bolt struck so close we could smell the air burning! But the storm passed, and we got back to work. We made good progress. During lunch Kristin and I took turns on the motorbike!

Kids. Kids will be kids, no matter where you happen to be in the world. Kids noticed the foreigners...and before long we had a crowd gathered and, well, performing some potty humor tricks for us. When I get the video I'll load it up!

Late in the day we were so exhausted we pretty much wanted to head home. But, the thankful villagers had a meal for us! So we headed to one of the larger properties. There, they had prepared a feast for us! We climbed upstairs and had dinner with perhaps 15 villagers. It was a memorable meal!

Tuesday October 7th Angkor Temples

2008-10-31T17:27:00.000-07:00

Today we awoke very early and headed to sunrise over Angkor Wat. Well, sunrise today wasn't perfect. There were clouds behind the temples.

Afterward we headed to Angkor Thom for a sunrise jog. Jake, Collin, Jonny and myself took off on a 3-4 mile jog round parts of the perimeter, winding up at Boran, the famous temple with faces of King Jayavarman VII looking out in four directions.

In Cambodia even early morning means humidity. For me, the jog was physically uncomfortable because I perspired so much! It wasn't a race but I did come in last. Too bad, at least I made it! We packed a change of clothes in the tuk tuks and after changing headed out to view more ruins.

We saw Bayon, the Elephant Terrace, and two other temples before a more detailed visit to Angkor Wat. We entered the temple from the opposite side, and it's quite overwhelming! There are countless carved freizes depicting Hindu stories and Khmer historical events. There are horsemen, elephants, soldiers, boats, fish, alligators, birds, trees, turtles, and mythical dancers called absaras.

Our guide, nicknamed TB, was much better than the guide I had last year! TB is very learned in both Buddhism and Hinduism and in the history of the temples. Like most Cambodians he's had family affected by the Khmer Rouge. He lost both his grandparents to them.

Tonight we have drinks and dinner with some of the local staff from Village Focus International. We meet Mick who drove his motorcycle up from Phnom Penh and Nikki, who is putting together a fund raising race in Siem Reap. Mick is from the UK and Nikki is from Ireland. Our Cambodian staffers are here too - Somporn and Kim. We meet at the Grand Hotel D'Angkor's Elephant Bar, then head into town to an Indian restaurant for a meal. Everyone's excited as tomorrow will be our first village work day!

Monday Oct 6th-Siem Reap

2008-10-30T18:10:00.000-07:00

Our 1st whole day was "get over jet lag" day for those arriving from America. Jet lag aside, most had breakfast at an early hour at the hotel. We had the morning free and took a walk. We wound up at a restaurant called the Soup Dragon at noon. We walked along some of the same spots where I was last year - by the temple and fruit bats, by the Grand Hotel D'Angkor, and then continued into town. We passed by the Friends Without Borders Hospital for Children. They serve some 350 families every day. People with sick kids come from all over Cambodia, sometimes selling a cow or other precious family item to get there. The cost is twenty five cents - still a lot for Cambodians. Afterwards we went to a market where I got a sun hat for the village work. The afternoon was spent visiting Angkor Wat temples. We saw Banteay Srei and Tah Prohm. For dinner, we stayed at the hotel. Some folks from VFI met us for dinner.

2008-10-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

Arrived in Bangkok a couple of days early to get a head start on jet-lag recovery and visit my business buddies from Feelfree Kayak. My first night Pong, the soft goods director at Feelfree called to say "I have been in traffic two hours two blocks from you...you just gotta love Bangkok!" If you live there you have to take this all in stride! Once he got to the Ambassador, we got around via the rail system. We met his fiance Anne a few stops down, and proceeded to China Town, as there was a Buddhist Vegetarian Festival going on. I was totally surprised my jet lag wasn't so bad. There were thousands of people milling around the street eating street food and enjoying themselves. Only trouble was it's so darn humid! We got to a nice spot and even Pong had trouble sweating and dealing with the spicy food in the humid environment. But it was so much fun people watching, and seen every food imaginable sold on the street. Next day we went about 40 miles from Bangkok to see Ann's family. On the way we visited an old Royal Country Palace. A very nice pad for the King!

I also see Britney is here. Yes, my kayak is Brittany, and the other Britney's here in Thailand.

Ann's family live in a house on stilts on a farm about an hour west of the city, depending on traffic. It was really nice to meet them, and the own some 200 acres. They farm sugar cane. We ate under the house at the table. This type of living is something I have experienced up in the north, up with the Karen villagers, and I fully expect to experience this when in Cambodia! It's worth mentioning her sweet 91-year old grandma was there and happy to meet me. I was so honored! That evening met up with Sakun, owner of Feelfree Kayak and his wife, Yim. Everone eating vegetarian. Also, during my visit it's one day before Bangkok mayoral elections. Crazy political posters everywhere and as the clock struck 6:00 no more alcohol served anywhere because of the election. So we order extra beers at 5:55. It was a nice dinner with lots of old stories.So next day meet up at the airport with my Cambodia/Laos bound teammates, all arriving from the USA. They're pretty hurting having done my same flight all the way from the USA. Still, Jonny and Collin are in good spirits. The flight takes off, makes its altitude, when I hear someone talking about volunteering for VFI. It was Linda, who had been there all along but nobody noticed her! So we were all together on the flight to Siem Reap to meet Kristin and Jake.All went as planned - and Kristin had tuk tuks (in Cambodia they're a motorbike with a trailer for passengers) waiting for us and we "sped" off to the hotel. The Borann hotel is just fine. It's just off the main part of town. You'd never find it if you didn't know where it is. It's on maybe a third of an acre tucked in between other stuff. But it's got a central airy eating place/cafe with a pool on one side, and guest houses on the perimeter, with nice jungle foliage and 'trails' connecting. It's a nice refuge from the busy traffic around Siem Reap.So the first evening we head to town to this old French quarter for dinner. I hadn't been to this area last year - I was just too exhausted from my Bhutan trip to bother with a whole lot of exploring. It was quite nice even if full of foreigners. The food was good, company was great, and somehow our folks joining us fully jet lagged were OK with it all.Next day was very relaxed as a planned get-over-jet lag day. We spent the morning putsing around Siem Reap and the plan was to see some Angkor Wat temples in the afternoon. We wound up visiting some local markets, ran into a children's hospital, and had lunch. Then in the PM we were off to the furthest temple - Banteay Srei.It's a 40-minute tuk tuk ride out to Banteay Srei and you get an orientation to how some of the villages in Cambodia look. Most houses are on stilts, and there are cooking areas outside, and often a toilet outside too. People generally cook with wood or coal. Some houses had a billiard table underneath, and nearly every one had a spirit house outside.

Angkor Wat 1-YR Later Sept 2008

2008-10-29T17:15:00.000-07:00

I'm getting ready for another venture over to Cambodia. Last year, it was simply an add-on to my trip to Bhutan. But I was moved by the Cambodians and their story. So this time I'm coming back to lend a helping hand. For everywhere I went, everyone I met in November 2007, there seemed to be a story of loss from the Khmer Rouge era, the Vietnam War, or the Vietnamese occupation.

This is my 7th trip to Asia since 2004 - and this time we're headed to Laos. I've never been there, and I'm looking forward to seeing yet another facet of culture in the fascinating region of southeast Asia. We're headed out in the time of year where it's a transition from the rainy monsoons to the dry season. I'm hoping we're as fortunate this time as I've been in the past. Crossing my fingers!Life in Siem Reap is very impacted by the opening of Angkor Wat and the resulting increase in tourism. There are myriad hotels and more construction. Although this western influence is morphing the pure Cambodian nature of the area, the improvement in quality of life of those living there is noticeable, compared with other regions of the country. Life in Siem Reap takes on a much more relaxed / pedestrian pace, when compared with the seeming anarchy of Phnom Penh.

