[Paddlewise] trip report

Short trip report for a short trip:
     Saturday, April 24, 1999. Woke up. Looked outside. A perfect 
day, no rain. On a scale of 1-10, a perfect 12. Couldn't stand to 
waste such a day. Loaded the truck with boat and gear. Headed 
for Lewis and Clarke State Park boat ramp. A new sign by the ramp
said "No personal watercraft allowed on the Sandy River". Wow. No
canoes, kayaks, rafts, driftboats, etc., only tugboats and 
oceanliners. Finally decided the State of Oregon gibberish meant no
jetskis. Why don't they just say so.
     Launched the kayak and skimmed across some shallow gravel bars,
and then cruised down the river towards the confluence with the 
mighty Columbia. Just a few fishermen in their personal fishing 
boats. Blue sky forever, little wind, brilliant sunshine, some ducks 
and geese scattered about, no sign of fish. Fishermen are catching 
nada, but enjoying the day.
     Paddled up the Columbia against a stiff current, found a nice 
little sand island. Stopped here. Couldn't resist this quaint little 
spit of sand. Ate a little lunch, caught a little sun, get down 
tonight, get down tonight. Finally forced myself to leave and paddle
the reverse course back to the ramp. Fell in love twice at the ramp, 
once with a golden retriever named C.J., and again with a female 
black lab puppy. What a picture perfect day. And the forecast for 
Sunday? Rain, rain, rain.
     BRC
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Bradford R. Crain                             E-mail: brad_at_mth.pdx.edu
Dept. of Mathematics                          Phone: (503) 725-3127
Portland State Univ.                          FAX:   (503) 725-3661  
P.O. Box 751
Portland, Or. 97207
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