Kayaking adventures

Clear Lake 

In October of 2018 we visited Clear Lake and I wrote a blog about it. This is from that blog: 

The Forest Service says it is the headwaters of the McKenzie River. It is a lake "born of fire" because it's formed from a dam caused by a lava flow from the Sand Mountain. When the lake was formed it covered up the forest that was there and those trees are still visible. The water is so cold (31-41 degrees), with low nutrients, fed by water filtered through volcanic rock or the year round spring that is crystal clear. These factors help to preserve the trees in the water. It's not a "dead" lake. It has native cutthroat trout and it's also stocked with trout for fisherman. I noticed the fish as I hiked around it. They were very easy to spot, which means they can see me too. I'm not sure how successful I would be fishing there. The lake has a temperate forest on one side and sunbaked lava trails on the other side. 

Since then we have always wanted to go back and kayak the lake. This year we did it in June. The lake was beautiful and soooo clear. 

Mr UAW looking at the Three Sisters Mts and yes that is
the shadow of his kayak on the bottom of the lake 

One of the many ancient trees from when the lake was formed. 

       

This is Bear Grass, there was lots of it around the forested side of the lake 

       

Start of the McKenzie River from Clear Lake 

Lunchtime view 

Salmon River Estuary 

The first picture here is a picture from a hike that we took to the top of Cascade Head. You can see the beginning of the Salmon River Estuary, the secluded beach, and beyond the beach-on the other side of the green hill is Lincoln City-and if you look really hard you can see Devils Lake that is in Lincoln City. Anyway I wanted to start this part of our adventures with this picture so you can get an idea of where we were kayaking. The day we went kayaking to the secluded beach it was very windy, 30+mph winds that whipped into the estuary from the ocean. The boat ramp on the estuary is away from the ocean so it wasn't that windy getting into the water. But the journey to the beach soon became a workout. Even though we timed it so the tide was going out to aid our journey to the beach the headwind was so strong it negated any help the tide was going to give us. We persevered and made it to the river side of the beach-not a row for a beginner. We pulled up our kayaks, and were immediately sandblasted from the wind blowing on the sand. Walking to the mouth of the river and eating lunch on the wet sand was a good idea-no blowing sand there-just wind. We walked around a bit then decided to go back to the boat ramp-that was on the other side of the river. By this time it was even windier. I got in my kayak, looked back at Mr UAW to see if he was behind me and he wasn't. The wind had taken me away, quickly. So I determined to just make it to the other side and I noticed that I had no ability to steer. It was so windy that my paddling was useless. I ended up using my paddle as a rudder to steer me where I wanted to go. If I would have held up my paddle the wind would have taken it from my hands. When I had just about reached the other side, there was Mr UAW right behind me. He had the same experience too. Anyway we made it safely to the boat ramp and it wasn't as windy there so we paddled around for a bit and got out. It was one of the more scary and exciting kayak rides I have been on. So I didn't get any pictures of that part of our kayak trip, my hands were too busy on the kayak to safely get any pictures. 

Salmon River Estuary seen from Cascade Head 

Beach at the mouth of the Salmon River 

The next day it was even windier, now the winds were gusting at 37+mph. We decided to kayak in just the estuary that day, it wasn't as windy in there. It was a great day and the tide wasn't hard to paddle against. We saw Blue Herons and Bald Eagles here. We ate lunch next to a Bald Eagle as he was sitting in a tree probably looking for his next meal.

Bald Eagle

Tualatin River 

Our local river, the Tualatin River, offers many adventures, usually calmer ones. Our first trip this year was on Mother's Day-it was warm enough to kayak! And there are always ducks wanting a hand out. We never feed them, but apparently some people do because they know to beg. The river is nice to paddle in the evening when it has been a hot day, the cooling breeze comes up and the gentle movement of the water makes for a relaxing evening.

first trip out for the year 

little beggar 

evening on the river 

And sometimes we take other people on the river. This year we took visitors from CA and my grandkids on the river. There is a local kayak/canoe rental place nearby and even with the current Covid situation we were able to get everyone on the river safely.

I'm sure we will have more kayaking aventures this year and you'll hear about them.