Paddle Around Ross Island, Portland, OR

2008-09-22T18:40:00.001-07:00

Some of us usual suspects took a paddle around Ross Island on Sunday!

Down the River Cleanup on the Clackamas 2008

2008-09-09T13:29:00.000-07:00

September 7th was a big day. I was one of the core volunteers for the 6th Annual Down the River Cleanup on the Clackamas River. I was in charge of gathering items for the silent auction. I've been working with many outdoor industry companies to get them to donate gear for the event. I also kept tabs on values and item descriptions, plus developing a format for the auction for the day of the event.

The river cleanup brings together a diverse universe of river users in a day-long effort to clean up a 14-mile stretch from Barton Bark to its confluence with the Willamette River at Clackamette Park. It is estimated some 300 people show up to work the event. Rafters, kayakers, divers and canoeists scour the shore in search of trash. We expect some 40,000lbs of material will have been collected over the past several years by the time the tally is complete. There were so many people that this year we used coaches to shuttle paddlers and boats!

Sponsors include local retailers like Next Adventure, Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe, River Connection, New Seasons Market and Grand Central Baking. Outdoor Industry sponsors include Columbia Sportswear, The North Face, Clif Bar, Smith Optics, Werner Paddles, Robson, Riot Kayaks, Whitewater Designs, SOTAR, AIRE, Ruff Wear, BenchMade, Rack Attack, Yakima Racks, KEEN Footwear, St Croix Paddlesports, NRS, MTI Adventurewear, and many more.

We were also supported by the local sherrif and river rescue teams. There was a barbeque at the end and music!

Waldo Lake Labor Day Weekend 2008

2008-09-08T15:58:00.000-07:00

The kayak touring highlight of the summer was Waldo Lake. We grouped 15 souls for a mega campout in the primitive area of the lake. For some, it was their first-ever primitive camping experience. And test their mettle it did. We had everything from wonderful sunny weather to misty cold clouds rolling through, to believe it or not - snow one night! Wow.

There were two groups - one arriving Friday afternoon and the other Saturday late morning.

Friday's put-in was sunny and sweaty. Then it was a beautiful paddle to the site and warm and sunny for setting up camp. The lake was very pretty and the stars that came out - well it was horizon-to-horizon Milky Way. Friday's arrivals were Tully, Deborah, Sandy, Rod and Arnold. We cheerily talked around the campfire until maybe eleven. For some, the night was colder than expected. I lent my 25-degree bag and liner to Sandy but it wasn't enough. She was very chilly.

Saturday morning's weather was completely different. The forecast was for only 30% chance of rain, yet we seemed to be at the cloud level. It was misting with annoying frequency. The lake reminded me of a Bermuda Triangle documentary! The far side of the lake would appear and disappear in clouds - as well as boats / paddlers. We kept the fire going and had a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, crispy potatoes, steak and orange juice. Luckily Arnold had a Kelty shelter - we hovered under it when the mist came. Later we decided to head out and explore the lake. We briefly checked out the headwaters of the Willamette, and then paddled along the northwest shore of the lake. We stopped for lunch at a rocky beach and tried to harvest huckleberries for pancakes.

We had FRS radios to try and keep in touch with camp, and with the other kayaking group arriving that day. Sure enough, we got the call they were coming and we headed back to camp across the lake. As we were three quarters of the way across I saw a flotilla of kayakers appear through a curtain of fog - it was them! What an impressive sight. Some 10 paddlers in all.

They brought an important and optimistic thing with them - a break in the weather. It got much warmer and sunnier with their arrival. Saturday evening's meal was spaghetti and salad - just great to satisfy hungry campers. They also brought some heavy duty equipement - a giant Kelty Canopy and executive camping kitchen! These were just spectacularly helpful for a group of this size! I'm still amazed things of that size could fit in kayaks! The evening was spent in front of a warm fire with lively conversation. It was another chilly evening but I slept really well.

Sunday was dry yet mostly cloudy and chilly. The paddling plan was to head out several miles down the lake and have lunch at Rhododendron Island. The island has a beach with picnic tables. Most of us have been to Waldo in prior years, and this was a very pretty spot. But it was much warmer in the past! We had a good amount of wind with side waves on the way, and one of our group, Paul, turned back. Arnold was having some trouble with the waves. But myself, Jessie, Janis and Christian were enjoying the waves. Once we landed, we sat down to lunch. During the meal something odd happened, there were a few tiny snowflakes! That was very strange. Then, on the return, we split up. Some wanted to stay closer to shore and explore, and others wanted to make a more direct line right back to camp. Jessie, myself and Arnold explored the entire western side of the lake right up into the bay where there is an outlet that forms one of the branches of the Willamette River. It was pretty cool!

That night the strangest thing of all happened. We were putting together a nice Mexican meal. The fire was blazing away. And then someone said, is that snow? Sure enough, little flakes had started to fall. Before long they became sizeable. This went on for about 45 minutes! By the time it was over, the campsite area was covered in white! The tents were snow covered, and it was still August! Incredible.

The next day, Labor Day, the dawn brought clear skies, the snow had mostly melted, and one would never know there had been a whiteout the night before! The flowers were pretty too! Too bad we had to go home, because the paddle back was very pretty, and worth everything!

Outdoor Retailer 2008!!

2008-08-20T18:12:00.000-07:00

Nothing like a report on the kayaks and gear I saw at the OR Show! Like cool stuff that's all about the outdoors? Well, at OR you'll see almost every brand out there: The North Face, CloudVeil, Mountain Hardware, Granite Gear, Brunton, Coleman, Sierra Designs, Riot Kayaks, Current Designs, Vasque, KEEN, MSR, Suunto, Black Diamond, Petzl, Sea to Summit, Big Agnes, Seattle Sports, Yakima - the list goes on and on. Riot was there with its big ol' tractor trailer!

This show is known for manufacturers showcasing their latest products. It's also known for crazy parties and celebrity athletes pacing the floors. And schwag. It's easy to pick up gear for free - or for a sick discount.

My favorite part of the OR Show is the paddle demo day. Before the regular trade show opens in the Salt Palace Convention Center, there's a demo held at a reservoir near Snow Basin ski area. I tried a lot of the Riot Boats (the new Edge 14.5 in bio fusion, Sprint, Enduro 13, Enduro 14, TourLite 15), a P&H Cetus, P&H Capella 16.7), Current Designs Vision 15, Delta Kayaks 18.5 Sport, and Wilderness Systems Zephyr 16.5 Pro.

I own a Riot Brittany, which is a British style sea kayak. Because of this, the P&H boats, and the Wilderness Systems Zephyr had a familiar feel. I don't know what it is exactly about this style, but of all the touring styles I've tried it does just about everything right for me. It's fast, edges well, responds to steering strokes, and doesn't seem to have a mind of its own - some kayaks do seem like that. This style, especially when paired with quality thigh braces and an ergonomic seat makes you feel like you're wearing the kayak. It responds to your moves. I like all these boats, but the P&H boats impressed me the most. The seat just hugged my butt and the thigh braces gripped snug but not too tightly. The Capella was incredibly like my Brittany, only stiffer. The Cetus managed to be bigger - carry more load - without sacrificing performance. The Zephyr is a more "friendly" version of the Tempest. It's a little wider, and I thought deeper.

