Re: [Paddlewise] The Advantage of Vantage

--- Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com> wrote:
> Also... water levels on this part of the Columbia
> can vary by several feet
> depending upon how much water is being released or
> held by the dams. So be
> very careful where you set your campsite up and
> where you leave your boat.

Dear Craig, 
You probably read it on that page, but I did learn
this the hard way.  Just out of Pateros I pitched my
tent high up the beach at the grass-line, and chucked
my boat up in the grass.   Woke up in the middle of
the night with the tent floating up around me.   (A
fascinating yet not too highly recommend sensation!) 
Your advice is great. . . just 9 years to late to save
me ;-)    Glad I had my boat on higher ground.  

Other good advice for Columbia voyaging: (I'm sure
these are plenty obvious for more critical thinking
folks than me)
1. Never camp near dumpsters. (Bears!)
2. Don't trust people who say "your kayak will be fine
there for the night."
3. Some towns will confiscate your kayak and all your
belongings for reasons like "we didn't know who it
belonged to" (... so we took it). 
4.  When someone gives you a handgun, just take it:
It'll be in smarter hands that way. 
5.  That put-put motor you hear all night is a
grouse-- so just go to sleep. 
6.  You are being closely watched via camera within
several miles of every dam. 
7.  Wellies, not Crocs... they're ugly!  ;-) 
8.  Don't drink from the river south of Renata, B.C.

I'm sure there's many things I've forgotten already. .
. only to rediscover the hard-way another time. 
Best, 
Harvey 
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