We depart home around 1230 enroute to our first stop, the TA
Truck Stop in Troutdale to run our loaded trailer over a certified scale. 3140# on the steer axle, 3600# on the drive
axle, 5540# on the trailer axles, total gross 12,280#.
Then we head down I-84 to LePage Park on the Columbia River. LePage is a US Army Corps of Engineers Park, one of many dotting the landscape and normally associated with water. This park sits at the confluence of the John Day and Columbia Rivers. We are in a waterfront space along the John Day. Carl’s brother Jim has come along in his own rig to spend a few days with us.
We deploy our kayaks the 2nd day and paddle and
sail up the John Day. Carl has a sail on
his Hobie Mirage Drive kayak and Jim has a Super Snark, a small, 11’ sailboat
with pontoons. Pam is along with her Mirage
meaning she has foot pedal paddles and of course, her normal paddle. We go for hours, the theory being that when
we turn around it is all down river with the current. Right?
Not so Grasshopper.
We turn around and the wind is on our nose ensuring that we will have to paddle all the way home. Carl and Jim struggle with sails, not able to really use the sail to their advantage. Unfortunately, one of the power boaters decides it is just fine to put up a series of wakes with kayakers nearby and soon, that, coupled with a gust of wind, upends Carl’s kayak and we have a “man in the water.” Jim and I quickly converge on the spot.
Carl has righted his kayak but is unable to re-enter it so we opt to try to pull him to shore, succeeding only in spinning in place. Thankfully a savvy boater nearby decides that Carl has been in the water long enough and comes to the rescue. He takes Carl aboard his boat and then Carl is able to transfer back into his kayak. We make for the bank and follow it in the choppy, windy river back to the docks. Lesson learned we hope! We set some parameters and agree to stick to them for the rest of the trip.
Carl and Jim catch some mighty fine catfish. 
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