I thought all the Riot boats did their jobs well. The Edge 14.5 tracked and yes edged well, though not as crisply as I anticipated. It had plenty of room for my feet under the deck and had solid initial stability. As it was made from Riot's Bio Fusion process it was light. The Enduro 14 (a re-named Sprint) is a great choice for larger paddlers seeking a spirited ride. Its cockpit would hold a 200+ lb person no problem. For those seeking a light performance boat the TourLite 15 was pleasing to paddle. It's very easy on the eyes too.

Another fun aspect to the OR Show is running into people face to face you have talked with on the telephone - sometimes standing in line for a sandwich. Or you see some famous paddler (like Tao Berman or Eric Jackson) cruising the aisles.

This year I drove to the show - to pick up some boats for my volunteer project back here in Oregon. I'm gathering donations for the Down the River Cleanup - it takes place September 7th. Riot kindly donated a whitewater boat for the event! GO RIOT! So here you can see some boats coming back to Portland on my car.

Washington Lake UT

2008-08-20T16:23:00.000-07:00

On my way to the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City I paid a visit to friends Ed and Mary in Park City. Always a good idea to drop in whilst in the area. And who doesn't like Park City?

I had a free day and Ed suggested we tote a couple kayaks up to a lake region in the mountains nearby. We strapped on an Atlantis 14 and a Nomad, loaded his border collie turbo and wheeled our way up there. I'd say it's an hour from Park City.

These lakes lie about 10,000 ft up. Washington Lake is one of the larger ones, though I wouldn't say it's "large." It was a natural lake which was further dammed to enlarge its size. So it's got a rather unbecoming earthen/rock dam at one end. And those RVs. It has a paved over campground at one end with every spot occupied with an RV. But since motorized boats are prohibited on this lake, it's peaceful. And primitive camping is allowed so if you pick your spot on the little inlets you don't have to see the campground. I nice spot for an easy paddle. It's also stocked with fish. It's worth noting the lake is used for irrigation in the valley so when they're irrigating it can lose a foot each week.

Timothy Lake, Oregon July 12-13

2008-07-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

Spent last weekend at Timothy Lake. The lake is some 12 miles south of Mount Hood. We had so much snow this winter and spring that camping on the lake was closed Memorial Day and early June. So we were surprised we did not see any snow on the drive to the lake. Nor did we see any snow in the woods surrounding the lake. The water was just perfect for swimming as well. It's popular with campers, paddlers, mountain bikers, sailors and fishermen. Motorboats are limited to 10mph or less.

Saturday I paddled around the western perimeter of the lake. During my paddle, I saw boy scouts doing canoe rescues. One canoe would capsize, signal other canoers, and the others would race to the rescue. They'd flip the capsized canoe over and then put one end up, upside down, on the rescue boat. This would empty out the problem boat.

Sunday I awoke before six o'clock a.m. and the sun was just beginning to come out. The lake was ablaze in orange. And, there was this surreal fog lifting off the surface. Wow, what a time to paddle! It was beautiful.

Willamette River: Oak Grove Ramp to Willamette Falls

2008-06-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

Took the brand new Riot Brittany with my Sea Kayaking group out on the Willamette River Saturday June 21st. We met at Oak Grove Ramp in Milwaukie, Oregon, at 9:30 a.m. Then we paddled upstream to Willamette Falls in Oregon City. It's a 5 - 6 mile paddle each way. We stopped at a park in Lake Oswego en route where the oldest steel furnace on the West Coast is located. Then on to the falls!

We returned via Clackamette Park, at the confluence of the Clackamas River with the Willamette. We lunched at this busy park, and then headed downstream.

It was cloudy and in the low eighties. We were thankful for the clouds as we would have been roasted alive if it were sunny outside! The river is still very high and it's up to the trees on the banks in most places. Also, some of the islands were buried. This is a nice stretch of the Willammete very close to Portland. It's line with multi-million dollar homes and lovely lawns and docks.

Nehalem Bay II

2008-06-17T17:08:00.000-07:00

Spent a wonderful weekend at Nehalem Bay June 13-15. Seven of us participated in camping, cooking, fire building, story telling, kayaking the bay, kayaking the Nehalem River, kite flying and wildlife viewing!

Arrived Friday the 13th...it was sunny and windy. Rod and Holly got there first and settled in. Since Nehalem Bay State Park has electricity at all the sites, Rod brought the coffee maker, rice cooker, a spot light and several strings of Christmas lights! After dark it made for a very merry atmosphere. Friday's paddle was quick and boy was it windy.

Saturday was overcast until about two o'clock. We wolfed down a breakfast of berry infused pancakes with bacon. Then we headed out in the bay and up the Nehalem River with the incoming tide. We made it to Wheeler at high tide. It turned out to be dungeness crab festival day! We saved our packed lunches to have a nice feast of steamed crab, corn, slaw, bread and a beer! That allowed enough time for the tide to turn. We returned to our camping spot on the outgoing tide. Rebecca had her dog Riley along for the ride! He's a real cutie!

Saturday late afternoon was spent resting and then beach combing and kite flying! I have to admit the breeze was great for the kite but I was chilled by the cool breeze. I found many groups huddled in sand pits to avoid the wind. But it was sunny and that was good! Dinner was HUGE! We made skewer after skewer of veggies, mushrooms, lamb, tofu and spiced pork. We were aghast how much food we had. Yet we actually ate it. As each group of four skewers left the grill, they were gobbled up fresh with the yummy jasmine rice. Kathy brought dessert, which was also a treat. Later we played a game of "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" by the fire.

Sunday's paddle was a two-car shuttle. We picked a route which started six and a half miles up the Nehalem River, ending at the public dock in Nehalem. The day was bright and warm, with clear blue skies. Wow! This paddle was just beautiful - almost hypnotic in its perfection. We passed hills, saw wildlife, looked into the river below. It just could not have been better.

Nehalem Bay, Oregon

2008-06-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

Spent an overnight Friday at Nehalem Bay, Oregon. Nehalem Bay is just south of Manzanita, or 12 miles south of Canon Beach.

We set up camp at Nehalem Bay State Park. It sits out on a spit of sand. The park is ocean beach on one side and the bay on the other. It's very nice protected waters for kayaking on the bay side. One can paddle up the Nehalem River, or head out toward the ocean.

We saw crabs swimming to the surface, blue herons, ospreys, bald eagles, and a herd of more than 40 Roosevelt Elk. Nice!

When kayaking Nehalem Bay you need to pay attention to wind and current. We did not experience much wind. But we paddled against the current on the return journey. It runs pretty swiftly, and I found myself hugging the shore to duck the current. The campground, while not a wilderness experience, is very well run. It appears the buildings were recently upgraded and the campground roads paved. Showers are included in the campsite fee, and the staff is friendly. We also took time for a beach stroll at sunset. All in all, Nehalem Bay bets my two thumbs up!

Washougal River, WA

2008-06-05T17:23:00.000-07:00

Headed out to the Washougal River Sunday. I was out on it two weeks ago, and it's gone down a couple of feet. Rocks were mostly buried two weeks ago. But now they're lurking everywhere. Otherwise the river was absolutely beautiful!

We found a play spot - a friendly hole where you can surf a little wave. Sometimes the hole catches someone and they flip.

Eddys offer some rest time and allow for a little socializing.

Otherwise the day was great! But we did have one tumble and a swimmer...happens sometimes!

Klickitat River, Washington May 25 - CARNAGE

2008-05-27T17:17:00.000-07:00

I joined the Oregon Canoe & Kayak Club Sunday for a paddle on the Klickitat River. This river is about 10 miles east of Bingen, Washington. So you just head from Portland east on I-84, over the Hood River Bridge, then east on WA 14 to the Klickitat.

