Two of us drove to the south jetty of the Columbia River in Oregon. We did not bring kayaks. Our attire was standard cross-country skiing garb. (There had been a Pacific storm the night before, with high winds and drenching rain. The power went out just after 3 am.) We climbed the observation tower that overlooks the south jetty. The view was stunning. Winds of 40+ knots buffeted us. The tower, which is constructed of heavy timbers, was swaying back and forth. The scene was nuclear. Large breakers could be seen everywhere, and extended virtually to the horizon. Water was exploding over the jetty in majestic plumes. There were no surfers to be seen. It was difficult to see salt water, as 99.99% of the water's surface was breakers and sea foam. I had never seen anything as wild and dynamic as we did this weekend. After some time spent on the platform, we were driven off back to the parking lot by a rain squall. It was very comforting to be able to retreat into the car. On the way back to town we noticed many downed trees and much standing water. We saw no kayakers or surfers anywhere. Just as well, since they would have needed rescue in short order. I think my next trip will be across the living room to the TV remote control and a few football games. I've had enough excitement for now. BRC *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Bradford R. Crain wrote: > Two of us drove to the south jetty of the Columbia River in Oregon. > We did not bring kayaks. Our attire was standard cross-country skiing garb. > (There had been a Pacific storm the night before, with high winds and > drenching rain. The power went out just after 3 am.) We climbed the > observation tower that overlooks the south jetty. The view was stunning. > Winds of 40+ knots buffeted us. The tower, which is constructed of > heavy timbers, was swaying back and forth. The scene was nuclear. > Large breakers could be seen everywhere, and extended virtually to > the horizon. Water was exploding over the jetty in majestic plumes. > There were no surfers to be seen. It was difficult to see salt water, > as 99.99% of the water's surface was breakers and sea foam. I had never > seen anything as wild and dynamic as we did this weekend. After some > time spent on the platform, we were driven off back to the parking > lot by a rain squall. It was very comforting to be able to retreat > into the car. On the way back to town we noticed many downed trees > and much standing water. We saw no kayakers or surfers anywhere. > Just as well, since they would have needed rescue in short order. > I think my next trip will be across the living room to the TV remote > control and a few football games. I've had enough excitement for now. Brad, That was not an "abnormal" storm. Before outsiders were able to tap into our weather data gathering out here, we just weathered things like that and called it good. Flatlanders. What can you do? -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Nov 24, 2009, at 7:45 PM, Bradford R. Crain wrote: > Two of us drove to the south jetty of the Columbia River in Oregon. > We did not bring kayaks. Our attire was standard cross-country skiing garb. On a November trip to Portland about 10 years ago I drove out to the same spot in a storm with wife and daughter. Winds were reported above 60. From the tower we could not see anything because the wind driven spray and sand made it impossible to look. We were the only fools on the tower or in the parking lot. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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