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Trek II - Willamette River, OR Trek III - Western Lewis & Clark |
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| Trek 2 - Willamette River, Oregon-continued | |
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Michael N. Read, August 2001
Day 1, Saturday, August 11, 2001 - Columbia/Willamette Confluence to
Ross Island
The wrong beach The flower offering The wildlife The hobo shacks More blue tarps The green cave The sparrow The squirrel The tent
I had driven down to Portland Friday morning with my kayak, bike and all the camping gear. I stayed at Sam's place overnight and awoke at 6:00. Sam was still asleep so I shaved and showered and packed up ready to go. Then I tapped on Sam's door. He hadn't heard the shower running like he thought he would. We had cereal for breakfast then drove the van to the local QFC to get some final supplies such as film, bandages and antiseptic spray etc., and some flowers.
We left home soon after 7:00 and got to Kelley Point Park about 8:00. It was cloudy and cool, which is great for paddling. A couple of women who had camped overnight in the parking lot were packing up their tent as we drove in. They eyed us suspiciously as we started to unload the van. It took longer than expected. This was the first time I had tried to pack the kayak with a full load of supplies and camping gear. It would not all fit because I had to leave most of the front storage area for the bike and trailer. I secured one large dry bag on the top of the kayak at the front where I needed extra weight to balance my 200 pounds in the rear cockpit.
Sam took a ride on the bike and checked out the trail leading to the landing area. He came back and we hitched it all up and I rode off following the asphalt trail leaving him to take a short cut through the woods.
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