We suited up and headed out. I was the only one not in a dry suit, but it turned out my wet suit with a dry top over was just fine.

This river, like every river near the Cascades this May, is raging with extra snow melt from the near record La Nina snow this winter. Epic snow means epic paddling! The levels were double the recommended level for this river. Eddies were few and the river fast. We headed out and yes there were beat downs and some carnage. But everyone had a great time!

As the whitewater newbie, I had understandable trepidations. But this time I swam only once, there were five kayakers over turned and nobody rolled up. Yup, five swims. I took pleasure in hearing the word "SWIMMER" and the knowing that swimmer was NOT me! But everyone had a great time and the water isn't all that bad if you have adequate preparation - a dry suit or a wet suit.

The river had nice waves and was really bouncy. Eddies were few, and hard to catch with little notice. Toward the end of the run is the Class III Ishy Pishy rapid, but with the high water it was mostly buried. Even so it managed to grab three boaters and get them overturned. All captured on wonderful digital media - on another kayaker's camera. I'll have to add those later.

Now, for the fun stuff. Yes there is some pain to be had, not only by me but my VW Jetta. I call it kayak abuse!

One way or the other you're in for it. But it's all fun in the end!

We have some displayed here, though some is forthcoming. I used a friend's camera and captured some carnage but I'm waiting for the photos!

Scappose Bay Kayaking

2008-05-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

We'd never tried out Scappoose Bay before, so I got Dee and Holly to head out there for a Saturday paddle on Memorial Day weekend. The forecast was questionable so some people cancelled! Their gamble, their loss. Our gamble, our win! The weather was fabulous out there. There was only one fisherman, and few power boaters. In fact there were more paddlers than those with motors.

The Columbia Basin is experiencing near-record spring river flows due to melting of the much deeper than normal La Nina snowpack this winter. Just last month Ski Bowl had over 217" of snow.

So our paddle to what normally are islands were more like flooded forest. Or, like a mangrove swamp - without the alligators, humidity and mosquitos! Further out is Mulnomah Channel and then Sauvie Island. We crossed the debris - filled Multnomah Channel (lots of waterlogged wood) to Sauvie Island and spent the better part of an hour searching for a place to land the kayaks. Most of the shoreline was flooded!

Later, we headed back over to Scappoose Bay and on the way checked out a part of an abandoned lumber mill. All in all a very nice day at Scappoose Bay.

There is a very helpful kayak tour and rental shop right there at the Scappoose Bay Marina.

Spring Paddling around Portland, OR

2008-05-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

I recently did some flatwater touring in the Portland, Oregon, area! Here are a couple of photos of Dee, my friend with her folding kayak - a Folbot Cooper. We did the Lewis River to Columbia River to Ritchfield, Washington two car shuttle paddle. Nice transition from a medium river to the Columbia to a slough. Ritchfield has a wonderful wildlife refuge - lots of migratory birds.

Just two days ago I went out with a Meetup.com group of kayakers - we went from Sellwood Park upstream on the Willamette to Rock Island. It's quite pretty down that way with very nice houses on the shores! This was a very nice group of people getting together to paddle for the day. We had lunch out on Rock Island. We are planning on some overnights later this summer.

I've also been out whitewater paddling on the Clackamas River - no pictures, but there is a link to some of us practicing. The river is rising! Snowmelt is the cause.

http://www.wilhelmphoto.com/kayak/

Unbelievable Skiing in Spring!

2008-04-02T09:08:00.000-07:00

Here in Oregon we continue to have amazing Colorodo-like snow well into spring! March went out like a lion - with over 17 feet of snow at the ski areas on Mount Hood. There was run after run of dry, fluffy powder.

One of the remarkable aspects of living in this area is it's blessed with contrasts. We have trees and plants flowering in town even though there is so much snow only 56 miles away. It's really incredible!

Anyway we had some of the driest snow all year riding/skiing this weekend. We found some of the slopes groomed with four inches new over the groomed. We had lots of untracked there, and on the un-groomed areas and in the trees it was epic!

Later on, we stopped into the mid-mountain hut at Ski Bowl for lunch. We were treated to a band playing the accordion, bow saw, fiddle and mandolin. What more could you ask for?

So here's a video of the music!

I just HAD to share.

Tim Niemier - Inventor of the Sit On Top Kayak

2008-03-20T17:55:00.000-07:00

In early March 2008, John, Rod and Joe, a bunch of

St. Croix Paddlesports dubious suspects, descended upon Bellingham, Washington, to see Mr. Tim Niemier, the inventer of the sit on top kayak!

Tim Niemier happened upon a trend when he invented the sit on top kayak (SOT). He opened up kayaking to people who were afraid they'd swamp and never be able to get back inside a kayak. He also opened up a world of tropical kayaking because many people in warm climates find decked boats just too hot! Today, the sit on top kayak is a multi million dollar market spreading around the globe.

Look to StandingWave USA and St. Croix for some Niemier-inspired designs coming up in 2008!

Utah Skiing March 2008

2008-03-07T16:48:00.000-08:00

Just returned from a great ski trip to Park City, Alta and Snow Basin, Utah! My buddy and college fraternity brother Tully and I went to see our ex-Portland buddy Ed who now lives walking distance from the lifts at Park City.

It snowed about 16 inches a day before we arrived, and then it got fairly warm and comfortable. I skied in my soft shell and fleece gloves all four days. Everybody knows Utah snow is legendary. But what was interesting this time was how long the snow stayed dry and forgiving, even when the temperatures were near 40 degrees.

We didn't experience any crowds. We were there just after President's Day Week and before spring break.

At Park City, the best snow was off the McConkey lift. That area has some really nice gladed skiing, some double black diamond bowls, some bumps and even a couple of cruising runs. The best part was that it did not get direct sunlight - so the show remained really soft!

The last day we went to Snow Basin - site of the 2002 Olympic Downhill. We heard Snow Basin was a good place. All the rumors are true. It has some terrain kind of like Alta, also like Grand Targhee. It has several gondolas and a tram, and one humongously long (9 minutes) high speed quad that accesses some fabulous terrain. The lodges are even nicer than Deer Valley and there even was an attendant (see the picture of the bathroom) and the gondolas are named after famous Olympians. We all gave Snow Basin the thumbs up. In town, we checked out the highly recommended Shooting Star bar. It's been open since 1879. Being a wild west kinda place it has some taxidermied animals on the wall. But in this place, one was a deer's behind, instead of its head!

Well, it was a great week. Topping it all off was a snowstorm the end of the last day. It turned from warm into a storm dumping an inch an hour!

Eagles at Vancouver Lake

2008-02-22T12:55:00.001-08:00

Paddled with my friend Mary Bridget on Vancouver Lake, WA. It was just the most pleasant afternoon February could offer! There was some sun and it made it seem like 70 degrees. I'd never paddled Vancouver Lake. We had views of Mount Hood, Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens. At this time of year it is very quiet. Other than the two of us the only people on the lake were training for a rowing team.

There was no wind until the very end. We found an island on the far side of the lake and padded around it. I was astonished to see 15 bald eagles. They must find this place a refuge. There were plenty of juveniles as well. Vancouver Lake is only 20 minutes from Portland, just over the Columbia River.

Then we headed back to Portland to try Lucky Lab's new Solar Flare Ale. Very refreshing!

One Sunny Day at Meadows, Car Accident

2008-02-11T16:24:00.000-08:00

The weather on Mt. Hood has been just bizarre the past couple of weeks. Closed lifts, even Timberline Ski Area was totally shut down. In Washington, over the weekend of February 9-10, all the passes were closed. We had many feet of new snow and high winds for days on end at some ski areas, while during this time, Ski Bowl, on the other side of Mt. Hood, enjoyed snow and calm winds. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday February 6-8 winds at Meadows regularly gusted to 60+ mph. A few hardy souls made it up.

The forecast for Saturday called for possible rain in the morning followed by a cloudy day. More hardy souls like myself risked the drive up to a reward of a blockbuster blue bird spring-like day. Once the morning icy topping softened the snow was like mid spring. And it was not even crowded - a treat on this early February day!

Incredibly deep snow pack called for digging out some of the lifts.

On the return home near Sandy on Hwy 26 in the "Blood Alley," there was yet another collission. The highway department has installed some barriers to prevent cars crossing the median, but this one was not prevented. A life flight helicopter carries the victim away.

Record Snow on Mt. Hood

2008-02-06T15:11:00.000-08:00

Yes sireee! There's more than enough snow on 'Hood this year. Which ski resort to choose? This year elevation or snow depth is not a concern. They all have over 15 feet of base. In fact, recently I had to duck people on the chairlift! That's right - the snow is so deep my hat nearly clipped someone's skis!

It's been deep since mid-December, and so far, there has been some difficulty even skiing without inclement weather sometimes - at Timberline or Mount Hood Meadows. They have been hit by storm after storm. Last week, and again today and tomorrow, there will be winds topping 50 mph up there. Meanwhile, over at Ski Bowl, it's almost calm when Meadows has wind.

Most years it will snow three feet one week and rain the next. Not so this year, with dump after dump after dump. Skiing in the trees at Ski Bowl or Meadows has been epic. It has not been fun for snow removal, however. While the ski lifts need to be dug out, so too the roads. Snow slides have blocked access and the heavy equipment has been in operation all winter. Plows, sanders, graders, and the big snow blowers are working 24/7. There's not only falling snow but drifting snow.

I was up the other day and a jeep did a 720 right in front of me, but he recovered, rolled down his window and double-pumped to the sky. I've also been testing my brand new Rossignol Zenith Z11 Mutix skis. These are pretty wide (the tip is 128mm) and have adjustable stiffness. I've found the soft flex works great in the deep snow and windpack. When I'm going groomers, their stiff setting works better. But my Volkl 5-Stars are much quicker at carving - those are the pick for "normal" snow days. There was a threesome of people aged 75+ up at the mountain this week. I still can't get over it. I first noticed the 1960's-era Cubco bindings. Then I saw them again in the lodge - and I've no doubt one of them is over 80 years old!

Holiday Reflections - Every Day's A Miracle

2007-12-20T11:28:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is often a time of celebration and togetherness. It is much more than surprising with gifts. As it comes at year-end, it is also a time of reflection and taking stock. For me, about fifteen years ago, it was a time of rethinking life itself.

Fifteen years ago I faced the decision of a lifetime – to risk brain surgery or spend the rest of my life inactive. My holiday season started Thanksgiving Day as I ran in an eight-kilometer race, and while sprinting the last 100 yards to the finish, I suddenly felt faint. My first thought? This isn’t happening. But it was. I tried to walk off the course, but my arms and legs became paralyzed. I began to topple, and as I fell I could not stop myself. I struck the pavement hard and blacked out. In 18 hours I was to discover a brain aneurysm was the cause.

I awoke in a confused time and space. Paramedics stooped over me and asked, “What is your name?” “Who are you” “What day is today?” “Who are you with?” At first I couldn’t answer. Then I could speak. Then, I tried to say who I came with, but the words wouldn’t come. But then I came back into this world. I answered the questions.

Soon I was on a stretcher, in back of an ambulance rushing to the hospital. All I know was my neck was killing me and I had lost my front teeth – again. This was the fifth time an accident had impacted my teeth! I had occasional nightmares about repeats. Here I was yet again. What was I going to tell my family? I was also in graduate school and final exams were about to begin. Now how was I to complete them? How was I going to pay my bills? I was supposed to drive to a ski resort that night. Now that was canceled.

At the hospital, questions, questions. And lots of tests. CT scans. Demerol relieved my neck pain – enough pain to cause madness. Finally, a neurologist came to offer a diagnosis. He told me that I fainted and the hemorrhage on my head, which was caused by the fall, was not serious and would “re-absorb” in a few days. Of course I needed dental work, but I’d be fine. It was then I told him about paralysis. I told him the reason my head hit the ground so hard was I had tried without success to stop my fall. My hands simply would not do what my brain told them to do. His expression became much more serious upon hearing my story. He ordered more sensitive tests for my brain, and I was now under orders to remain as still as possible. But I didn’t know why.

The following day I was given a cerebral angiogram. This involves inserting a catheter in my leg and steering it all the way to my brain, where dye is injected. This dye shows up on the X-ray really well. I was totally awake and saw it live. Wow! My brain lit up like a tree. You might ask, what did that feel like? Well, when they do your right lobe, it feels warm, and then the left, etc. But nope – it doesn’t hurt. Once they got the results of this test, everything changed.

My neurologist paid me a visit that evening and explained that I had a brain aneurysm which leaked during my sprint to the finish line. It was an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, causing pressure on my brain and paralysis. I could have been dead just from that leak. Maybe I “should” have been, for I slammed against the concrete, causing whiplash, a left frontal hemorrhage, and lost teeth. He said it was incredible the impact didn’t cause the leak to burst. But it stopped leaking. Then he explained just how lucky I was thus far.

One in 15 people in the US will develop an aneurysm during their lives, and up to 3 percent bleed in any year – that’s 30,000 people. Of these, up to 15 percent die immediately and over 50 percent die within 30 days of rupture. 50 percent of the survivors suffer a permanent neurological deficit. So I might die within 30 days, and if I lived, might suffer some handicap. Well, I got through the first part – I wasn’t one of the 15 percent. Now what?

My neurosurgeon gave me a choice. Either do nothing or have brain surgery. Doing nothing meant being a ticking time bomb. Its risks are re-bleeding and meant certainly an entire life of inactivity, for being active might cause re-bleeding. Option two is opening up my head and closing the leak. This option, he explained, risked brain damage from working in sensitive areas. I could also wind up inactive, or worse, some other permanent condition. Those were my options. He gave me the night to think about it.

Thoughts raced through my mind. What about school? What about my job? What about my family? My skiing weekend was finished! Then everything came into focus. I was 31. But I felt like I was suddenly 100, having not much life to live. Wait a minute! I can only look back? Not forward? It was always about what’s ahead? There is NO ahead? Only back? My life has already been lived? Well, with that possible reality, I felt dead. In a way, it was liberating. All those issues – money, status, religion, taxes, sports, charitable giving, what to do on the weekend – keeping up appearances, those are problems of the living! How bizarre. Those living people have to deal with all these things that really end when they die. So what has meaning? The things that lift our spirits. Helping others. Making our world a better place. Thanking our parents for doing so much for us. It’s not about what we wear, the finish on the counter top, or what social group we belong to.

It was clear to me that this decision was about what to do with my life and that was my decision to make. Nobody could do that for me. I wanted to live an active life, and I was going to take the risk of surgery to make that happen. To do otherwise was to ensure my remaining days wouldn’t fit my lifestyle. I’d take the risk to try and save it. I’d flip that 50/50 coin.

On December first I came out of surgery. I was given simple physical therapy and began walking, unsteadily at first. In the beginning my short-term memory was shot. I kept a notepad handy so that daily things could stick. Long term memories were fine. On December 9th I went home. I decided to take final exams – without studying – what good would studying do? I actually did well, as most memory was already intact. I was on many neurological drugs but managed. I actually went skiing in January (against doctor’s orders). I had made it past the 15%, the first 50%, and it looked like the next 50%.

I graduated the following June, still under medication. I did have one seizure the following Autumn, so I went back on anti-seizure medication. But other than this, I returned to my former life. I moved to Oregon, and eventually found a new job. I have not had another seizure. I am truly lucky. This holiday season, I have lots to look back on and lots to be thankful for – and lots to live for.

Angkor Wat Cambodia

2007-12-04T15:59:00.000-08:00

Artopia Heads to Angkor Wat Cambodia

In November 2007 I headed to Angkor Wat, Cambodia, to celebrate the launching of Feelfree’s ethnic art-inspired Artopia waterproof gear! Surprising encounters, hidden treasures, exploration – it's Artopia! Artopia is a unique line of waterproof bags for paddling, outdoor sports and travel.

I had just completed my Bhutanese trek and had only 13 hours overnight in Bangkok to switch gear and re-pack for Cambodia. Pong, the Feelfree Artopia project director, helped me with storing extra luggage in Bangkok. I certainly didn’t need Himalayan trekking gear in Cambodia! The Bangkok Airways plane took off at 8:00 a.m.

When you spend time at Angkor Wat, you stay in Siem Reap. A majority of the population is involved in the tourist industry in one way or another. Since the ruins were opened up a few years back, lots of development has occurred. Even today more hotels are going up. You can’t walk very far without some tuk tuk driver asking if you want a ride. These Tuk tuks are different from those in Thailand – they are more like a motorbike with a trailer for people.

The pace of life is pedestrian – nobody seems in a hurry. Sure there’s traffic, but it’s moving along and not choked. My hotel is the Angkor Century Resort and Spa. While probably dating from the 1970’s in architecture – nothing fancy – but it’s comfortable, the food is great, and it’s got a nice pool. There are a lot of German tourists. I see a lot of Germans and Koreans while visiting Angkor Wat. Two of my Bhutan trekking mates are also visiting the temples, but they’re staying at the premier hotel, the Raffles Grand Hotel. I’m told it’s right out of the 19th century. I’m headed there for dinner tomorrow night and there is a Cambodian dance performance scheduled.

The Angkor Wat temple complex is so huge it is not to be believed. Angkor Wat itself is only one temple within the area. Angkor Thom, nearby, is probably five times larger! The ruins go for miles through the jungle in every direction. You quickly realize the known ruins are only the tip of what was originally here. There is still much to be unearthed from the strangling jungle, but so much rotted away and is lost forever. Over one million people lived in Angkor Wat, which was the capital of the Khmer civilization from 8th to 13th centuries. It is a World Heritage site, along with other treasures of human civilization like the Pyramids in Egypt.

Because it is so famous, it’s a magnet for tourists. After Bhutan, it was quite a shock! Thousands of them, from all over the world! Also unlike Bhutan, tourists get besieged by hawkers. You have to work hard to fend them off. I bought a very good book from one of them, just to get rid of him. I must have said no four or five times and he would just not let me go. But the book is very informative about the temples – not so bad after all!

We head to the main temple the following day before dawn. We get there early, and there are only a handful of tourists. But within 45 minutes the temple becomes like a football stadium on a Sunday, as thousands gather – every one with a digital camera. So Angkor Wat at dawn is thousands of little LCD monitors pointed in the same direction! Nevertheless it’s beautiful, and this day the moon is a crescent and Venus is in the same view. So you have Angkor Wat, dawn, Venus and a crescent moon. Not bad!

All the temples are filled with incredible art. So I take photos of my Artopia waterproof bags in front of it. Throughout most of its history, the Khmer civilization was Hindu. It was Buddhist for a short period before returning to Hinduism. Today, Cambodia is 90% Theravada Buddhist, like Thailand, Sri Lanka, Laos and Burma. Much of the art depicts Hindu stories, most famously the popular Ramayana – a tale of the triumph of good over evil. Hinduism’s primary gods are Vishnu (the preserver – protector), Shiva (the destroyer) and Brahma (the creator). So the art often involves stories about these gods, their children, or other relatives. Other sculptures depict battles. Sometimes the battles are from Hindu lore, but some represent actual wars waged between the Khmers and their enemies. Heads get severed, arrows fly, elephants attack.

The temples are frequently surrounded by moats, or reflecting pools. And some are easily recognized from Hollywood movies. We visited the overgrown Ta Prohm and Preah Khan, where Lara Croft battled statues-turned-monsters in Tomb Raider (2001). These temples have been largely left in the same condition they were in when rediscovered in 1837. They are overgrown with huge intertwining jungle trees, some reaching over 100 feet high. It is just incredible to see them for my own.

The most prolific builder in Angkor Wat history is Jayavarman VII. One of the last great kings, he built dozens of temples during his reign, including Bayon, with its famous 49 towers with each with smiling images of Avolokiteshvara. These, along with the towers of Angkor, are what people think of when Angkor Wat come to mind.

Cambodia is much more than ancient ruins. When one visits Cambodia, one cannot escape the continuing tragedy that began with the American carpet bombing eastern Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge terror, and Vietnamese occupation. Cambodia remains loosely governed, and Khmer Rouge officials still live in one city. It is only now that some of them are coming to trial. So much time has passed that a number of their top men already died of old age. People here feel like justice has not been served. The worst of these events was the Khmer Rouge. They literally tried to wipe out Cambodian society and start a brand new socialist state from scratch. These were determined people, zealots in every way. They systematically studied how the society previously worked and sought out to destroy all elements, without prejudice. They had absolutely no mercy whatsoever. They gathered records of everyone’s education, social status, memberships, affiliations, skills, and ethnicity, and executed over two million Cambodians in some three hundred killing fields scattered throughout the country. Doctors, teachers, monks, foreigners, diplomats, businessmen, children, women, even simple cooks were eliminated. They were so systematic that they recorded the details of each persons life and who they knew before photographing them before and after, execution. They did not want to even waste ammunition on these people. They killed them by swatting them in the back of the head with a bamboo stick. The only reason the Khmer Rouge were overthrown was that they were caught over the border in Vietnam. The Vietnamese government could not tolerate the incursion and invaded, destroying the regime and occupying Cambodia.

Today, Cambodia is a country seeking space to get back on its feet. People still fear the Vietnamese will return. There is a monument in Phnom Penh thanking the Vietnamese for overthrowing the Khmer Rouge. But just recently it was defaced. This illustrates that the people are still wary of foreign interference. There is still a Wild West feeling. Driver’s licenses are not required. Although one drives on the right-side of the road, many vehicles are right-hand drive, because they were stolen in Thailand, where they drive on the left. There are few traffic lights in Phnom Penh – making Bangkok seem like a picnic at rush hour. The government is run by the party that lost the election – and I won’t go further into detail about that – let’s just say they strong-armed the party that won. But the main feeling one gets is that these are decent people – they just want to live a safe, comfortable life.

I hope they get their wish.

Volunteering for Trail Maintenance

2007-12-04T11:40:00.000-08:00

Taking a Whack at Trail Maintenance

I represented StandingWave / Feelfree Kayak USA at the Outdoor Industry Association Rendezvous October 3-5 in Vancouver, Washington. The annual event is an opportunity for hundreds of outdoor industry professionals to take a breather from their normal lives, and look at the broader forces affecting the industry as well as learn through specific seminars some tips and tricks that apply to their business. Notable topics this year included sustainable business practices, international trade, marketing to minorities and the millennial generation, global warming and the decline of carbon-based energy. On the final day a group participated in a volunteer service project, heading to Dubois Park and the Blandford Canyon Trail, in Vancouver, Washington for trail maintenance. Among the group were executives from organizations such as Timberland, Jansport, Rossignol, Thule, the Pacific Crest Trail Association and Rutabaga Paddlesports.

I donned the overalls, boots and work gloves, lending sweat equity to the project. The sweet tool I picked was a McCloud, so-named because it resembles a Scottish medieval weapon. Much of the trail was overgrown with invasive blackberry (full of thorns) and English ivy – which are prevalent in the vicinity of Vancouver, Washington. It was fun being Braveheart with the McCloud. Trail crews swung their pick axes, Pulaski’s and loppers into action, making quick work of overgrown brush. We also edged and leveled the trail. Back at the trailhead another crew worked mulch into the beginning of the trail at the park. Afterward, we celebrated our accomplishments by hoisting a few microbrews back at the Vancouver Hilton. Well done!

Clackamas River Cleanup September 2007

2007-12-04T11:17:00.000-08:00

The 2007 Clackamas River Cleanup

As part of its commitment to river stewardship and renewal, Feelfree sponsored the Clackamas River Cleanup in Oregon City, Oregon, September 9th, 2007. As Feelfree Brand Manager, I captained a Nomad to aid the effort. We also donated items to the silent auction and raffle. In 2006, we donated a Feelfree Gemini, which netted nearly $600 at auction.

At the end of the day, the river ran cleaner as nearly 300 volunteers removed 6,440 lbs of rubbish from Barton to Willamette Park, a heavily used 14-mile stretch of river. Volunteers were organized into pods consisting of a set number of kayakers, rafters and divers. Each pod was charged with cleaning a section of river. Some notable items included a bureau, kitchen stove, shopping cart, truck wheels, an Obi-wan-kanobi robe, dozens of flip flops, fencing and rail spikes. The weirdest story was when a pod’s two divers submerged only to come up with three divers! It so happened that the pod’s divers got separated, and when one saw another diver he grabbed a foot. Well, that diver just happened to be down there for a recreational dive, and freaked! JAWS in the Clackamas. You never know what’s down there!
At the end of the day, the 300 volunteers were treated to live music and barbeque. The barbeque was specifically designed to use the most sustainable resources possible. It even included corn-based utensils, which of course are 100% biodegradable. Everyone went home feeling good.

Waldo Lake Paddle August 2007

2007-12-04T10:55:00.000-08:00

Waldo Lake Paddle August 2007

In August five friends got together for a weekend kayak camping on Waldo Lake, Oregon! Waldo Lake sits some sixty miles southeast of Eugene, Oregon in the central Cascades. It’s a large, natural lake about 22 miles in circumference and sits at approximately 6,000 feet elevation. The most amazing fact about Waldo Lake is the water. It’s one of the purest lakes in the world. Sometimes you can see the bottom 100 feet down, and it’s so pure it doesn’t support a food chain. There are almost no fish. Motorboats are limited to speeds of 10 mph or less.

Because of limited motor boating and the lack of fishing, Waldo is very pristine, and very popular with paddlers. We picked a late August weekend for our visit. It turned out to be just perfect! And another group of friends were headed there the same weekend, planning on camping somewhere else on the lake. So we brought two-way radios so we could meet up!

We planned to take our kayaks and camp on the shore opposite from the launch. We’d have to do some scouting, but I’d been there before and knew there’d be lots of places to set up. I took three Feelfree Atlantis 14 kayaks on the trip and Feelfree DryTube waterproof gear. Being touring kayaks, they have three hatches with plenty of storage, as well as bulkheads to be water tight, and they even have rudders. I arrived with friends Christian and Katie after sunset. It was a beautiful evening, the stars were out, so we decided to go ahead and head out in the dark! It was an incredible paddle. While we were heading across the lake, the moon rose, and it was possible to see the shoreline. It was also possible to see the bottom of the lake in places! After about an hour we spotted a really good-looking spot behind Rhododendron Island. This spot had a cove, a beach and looked like maybe a nice view. We beached the kayaks and not only was it even better than we thought – it was not taken! From this site you could see the whole north end of the lake including 10,450ft South Sister, Mount Bachelor, and Broken Top.

Morning was a bright, clear day. We snorkeled, swam and paddled, exploring the area. Later in the day we were hailed by my other friends Janis and Brent. So that evening we all had a great meal in camp. The next day we called on the radios to see if my other friends Kimo and Michelle were at their site up the lake. Sure enough they answered! They were probably five miles distant. They waved from the shore with a big blue towel and with my binoculars I could actually see them! That was cool. So we decided to head out and pay them a visit. We passed a flotilla of kayaks on the way up there. The wind was pretty calm at first, but later on, it kicked up a bit. It was a brisk paddle. When we got closer, Michelle paddled out in her Feelfree Nomad kayak.

Michelle and Kimo’s campsite was also really cool! It had its own lagoon. There was a break in the shoreline with a “pool” behind, which was the lagoon. It was like a swimming pool. We could beach all our kayaks in this little harbor. Since we had snorkeling gear we checked out the clear blue waters of Waldo Lake. I’m not kidding when I say snorkeling was a lot like flying! You could swim out into the lake and just look down as the bottom falls out below you – like you are a plane flying over a mountain range and the valley drops down below. We had a nice lunch and went for a hike. Later, as the wind kicked up, we decided it was time to get back to our camp. We followed the shoreline a bit to stay out of the wind. That evening we watched as the moon rose over the east side of the lake. It was absolutely spectacular how you can see the white edge of the moon start to break behind tree branches on the other side, then rise and become one big disk over the horizon.

The following day we explored Rhododendron Island, then headed back to the launch. Rhododendron Island has a boulder reef to one side. Some of the boulders are eight feet high, and as the water is so clear you can see down the side as you paddle over them, it just seems like you’re flying. Way cool! We’ll be back to Waldo next summer!

Paddling in Thailand with Feelfree

2007-12-03T16:52:00.000-08:00

Paddling with Famous Thai - Rattapoom Youprom and the 1500 Miles Foundation

In June 2007 I flew to Thailand for a factory orientation with the Feelfree Kayak USA Sales Team. What a fantastic trip! The partners of Feelfree International, Sakun Khieowan, and Paul Lepper, orchestrated several days of educational meetings and then we were treated to a fabulous day with Rattapoom Youprom, a national paddling hero in Thailand! Our group of 14 Americans and 18 Thais were to experience something never done before.

Mr. Youprom is famous in Thailand for his beautiful 500 day, 1,500 mile paddle circumnavigating Thailand (including the Mekong River). His was a journey born of tragedy, of self discovery and finally of love. In 2003 his mother was brutally murdered, and for him it was either take revenge or find healing paddling around the entire country. Investigations revealed it had been an arranged murder, for retribution on a default on a loan. Even worse the contract killer had been his childhood friend. This sent him into a deep depression, where he was listless for some time. But he found that he wanted to do something for his mother. He had promised her before she died that he would take her on a sea-faring journey. So he hatched a plan to paddle all the way around the country with her picture. He met so many wonderful people on the way that it warmed his heart forever. Paddlers healed his heart as well. “Many people have come to kayak alongside me. It was then I realized that my loneliness, my stress and my vengeful urge had completely disappeared," Rattapoom said.

Circumstances would have it that Rattapoom had spent some time in Phuket, where the December 2004 Tsunami struck. The people who had hosted him were killed in the tragedy. Rattapoom has since dedicated part of his 1,500 Miles Foundation to Tsunami victim relief.

We paid a visit to the foundation and paddled with Rattapoom. Who would have imagined, but we were big news! Television crews captured the scene. Later on we were treated to a surprise – a celebration dinner at his house, which is located up a tributary. After dark, old-fashioned canoes picked us up and paddled us up the stream to his household. Floating candles and music welcomed us on the way. Once there, we were taken to an open-air theatre with seating for dinner. Lovely music played as we dined. As it was my birthday, they sang happy birthday for me too. What a night!

Skamokawa Kayak Trip July 2007

2007-12-03T13:33:00.001-08:00

Skamokawa Kayak Trip July 2007 - Feelfree Atlantis Touring Kayak

In July I joined neighbors and friends on a four-day trip to the lower Columbia River! We took touring kayaks, including the Feelfree Atlantis on this terrific kayak camping trip. We took the Feelfree waterproof gear along, too! Feelfree SnapPack, Feelfree DryTube, and Feelfree DryFlat waterproof bags!

We started at Skamokawa, a town on the Columbia River, which has a kayak rental shop and dock. A great place to start the trip. A trip on the this section of the Columbia takes precaution and planning. It’s less than 20 miles from the ocean so tides are a big factor. It can get windy. The river is quite wide in some sections. And there are 600ft long ships plying these waters. So waves plus wind plus current and ships equals planning. It’s best to head downstream with the outgoing tide and return with the incoming tide. You need to camp above the high tide line! Everything has to be timed to the tides, and because it can get windy, taking the weather forecast into account is mandatory.

We head out on a very calm morning on the outgoing tide. I’ve never experienced this section of river. But those who have say it’s never been this easy! Good, I say. The current is helping us along. We see many bald eagles, and fewer ospreys. There are some big ships, especially the car carriers, which look like big office buildings floating on the side. They are much faster than they look from a distance. And sometimes, they throw out a big wake behind. So when you see one coming get out of the shipping channel, if you happen to be in it. There are bends in the river and trees on islands. Sometimes the only way you know a ship is coming is the smokestack above the trees. There are not lots of pleasure power boats – just a few fishermen looking for salmon or sturgeon. A few hours later we reach our intended destination, a beach on the Washington side where we know there is a spot complete with a ‘kitchen’ from previous years. But this time it’s busy! But we find out the occupants are leaving tomorrow. So we move off to another site for the night. We enjoy the sun and start collecting some wood for a fire. Groovy man!

Unfortunately we find out the site we’ve chosen has been closed for the year. There is a ranger that comes by, and he allows us to stay for the night as the sign was hard for us to see, coming off the water. The property has changed owners. But no campfire! Bummer. Next day we awake to pancakes and bacon. Bacon’s not something we usually eat at home but here the smell of bacon cooking is just irresistible. After that, we’re ready to head out.

Luckily, the site we want is left vacant. We occupy it. Then we decide to paddle across the river to the wilderness on the other side. There are many channels over there to explore, and some floating homes anchored by hunters. We check out the estuaries, where there are more bald eagles, and take in a lunch on a floating home. It’s very pleasant! But the wind kicks up. The waves get larger, and we start to become concerned about making it across to the other camp. Once we get out onto the main branch of the Columbia, the waves get to over two feet and some crest. This, combined with the outgoing tide means there was the regular current, the tide accelerating it, and wind coming in the opposite direction from the ocean. This made for challenging paddling! I was very relieved when we made it home to camp.

We had a dinner made in the camp kitchen. Tonight is burritos. We have a little bit of wine with dinner, and this time, lots of wood and a bonfire! There’s no end to the amount of wood that can go on that fire. And to top it off, we have fireworks! One paddler has stuffed a huge amount of very nice “mortars” into his boat and these go off for a long time. We notice somebody else had the same idea on the Oregon side of the river. Later that evening it was high tide. The tide was highest about 2:30 a.m., and near that time the ominous sound of a huge engine could be heard. I woke up to find a tanker headed by at flank speed. Knowing a wake was not far behind, I rushed down the beach to pick up any kayaks and equipment and move it up the beach. I’m glad I did, because the waves that came almost reached our tents!

On our last day, it was a matter of waiting for the wind and tides to switch to our favor. So in the afternoon, we took off toward home. Although we’d be paddling against the river current, at least the tide was slack – and the wind from the ocean would help. Well, it was no picnic. This time it was 20-25 knot winds going against the current, and a boat fully loaded with camping gear! I had mistakenly loaded the bow compartment of my Atlantis with more weight than the stern. We also had waves following us, so there were points where my 14-ft long kayak wanted to surf, then plow (submarine) into the next wave! It was unsettling to say the least, but I found some eddies on the side of the river where the current actually reversed, to it helped me beat the others by a half hour! Way cool.

There was a lot of wind out there that last day, and the waves sometimes reached three feet. It was so wavy that one of the kayakers actually got seasick! They beached their boat and another paddler towed it back to Skamokawa. I got in my car and found them by the road. Well, in the end we were all tired and hungry, and ready for a beer!

Bhutan Blog 13 - To Thimpu

2007-12-03T12:27:00.000-08:00

Bhutan Blog 13 – To Thimpu

We finished the trek by hiking out through the valley to Drukyel Dzong, an easy hike yet I still must say the trail was full of those river rocks! So even level, it was far from flat! I was looking forward to a nice dirt path.

We were met with snacks and beverages (even beer) at the end. Then it was a 2-hour bus ride to the capital, Thimpu. The drive blew my mind. This totally reinforced the fact that we were in a very underdeveloped country. Not only is the road a really windy route over a narrow, often dirt track, but it closely follows the mountainside with a view of the valley below. It’s cut out of the rock.

But the most amazing part was that the entire route is under reconstruction – often by hand! And almost nobody performing the work is Bhutanese. These people look different and have completely different dress. Bhutan has hired thousands of construction contractors from Bangladesh. The level of technology is just shocking. On much of the highway they are literally breaking the rocks with hand-held tools. There are teams of women. And there are children as well. Many are living in temporary tin sheds, and at night you can see fires within. It didn’t seem like these people were unhappy. Many waved as we drove past.

The road doesn’t become really a “highway” until the outskirts of Thimpu. Thimpu has a population under 100,000. For a capital city, it’s very relaxed. Nobody is in a hurry, and one can see dogs sleeping in the street. Like Paro, most locals wear traditional outfits. I do see a few Western men clad in business suits.

After a long hot shower and sending my laundry to be done by the hotel, I seek out a haircut and a shave. It turns out to be an Indian barber complete with Bollywood movies playing inside! That was the highlight of Thimpu. We visited several sights – an art school, a textile museum and did some shopping. Very relaxed. Well, that’s it for Bhutan!

Bhutan Blog 12 Descent to Samsak

2007-12-03T11:41:00.000-08:00

Bhutan Blog 12 Descent to Samsak

Our sleep was shattered at 4:35 a.m. by the cook tent. Two crew preparing breakfast decided to sing folk songs. They were beautiful songs. But not at that hour! I spoke to several trek mates that morning and all were quite annoyed. One crew even used a fry pan as a percussion instrument!

We hiked up a few hundred feet to another pass, then along a very pretty ridge from which we could just see the peak of Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world. It was probably 75 miles distant. Then, the trail began its relentless 5,000ft descent to the valley floor. I hope my knees are ok. Once again, on the descent, I’m one of the slowest trekkers. This trail has many places where it’s narrow, with loose rocks and steep walls on either side. When I hear the telltale noises of horses coming up behing, it’s a bit unnerving because it’s hard to get out of the way!

I do feel a sense of accomplishment. Going in, I really wondered if I’d make it. I didn’t know if I’d get blisters or altitude sickness, or some other malady. But I did just fine! And nearly everyone on the trek did just great. Way to go!